The Curvy Elle: DIY

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August 11, 2012

As a Plus Size girl (or guy!) it is very hard to find a cute belt that fits you. Here is a simple DIY to make your own belt! Feel free to make changes to my instructions–go crazy!

PLEASE NOTE: This DIY can also be used for NON-Plus Sizes, as well!

*Note: The type of interfacing I used was FUSIBLE INTERFACING that is a paper fabric. Also, it is best to use a WOVEN fabric.

1. Measure your WAIST (or, where you wish the belt to lie on your body). To get the LENGTH of your belt:

WAIST MEASUREMENT + 9 inches = BELT LENGTH

***If you want your belt to be longer than the one I made, feel free to add more than 9 inches.

2. Measure the WIDTH of your ‘D-Rings.’ This will be the BELT WIDTH.

3. Take the WIDTH MEASUREMENT (from STEP 2) and multiply this number by X4. So:

WIDTH X 4 = WIDTH OF FABRIC

4. Lie your fabric on a flat surface with the print/fabric going in the direction of your choosing. Measure out the BELT LENGTH (from Step 1). With your scissors SNIP around 1/2″ in at this measurement. Then, measure the WIDTH OF FABRIC (from Step 3) and SNIP around 1/2″ in.

5. TEAR the BELT LENGTH SNIP then repeat for the WIDTH OF FABRIC SNIP.

You will end up with a long rectangular piece of fabric.

6. Lay your piece of fabric (flat) RIGHT SIDE DOWN on an ironing board.

Take your FUSIBLE INTERFACING and lay it ON TOP of your fabric (fusible side DOWN).

Use a pencil and trace the shape of the fabric. Leave around 1/8 inch allowance along the edge of the interfacing. Then, CUT the interfacing along drawn lines. (This doesn’t have to be exact or perfect, you won’t see the interfacing when you’re done.)

***You DO NOT want the interfacing to be the same or larger than your fabric. This is how it should look:

7. IRON on your Fusible Interfacing. Follow the instructions that came with your interfacing.

8. Fold your fabric (that now has the attached interfacing) IN HALF and IRON. Open it back up and you will have a line in the center. This line is your GUIDE LINE for the next step.

9. Fold the edge of your fabric up (along belt LENGTH) to your GUIDE LINE. Iron it in place as you fold. Repeat this for the second edge of your fabric.

Fold WIDTH EDGES IN 1/4″ and iron.

Fold LENGTH EDGES UP, once more, AT GUIDE LINE. Iron and pin in place.

10. Sew an EDGE STITCH along ALL EDGES of the belt. AT CORNERS (with needle in fabric) lift up your PRESSER FOOT UP and PIVOT (turn) your fabric. This will allow you to sew the next edge. In the end you will sew one big rectangle. Repeat for all edges and corners.

11. Now you will need your D-RINGS.

Take your newly sewn belt and slip one end through BOTH of the D-RINGS. Pull the belt through, leaving about 1 INCH OVERLAP as seam allowance, pin in place.

Sew a box with an “X” in the middle to hold the overlap in place. See below for details.

12. YOU ARE DONE! Try on your belt!

DIY: Jaunty Summer Scarf

June 1, 2012

DIY: Jaunty Summer Scarf

The idea for this scarf came from the fact that I like to be able to wear a scarf during the summer, but most scarves that are sold at stores are made from synthetic fiber like polyester–which don’t breath. They can be hot and stick to you when you sweat = NO FUN TO WEAR IN THE SUMMER!!!

This DIY is very simple and takes only sewing a basic straight stitch along the hem of the scarf. It will end up being a perfect square measuring about 22″ X 22″. Please note: measurements do not have to be exact! Feel free to play with any of the measurements I give you!

SUPPLIES:

1 Piece of Cotton Woven Fabric Minimum 24″ X 24″
(This can be a scrap or if you want, purchase around 3/4 yard of fabric.)
Ruler
Pencil
Scissors
Iron
Ironing Board
Straight Pins
Sewing Machine
(Threaded with whatever color thread you wish to use.)

STEPS:

1. First things first, iron your piece of Cotton Fabric. This makes it easier to make and mark the measurements for your scarf.

2. Lay your fabric flat on a table or other flat surface. You are going to measure horizontally and vertically 23 inches. Make a notch mark with your pencil on your fabric where each of these measurements are.

3. Get your scissors and make a snip (a LITTLE cut about 1/2″ long) where the first pencil notch/mark is.

4. Grab each of the sides of the fabric on both sides of the snip and pull. Keep pulling until the excess fabric is torn from your square.

5. Repeat the above for the other measurement/penciled notch. When you are done, you will have a perfect square measured about 23″ X 23″.

6. Once again, iron your square of fabric. This makes it easier to work with for the next step.

7. Turn your fabric to the “wrong” side of the fabric. You are now going to start to hem your square. It will be 1/4 inch turn back. This means you will measure and press (with the iron) a 1/4 inch turn back around all 4 sides of the fabric. Then you will go back and turn it and press it a second time 1/4 inch. As pictured below:

Measure 1/4 inch for first turn back.

Start pressing with the iron and turning the edge. Continue for all 4 sides.

This is what the first turn back will look like.

Now, for the second 1/4 inch turn back. (You are welcome to pin as you go during this step to hold the turn back in place.) Turn and press around all 4 edges, until the whole square has a clean finish.

When you are done, it will look like this:

8. Now it’s time to sew! Thread your sewing machine with the color thread you want to sew with. You will want to sew with the wrong side up. Sew as close to the folded edge as possible.

When you reach a CORNER, stop. Make sure the needle is down in the fabric and lift up the presser foot. Pivot (turn) the fabric so that you can now sew down the next side.