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!

 


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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.


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Posted in Original Designs, other, women's clothing | 6 Comments »

How to Make Ricotta Cheese

July 11, 2011 12:54 pm

This has probably been one of my favorite discoveries. I love ricotta cheese and use it in many recipes. I had no idea how easy it as to make. Now we make it frequently! The way I show you how to  make it is perfect for classic loose ricotta, like the kind you would use in a lasagna. But I let it drain longer to be served as an appetizer. It is such an impressive and delicious appetizer or side dish that takes no time at all. It’s also so much less expensive then store bought ricotta cheese.

The first thing you want to do is prepare your strainer. I put a strainer on top of a bowl with a couple layers of cheesecloth.

Next in a nonreactive pot, pour in 4 cups of milk, 3/4 cup buttermilk, 1 cup cream and 1 tablespoon of salt. Sometimes I haven’t’ had cream and I just use an additional cup of milk which works fine. The end result just doesn’t taste as creamy.

You’re going to boil the milk until it begins to form curds. It will get pretty hot and then you will see little curds forming. You can see it on the spoon here.

When it has been curdled for a couple minutes pour it into your cheesecloth where you will separate the curds from the whey (the liquid).

Now if you want to use it for lasgana or another recipe that calls for it you only need to strain it for a couple minutes. But what I do is let it drain for about 10 minutes. Then I wrap up the cheese cloth on top and let it stain for an additional couple of hours, until it could be cut without breaking apart. I leave it out to drain because I can’t stand cold cheese. It taste much better served at room temperature or slightly warm. If you make it ahead of time just take it out to get it to room temperature before you serve it.

Then when it’s firm, I unwrap it and put it on a plate. I pour nice olive oil over it with some sea salt and serve it as an appetizer with fresh homemade focaccia or bread. It taste mild and creamy. It’s definitely a household staple. I hope you try it!


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Posted in home, other | 22 Comments »

Pajama Pants Anyone?

July 7, 2011 7:36 am

I’m pretty sure if you searched the internet for how to make PJ pants, this idea would be all over the place. So I don’t claim to have invented this idea. But  I still love it, nonetheless. I love using old T’s for things because it’s using what we already have or is already made. It’s a great way to recycle.  So when the girls needed new pj pants, I made these.

Get a T.

Fold it on it’s side.

Trace a pattern on each side of the T with another pair of pj pants.

After cutting two out, sew each leg up the middle then pin the two together and sew them together at the crotch/bum seam (I’m sure that’s a technical term :) )

Make a waistband the width of the top of the pants. Fold it over.

After attaching, pull the elastic through and close.

You can make quite a few in no time! One thing I’ll do is if the fabric is a little plain I’ll sew a little fun patch of fabric on

(See the fuchsia ones in the middle? If you’re lucky and your child is small enough you can use the arms of a T for the pant legs. It make a natural leg shape. Love it!)

Enjoy!


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Posted in children's clothes, other, refashions | 13 Comments »

Chan Luu inspired bracelet tutorial

July 1, 2011 8:53 am


I went to borrow some jewelry from my mom’s extensive jewelry collection and found these gorgeous bracelets by Chan Luu. She has a bunch of different versions but I love these single bands.

So I did a little research and found some great video tutoirlas on how to make them. Rather then doing my own I”ll just share a few links with you that I gathered info from to make my own.

Aunties Beads Video

Copy Cat Step by Step

 

I wanted to make one that was a little organic looking. I took this necklace that I had with some kind of stones and took it apart. I used the existing closures, the plastic jewelry rope it was on and added the leather. That way I didn’t need a big knot at the end.

After that I did the instructions that they said and added by toggle at the end.

Here were my problems:

1. My stones were very irregularly shaped. So it made it more challenging.

2. I ran out of my jewelry thread halfway so I needed to add more of a different one so the thread changed colors halfway through.

But I still love the way it came out.  I just love the way the irregular stones look and I can’t wait to layer it with lots of other bracelets.

I’m totally hooked on making these and I can’t wait to try some more out!

Oh! And THANK YOU for all the closet ideas! They were perfect and I have tons of new ideas now. Also, the black maxi dress is done, I’m just working on editing all the pictures. Coming next week!


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Posted in jewelry, other, Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
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