How to DIY Spy
Today I went to a store that used to be one of my favorite clothing stores. I even worked there for a few summers. But as I browsed today, two thoughts came to mind. One, 'There's ain't a lot of cute shoes on sale..." and two..."I could so make that!"
I wasn't so much imagining how the clothes would look on me, but how did they sew this together? For example one blazer I thought had large darts on the front bodice. Then I looked closer and realized they had used princess lines in their pattern and stuck a pocket over the top. Maybe it's just a testiment of how much I have committed myself to making my own clothes, but I was stopped from buying anything because I realized that with the right tools and basic inspiration, I can make the clothes of my dreams.
First thing, arm yourself with a writing implement (perferablly a pencil so you can erase if need be, and a sketch pad. You may also use a digital camera or a camera phone, but be warned that some shops don't like people taking pictures inside their stores. I learned this on one trip when my friends just wanted to pose for a goofy picture with dilliebobbers. Then, go to the store and look for clothes that catch your eye. Sketch the basic cut and silleotte of the garment. Be sure to add any details like darts, pleasts, embroidery, notions, anything that catches your eye. To the side, write down these details and then go the the manufacturers tag inside the clothes. Write down the fabric content and the washing and drying instructions.
Now all that's left to do is to head for your local fabric and craft department and go hunting thought the racks of clothing patterns. Find those that look like your garment and pull them. You may have to use more than one. Buy the patterns, combine where needed and cut it out of a fabric close or relationed to what you saw in the store.
Then...viola! You have some something DIY fabulous!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Sewthern Belle's Tip of the Day
Instead of trying to choose an outfit based on a top and bottom, start with an awesome accessory (like a kickin' pair of red heels) and choose pieces to highlight it.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Sewthern Belle's Tip of the Day
Happy Creation Day!
When you can, save energy and air-dry your laundry. Worked for our grandparents and their grandparents for generations didn't it?
When you can, save energy and air-dry your laundry. Worked for our grandparents and their grandparents for generations didn't it?
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The Sewthern Belle's Tip of the Day
Read the laundry care labels on the clothes you already own. Not all fabrics are equal. Unless you're into that felted shrunken sweater look...
Monday, April 20, 2009
A tip for Jeans
Just a quick tip. Ladies, when you have a pair of jeans that fit perfectly, buy or make two pairs. One pair hem the pant leg to wear with flats (even sneakers!) and the other pair to wear with heels. Just remember the lenght should be so they touch the back of your heel but that you don't fall over and kill yourself.
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Sewthern Belle's Guide to Style
Happy Friday! This is the day I thought we get to have fun and learn how we can be stylish and environmentally responsible. To begin, let's focus on the ladies.
Ladies before you go ripping up old t-shirts into a new fashion, let me explain the difference between fads and style.
Fad items are bits of clothing that speak to the human desire for change. We are constantly changing our look. Have been for centuries. For instance, did you know men use to wear high heels during the colonial period? Bows and all? Obviously, that has long since gone out a fashion. In a sense, all clothing tends to be fads reflecting the society of the times. But during that time in society, certain pieces of clothing become staples in our wardrobe. These are style items. Fads are something we wouldn't be caught dead in next year. Style items are things we can always wear and mix with those fad items.
So why are style items eco-chic? Think about it. You always have them in your closet. They never go out of fashion. And you can mix them with anything. That is reusing clothing. That is being smart about our fashion choices. Here's what I want you to do. Go to your closet and dump everything out. Go to your dresser drawers and dump everything out. Now, based on the following, put back these essential style items if you have them. If you don't, I'll have tutorials in a few weeks about how to make such essentials. For now, pick out the clothing that fits this list. Don't worry about the lenght or the shape of the dress. That's another blog. However do stick with neutral colors (white, black, brown and sometimes blue).
1. The Little Black Dress. Evenrsince Coco Chanel introduced the concept, women have turned to this ol' realiable for nearly a century. It should be a dress and mostly black. If you have a little color that's fine. But remember, we are trying to keep to style items here that can be mixed within our wardrobe.
