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Category Archives: Tops

DIY Butterfly-Embellished Tanktop: Create Couture Challenge

8.30.2010

Another project I submitted for Style Sample Magazine and New York Design Shop’s Create Couture Challenge. (I’m getting around to posting them all…sloooowly….)

You Need:

*Large Iron-On Butterfly
*Mini Gold Pyramid Studs
*Large Gold Pyramid Studs

Additional Tools/Materials:

*1 tanktop (mine is Converse One Star Women’s Tanktop in White from Target)
*iron & ironing board
*pliers

[prep: wash and dry tanktop to remove sizing and chemicals]
How to:

1. Iron Butterfly applique on to tank. (Iron on medium setting by pressing on the applique for 10 seconds, then iron slowly, using pressure, in vertical passes over applique until it is fused to the fabric.)

2. Add studs to shirt, pushing prongs through fabric, and using pliers to fold prongs over on the inside.

And that’s it:-)

I’m all a-flutter in this cute little tank!

xoxox
Carly

~If you liked this post, please share it!~

DIY, Tops

7 Comments

DIY Petal-Front Top: Create Couture Challenge

8.05.2010

I probably won’t be able to post all of these because the contest is only open until the 10th of August.
But I’ll do my best!

Myself and 9 other DIY bloggers were selected to compete in Style Sample Magazine and New York Design Shop’s Create Couture Challenge.

We were all sent the same box packed to the gills with trims, studs, and flowers, and were asked to make “one or more projects.” I made 12!

The leftovers.

I used almost the entire contents of the box, hoping to create as many different projects as possible that could appeal to a wide range of ages and styles, as well as making the projects as simple as possible (so anyone could replicate them) and using as few outside materials as possible, in order to truly showcase New York Design Shop’s products. But I wanted my finished creations to be durable, wearable, and look polished – and be pieces that could potentially stand up to scrutiny in any retail store.

So here’s the first of my projects:

Petal-Front Top

You Need:

*White Rose Pin (petals only)
*Cream Rose Pin (petals only)

Additional Tools/Materials:
*t-shirt
*scissors
*fabric glue

[prep: wash and dry shirt to remove sizing and chemicals]

How to:

1. Pull apart Rose Pins, and separate into petal pieces.

A pile of petals!

2. Trim petals apart, and round their tops so they are really “petal”-like.

3. Use fabric glue to glue petals onto t-shirt. (You can sew their tops instead for a more RTW look.)

You’re done!

This top also looks sophisticated tucked into a slim skirt for work or under a soft cardigan.:-)

If you enjoyed this project I’d love to have your vote!

Vote here if you liked it

(One vote is allowed per unique IP address, anywhere in the world. You don’t have to register or leave your name or anything! But if you do leave a comment in your vote, you are automatically entered to win one of the projects by the Contest Winner. Now that’s a great way to share the love!!:-)

See all the projects made by the 9 other bloggers here

Thanks for looking!
xoxo
Carly
linked to

Contests, DIY, Tops

3 Comments

Formspring.me Question: Applique T-Shirt Idea

6.22.2010

from formspring.me:

hi carly! it’s me judith chen I have a plan to remake my bf’s Giordano plain tee with some patchwork.I have some black velvet leftofers I’d like to work with.do you have any ideas, and um..some kind of cat/wolf related design ideas, if possible. thanks

Hi Judith! Well…I have a FABULOUS idea that’s been sitting on my DIY’s To Do pile…how about a t-shirt with leopard “spots” that are cut out of black velvet? You could make each spot slightly abstract-shaped, and sew them onto the tee wherever you like (my choice would be on the shoulders or down one side).
It’s not *literally* a cat design…but somewhat “inspired by” if you will. If you want to go more literal, how about a silhouette of a wolf howling at the moon, done in black velvet a la Twilight?

Anyone else have some ideas for Judith?
xoxox
Carly

Ask me anything

t-shirt photo from Saks.com; detailing added by Photoshop

Twilight wolf phase img from bebo.com

Reader Questions, Tops

2 Comments

Don't Buy, DIY: Michael Kors Slashed Top

5.30.2010

Blake Lively looks sizzling on the cover of the Vogue June 2010. In a $795 Michael Kors cashmere sweater, one can see why. I was drawn to this sweater because not only is it a sexy take on what could be a frumpy cover-up, but it’s just begging for DIY (especially since it retails for $795!! For shame!)

