Made By Lex » women’s clothing

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How to Make A Kaftan

July 20, 2011 8:38 am

You say caftan, I say Kaftan. I still don’t know which way to spell it.

One of my favorite summer essentials, a breezy kaftan. This is EASY! It’s just a giant, loose robe so follow along! I used this golden yellow RIT dye.

I knew I wanted something transparent for my kaftan, so against advice I used a polyester sheer material. I knew in my dying experience that it would still dye, just very light which was fine by me. So for the record, if you use a polyester it will barely pick up the dye. I got a large pieces and folded in it half over at the head. Here it is pinned on my mannequin so you can see what I did. (notice there’s no head hole yet)

I cut a slight shape out of the sides. After unfolding it, sew the sides together.

Next, fold it in half again and at the top folded corner, cut a little hole out for the head.

Now slip it over your mannequin or lay it on the floor.

Now I cut a diagonal slit across the front. I wanted the opening to be across and open at the leg.

Then I took some pins and opened it up the way I wanted it to lye on the front. Notice how it’s taking shape?

Repeat that on the other side.

Then from there you can cut off the excess and sew the openings, along with the hem and it’s complete! I love the way it covers and flows in the beachy wind!

For an optional belt I got two extra strips of the fabric along with some teal grosgrain that matched my scarf perfectly. I braided them all together.

For the ends I got a small piece of grosgrain and glued them closed.

Here’s the belted kaftan.

I have some more summer inspired tutorials coming so stay tuned!

Tags: beach ocverup, caftan, DIY, kaftan, tutorial, women's clothing
Posted in Original Designs, other, Uncategorized, women's clothing | 14 Comments »

Summer Scarf

July 15, 2011 5:00 am

My next beach essential is a light, summer scarf. I live in a cool, coastal town so it doesn’t get too hot here. I always take a wrap with my in case I get chilly. I used this RIT dye to create an extra long and skinny scarf.

I wanted to get a gradient effect on my scarf so this is how I do mine. Get two buckets next to one another. Put about 70% of one dye in one side and 30% in the other. (Follow the other instructions on the box in terms of water temperature, etc…) I dipped each end of my scarf in one side then teeter totter it back and forth. That way each end will come out a different color and the middle will be blended.

After drying I took each end and cut little strips to add fringes.

Then I tied them in little knots.

It’s a great way to stay warm against any cool breezes.

Tags: DIY, dye, hombre, summer scarf
Posted in Original Designs, other, women's clothing | 6 Comments »

Easy, Elegant Teacher’s Gift

June 3, 2011 9:12 am

Hello blog land! I’m back! This move was a hard one for me, probably with the girls being older and having more things and being possessive of where they all go. But we’re mostly settled in now. I can’t wait to show you some pictures when things are all squared away!

For my daughter’s teacher’s gift this year I knew I wanted to make her teacher an elegant scarf. I went to Harts Fabric (of course) and found this gorgeous Italian fabric. It’s a cotton/wool blend and was absolutely stunning. (Here’s a few other prints in the same type of fabric.)

I bought 3/4 a yard and cut it in half to make two pieces that I sewed together. Then I did a rolled hem all the way around the scarf.

Then I added this pretty floral lace trim around the two ends. I added it to both sides of the ends so you would see it no matter how the scarf was laying.

Here’s the finished scarf.

It makes a beautiful gift for someone (or one for yourself). The total cost of the project was about $10!

Have a beautiful weekend. I’m back Monday with a beautiful giveaway!

Tags: DIY, Harts Fabric, scarf, shawl, tutorial, women's tutorial
Posted in Original Designs, other, women's clothing | 4 Comments »

Bold Leather Flower Belt Tutorial

May 9, 2011 3:08 pm

I’ve been so inspired by these gorgeous belts I’ve seen this year.

marc jacobs

although this is a cuff, it was one of my inspirations

asos

So when I decided to do a belt as a tutorial, I posted it on FB and a reader suggested using recycled leather and I thought it was genius! So in my weekly trip to the thrift store I found this deep eggplant leather skirt.

My first step was taking the skirt apart. You can do it with scissors or a seam ripper. Then make a template of the belt shape you want to cut out. I made mine as shown out of pattern paper. You can use regular paper, cloth, whatever you have.

Next, lie it out on your leather and trace it.

Cut it out. If you don’t have a sewing machine you can just stop here. This belt will look great even as one piece.

But if you want to do an extra step, you can cut out another piece.

Sew it together, inside out leaving a hold to pull it through. I don’t know if all machines will sew through leather well. Mine does it just fine. Definitely use a leather needle to make it easier.

After pulling the belt right side out, top stitch all the way around.

Now that the base of your belt is made we’ll work on the flower. Cut out a bunch of different petal shapes.

Begin piecing them together, a couple at a time. You can machine stitch them together, like I did. But if you don’ have a machine you can sew it by hand. Or if that intimidates you, there’s always glue