Sewing

How To Sew An Exposed Zipper

Alex Gambardella on Jul 16, 2009 7:20 AM PDT

Nicole Smith is an editor at CraftStylish, a site dedicated to fashionable how-tos and do-it-yourself crafts. Below she introduces a fun project in which you can embellish clothing yourself with exposed zippers.

Zippers have come a long way over the years; they're used in everything from garments and shoes to accessories and home decor. You may install a zipper simply to let you in and out of a garment, but why not make it stylish at the same time? In the Spring '09 issue of SewStylish, couture sewer Anna Mazur showed you how to insert zippers four ways. Here is one of the techniques inspired by many designers including Marni. When installing an exposed zipper, you can throw all the zipper-insertion rules out the window. Turn the seam allowances to the right side, topstitch the zipper over them to conceal the fabric edges, and let the zipper tape show on the outside of the garment. You can choose a matching or contrasting zipper for even more stand-out style. Click on over to the CraftStylish blog for the full step-by-step instructions... then get sewing!

Tags : zippers , zipper , sewstylish , sewing

Get To Know Fabric Designer Anna Maria Horner

Alex Gambardella on Jul 9, 2009 7:22 AM PDT

Nicole Smith is an editor at CraftStylish, a site dedicated to style-savvy do-it-yourself projects! Below, she introduces fabric designer and writer Anna Maria Horner.

In the current issue of SewStylish, we highlighted the many inspirations of the talented Anna Maria Horner. Here's a little more from that interview along with photos of her inspirations and new pattern line. We just love the amazing fabric designs from author Anna Maria, and now she has her own pattern line and book available, too. From her very first fabric collection for Free Spirit in 2006, to her current quilting and decor lines for Westminster, Anna Maria always has an original style full of inspiration.

For the full Q-and-A with Anna Maria, click on over to the CraftStylish blog!

Tags : textiles , textile designer , sewstylish , sewing

How To Sew Your Own Bib Necklace

Alex Gambardella on Jul 2, 2009 7:22 AM PDT

Nicole Smith is an editor at CraftStylish, a site dedicated to original do-it-yourself projects for home, fashion, wedding, and more. Below she shares how to sew your own bib necklace... and in turn, save yourself from a thousand-dollar debt at Neiman Marcus!

While looking at the inspirational catalog from Neiman Marcus today, I came across this necklace by Ranjana Khan. The necklace retails for $1,200, and is very similar to this project I made for less than $20, which I call the "Bijoux Necklace." My original inspiration for this project was a necklace by Burberry from their Fall '08 collections. Chunky jewels have been a runway staple the past few seasons, embellishing everything from shoes and headbands to hemlines and jewelry. Get the look quickly with organza (don't worry; it's easy to sew) and faux jewels. A ribbon makes the necklace adjustable for a chocker length or longer. You can also enlarge or reduce the size of the template to any dimensions you like. You'll need: 1/4 yard of organza, 3/4 yard of 5/8-inch-wide velvet ribbon, assorted sew-on jewels, scissors, a sewing machine, a hand-sewing needle, and thread. Get the full step-by-step instructions, along with the pattern's template, on CraftStylish!

Tags : sewn , sewing , sew , ranjana khan

How To Make An Argyle Fleece Throw

Alex Gambardella on Jun 25, 2009 7:19 AM PDT

Nicole Smith is an editor at CraftStylish, a site dedicated to fashionable-fun projects and stylish how-tos. Below she shares how to make your own argyle throw, perfect for cozying up in your dorm room or taking along to the beach!

This low-sew throw gives new meaning to the phrase "college sweater-ves." Preppy, yes, but the diamond-shaped pattern feels less stuffy in these vibrant colors. It's super-easy with light stitching, keeps you warm on winter nights, and makes the perfect picnic blanket! You'll Need: 2 1/8 yards (60"-wide) cream fleece, 2 1/8 yards (60"-wide) goldenrod fleece, 15 skeins of embroidery floss in cranberry, a large-eye embroidery needle, a water-soluble marker, paper and pencil, scissors, pins, and a yardstick. Get yourself equipped, then click on over to CraftStylish for the full step-by-step process, along with other fun crafts to keep you busy during the long days of summer!

Tags : throw , sewing , sew , fleece throw

Change Last Year's Trendy Maxi Dress To This Season's Mini ...

Natalie Zee Drieu on May 13, 2009 5:22 AM PDT

Summer 2008 was the summer of the maxi dress, sweet and long, with a full, feminine skirt, and sometimes with a naughty plunging neckline. This dress was on the runways, on celebrities, and in stores everywhere from cheapies at Forever 21 to high-end Donna Karan. I have to admit that I also had a summer maxi dress, one that I nabbed from H&M for a mere $12.90! But now what's a gal to do in summer 2009 when flirty, short skirts and mini dresses are the new trend? Like any budget-minded crafty girl, I'm ready to take to the scissors and sewing machine. This alteration draws inspiration from the spring 2009 runway shows of Anna Sui, BCBG Max Azria, and Marc by Marc Jacobs. These little dresses are so perfect to wear with a belt or under cropped cardigans and shirts. To convert our maxi, we're going to use a technique called draping. For this project, you will need either a dress form or a friend to wear your dress while you drape or reposition the skirt and pin it into place. Put on your designer's cap for a bit as you move the dress to design the best skirt shape for you!
Click over to the Craftzine.com blog for the full step-by-step instructions on converting your dress in a snap!

Tags : summer trends , summer trend , summer fashion , summer dresses , sewing

How To Make A Top From Your Dad's Old Silk Ties

Alex Gambardella on May 7, 2009 2:18 PM PDT

Jennifer Stern is a contributor at CraftStylish, a site dedicated to do-it-yourself art and design projects. Below she shares how you can turn Dad's old duds into a flowy new top for yourself!

I have a pile of old ties that my dad cast off to me-- it turned out to be a treasure trove of silk fabric! I decided to embark on a design adventure; I wanted to make something out of them that didn't have the "this was made from men's silk ties" look. I took advantage of the fact that neckties are cut on the bias and used them to make a top with a little flutter. After choosing seven or eight ties from the pile, I took them apart. Then I draped them on my dress form. As I played with them, I ended up using two ties over each shoulder, joining them in the center front and back. This created a graceful V-neck. The ties closest to the shoulders created a fluttery cap sleeve. I joined the front and back with a tie on each side, finishing the armholes at the same time! After I finished draping and sewing, I stood back to evaluate the design-- it looked like a top that was made from ties! The telltale prints and colors combined with the pointed tips at the hem were a dead giveaway. I have to admit, it was pretty interesting with the ready-made "handkerchief" hem, but keeping with my original goal, I chopped off the points at the ends of the ties to straighten out the hem. With the weight of the lined points gone, the result was a graceful draping top...I love it!

Head over to the CraftStylish blog for the step-by-step instructions on how to make your own top, along with tons of other stylish how-tos!

Tags : top , ties , tie , silk , sewing