When it came to choosing the perfect soft lightweight V-neck sweater for surgery – I headed to my local Goodwill. After agonizing an embarrassingly-long time over an Eddie Bauer cashmere-blend piece (but finally concluding its particular pukey shade of pink did me no favors), I settled on this super-soft chenille sweater, for a mere $7.99.

And making it over was a breeze. Here’s how:

You Need:
*sweater (preferably lightweight)
*fabric scissors
*thread matching sweater color
*machine needle for knits
*sewing machine

How To:

1. Cut sweater how you like.

2. Stitch around cut-outs, close to the edge (about 1/8″ away), using a thread color similar to your sweater, and medium-length stitches. (Too short and you may end up with puckering and gathering; too long and the sweater still may be in danger of fraying.) Be careful to try not to stretch your sweater as you stitch.

Um…you’re DONE! How’s that for speedy??

Since my sweater was chenille, the slashes don’t look perfect – a tight-knit cashmere (or cutting with your trusty at-home laser-cutter) will likely yield better results.

And if you don’t feel like it, you don’t even have to bother sewing – but beware that with repeat wearing, your sweater can and will unravel. Applying Fray Check to the cut edges is also an option…but it’s also a pain, takes just as long as sewing, and isn’t permanent through washings. If you’re annoyed about it rolling at the cut edges (like I envision myself becoming in the near future), you can also apply something like a fusible bias tape to the wrong side of the sweater just near the slashes to prevent stretching and rolling. However you do it, you now have a sweet peekaboo sweater…for a fraction of the cost of the designer version.

I say Peek-a-DO!

Happy DIY’ing!
xoxox
Carly

DIY, Tops

4 Comments

DIY How-To: Twisted Burberry Top

4.29.2010

I received this question awhile ago from lovely reader trashywriter and I’ve been remiss about answering it. (Sorry!)

Carly, I saw an ad in the latest Vogue, absolutely LOVED the top worn by the model and have finally located it in a catalog. It looks elegant even though it is a casual material and I was wondering if it would be terribly difficult to DIY?

Here are some more photos of the top in question:

You sure know how to pick them!

In the same vein, a similar twisted Burberry skirt DIY showed up on Anywho.dk awhile back, and summarily made its way around the ‘net. (Click above for the tutorial.)

Now, as to this shirt…This top is elegant and sexy, to be sure…but it looks like a pain to DIY.

By best approximation, you could:

1. Buy a slim-fitting V-neck long-sleeved shirt (preferably RAGLAN sleeve seams) that has some stretch to it, and about 1 yd (60″ wide) of similar fabric (stretchy fabric – so important!).

2. Remove front from shirt, using a seam-ripper to preserve the seam allowance.

3. Cut fabric in half width-wise.

4. (If you have a sewing mannequin, pin shirt back together on mannequin. If not, you’ll have to place the front piece flat and pin fabric to it.) Place pieces on top of the shirt-front, gathering at the sleeve seams, pinning there, and twisting at the front in a knot. Secure the other ends of the fabric pieces with pins at the side-seams of the front piece.

5. Pin front to back again, and try it on. (If you have a sewing mannequin that is the same size as you, you probably don’t need to try it on, but you do need to get that front knot tight and conforming to a 3D shape. You can’t pin it flat and then just sew the seams back together as in the shirt tutorial, since there’s too much shape to the front half of your body.) Reform the knot to get it tighter, and re-pin to front piece.

6. Now sew the front piece back on to the shirt. If your material is S-T-R-E-T-C-H-Y enough, you should be able to wear it without needing that back zipper!

As you can see from the original, the front knot is so unfailingly tight (and I believe the shirt is a cashmere blend), so the original requires that back-zipper to get into it. I believe if you choose a material that is not cashmere but has some stretchy manmade fibers in it, you’ll be able to conform it to your shape without having to add that zipper – and without having the seams fall apart or rip when you wear it. If you can – OVERLOCK those seams for extra strength!

