Off the Shoulder Seersucker Ruffle Midi Dress

Hello!

I am so excited to post this DIY dress! I have been craving (and inspired by) so many ruffle, off the shoulder, midi dresses from all over the internet (AKA Instagram). I knew the ruffle affect wasn't hard to do so I ordered some blue and white seersucker fabric (here- from Fabric.com). Blue and white is always a alwaysss a weakness of mine for summer and I just can't stop with it! But how cute is this lobster one?? Perfect for sailing or backyard seafood cookout. Yum.

I ordered with this dress in mind. It just screams summer, right? Its flowy and effortless; perfect for the beach then to dinner, right??

Let's make it! It's not as hard as it looks!

You will need:
2 yards fabric (I used this one)
Elastic band (one length of waist, one the length of around the shoulders, one for chest without arms)
Matching thread
Sewing machine

I used a strapless maxi dress as a template - it had a similar cinched waist that I was mimicking.

1. Measure your chest and x 1.5 : that will be the width of your fabric. Times that by 2 and fold it in the middle. Lay down your example dress (Or measure with a tape where you want your waist to be cinched) and mark the "waist. Also mark the length of the dress (not including the bottom ruffle). I wanted that to go to about my knee.

2. Measure your waist with the elastic: (pull it around snugly: not too tight but taunt) at your desired waist. To sew it onto your marked waist: first, start a small section at the beginning to attach the elastic to the fabric then continue sewing while pulling the the elastic tightly. This will create the gathered look. (CAREFUL NOT TO BREAK YOUR NEEDLE! Don't rush this)

I used a zig-zag stitch for better hold. 

3. Pin the sides and sew down the line. This is the back of your dress.

4. Measure your chest area. Fold the top of the dress over for the width of your elastic. Sew this closed leaving 2 inches open to thread your elastic through. I use a saftey pin. Sew the elastic together to create your chest.

This is what you have now: 

5. Measure your bottom ruffle. 64 inches long strip, about 10 inches wide. Sew a basting stitch along the top- making sure to back stitch on one side to hold the thread from sliding off and losing your ruffle. Gently pull on one of the two threads and it will create a gather. Gather it the exact size of your opening of your skirt. Sew down the edge to make into a circle/loop.

6. Hem the bottom of the circle ruffle piece, which will be the bottom of your dress.

7. Turn the dress right side out and the ruffle inside out and slide the ruffle piece around the bottom of the dress. Pin the ruffle around the bottom of the dress, so the seam is inside the dress, not on the outside of the dress. (My ruffle attachment looks much longer here because I cut it shorter after trying it on)

8. Repeat this exact ruffle step but with a smaller width piece of fabric (around 8-9 inches in width). You don't want it to be wider to cover up your waistline. Make a hem slot for the elastic around the top- pull through an elastic (the length of your elastic should be the width of your shoulders and chest- Measure around like an off-the-shoulder top).

9. To attach this top ruffle to your dress, I sewed it in 4 places. You can sew all the way across the front and all along the back (making sure to leave the arm holes) but I found this secured it without too many extra stitches in the front. Leave space for your arms on both sides!

10. Make a drawstring- This step is optional but I think it adds a little something different to the dress.
Cut one 2 inch strip of about 58 inches long. Fold in half two times and then sew along the edge. You can iron this and then sew or you can do it while sewing.

11. Find the half point and sew this to middle of your dress, as shown below! This can then be tied around your neck or just as a bow in the front.

DONE! Yay! Now go forth and enjoy SUMMER! :)

This can also be worn as a strapless! Simply take out your arms from the holes! Warning- it's not super snug this way so be careful :)

Let me know if you have any questions! I hope this inspires you to make something new for yourself for summer.

Have a great week!

With love,

Viktoria

Ruffled and Striped Wrap-Skirt Tutorial (& Best Way to Shop for Sunglasses!)

I am so happy we are in the stage of maxi and midi skirts. It is so feminine and girly! I have wanted to do another play on the wrap skirt but in a more flowy shape this time (See my structured mini wrap skirt here!). When I found this lucky stripe fabric at the thrift store (3.5 yards for $3.50! YAY!), I knew it'd be perfect.

Unfortunately some of my photos got deleted but do not be intimidated! It is an easy skirt to make!

Since I wanted the stripes to go down (not across) I had to sew two pieces together. It also added length to the skirt. (mine was 29 inches long but you may choose to make it longer or shorter)

Sew together your two squares that should equal around 70 inches.(Or double the measurement of wrapping the measuring tape around you in a wrap skirt way).

Fold on your sewn line and cut the side of the skirt in an curve from the top sloping smaller down. This will create the ruffled open effect in the front of your skirt.  There is no template: just make sure your curves aren't too sharp. You want it to go smoothly from the bottom to the top in an arch curve.

