Tag: sewing

Tank Tops made from T-shirts

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I just love pinterest!  It is such a great way to find ideas and inspirations for just about everything.

These tank tops were projects I found on pinterest and decided to make.  Both of them use a t-shirt to make the tank.

No Sew Tank Top made from Wobisobi tutorial
No Sew Tank Top made from Wobisobi tutorial
Back of No Sew Tank Top - tutorial from Wobisobi
Back of No Sew Tank Top – tutorial from Wobisobi
Tank Top made from pinterest tutuorial with my own i-cord strap idea and couched hem
Tank Top made from pinterest tutuorial with my own i-cord strap idea and couched hem

The royal purple one above was made using the directions I found from the Wobisobi site.  The project is called No Sew Halter and if you click on the highlighted text it will take you to the tutorial.  It is very easy to follow and requires no sewing.  I have made two of these now.  There are lots of other no sew t-shirt ideas and tutorials on this blog as well.

 

The red one to the left was made using a tutorial from crafterhours blog.  It is called tee to tank and if you click on the highlighted text it will take you to the tutorial.  I also found this through pinterest.  This particular tank does require a little bit of sewing.  I added a little of my own creativity to this one by hemming the bottom by couching down a variegated yarn that I had leftover in my stash from another project.  I also used this yarn to knit some i-cord for the straps at the top and neckline.  The i-cord then ties on one side.  I really like how this tank top turned out.

After making the red tank top I got inspired to use my pattern making program, Bernina My Label, and make my own version of this tank.  I used part of the halter top pattern that is from the My Label patterns and this batik fabric to make the multi color version below.

Tank Top - idea inspired by pinterest - made using Bernina My Label halter top pattern by Kimberlees Korner
Tank Top – idea inspired by pinterest – made using Bernina My Label halter top pattern by Kimberlees Korner

 

All of these tank tops are super easy and quick to make.  A great way to recycle an old t-shirt and create something new to wear for summer.

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend.  It is hot here in Texas so I will probably be wearing one of these tank tops this weekend.

 

 

 

 

Sewing Pattern Review on Skirts

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sewing pattern review for skirt simplicity pattern 1662
sewing pattern review for skirt simplicity pattern 1662

I love to make skirts for spring and summer.  The fabrics they offer for these two seasons are just perfect for long or short skirts.  I also think that it is more comfortable to wear a skirt when it is hot outside than pants or shorts, sometimes.

I was recently at Hobby Lobby again – it seems I go there about every other week – and they had Simplicity patterns for .99 cents again.  I can not resist buying one when they are that low – even though I don’t need any more patterns!

This pattern, Simplicity 1662, offers 5 styles of asymmetrical skirts.  The skirts attracted my attention because they look comfortable, different than any of my other patterns, and easy to make.

simplicity pattern 1662 for asymmetrical skirts
simplicity pattern 1662 for asymmetrical skirts

 

So far I have made two of them using view A.  The navy one (photo above) is in a lightweight broadcloth and the red one (see photo below) is in a cotton print.  The red one I altered a little on my own to have a straight hem in the back.  I am always changing things on patterns, it seems, to create my own design.  The skirts have only a few pattern pieces and an elastic waistband.

red burst cotton skirt sewn with simplicity pattern 1662 view A

 

back view of red burst cotton skirt by Kimberlees Korner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These skirts are so easy to sew.  Definitely a project a beginner can make.  I have been sewing over 25 years and from start to finish, including cutting out the fabric, I made this skirt in a little under 2 hours.  A quick and easy summer project.  I am planning to make view E next, the longer version with the lower ruffle.

I hope everyone is having a great day and has a Happy 4th of July tomorrow.

 

Chevron Fabric Projects

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I recently came across some mini chevron cotton print fabrics at Hobby Lobby.  They appealed to me because both prints had colors that I love in them.  I bought the fabrics not sure exactly what I would make with them.  Therefore, I always buy at least 3 yards of fabric to ensure I have enough.  I learned this lesson a long time ago from a lady I worked with that told me you need to buy at least 3 yards so you have enough to make a garment.  If I have extra left I usually cut it into 2 1/2 in. or 1 1/2 in. strips for other projects.    I was thinking I would make skirts from both of these fabrics but different styles and then decided one would be a cute top with the right pattern.  Here is what I ended up making:

2013 05 15_2083
Blue & Green Chevron Top by Kimberlees Korner

 

Chevron Skirt - Kimberlees Korner
Chevron Skirt – Kimberlees Korner

The pattern I used for the skirt was one I have had for a couple of years, Butterick B4803.  I had made the different versions in the pattern of the long length and decided I wanted a shorter skirt this time so I used the basic view E and measured from my waist to just above my knee to figure the length I would shorten the pattern to.

