Made By Lex

Shirred Front Top- A Lex Refashion Tutorial

I love tops like these from Anthropologie with all the heavy texture on them.

I’ve also checked out “The Art of Manipulating Fabric” by Colette Wolff from the library and it’s really inspired me to try some new texturing techniques.

So I thought I’d start with this style top with shirring with a gathering foot. Honestly, I’ve never used my gathering foot. I don’t have any idea why!! So here goes!

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Loose Fitted T-shirt Tutorial

I got a lot of questions on how to make this simple shirt:

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Nautical Bib Front Top

I am totally loving all the nautical themed clothes and accessories right now. I wanted to make something a little more subtle, a little less navy/white and red. So I came up with this top.

Here’s How:

Stitch all the way around the bib…

Easy, right!? The only thing I did after was add some pleats around the bib. It didn’t look complete to me. But I think it looks nice either way! I love cream and grey together!

I like how it’s nautical themed, but won’t ever go out of subtle because it’s not TOO over the top. Like it?

See, I’m still doing tutorials! And due to popular vote, a dress one will be coming soon.

Have the loveliest day!!

Paper Bag Waist Skirt and Pleated Top

,but I still wanted to shoot my sister in it so you could see it better.

Here is my paper bag waist skirt and Peach Pleated Top.

The top is a peachy pink vegetable dyed  cotton by Vera Wang. It’s, hand down, one of my favorite fabrics that I’ve worked with.  I did this pleats down the front and the neckline with some fold over detailing, then some buttons.

The top V’s in the back and has a small, slimming closure.

The skirt is a super soft yarn died linen with a paper bag waist and black cotton tie and with the same black cotton detailing at the bottom.

It also has pockets.

This skirt is the best! I wear it all the time and its fashionable and comfortable.

Love her in this shot.

Here’s where you can help me out again!!

Your feedback means a lot to me and I’d love to hear any thoughts about either pieces or the shoot, in general.  Also, would either of these pieces be somehting you’d buy or want to see in the etsy store?

Please take a moment and let me know your thoughts! It really helps me out!

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!