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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!

ASK LAUREL: Skirts & Dresses for Plus Size

August 9, 2012

“You usually wear dresses and skirts, but for me it’s kind of hard to get used to it. Have you got any tips to feel comfortable when wearing dresses and skirts? (like: undergarments, how to sit down and not show anything and, even though it may seems gross or weird but I have to ask: how can I avoid chaffing between my inner thighs when wearing a skirt without tights?)”

Submitted By Reader: Marta

Any kind of etiquette for wearing skirts and dresses for a plus size women should be the same as those for “regular” size women. Cross your legs however you feel comfortable–this may mean crossing them at the ankle as opposed to at the knee.

Lady like leg crossing.

Also, don’t wear a skirt length that is too short or too long or too small. There is nothing like the embarrassment of bending over and showing your underwear to the world! Basically, it comes down to wear what your feel comfortable in and be honest to yourself about the size that FITS you.

Fit is very important–especially when you have a cellulite, a tummy, hips, and a butt! If I am wearing any type of tight fitting dress, I try to wear some form of Spanx (or Target’s equivalent, “Assets“). They help hold your in and smooth you out. I am one for comfort, so this is the most I will wear in shape wear, because I can’t stand to be uncomfortable! If the Spanx still don’t make your dress or skirt look good, you might want to rethink wearing it!

Spanx

Anytime that I am wearing a dress bare legged, it’s not completely the truth. It is more of an illusion that I am bare legged. Illusion is key to making anything look good on your body. It’s about how it looks to everyone else, not how you know it to be.

My tricks to wearing a skirt or dress comfortably bare legged is this:

1. I will sometimes wear a pair of cotton biker shorts underneath the skirt. They help with your legs rubbing together and also help smooth out your thighs and stomach–a two for one!

I have a pair from Forever 21+ (they are no longer available), here are some similar styles: by Woman Within, Alight, Roamans.

Biker Shorts

2. If I don’t feel like wearing bike shorts, I will put on a Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder Gel by Monistat. Put some on your thighs and it relieves any discomfort and helps prevent it. This has been a god send over the years! This can be purchased in most drug stores, grocery stores, etc. in the women’s health department.


Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder Gel

Have a question for me about living as a plus size women, plus size fashion, vintage, life,whatever… Please submit them and I will address topics in the blog!

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Posts from August 2012

DIY: Plus Size Belt

August 11, 2012

ASK LAUREL: Skirts & Dresses for Plus Size

August 9, 2012