I love to sew skirts for summer.  They are easy to make for one thing and sometimes a lot cooler and more comfortable than shorts or pants.  This particular pattern has only 2 side seams and and elastic waist and a narrow lower hem.  So easy to make.  I will be making more this style and length.

As I got in my closet the other day and decided to wear the skirt for the second time I discovered this top that I had embroidered a couple of years ago.  The embroidery design matched the skirt colors perfectly – how great is that?  I did alter-upcycle the shirt some though to look more updated with the skirt.  Note:  I will do a future post on my upcycled t-shirt at another time.

Chevron Skirt with Embroidered Top by Kimberlees Korner
Chevron Skirt with Embroidered Top by Kimberlees Korner
Front of Chevron Top by Kimberlees Korner
Front of Chevron Top by Kimberlees Korner

 

Back of Chevron Top by Kimberlees Korner

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pattern I used for the top was one from my Bernina My Label software program.  I used the basic tunic pattern, removed the darts, added a cap sleeve, a scoop neckline and decided to place elastic in the center front and back to gather it in some.  I used 1/8 in. wide elastic approximately 7 in. long stretched across 10 in. of the center front and the center back.

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Sewing Pattern Review

Simplicity Pattern 1915 made in mint green broadcloth
Simplicity Pattern 1915 made in mint green broadcloth

 

I recently made this top after acquiring some new patterns from Hobby Lobby.  They were on sale for .99 cents and I couldn’t resist buying a couple of new patterns.  I really do not need any more patterns but it is hard to say no when they are such a bargain.

This pattern was pretty easy and had good instructions.  If you have basic sewing skills and have made a few garment before you should be able to make this.  You will need to know how to gather as the whole neckline is gathered.

The fabric I used to make my top was a lightweight broadcloth in a pretty shade of mint green.  I have plans to make another one in purple and possibly put some embroidery on it.  As you see from the photo of the actual pattern there are other options for making the top look different.   The version I made this one was version E.  I think I will make my next version C with the curved hemline.

Simplicity Pattern 1915
Simplicity Pattern 1915

The top also has an option for tucks at the lower hemline of the sleeves.  The following photo is a close up of the sleeve tucks.

Simplicity Pattern 1915 - close up of sleeve tucks
Simplicity Pattern 1915 – close up of sleeve tucks

I hope you enjoyed the pattern review.  I plan on doing other pattern reviews in the future so make sure you subscribe to my blog via RSS feed or through Bloglovin if you like this post.

 

 

Categories: Sewing

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Upcycled – Dress into Skirt

2013 04 11_1927I made this dress many years ago.  I haven’t worn it in a couple of years as a dress but liked the fabric – it is a cotton knit – and didn’t want to get rid of it.  So, I decided to convert it into a skirt since I seem to wear more skirts than dresses.  The following steps are listed below if you are interested in how to do this to one of your own dresses.

Step 1:  Measure from your waist down to see how long you want to make your skirt – I wanted a long skirt so I decided on 30 inches.

 

 

 

2013 04 23_2045Step 2:  Place on a cutting table or surface and measure from bottom hem up to waist 30 inches plus 1 1/4 inches for the fold over for the waist band casing – My total was 31 1/4 inches.

Step 3:  Mark with a chalk pencil all the way around 31 1/4 inches from bottom hem.2013 04 23_2046

Step 4:  Cut on the chalk line just made in step 3.

Step 5:  Serge cut edge with your serger or zig zag on a regular machine to prevent fraying.  Not totally necessary with knit fabric but I think it makes a more finished look on the raw edge.

Step 6:  Turn down waist band WS(wrong sides) together 1 1/4 inches – pin and/or press.

Step 7:  Sew using straight stitch close to serged edge, or approx. 1 1/8 inch from folded edge, leaving about a 1 to 2 inch opening for inserting elastic.

Step 8:  Measure elastic around your waist and cut to size needed.

Step 9:  Use a safety pin on one end of elastic to guide through casing.

Step 10:  Stitch elastic together by overlapping 1/2 to 1 inch and zig zag over overlapped edge to secure.

Step 11:  Pull elastic back into casing and evenly distribute fabric over elastic.

Step 12:  Use a straight stitch to close up casing opening.

Step 13:  (optional) Stitch in ditch, or side seams, of skirt seams to prevent elastic from rolling.

Here is my finished skirt-    2013 04 30_2020

 2013 04 30_2023

 

 

 

 

 

I have also done this to another dress and made it into a short skirt just above the knee.  This is a quick and easy update to your wardrobe.

Categories: Sewing

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