Hope that helps – and sorry I haven’t made an example for you; I’m a little under the weather lately.:-)
Best of luck, and please share if you make one!

xoxox
Carly

DIY, How-To, Tops

3 Comments

How to Make a Ruffled Top from a Men's Shirt

4.20.2010

Tomorrow being Administrative Professionals’ Day I wanted to create something that’s fashionable yet doesn’t scream “look at me!” (and is totally appropo for the office!). With Earth Day just around the corner as well, what could be more eco than upcycling? Steal a button-down from your guy’s closet and give it a feminine makeover…that will make it a mainstay in yours.

You Need:

*1 man’s button-down shirt (sized larger than you are; doesn’t matter what size)*thread matching topstitching in shirt
*7″ invisible zipper in color matching shirt (optional)

and…
*fabric scissors
*seam ripper *pins
*marking chalk
*sewing machine
*needle for wovens
*iron and ironing board
*hand-sewing needle (optional)

How To:
Prep Time:

1. Put shirt on. Button 3rd and fourth buttons on shirt. Place one hand underneath your armpit; mark where armscye depth should be on the front of your shirt, as close to the side seam as possible. (I used a pin.) Take off the shirt and also mark the armscye depth for the other arm.

2. Lay your shirt on a flat surface and cut off the sleeves. Cut off the cuffs and discard; slit the sleeves down their side seams (as close to the seams as possible without going through any lapped seam detail). Remove the pocket with a seam ripper and discard.

3. Cut off the center button placard and buttonhole placard, below the fourth button, leaving enough allowance at the sides of each placard to fold under about 1/4″. (If your placard is finished and bound, you won’t need the folding allowance, but mine wasn’t, so I have the extra step of finishing it below.) Cut the collar from the front of the shirt (as close to the collar underpiece as possible without going through it), and cut about 1″ along the underpiece into the back of the shirt. (You won’t remove the collar enitrely; you’ll just be freeing it from the front of the shirt.)
4. Turn shirt inside out and button remaining buttons on the shirt.
Sew Front Center Seam

5. Sew front together, down buttoned placard, so no seams show in the center front.

6. Trim buttoned placard off on the inside.
Adjust Fit

7. Take shirt off and lay it flat. Pin down sides, straight down from the pins you added at the armscye depth.

8. Turn shirt right-side-out and try it on. Adjust pins as necessary for a more tapered fit at the waist, and a freer fit at the hip. Make sure the armscye depth is still correct, and that you can get the shirt over your head. (If not, you’ll have to add an invisible zipper later at the side seam.)

9. Take shirt off, turn inside out, and trace a “best-fit” line between your pins at the sides. Remove pins. Add 1″ to the outside of the lines, and retrace the shape of the sides.

10. Cut shirt front from shirt back at the sides, cutting along the outside lines you drew in the previous step.

11. Trace shirt front onto shirt back. Draw lines on back about 3/8″ to the inside of the lines you just draw. Cut shirt back on these lines.

12. Pin shirt front to shirt back. (Your shirt front should now be about 3/4″ larger than the back.)
Sew the Sides

13. Sew shirt sides together. (If you couldn’t get the shirt over your head back in Step 8), do not sew the left side. This is where your side zipper will go. [And if you're left-handed and prefer your side zipper to be on the right, leave that side unsewn instead.])

14. Iron shirt and sleeves flat, paying special attention to the button placard still attached to the collar. (Optional: also iron zipper tape flat if you are using it.)15. (Optional) Insert side zipper according to package directions, (If you are unsure of how to insert an invisible zipper, there is a great tutorial here.)
Make the Ruffles

16. Lay your sleeves flat and cut two pieces from the sleeves, next to the angled sleeve seams. (These pieces will be your angled ruffles.) Cut on the grain, cutting a piece about 1.5″ wide at its smaller end and 5.5″ wide at the widest end. Trim any raw edges near the bound edge off. 17. Cut 2 long rectangles from each sleeve about 3″ wide by the length of your sleeve. Square off the ends. These pieces will be your long ruffles.