2. A pair of denim jeans. Preferably a dark wash. When Levi Strauss made jeans readily avaiable over a century ago, it wasn't until the 1950's when they became a staple in the American wardrobe. The dark wask is flattering and can easily become dressy with a few accessories and the right top.
3. A solid fitted t-shirt. Another staple introduced in the fifties, the t-shirt is now practically the American uniform. A white shirt can mix with anything, but if you perfer, you can go with a colored shirt. Just remember it needs to mix with anything you will create later on.
4. A solid oxford button down shirt. Again, white is the color that goes with anything, but I'll leave it to your personal perference. Also I strongly encourage a notched collar. It is just a classic look that can go from casual to dressy in an instant.
5. A solid black skirt. It doesn't matter if it's A-line, straight or pegged, a black skirt can save your life from any fashion disaster. I like to keep various lenghts in my closet, but you can easily hem the skirt if need be.
6. A black blazer. Great for business or that rock and roll look. This time cut does matter. I don't think a double breasted jacket suits our needs here. Try to create something that is single breasted. Now the number of buttons or if it has a notched collar doesn't really matter. I am a big believer in personal perference when it comes to style. What you like is all that matters. There are just too many 'fashion experts' telling you 'What Not to Wear'.
7. A navy blazer. Same rules as the black blazer but just in another color. Why navy? It's a color that's become a neutral over the years. And it's so simular in shade to black that it too can be mixed and matched. A navy skirt can also be a essential, but if you're not careful, you can look like you're in a remake of 'Nine t0 Five'. I like to match my blacks, but mix my blues.
8. A neutral trenchcoat. Most classic trenchs are double breasted, but that may not flatter everyone. Great for those crisp fall days or those rainy Spring showers, the trench can be dressed down with jeans or dressed up with the LBD for that mysterious film noir look.
9. Black pants. These pants should flatter you and be at an appropriate length based on your height and the height of the heels you wear.
10. Neutral pants. Personally, I like to have a mix of brown pants and white pants for this category. There is just so much to play with.
11. A pair (or two!) of black dress shoes. Preferably heels, but flats will work in a pinch. Literally in some cases.
12. A pair (or two!) of white dress shoes. Yes I'm seperating my brown shoes from my whites. Personal perference may have you not buy either shade, but I think having shoes in various neutrals is just smart for whatever occassion.
13. A pair (or two!) of brown dress shoes.
The next few choices are personal perference of course. But I think every girl should have some just cause it's fun!
14. Diamond (or diamond-like) jewelry. Earrings, bracelet and necklace.
15. Pearl (whatever color you like, real or fake). Earrings, bracelet and necklace.
16. Gold or silver jewelry. Based on your skin tone, these earrings, bracelets and necklaces are classic. Gold for dark skin, silver for light.
17. Neutral bras and panties and other various undergarments like slips. Just remember, black, white and beige. This is more for camoflauge under your clothes than to be cute. Nobody wants panty lines.
There you are. Now if you're looking at the mess still on your floor, don't worry. That's the stuff you can take your scissors to. But that's another blog.
Ladies before you go ripping up old t-shirts into a new fashion, let me explain the difference between fads and style.
Fad items are bits of clothing that speak to the human desire for change. We are constantly changing our look. Have been for centuries. For instance, did you know men use to wear high heels during the colonial period? Bows and all? Obviously, that has long since gone out a fashion. In a sense, all clothing tends to be fads reflecting the society of the times. But during that time in society, certain pieces of clothing become staples in our wardrobe. These are style items. Fads are something we wouldn't be caught dead in next year. Style items are things we can always wear and mix with those fad items.
So why are style items eco-chic? Think about it. You always have them in your closet. They never go out of fashion. And you can mix them with anything. That is reusing clothing. That is being smart about our fashion choices. Here's what I want you to do. Go to your closet and dump everything out. Go to your dresser drawers and dump everything out. Now, based on the following, put back these essential style items if you have them. If you don't, I'll have tutorials in a few weeks about how to make such essentials. For now, pick out the clothing that fits this list. Don't worry about the lenght or the shape of the dress. That's another blog. However do stick with neutral colors (white, black, brown and sometimes blue).