Sew a baste stitch on top and pull gently on one of the thread to create a gather. (Make sure one end is back-stitched and secure so you don't lose your ruffle!)

Make a waistband. (See here for picture)
Mine is 130 inches long / 6 inch thick strip, folded in half
(This will get smaller when you sew to the top of your skirt so keep this in mind not to make it too thin)
You will want it super long so you can wrap it all the around your waist and tie to the side.

Attach waistband to the top of your ruffle part (hiding the seams) by laying it down on top of the ruffles and sewing, then flipping it up and iron down to keep it in place. Place the waistband off center so that one side is longer (To wrap around behind your back)

At this point, measure the skirt around your waist, wrapping the front over, making sure the seam is in the middle of your butt and around to overlap the front piece. You will see the arches you cut- are they where you want them to be? If not, cut them a little higher/shorter before adding your ruffle.

To create the ruffle:

I used a large dinner size and a small saucer for my template to create larger ruffles. Cut 6 (double layered) circle cut outs

Pin and sew the edges together to make a looooong ruffle (right side to right side)

Hem the outside edge of your ruffle (longer part) by folding and sewing slowly down, folding as you go. This part is tricky because the fabric wants to go crooked. Just take it slow. If you have a serger, I envy you! ;)

Pin the short side of ruffle to the edge of your skirt all the way around the skirt/ edge of your fabric. 

To finish the ruffle, I went all the way up to the waistband and attached it there (As pictured below)

Iron down the ruffle and your skirt and you're done! Wrap around a simple tee or tank and wear with sandals or heels! This will be your summer go-to skirt! 

Also, I have discovered the best way to shop for sunglasses! Have you heard of Warby Parker?? They allow you to pick out any 5 pairs to try out at home for 5 days! Shipping is free for delivery and returns! This will take out the stress of finding which pair really suits your face. (honestly, this was very helpful especially for prescription glasses! I have been ordering my glasses online for a while now and it's always a bit of a guessing game/surprise when they come in. I am excited to order a pair now that I know how they will look before fully committing) 

Try them out! But beware- picking just 5 is the hardest part. SOO many cute styles!!

Thank you so much for reading and if you have any questions, Id love to answer them!!

With Love, 

Viktoria

Straw Bag Remake

Hello hello!

The basket/ratten/wicker bag trend is everywhere right now! I love it and want one in every shape!

I'm sure that is the reason that when the handles on this thrifted basket/beach bag ripped, it went from being placed into the trash pile to immediately placing it into the refashion pile. I am so pathetic. Even when I throw something away, I take it out of the trash. Haha!

The truth is, the straw handles rubbed uncomfortably into my shoulders when the bag was overfilled - which, as you mama's know, it is ALWAYS overfilled. The idea to make leather straps in place of the straw ones only came into mind when they conveniently ripped.

You do not have to wait for that moment to happen to you! You can carefully cut yours off and remake them- It's so easy! Here's what you will need:

Leather - I bought a decent piece in the "scraps" leather section of our local fabric store
Leather hole puncher -Michaels
Screw Posts (Brackets) - Hobby Lobby

Cut two strips of leather, about 3 inches thick, 30 inches long. Loop through exsisting slots or wider if you prefer. The good news- with a basket weave, you have many hole options. Make sure to leave enough room/lip on top to support your handles.

Using the leather hole maker, punch a few holes until you have the size you need for your brackets. 

Push the bottom piece through and screw on the end. 

Repeat to other 3 areas. :) Make the handles the way you would normally hold a bag, one side with one side. 

Wear to your next beach getaway. Or to a picnic. Or to your Monday grocery store shopping :)

 

 

Even helpful for carrying sticks :)

It's also great for holding peonies from your garden that you cant stop obsessing over. Please forgive me for the flood of images you will see. I. Cant. Stop. 

 (My sweet girl BTS, hand modeling for me)

What were we talking about again? Oh, right, the bag ;)

I love love the way it turned out and the leather is so soft and flexible on my shoulder.. No longer will my husband complain about me over packing it. well, not right away at least. :)

We took these pictures on Mother's Day and the day was refreshing and satisfying. I feel truly so blessed to be a mother and it's nice to soak in those reminders that it is a GIFT to bear that title. To hear the stories about how fast time really does fly. Take a moment and breathe in the present, dear readers! Rejoice in the now, in the place you are at. It won't always be like this. (Totally going country song on you)

My dress is from here! This is a similar one shoulder look. And love this striped dress too! This one is sitting pretty in my cart waiting for a sale :/

Have a wonderful week! Thank you for reading!

With Love,

Viktoria