18. Sew 2 long rectangles together, short end to short end. Repeat for the other 2 pieces.

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19. Fold over the long edge of one of the pieces from the previous step about 1/4″; sew a scant 1/16″ from the edge. Trim the raw edge next to your line of stitching. Fold over the stitched edges about 1/4″ again; topstitch close to the edge to create a bound seam. Do the same for the other connected long rectangle piece.

20. Using either a hand-sewing needle or a long basting stitch on your machine (or a gathering foot if you have it!), stitch long, basting stitches along the long raw edge of each long rectangle, and along the unbound raw edges of the angled ruffles. Pull the thread to gather the pieces into ruffles.

Finish the Collar

20. Pin one long ruffled rectangle under the button placket of your collar piece, matching the length by pulling on the basting thread.

Pin the angled ruffled piece underneath – the piece will only go down about 3/4 of the way of the placket. Fold the bottom of the placket under the long rectangle ruffle end about 1/4″.

21. Topstitch the edge of the placket, through all layers to secure. (I chose to connect the top of the rectangle ruffle under my collar piece, but leave the top of the angled ruffle free, like “wings.”)22. Repeat for the other side and the buttonhole placket.

23. We need to re-connect the collar to the shirt now – so start with the button placket side, and pin down overlapping the open hole in the front of the shirt. (Make sure the buttons are centered over the center front seam!) Pin the placket to the shirt, going straight upwards all the way to the collar area.

Pin the collar to the back of the shirt, overlapping the back of the shirt as much as you can by angling the collar downward. Between the top of the placket and the shoulder seam of the shirt, you’re going to have excess fabric, so gather it and pin the collar over it.

24. Topstitch the button placket to the shirt. (I had to zigzag over the collar underpiece connection at the back of the shirt – there was a small gap that no amount of angling the collar was going to fix.)

25. Place buttonhole placket end over end of button placket, and do up the bottom button.

Topstitch end down, through all layers, and reinforce stitching.26. Un-button bottom button, and pin buttonhole placket to front of shirt in the same manner as you did the button placket. Topstitch through all layers.
Finish the Armscyes

27. Try on the shirt and draw the shape of the shoulder how you want it.

28. Take off the shirt, and cut the armscye shape about 1/2″ on the outside of your markings. Trace the shape onto the other shoulder, and cut it out too.
29. Turn under 1/2″ of an inch, and stitch about 3/8″ from the edge to finish, notching as you go. (If you want a more finished look, cut the armscye 3/4″ outside of your markings, turn once and topstitch; turn again and topstitch to create a bound seam. I find this very difficult along a curve, as often the armscye becomes tighter and smaller the more times you turn the edge, and notching the inside on such a small seam allowance is quite difficult. If anyone has any tips, I’d love to hear them!)
Hem and You’re Done!

30. Try on the shirt and mark where you want the hem to be.

Cut about 1/2″ below this line, fold under, and stitch at a 3/8″ hem on your machine.

Phew! A super-ruffly, super-feminine piece for the office. (As you can see, I also added 2 bust darts to make the feminine fit even better.)

Thank goodness there’s someone around to redo all these stuffy men’s shirts and breathe some girly life into them!

And check out my blog Chic Steals for more DIY tutorials and remakes of men’s shirts! (There’s a bunch of ‘em.:-)
Thanks for reading – and if you have any questions, ask them in the Comments section below and I’ll do my best to help you out!
xoxox
Carly J. Cais

as posted on Threadbanger.com

DIY, Men's Shirts, My Threadbanger Posts, Remake, Tops

22 Comments

How to Make a Button-Embellished Top

4.07.2010

Inspired by the original DIY’er, Martin Margiela, I’ve dipped into my overflowing stash of mismatched buttons to craft a fabulously avant-garde-style t-shirt. The shirt I used was actually one of my husband’s that he discarded due to a couple tiny stains on the front. But that’s what DIY’s for! Cover up stains, patching, pilling, or a design you don’t like…or add interest to an otherwsie boring piece. There’s a ton of great art and photos out on the internet – or you can create your own image and use it as a template for button placement. I chose monochromatic buttons so that the image would appear “pixellated” when standing from afar – and though I chose to make an eye (in my own homage to Salvador Dali), you could make anything your heart desires.
You Need:

