Dare to Design #2

Dress Design for Shabby Apples Dresses

This is my faux wrap dress because I hate when the real deal flies open as I'm walking across a busy street! So the bodice starts off as a surplice top, ending just under the bust. All wrap style lines end at the side seam so the dress remains un-bulky. There is a small mandarin collar the stands just behind the neck. The shoulders are accentuated with small round patches of the green poplin for a look of power. The skirt looks like it is several layers without the "fly away" look. The "layers" are attached just at the hem of the printed fabric and the skirt yoke in the poplin is also attached making one streamline pencil skirt with a cute kick pleat in the back seam. The waist is cinched with a removable elastic belt that clasps in the front with a sliding "knot" to cover the clasp. The dress is made of a cotton shirting on the thicker side witha repeating green, teal and yellow leaf print. The pencil skirt hem hits just above the knees.

Dare to Design #1

Dress Design for Shabby Apple Dresses


This slinky number is made from smooth and shiny jersey knit, preferably cotton, and trimmed in stretch cotton sateen. I like to play with texture on dresses this simple so I added 3 large pleats at one shoulder to give the top of the dress a little "blousiness" and three more at the waist for a little flare in the skirt. The waist is cinched with an elastic waistband that again adds to teh texture. The boat neckline and hemline give the illusion of a slip peaking through with the faux second layer of the black sateen. The cap sleeves are also cuffed with the sateen. Hem hits right at the knees.

Sold!

I love when I have sales minutes after I post new items! Sold the red ruffly suede bracelet last night! YEY!

Store Update - New Bracelets!

I made 7 new bracelets today! I wish we had more 3-day weekends so I could keep being this productive! I also made a cute vest thingy today that I'll post tomorrow as I was too excited about flowering up these bracelets to even think about it. I spent a few hours Sunday layering and stitching up the fabric poppies that I LOVE so damn much. I especially love my stud setter!

Pictures!

DIY - Productive Weekend

Here's a few other things I made this weekend. Boyfriend was out of town so I had way too much free time!

A tunic with a knit yoke at bodice -


A tunic with an elastic waist for a blousy look -


And a necklace scarf out of loosely knit sweater material and wooden beads. Can't wait for Fall! -

DIY - High Waisted Skirt

So here is how I did this little number. Wish I had a pic of me wearing it because it looks funny on the mannequin with no shirt/discernible waist...SO super quick here's how:

Waist measurement = 35"
I wanted to double the gathering so it was nice and full
Cut 2 bid squares 35in x 18" (length of skirt)
Cut 2 small rectangles 35in x 9in (waistband height x2)

I made a mini (18" skirt length) but you can do down the knees (about 20-22")

sew waistband pieces together at short ends to form big circle. Fold in half so it is 4.5" tall, press. Mark center and sew an elastic casing all the way around circle 1/4" wider than elastic. Press seams.
Sew skirt pieces together at side seams. Press seams.
Sew skirt to waistband. Press seam down.
Use seam ripper to open one waistband side seam inside elastic casing. Insert elastic (same measurement as waist) and sew ends together.
Hem at desired length. A wider hem will help weigh down the full skirt (I did a 2" hem).

Picture!

Sharing - 2 things in 1 night?!

No I just forgot to post the first one a few nights ago. So I wanted to go in a different direction since I was blanking on cuff designs. I LOVE this red necklace. It reminds me of wings and scales on a fish at the same time. Poof - Flying fish necklace - HAHA. The problem is it photographs beautifully but if you breathe while wearing it the falls into a bundle of fabric and chain so I need to plan it out a little better next time. I always have better luck the 2nd time around anyways. My next project was a summer scarf/necklace deal that I kinda brainstormed in work today. I'm going to wear it tomorrow to try it out. Hope I don't get too hot but my new office is FREEZING! It has the surface design on it that I am pretty much obsessed with and will never stop doing to everything I make ever HAHA. Makes it a little rougher looking for a shabby-chic feel - I hope...

Pictures!!