Made By Lex » other

One Yard Wonders

Alexis — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:46:56 +0000

Last year,One Yard Wonders approached me a contributor on their new book.

Can you guess which project they wanted?

What’s even more exciting is it made the UK versions cover!!

Anyhow, check out their facebook page for updates, news and sneak peeks of the new book. The new One Yard Wonders book will be released some time this month. Congratulations to all the contributors!

Foam Magazine

Alexis — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:46:05 +0000

I was introduced to Foam magazine last year and loved it immediately. It is surfer based with edgy fashion and amazing photography mixed in.

How excited am I that my leg Warner’s post is over at foam?

Go check it out!And don’t forget today is the last day to enter the Harts Fabric $100 giveaway!

Sheer Skirt Tutorial with Hart’s Fabric Giveaway!

Alexis — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:28:00 +0000

There is nothing I love more this season than sheer fabrics. I think they are so elegant, airy and effortless. (You can see my Sheer Love board on Pinterest for inspiration.) I’ve made quite a few now and wanted to share how to do one with you. I went to harts fabric and this fabric caught my eye immediately. I can’t even pretend here- this is drapery fabric!! But I went over to Harts amazing upholstery side of their store, saw this, and knew it was just what I wanted to make this sheer skirt. Think outside the box!!

So here’s how you make this simple and chic look.

Before you start make sure you have the right kind of needle. It’s SO important when working with these kind of fabrics. Also, may I give another shot out to Fabric Savvy? This is such a great resource for information on how to use different fabrics.

First, you need to determine how wide you want the skirt. I think this depends on the fabric. When it’s really light and sheer you can handle more gathering because it won’t look bunchy at your waist. But this fabric had a lot of structure and I didn’t want it to add 10 pounds to my waist. So for me, my waist is 26 inches and I used 45 inches of fabric. Also, this fabric is so sheer and will obviously need lining. I like to use separate slips for my skirts. Sometimes I want to wear a short slip and other times I want the full skirt. So I’ll show you how to make a separate slip.

Connect the piece, or pieces, by French seams. (shown how to here.)It’s the best way to connect sheer fabric.

Gather the top of the skirt. I do this by ruffling on my seeing machine. Keep it slightly larger than your waist, so you can pull it over your hips.

To make the waist band, get a piece of fabric the width of your gathered waist . You will need to attach the lining to this because the elastic sill show through.

Connect the waistband together.

Fold and press the waistband in half, pinning it in place.

Pin it to the gathered top of the skirt. I recommend sewing it gathered side up. You can keep a better eye on your gathers that way so they aren’t getting bunched or shifted in the stitched. I used a zig zag stitch. I’ve found that using a serger makes it way too bulky.

Leave a small opening for some elasitc. Weave it through then close the seam.

To finish the bottom of the skirt you can do it many ways. You can just hem it as is. But for this look I wanted to do a large border. I got a piece the same width and folded it over in half.

After I attached it to the skirt I did a decorative top stitch.

Now the skirt is complete, is time to make the slip. This is almost a no brainer. But let me give few words of advice. The color of the slip can drastically change the look of a sheer skirt. So play around with different underlayers. I used a nude colored silk and decided to use the back side, the dull side, instead of the shiny front. I started the same way as I did with the skirt. Connect the piece or pieces together. I made this the same size as the skirt.

You don’t need to gather the waistband, just fold the top over making a small place for elastic.

Insert the elastic and close the seam when finished. Here’s how it will look.

I just finished the bottom with a simple rolled hem.

Now the skirt is complete!

I love the drama of this print paired with a simple tank.It’s such a simple neutral with great detail.
I was also really happy to have added the large hem. I think it makes it extra special.

You can also wear a shorter slip to show some leg. I love this look and wear it on a lot of my sheer skirts.

I hope this inspires you because it’s a really simple skirt, probably one you’ve made for your daughters before! It’s just with a sophisticated fabric that gives it a fancy look. There are countless sheer fabrics.

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And in case you wanted to make you’re own, my favorite store, Harts Fabric is giving away a $100 gift card to be used at their store or online.

All you have to do is like Hart’s Fabric on facebook, then leave a comment here saying you’ve done so. If you’re already a fan just leave a comment saying that. They offer awesome weekly tips, sewing ideas and special discounts.

Winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday, November 8th.

Good luck!

How To Make Leg Warmers or Boot Socks

Alexis — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:13:29 +0000

Wow! I’ve been absent a while! I’ve been really busy up at mydaughters school working on some projects for their school auction, then the girls got sick and I got sick. (the kind of sick where I was in bed all day!) No fun! But here I am, so happy to be back. I’ve got a new tutorial just in time for colder mornings and dimming evenings.

I absolutely love layers. One of my favorite ways to layer are socks under knee high boots. But honestly, I hate tucking my jeans into a giant sock. Doesn’t everyone? It gets bunchy and uncomfortable. So here’s a much easier way to get the look.

Feel free to accessorize however you like.

So cute and stylish and much easier then stuffing your leg and jeans into a tight sock.

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend. I’m working on a GREAT tutorial for next week with a BIG giveaway!!!

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Pinterest Sharing

Alexis — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:32:55 +0000

I love you pinterest. Here’s a few favorites to share.

Navy and White Pencil Skirt

Glitter Ankle Boots

Love these. No link to DIY, but cardboard and modpodge should take care of it.

This gluten free quinoa pizza crust is OUT OF THIS WORLD! Healthy and easy. It’s a weekly staple.

And while we’re talking about quinoa, try these quinoa burgers. They’re delish, as well.

Made three of these in about 20 minutes. Great idea!

DIY Bracelet

Old Door ReDo

How can I make these awesome Paint Pants?

Hope you like. Follow me on pinterest to see more of my favorites!

PS- 10% off all fur at Harts Fabric this week. Get some for your Halloween costumes!