*t-shirt*large number of buttons in various sizes and shapes (preferably in shades of black, white, and gray)
*Jewel-It Embellishing Glue (or other glue for affizing plastic embellishments to fabric)
*piece of cardboard or t-shirt board

Optional:
*printout, drawing, or photo
*tape
*sewing machine & needle for knits
*hand-sewing needle
*thread matching buttons

How To:
Prep Time

1. Pre-wash t-shirt if it hasn’t been washed already. Place cardboard or t-shirt board inside t-shirt to flatten front.2. (Optional) If you are using a piece of artwork as a template, slide it inside your tee, just on top of the board. Secure with tape.
Decorate

3. Now’s the time to channel your inner artiste! Place tee on a flat surface and start covering it with buttons. Start with the black outlines, then place the brightest white buttons on the brightest white parts of the eye. (You’ll probably spend a lot of time squinting at your picture.) Stand back every few minutes to see if you like the effect, and adjust your placement as necessary.

Make it Permanent

4. When you’re pleased with your button artwork, now you need to take each button off and affix it to the t-shirt. For the larger buttons add a daub of glue to its back; for the smaller dot glue onto the shirt itself. If you plan to go back and sew your buttons for more security – be careful you don’t get any glue in the buttonholes. (If you are using shanked buttons, you’ll have to hand-sew them on to the shirt.)

5. After you’ve glued all your buttons down, allow the glue to dry per the instructions.

6. (Optional) Remove board from tee, and proceed to sew all the buttons down to the front of your shirt. (Drop the sewing machine’s feed dogs, and zigzag into 2 holes of each button – which should be secure to hold it on and allow you to machine-wash your shirt.)7. Wear and enjoy all the extra attention. (If you have chosen not to sew your buttons down, follow the washing instructions on the glue. Some glues are not fast when put in the wash, so be careful when choosing!)

Pair with black and white pieces to make your monochromatic look. Here’s looking at you, kid!
And check out my blog Chic Steals for more DIY tutorials and fun embellishing projects!
Thanks for reading – and if you have any questions, ask them in the Comments section below and I’ll do my best to help you out!
xoxox
Carly J. Cais

as posted on Threadbanger

DIY, My Threadbanger Posts, Tops

8 Comments

DIY: Lace Top to Lace Vest

12.25.2009

I’ve stuffed the stockings, laid out piles of prezzies under the Christmas Tree, emailed 18 of my closest friends holiday greetings, realized I’ve forgotten to stock my fridge with eggnog – and now I’m DIY’ing.

Isn’t that what Christmas is all about???:-)

The lacy ruffled vest: I know, it’s a strange concept. But I’ve been seeing these since summer in Tokyo – on all the coolest girls, and plastered all over the Japanese mags – where girls are using it as a feminine layering peice to tone down the masculinity of all that black, denim, and studs.

And it’s super-easy to make!

You Need:
*lacy long-sleeved top (I found mine at Goodwill – but you can probably find one at any thrift store – or even off-the-rack, since 80′s lacy stuff is experiencing a huge revival right now)

*fabric scissors
*sewing machine
*matching thread
*needle for finer woven fabrics

How To:

1. Cut the sleeves off your top carefully so you leave the finished armhole seams on the shirt. Cut straight down the center of the shirt. (If your shirt didn’t have a V-neck before, cut the neck into a V-shape.)

2. Cut each sleeve in half vertically and spread open.
3. Place one sleeve on one side of the cut front of the top. (Orient the top of the sleeve cap at the end of the V- of the V-neck; and the sleeve itself centered on the cut CF edge. The sleeve bottom/cuff area will likely be slightly longer than your top length.) Stitch the sleeve to the top along your shirt’s cut edge. (not pictured)
4. Repeat for the other sleeve – attaching to the other side of the top’s center front vertical cut edge.
5. Cut the sleeve edges into a scalloped pattern – you can follow the pattern of your lace – or cut in a vertical zigzag – or scalloped – it’s up to you. It may take a couple tries of cutting and then trying the piece on to see how the fabric falls – and adjusting after that.You’re done!Wear under a denim vest (my DIY here), layer under a fur vest, throw on over a slim-fit turtleneck – pair under a leather jacket or a men’s plaid top for the ultimate Victor/Victoria.

