Made By Lex

Anthropologie Pratia Tank Top Tutorial

Per  popular demand, here is the Pratia tank tutorial!

Start off with a t-shirt or tank top. What I did was get a larger t-shirt so I could gather it at bottom like the pratia tank. I cut off the sleeves so it would be a tank.

Measure your neckline and get a piece of chiffon that length and fold it in half.

Pin it to the inside of your neckline with it peeking out. Stitch it in place.

Since I cut the sleeves off my T, I wanted to finish the edges. Fold it under and pin it.

Stitch it.

I highly recommend interfacing where you are going to be adding the embellishments, otherwise it’s going to sag. So I use a lightweight fusible interfacing.

For the flower pieces, here is the shape and dimensions I used.

Fold your pieces in half and cut that petal shape out.

I used the extra sleeve pieces, cream chiffon(the kind that won’t fray)  and another grey jersey I had.

How many do you need? A LOT!!  I took this photo before I started adding them and I actually needed three times this cut amount. So make sure you have a lot of fabric on hand!

Lay two petals on top of one another, as shown.

I did a small ‘X’ shape to stitch them so they stay in place. I used my sewing machine, but you could do it by hand, too.

Just add more, and more, and more, and more………(It’s time consuming. I’m warning you), until you have something like this. My recommendation is don’t skimp. When I was getting tired of doing it I thought, “Maybe this will be enough…” But it really looks great when it’s full of petals.

I really liked the bottom gathered feature of this top. So what I did is just used the original hem and I cut a little hole in to it with my seam ripper.

Measure how much elastic you will need to be comfortable around your waist. Pull it through the hole. Stitch the elastic together .

Here’s how it will look after.

Now it’s done!

I can’t wait to wear this under a cute cardigan. I love all the texture of it!

Valentino Inspired Ruffle Clutch

I’m super excited to show you this tutorial! I was inspired to do this because my husband and I go on a date every 10 days, or so. And every time we go out I carry my big mom purse with us and I wanted something smaller to take out. Then I saw Valentino’s Spring/Summer  collection and was blown away buy the texture and movement of all of the line. You should check it out.

So I thought I’d do a clutch inspired by the collection.

Here’s how!

Start out with two pieces of jersey, like an old shirt or sweatpants or any other thick flexible material you have, each cut 17 x 27.

Lay them on top of one another.

For all the detailing, I used some leftover silk chiffon I had. You really could use anything, but I wanted a dressier look so I went for it! You’re gonna need  a lot!

Find the center of your clutch, where it will be folded on the bottom. You can mark it with a pen or pins. Begin sewing from down there. Make sure your jersey is doubled and you’re sewing through both layers.

What I started doing is one of row of heavy pleats.

With each row I alternated techniques. I would do ruffles, then more pleats, then heavy stitching over fabric, a few braids, some rosettes, etc… You want it to be random and full. Don’t skimp on the fabric or else it will look really homemade. I also didn’t go in straight lines, necessarily. I worked in different motions.

Don’t worry about making anything look symmetrical. I think there’s so  much beauty in the randomness. Do both sides of the jersey piece. When you’re done, you’ll have one large, flat piece that looks like, your won version, of this.

Fold it inside out, in half. Then sew the two side together.

Turn it right side out again.

Now for the liner. I used this fun peacock blue satin. Cut it the same size as your original piece.

Fold it in half and sew the sides toghether.

Insert it into your clutch. 

Get some of your extra fabric and make some bias tape.

Pin it all the way around the clutch, making sure that the outside and the liner are in the tape.  Stitch it closed.

Thanks to my sister, Ana for some great modeling!! If you do a clutch inspired by this tutorial, PLEASE go add it to the Flickr Group. I love being inspired by seeing what you do and I’m sure others do, too! Have a great day!

My Stillwater Outfit

We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas as a family. We got to spend a lot of time with my family and my husband’s family and we enjoyed every moment of it.

Last night we went to Pebble Beach Lodge to one of their restaurants, Stillwater.

(from left to right: my husband, Zach, myself,sister Ana, my Mom Valjean, my dad Rob, sister Antonia, sister Clare, brother Joe. missing one sister, Francesca)

I wanted to make an outfit for it since I don’t dress up much anymore. I’ve been doing a lot of designing lately, which I’ve really enjoyed.
And I need to do a preface. These pictures are so hard to post because I am the most awkward ‘model’. I hate taking these. I just had to say that. It’s hard for me to be this serious. I’d have loved to take these in good lighting, but it’s what I’ve got.

That being said, here it is. My Stillwater ensemble.

The back I pulled off to the side with more of the ‘gathers’ then made another strap pulling the off the shoulder one tightly so it wouldn’t fall off my shoulder.

Here’s a full back detail.

I made the skirt from a sapphie colored silk cotton blend. It has kangaroo pockets and a side zip.

I wanted a pop of color so I made this rose colored hair pin.

Or just buttoned. From the front…

… and the back.

Chanel Ruffle Cuff-I love you.

I love these ruffled detailed from Chanel’s recent runway. But they’re a little unwearable for my mommy daily life.
So I’ve been churning in my head- how can I make these functional??
(Disney from Ruffles and Stuff made a cute version seen here)?

Get a dollar bangle at Target. Just like yesterday’s post!! Cover it in black fabric. I used a dupioni silk.

Get long layers of white fabric. I used chiffon. Fray check the edges so it doesn’t fray too much. You could fold it over, but I like how Chanel’s are slightly frayed.

Glue them to the inside of the bangle so they are sticking out.

After I finished gluing the ruffles to each side of the bangle, I got a piece of lack fabric and glued it on the inside of the bangle to make it look nice and clean.

Voila! Wearable Chanel inspired bangles.

So chic!!

$1 High Fashion Bangle Bracelet

First, grab 5 strips of chiffon. Cut them 1.5in by 3 inch. I used these three cream then two in a taupe color.Squeeze them in the middle….

.. then stitch them. Here’s what you’ll have.

I got this bangle in the dollar bin at Target.

Here are a couple more that I absolutely love.
this Vera Wang Silkor this other Chanel.
Cut the fabric the length of your bangle and wide enough to cover it all the way around. Hot glue it on one side. Make sure to pull tightly so it doesn’t pucker at all.

Then do the other side. I think its LOVELY just like this. Think how many you could make with beautiful fabrics!

For an extra step, I covered the inside with this gold hem tape to cover the fabric that was folded over.

Now get your chiffon pieces and layer them on and stick with hot glue.

I added this blue bead to the center. But vintage pieces would look amazing or pearls!

I love how big and bold it is.

Now go make some one of a kind, couture statement bracelets!!(That cost a buck!) How great are these for gifts!! I’m going to be making LOTS of these for Christmas!