DIY Colonial "Molly Pitcher" Costume

My younger sister needed a costume for a school function~ so I volunteered to make it, of course!

She needed a costume for Mary Ludwig Hays, aka "Molly Pitcher" from the American Revolution.  Below is my inspiration board for the outfit. 

Making the Shrug/Bolero

I used Symphony Broadcloth Solid Quilt Fabric from JoAnn in Navy. It is inexpensive and looks nice.

Instead of using a pattern, I traced one of my sister's shirts onto the fabric including a 5/8" seam allowance on all sides. Make sure your fabric is folded in half so you end up with 2 shirt pieces.

Next, I cut out some sleeves by tracing the shirt sleeves on the fold. You will need to cut 2.

Here are my pieces! (2 sleeves, 2 shirt body pieces)

Take 1 of the shirt pieces and fold in half, matching up the neckline. Using a marking tool (or in my case, a pink Crayola Twistable), trace curves similar to those shown above. (One extending from the shoulder and diagonally down and one curve on the bottom edge. Connect these to form a half-oval and cut along the line.)

You should end up with 2 SEPARATE pieces to the front of the shirt. Align right sides together with the other shirt piece as shown above.

Pin the shoulder and side seams.

Now you end up with a vest! Onto the sleeves! You can't really see from the photo, but I sewed the 2 short ends of the sleeves (right sides together, of course.)

Attach the sleeves to the vest~ this took some patience ;) I sewed, okay glued, some black bias tape around the sleeve opening, but you could hem it as well.

For this next part, I referenced this tutorial from www.makeit-loveit.com 

From the remaining fabric, I cut 2.5" wide strips, which turned out to be almost a yard long each. I sewed 3 together, which was plenty for the shrug. Here, you can see my sis hemming the very long fabric strip on one long end, but I would recommend to hem both edges.

I used a basting stitch (a longer-than-normal straight stitch) to go all the way across the strip on ONE SIDE ONLY. DO NOT BACKSTITCH! Make sure you leave the threads long on either end so you can gently pull to create a ruffle! I then attached it to the shrug, which is explained nicely in Ashley's post!

Making the skirt

 I used Symphony Broadcloth Solid Quilt Fabric from JoAnn in Plumberry.

I folded my fabric in half, then in half again, lengthwise.

For the rest of the skirt process, I followed this tutorial on www.shrimpsaladcircus.com. Only thing is~ the skirt turned out very small in the waist! I would suggest adding another inch or so.

For the rest of the costume, my sister wore a white tank under the bolero, yellow-y-beige bonnet from Colonial Williamsburg, VA, some black flats, and carried an old plastic pitcher! 

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Velvet 3/4 Circle Skirt Tutorial

Today I'll show you how to sew a 3/4 circle skirt using Crushed Panne Velvet I bought from JoAnn.

 In order to make the pattern, check out these tutorials by Fickle Sense and The Snug Bug.

Also check out my FULL Circle Skirt Tutorial for different methods & tips.

Fold your fabric in half twice. (Also explained in the video.)

Since this is a 3/4 circle skirt, you will need to cut a quarter circle out of the skirt. Try to be as exact as possible!

This is different from my video instructions I believe: make a double fold hem around the skirt.

I sewed mine with a narrow zig-zag stitch. DO NOT pull or stretch the fabric as you sew!

Measure out a waistband 5" x waist measurement.

Fold it in half, right sides showing, and pin it to the waist opening of the skirt, also right side out. The 2 layers of the waistband should match up with the waist of the skirt.

Sew using either a straight or zig zag stitch.

Fold the skirt in half so the two raw sides of the skirt match up like this. Sew with a straight stitch all the way down the side.

And... voila!

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Homemade Alice in Wonderland Costumes

Hey everyone!

So 2 years ago my family decided that we would all dress up as characters from Alice in Wonderland.

I wanted to show you the costume-making process of the Queen of Hearts costume and Alice costume.

Everyone helped out to make the costumes! (Mom, Dad, Grandpa...) 

...and they turned out to be a huge success!

Here we are! (*Were... this was 2011)

QUEEN OF HEARTS COSTUME:

For my mom, who dressed up as the queen of hearts, we thrifted this floor-length black silk dress, some black heels, and she wore a black coat on top for warmth. A lace choker was also added to the look.

We also thrifted some red velvet and cut it into a large heart. We ironed some interfacing to the back to make it stiff and hot glued some gold trim around the heart. Then, we secured it onto the front of the dress with some safety pins.

For the sash, I bought some thick red silk ribbon, about 2 yards in length. I hand drew some hearts and spades onto a scrap of freezer paper and cut the shapes out with a craft knife. I then ironed the freezer paper to the center of the sash and filled the shapes in with black fabric paint. (More on freezer paper here.)

A mini- crown was made by cutting a 12" by 4" strip of poster board, taping the ends together, and spray painting it gold. 

ALICE COSTUME:

We found hideous semi-formal/bridesmaid dress at the thrift store for Alice. We also thrifted a white blouse to go underneath. As soon as I got home, I removed the lace from the waistband of the dress and made it into a choker necklace for Mrs. Queen of Hearts! 

I made the apron out of white fabric, but you could use a cotton sheet. 1. Sew 2 bodice pieces right sides together, (except for the bottom) turn right side out and attach to sash. 2. Sew 2 large rectangles together right sides together, leaving the top open. 3. Turn right side out and make a gathering stitch across the top. 

4. Attach this to the sash; the same side as you attached the bodice. 5. This got cut off, but I simply attached a strap for the neck. 6. All done! Sorry that wasn't very descriptive! Leave any questions in the comment section below.

To complete the costume, I tied a black ribbon around my hair, wore a stopwatch-necklace thing, and black flats. Here was the finished look! (And my old room)

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DIY Cardigan

Finally!

How to piece together your cardigan using the pattern I showed you how to make in part 1 and 2.

http://www.youtube.com/ucanrockcnd

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Pattern Making Part 2

Learn how to make a pattern out of a garment you already own.

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DIY Chalkboard Table

Chalkboard paint has been quite a 'trend' in the DIY world recently.

When I noticed my old wooden table was looking well, old, I decided to give this a go:

Supplies:

~table surface

~spray paint

~chalkboard paint (got mine @ Michael's)

~chalk

~painter's tape

~foam paint brush

First off I spray painted the top black.

Then, I taped off the sides and spray painted the legs white.
(Not my original design, but I ran out of black spray paint.)

Next, I taped off the  four edges of the table top
 ...and sectioned it off into 2 rectangles. 

I then painted the first layer of paint and let it dry for 2 hours I think,
according to the instructions. 

After that I did 2 more coats.

My instructions required me to 'condition' the chalkboard
surface by rubbing chalk over it and wiping it off.

That's it for this project! Leave any questions or comments below!

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DIY Denim Lunch Sack

Upcycle old jeans, a belt, and a few scraps of leather or vinyl to make a stylish lunch bag just in time for back to school.

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Striped Nail Tutorial

Black & white is on trend! Wear it on your nails :)

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Constructing a Skater Skirt

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DIY Beaded Bracelets

I haven't done a picture tutorial in a LONG time, so here is one just for you!

You will need:

+elastic string+

+beads+

+scissors+

Measure elastic string to go around your wrist with a few inches extra.

Tie 3 knots at one end of the string.

String your beads in the pattern of your choice above the knot very carefully.

Add on beads until it can wrap around your wrist.

Tie it off with MANY knots. You're done!

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