And if you don’t want to DIY – just buy – this adorable piece for $30 from jadelouse1′s Etsy store. (piccy below)Happy DIY’ing if you so choose – and Merry Christmas – Happy Hanukkah – and Superb (?) Kwanzaa!xoxox
Carly

DIY, Tops

15 Comments

Don’t Buy, DIY: Embellished Short-Sleeve Sweater

12.21.2009

Okay, there’s not much of a price difference there, but still…

Fa la la la la! I love the holidays!!

But one thing I don’t love is all the correspondence it entails. Email just won’t cut it at this time of year.

Sorry for the short absence from the WWW – just been overwhelmed with sending holiday packages, cards, New Year’s greetings, baking Christmas cookies, and gift-shopping.

7 packages, 27 cards, 11 packages of cookies, 9 holiday letters with photos later…I always overachieve this time of year and end up dropping off the face of the planet for about a week. Plus, spending an hour and a half standing in line at the post office yesterday (in THREE separate lines – one for parking, one for the automatic postal machine, and one for the window) can put anyone into a bit of a bah humbug mood. Or make one go postal. Yuk yuk yuk. Can anyone relate?

But I love the holidays – all the festivities of, all the traditions – seriously, the most happy times growing up.

So anyway…
I wanted to share a DIY I finished a little while ago with all of you.

Perhaps you or your SO has a fuzzy gray sweater or fleece in need of a makeover?

Who says winter sweaters have to be long-sleeved? This one is super-cute with armwarmers, gloves, or another layer underneath for when the weather outside is frightful.

Scanned from Vivi December 2009 issue. What can I say – I love this magazine maybe a bit too much!:-)

So I figured, why not make this from an oversized sweater? (after the jump)

DIY: MEN’S SWEATER TO EMBELLISHED SHORT-SLEEVE TOP

You Need:
*oversized sweater (nubby knit or fleece, preferably men’s)
*9 faceted sew-on jewels

*scissors
*pins
*needle and thread
*sewing machine
*sewing machine needle for knits

How To:1. Cut off sleeves and trim neckline into a V-neck.

2. Turn under sleeve cuffs and stitch raw edges down. (not pictured)
3. To size the sweater smaller (if using a men’s sweater), try on sweater and pinch extra fabric at back of neck until V-neck lays properly on your collarbone (i.e., not too wide). Have a friend stick a pin in the excess, take off the shirt, and turn inside-out.Pin in a line down the center back, all the way to the hem.4. Unpick the bottom hem of the shirt so you can flatten the line you pinned all the way down to the cut edge of the fabric. (Probably about 1″ or so on either side of the line you pinned.)
5. Sew CB line all the way to the cut edge. (not pictured)

6. Turn hem under once more and re-stitch hemline. (not pictured)

7. Cut off excess of CB seam. (not pictured – obviously, I got lazy here)

8. Turn under seam allowance around neckline, and stitch down. (not pictured)

9. Sew jewels around neckline. Done!

I’m thinking about resetting the sleeves so the shoulder seam is shorter, which I think might make this less matronly and more like the original.
But maybe I’ll leave it as is!These little jewels were in a multisize pack of 25 for about $3.99 at Jo-Ann’s.And the shirt was $6.99 at Goodwill. Super-warm!

Happy DIY’ing…and Happy Birthday to me! (It’s today!) Not quite sure the appropriate emotional response…but hopefully I’m another year wiser! (Maybe to avoid the P.O. after December 15 next year?)

xoxox
Carly

DIY, Tops

9 Comments

DIY: 2 Men’s Shirts to Cute Babydoll Dress

12.08.2009

To take a break from my usual uniform of dark skinny jeans, black blazer, dark vest, and dark tee…I’ve created this adorable ruffled hem pleat-front ribbon-tie striped babydoll dress from 2 men’s button-down shirts.

(Sorry for the super-dark photos – my sewing room is lit only by a firefly, various glow-in-the-dark toys, and a sputtering birthday candle.) Adapted from the Japanese book “Kakkoii Couture Remake,” here’s my version of the how-to after the jump:

Read the Full Post ---»

DIY, Dresses, Men's Shirts, Remake, Tops

20 Comments