Coffee, Crafts & Conversation

Monday, January 27, 2014

DIY Waterfall Cardigan

I found a few lovely pieces at Goodwill this week and asked for help decided which to start with.. an overwhelming amount of votes chose dress #1!

Floral Dress - Waterfall Cardigan

I started with folding the dress in half sideways with seems together.

Chopped it at an angle for the waterfall effect starting in the back and gradually getting longer toward the front. You want to make sure that you start cutting straight out then start going down so you don't get a pointy spot in the middle when unfolded. I ended at a pretty sharp angle because I want the waterfall effect in the front.

Next, I snipped it down the middle, starting at the center of the neck to create the cardigan.

This is where we are so far - low to high seam and open front!

Took it in about 8 inches.

Cutting off the extra material after it has been sewn, leaving some extra (to the left) to work with for the sleeve.

I cheated with the sleeve and folded it straight in just extending the side seam.

After folding and ironing well, I ran it through the sewing machine and ironed again - here we are!

Finishing with hemming the bottom and both sides around the neck.

Paired with leggings, a belt and boots - we're ready to go!

I have A LOT of extra fabric so I experimented with high waisted shorts! (I did not do a step-by-step because I was reeeeeally experimenting)

Say "hi" to my little brother, Jake, in the reflection!

More then just a hobby...

As I mentioned, I put three photos up on facebook & instagram for friends to vote on the dress that they want me to refashion first. The overwhelming winner was this dress - hence, the blog! I did not expect this one to be chosen but was hopeful.. let me explain why.

But first... a friend asked me on Sunday which dress I was going to start with and I asked which they voted for. He said, "I voted for the first one.. that one seems the least savable! I don't even know what you will be able to do with that!" I was a little taken back because to me this dress had the very MOST potential! It was just waiting to be taken care of and given the right shape & style, therefore, purpose.

God spoke to me then... some people look at us and say, "She is unsavable" or "I don't even know what anyone will be able to do with that!" "You're no good" But I promise you - God sees more potential in us then we can ever see in ourselves! He gets excited about all He can do and where He can take us!! Have hope in a God that knows our past, all our flaws, our future and STILL loves us enough to sacrifice His beloved child.

I'm humbled by this truth. Refashioning clothes has become more then just a hobby to me. It's an escape, a release and worship.

enjoy,

Abby

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Recent Projects

Here are a couple of recent projects! More how-tos to come! But for now, check these out.

Bridal Party Gift: Apron

I anticipated it being a little sexy apron that you can cook in AND play in. With the apron, I gave some choice items including but not limited to a duster and red lipstick. Here are a few shots of the process!

I love pleating!

Now I am thinking it should have ONLY been the white part... next time!

Making progress...

The finished apron took a lot of fighting and reevaluating. I did end up pleating the chest part to make fit and it looked sexier then before so I am okay with it! Next time, it will be a smoother process!

Baby Shower Gift: Bibs!

My friends are having a baby boy so I threw together a couple of baby bibs for her baby shower! I may do a tutorial down the road.

Baby Gift: Diaper Clutch!

My friend just had her first baby girl! I made this clutch and a coordinating changing pad. With the gift, I included wipes and diapers so she can grab this and go when on the run. [Please just imagine the diamond button I finished the clutch with.]

Thank you,
Abby

DIY Cord Strap

I impulsively bought a beautiful laptop case - problem is: it's wide open with no pockets or sections. My computer cord ends up unwrapped from itself and engulfing everything else in the bag. SO it need some TLC. This is an easy project for headphones, phone charger or any long cord.

I decided to make a strap to keep it in place. It took me no more then 30 MINUTES - I promise, it's that easy!

What you need:

Two scraps of coordinating fabric
Velcro (button or snaps work too)
Thread
Sewing machine (DUH)

For Christmas, I made a computer case out of these fabrics and I LOVED them together

How-To:

Cut the fabrics 2.5"X12.5" for an Apple computer cord (adjust as needed)
Pin right sides together

I curved one end to give it some character

Sew the edges leaving an inch gap to pull fabric through
Flip inside out
Iron well
Iron and pin the hole in place
With coordinating thread, sew along the outside edge making sure to secure the gap you pulled the fabric through.

I used iron-on velcro but a button or snaps would work well too. Pay attention when ironing these on - with the curved edge, put the velcro on the back side. Measure it around your cord and place the second velcro on the front side toward the bottom.

Tada!! Your computer cord, head phones or phone charger will be kept clean and organized while being bounced around throughout the day!

lots of love & coffee,
Abby

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Easy DIY Pillowcase Dress

Good afternoon!

I received an email from my Aunt a while ago about an organization who's mission is to create a world where every little girl owns at least one dress! Women from all over the globe partner with this organization called Dress a Girl Around The World (http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com) to send dresses to every part of the world. I have decided to join the cause!

Here is the easy step-by-step process of making cute pillowcase dresses for little girls!

Start with a pillowcase - of course, mine is zebra print. :]

Fold the pillowcase in half the long way to cut the arm holes

Cut the arm holes out - for the pattern, go here!

Unfold the pillowcase and cut the top seem off.

Time to pull out the iron! Fold both edges at 1/4inch to get a clean hem pressing with the iron.

Fold one more time at the 1inch mark, iron and pin.

Pin and run through the machine as close to the edge as possible!
** If you want a ruffle at the top of the dress, as you'll see below, sew a second line measuring 3/4' from the previous sewn line to create a tube for the elastic to be stringed through. You'll want to make the fold a bit deeper as well. I have been doing 1.5' instead of 1' (see previous step).

Cut a piece of elastic and put a safety pin on one side to thread through the neckline. Sew the first end going back and forth on the machine then pull the elastic through with the safely pin to the other side and sew again - you will be creating a ruffle so don't be afraid if you feel like your elastic isn't long enough.

Can you see where the elastic is securely sewn?

Next comes the hard part - binding! Choose your color and make sure there is a double fold - to give you a clean look. You'll want lots of extra on both sides to tie a bow at the top. Find the halfway mark and pin the binding at the center of the arm hole. Carefully pin up the sides of the armhole.

Thread your machine to match the color of you binding and began to sew! I usually do a small zigzag because it is CUTE and can catch any fabric that has shifted.

Add decoration and taduh!!

Special thanks to my lovely models! You can see I took the zebra dress up a few inches from the first picture and used it on the bottom of the blue dress. Then I added the pink piece to the zebra!