1. The Little Black Dress. Evenrsince Coco Chanel introduced the concept, women have turned to this ol' realiable for nearly a century. It should be a dress and mostly black. If you have a little color that's fine. But remember, we are trying to keep to style items here that can be mixed within our wardrobe.
2. A pair of denim jeans. Preferably a dark wash. When Levi Strauss made jeans readily avaiable over a century ago, it wasn't until the 1950's when they became a staple in the American wardrobe. The dark wask is flattering and can easily become dressy with a few accessories and the right top.
3. A solid fitted t-shirt. Another staple introduced in the fifties, the t-shirt is now practically the American uniform. A white shirt can mix with anything, but if you perfer, you can go with a colored shirt. Just remember it needs to mix with anything you will create later on.
4. A solid oxford button down shirt. Again, white is the color that goes with anything, but I'll leave it to your personal perference. Also I strongly encourage a notched collar. It is just a classic look that can go from casual to dressy in an instant.
5. A solid black skirt. It doesn't matter if it's A-line, straight or pegged, a black skirt can save your life from any fashion disaster. I like to keep various lenghts in my closet, but you can easily hem the skirt if need be.
6. A black blazer. Great for business or that rock and roll look. This time cut does matter. I don't think a double breasted jacket suits our needs here. Try to create something that is single breasted. Now the number of buttons or if it has a notched collar doesn't really matter. I am a big believer in personal perference when it comes to style. What you like is all that matters. There are just too many 'fashion experts' telling you 'What Not to Wear'.
7. A navy blazer. Same rules as the black blazer but just in another color. Why navy? It's a color that's become a neutral over the years. And it's so simular in shade to black that it too can be mixed and matched. A navy skirt can also be a essential, but if you're not careful, you can look like you're in a remake of 'Nine t0 Five'. I like to match my blacks, but mix my blues.
8. A neutral trenchcoat. Most classic trenchs are double breasted, but that may not flatter everyone. Great for those crisp fall days or those rainy Spring showers, the trench can be dressed down with jeans or dressed up with the LBD for that mysterious film noir look.
9. Black pants. These pants should flatter you and be at an appropriate length based on your height and the height of the heels you wear.
10. Neutral pants. Personally, I like to have a mix of brown pants and white pants for this category. There is just so much to play with.
11. A pair (or two!) of black dress shoes. Preferably heels, but flats will work in a pinch. Literally in some cases.
12. A pair (or two!) of white dress shoes. Yes I'm seperating my brown shoes from my whites. Personal perference may have you not buy either shade, but I think having shoes in various neutrals is just smart for whatever occassion.
13. A pair (or two!) of brown dress shoes.
The next few choices are personal perference of course. But I think every girl should have some just cause it's fun!
14. Diamond (or diamond-like) jewelry. Earrings, bracelet and necklace.
15. Pearl (whatever color you like, real or fake). Earrings, bracelet and necklace.
16. Gold or silver jewelry. Based on your skin tone, these earrings, bracelets and necklaces are classic. Gold for dark skin, silver for light.
17. Neutral bras and panties and other various undergarments like slips. Just remember, black, white and beige. This is more for camoflauge under your clothes than to be cute. Nobody wants panty lines.
There you are. Now if you're looking at the mess still on your floor, don't worry. That's the stuff you can take your scissors to. But that's another blog.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tip of the Day
Check out your local Goodwill. With a little know how and creativity, you can turn something old and frumpy into something new and fantastic!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Today's Tip
Take your old plastic bags to your local superstore. Chances are they have a recycling bin set up!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog! Here, I will share tips to go green, my eco friendly fashions and any tutorials I can put together. Also, I will share general thoughts about my journey to be a green Christian in a world where green is the new black. I have another blog, Green4God, but that is strictly bible study. I put advertisments on this blog because I hope to extend this into my own Indie-design business. So for my first tip,
"Read the Bible. It's the best place to start learning about God's world and how to take care of it and the people that share it."
"Read the Bible. It's the best place to start learning about God's world and how to take care of it and the people that share it."
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