Made By Lex

Denim Skirt Refashion Tutorial

I was on the hunt for a great little denim skirt that I could show you how to make easily. I’ve been loving the denim trends this year.

I found this skirt on Polyvore and really like the effortless, style.

Here’s how to do your own. Get a large men’s denim shirt. I got mine at the thrift store for $1. Mens’ shirts are AWESOME to work with because the prints aren’t too loud and you can get a big one and have lots of material to work with.

So you can measure properly, cut the bottom off of the shirt. They tend to have that curved cut and we want our straight so it doesn’t look like you’re wearing a mean’s shirt.

Next from that bottom, measure the height that you want the skirt.

Cut it that height and make the width about 1.5 times your waist size. Take in to account that there will be a waistband, as well.

Next, sew the button strip down the center so it will stay closed.

If there is a pocket in the way, remove it with a seam ripper. You can also leave it or relocate it depending on what look you’re going for.

Pin your two pieces together on the sides and sew together.

Create a waistband by using the extra material from the sleeves. Fold it over and press.

Pin it to your skirt leaving an opening for the elastic.

Before I add the elastic, I like to do the hem so it remains straight without the pulling of the elastic. Fold under and press.

One of the things I think makes this look nicer is doing a thicker hem. It will look less like  a shirt that way.

Now you can run your elastic through and close the waistband.

An extra detail I did was did a top stitch at the top of them waistband. I wanted the top to have a slight paper bag waist.

Here’s what that stitch will do.

And here’s your $1 denim skirt!

I love it with a lovely blouse for Spring (this top is one of my  new designs, coming soon!)

I absolutely love how you see the pocket spot at the top. It’s my favorite part!

I hope you like this one! It’s a perfect style for Spring!!

New Paper Bag Waist Skirts at Etsy

To my etsy shop, I just added a paper bag waist skirt in grey...

… men’s wear in beige tones...

…and cream and white.

The EASIEST kids skirt

Ok, so this is nothing genius. You have probably all made this already. But here’s the easiest 10 minute kids skirt.

Get a long piece of fabric, 1.5 times your child’s waist size. I made mine knee length. Sew the ends together.

With elastic thread, shirr the top of the dress. I went around and did it 3 times. Iron it after so it shrinks up.

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Daily Wear and New to the Shop

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Here is a new dress I made for myself over the weekend. I wore it with an oversized sweater, knee high boots and my pleated purse.

Those of you that have been with me this whole time know how much I looooove white. This dress is a Burberry cream on cream striped jersey.  It has cascading ruffles down the front.

It has smocked sleeves, smocked neckline and  a slimming smocked waistband. Its comforatble, airy and effortless. A great dress to wear casually or dress up.

It’s for sale in my etsy shop, along with two paperbag wiast skirts from my new line at Stripe. This one is a chambray denim.

This one is a combed pink cotton.

Both are a one size fits most! One more day left to enter the giveaway!! And NO! I’m not going to stop doing tutorials. I’ve got one coming on Thursday.

OH! And if you live locally, 20% off our ENTIRE purchase at Stripe today!!

QUESTION: A lot of you requested me to do a dress tutorial for the Anthropologie “You name it, Ill show you how to make it”. Now, I can show you how I make a dress for me, but it’s going to be SOOO different for each body. You may need to dart more, extend more in the back, take in more in the waist etc… I’m worried that whole part will be not helpful at all. Would you rather have a shirt tutorial or an easy dress one? Let me know so I can choose which one to do!

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!