DIY

DIY: Vintage silk halter top

July 12, 2009 By Chie

Naoko from Ultramarine Vintage had asked me to remake this oversized silk top into a cute wearable halter top. I don’t have much experience in remaking stuff, so I was a bit nervous.
Here is what the top looked like before the makeover…
It is 100 percent silk, size L, and has a cute pocket on the left side. The fabric is very nice, but you don’t want to wear this in 2009… it requires a bit more work.
I cut out the sleeves, and halt of the back. In the back, I made a loop for the elastic.
For front, I wanted to leave the pocket. So I cut the neckline little deeper, and made another loop for elastic in the front as well.
With the fabric I cut out, I made a strap to go around the neck.

Here is the result! It will be available at Ultramarine Vintage!

Check out her shop as she is adding many items daily!

DIY – Kimono top

June 29, 2009 By Chie

I have been asked to do a how-to on this kimono top by Burdastyle members, and I finally got to it. I am not very good at explaining things, but I will try. This top is very easy to make, and once you get used to it, it takes less than an hour to make this.
1. There are two patterns you need. One is a back bodice pattern from Tara pattern from Burdastyle, and the other is rectangles. For size small, I use 10″×25″ rectangles. You would need two bodice, and two rectangles. Cut out the fabric. You need about one yard of stretch knit fabric.

2. Sew bodice. Put bodice together, and sew side seems. I like to finish up with french seams, but if you want to serge, that would be find too.
Hem the bottom as well.

3. Sew the rectangles. On one side, add lace if you’d like. For the other side, I usually ruffle the edge to add feminine feel of it. You can make many different variation of this!

4. Connect the rectangles to the bodice.
Take the 10″ long side of the rectangles, and sew it to the upper hem part of the bodice. Make sure to leave about an inch and a half as an allowance, so you can use the allowance to make a loop for an elastic to go through. Make sure that the right side of the fabrics are facing each other. Sew both front and back of the clothes.
5. Make a loop for the elastic band. Using the allowance of the rectangles, make a loop and sew it all around the shirt.

6. Cut the elastic band in the length of your under bust. Using bodkin, put the elastic band into the loop. and you’re done!

I hope I explain this well.. Let me know if you have any questions! I would love to see how your kimono top turns out:)

iCandy Guest Post – Fun in the Sun{dress}

July 3, 2008 By Chie

Hello! My name is Chie, and I blog over at Vivat Veritas about handmade clothes, sewing and my various fashion inspiration. I also sell my handmade goodies at my etsy shop. I’m so excited to be able to participate in iCandy handmade’s “Fun in the Sun” {dress} series! Summer is my favorite season. During the summer months I am always wearing light weight sun dresses. I live in Japan, and the summer months here can get quite steamy!

Today I’m sharing how to make this easy sundress/tunic. This is great as a beach cover-up, something to throw on top of a bathing suit.

I found this cute fabric at Ikea the other day. It was 499 yen (about 6USD) per meter, and I just had to grab it! The fabric has pineapples, fish, lobsters, cherries and other fun sea animals all over the white background. It’s 100% cotton, which is great for hot weather, it both breathes and absorbs moisture!

This dress is really easy as you can make it out of two rectangle fabrics. I love easy projects using rectangles, and if you are interested, check out my other tutorials for reversible paper bag skirt and poncho top🙂

I can think of many different variations of this dress: use two different color fabrics for dress and ruffle, add lace at the hemline, make a sash in contrasting color…etc.

❤Materials needed❤
– Fabric: I used 1 meter to make this tunic. If you want it to be longer, you would want 1.5 meter to 2 meters.
– Thread
– Elastic band

❤Measurements needed❤
– Your hip measurement
– Your high bust measurement

❤Instruction❤

1) Cut fabric – You need two rectangles, one for the dress portion, and the other for ruffle portion.
Dress: The width will be your hip multiplied by 1.5. The length should be whatever length you want the dress to be. I made mine 24″.
Ruffle: The width should the same as the dress width (your hip multiplied by 1.5). The length should be 5″.