Appliqué DIY Shirt

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. I love everything pink and girly and an excuse to wear it all. But usually I'm tempted to go buy every pink and heart print thing I see. Man, bloggers do such a good job at showing off the clothes, right? I think you should buy yourself a new dress. :) But considering making yourself something too!

When I was online browsing (sorta like my therapy: filling up my virtual basket) I saw soooo many pretty things from ASOS that were embroidered! Dresses, jeans, jackets and even bags. So pretty (love this one, and this sweater, and these jeans) I realized that they looked like appliques that you just iron-on. I decided to try and recreate the look.

I had this pretty lace top for a long time and it was finnnnnneeee but I wasn't wearing it and didn't want to give it away. It turned into the perfect "dressy" top for perhaps a Galintine's Day, or if you don't want to wear a skirt/dress because you live in a place that has winter. This would be SOOO cute with distressed/boyfriend jeans paired with pumps. (Mannn, that's what I should've wore. haha)


1. Decide which applique you want to use and where you will place it! This is the hardest part in this whole tutorial. If you want to attach to a basic tee, Old Navy or Target have great options. Or go to your local thrift or your own closet for a pretty piece to spruce up! (I ordered my appliques from this site!)

2. Pin/Mark where you want the applique. (I tried it on and placed it where I thought best)

3.  Place a towel on top of the applique gently so not to move it from its place (remove pins if you pinned) and hold an iron (on the highest setting) directly on top of the towel, that is on top of the applique. Press firmly down for 20-30 seconds. I did this twice since the first time my edges weren't quite on. (This may have to do with adhering to lace) MAKE SURE you're on a heat-resistant spot like an ironing board.

4. Optional: hand sew down around some of the edges in matching thread.

Now, whip your hair back and forth. Whip your hair back and forth.

Yea.. Sorry about that. Don't know where that came from...

Enjoy your new top!

With Love, 

Viktoria

Quick Refashion: Bell Flare Sleeve

Hi hi hi!!

I am not going to make any promises on here- just happy to have a new blog post up. I really have missed sewing and crafting!  My phone is full of screenshots of inspiration and "to-refashion" ideas. Anyone else do that??

This refashion started with my new love: bell/ flare sleeves. Kinda like the 90's but more modern. I had this striped shirt (that used to be a dress, and the bottom half I made into a skirt for my daughter: see the post HERE) and it is the perfect stripe. I am sure everyone has their own opinion of what the "perfect stripe" is but this is IT for me. I have refashioned the same piece twice! Case in point: never say no to a top with the "perfect-to-you" stripe. It's hard to find!

This JCrew top is my inspiration. (The stripe is nearly identical toooooo!) Sadly it is sold out. SO make your own version! Instructions below!

1. Cut your sleeve at the desired length. I measured first a bit lower then were I wanted the ruffle to start. Remember, when you attach the "ruffle" it will go a bit higher then where you cut it. The effect I wanted was above my elbow.

2. If you want to try this refashion be on the lookout for a dress or tunic at the thrift store or your own closet! Cut off the bottom of shirt (sweatshirt material means no hemming needed for the bottom of the shirt and you can keep the factory hem for your sleeve! SCORE!) I used the bottom part of my shirt (dress) and it worked perfectly to add enough volume to the sleeve. Cut down the sewn seam and you get 2 pieces. The width of material for ruffle should be about 1.5 / 2 times the size of your armhole. The length is also preference! Cut it if you'd rather have a shorter "bell" which I should've probably done on mine.

3. Sew a basting stitch along the top. Pull gently to gather.

4. Measure around the sleeve hole opening and pin the gathered part to the correct size. Sew down the side to create a "tube". Make sure to match up stripes if you have a striped shirt!

(Love that notch out that happened on its own because of the way my dress was hemmed on the bottom!)

5. Turn inside-out and slide onto your shirt that is on the right side. Pin around the sleeve hole (again, making sure to line up the stripes and the sewn line)

6.REPEAT to other arm!

If you have any questions, ask away! Hope you get inspired to make something for yourself.

Don't flowers just make everything better? :)

Until next time,

With love,

Viktoria