Chinese Porcelain Inspired Skirt DIY

And this is it!  My last completed DIY from August before I went back to work.  I'm actually rather surprised I sewed so much that it lasted a whole month and a half before I had posted all of the projects.  The movers / packers are coming tomorrow and pretty soon we'll be saying goodbye to OH and hello to CA.

This fabric reminded me of my blue & white porcelain collection of vases, teapots, and dishes on display in the dining room.  It didn't seem right to make this into a flared skirt, so I opted for a pencil shape with the deep side pleats for tummy hiding.

 

LOFT Button Down Shirt, Peach (old)

LOFT Double Strap Belt (old)

DIY Chinese Porcelain Inspired Skirt

DIY Cameo + Pearls Necklace (original post here)

Balenciaga Money Wallet (added a chain to use as a small clutch, details here)

Gucci d'Orsay Pumps, Camel

My husband thought it was strange that I got inspired by dishes, LOL.

Where do you get your inspirations?

Gettin' Tweedy: DIY Chanel-Inspired Jacket

Ah, the classic Chanel jacket.  I've admired them from afar for a long time but it wasn't until I saw Jean wear her Uniqueen version (as well as Wendy and Tiffany) that I felt inspired to try to sew one.

Jacket:  DIY Chanel-Inspired

Shirt:  LOFT, Peach (old)

Jeans:  Gap Always Skinny (old)

Shoes:  Ann Taylor Suede Pumps, Granite

Bag:  Balenciaga Twiggy, Anthracite

It was a good thing I was very inspired because the construction of this jacket drove me absolutely batty.  The shell came together easily (kind of - the pattern sleeve opening did not match the sleeve width) and I thought I'd have this post ready last Sunday.  Then came the trim.  I had been debating whether I wanted to do regular contrast trim or a fringed trim.  I decided to do contrasting fringe trim and this complicated things since I couldn't make this from a bias strip.  Instead, I used the selvage so it lays a little funny at the collar.  This is far from a perfect jacket but it's good enough (and finished) for now.  I'll have to do some more seam ripping this weekend :)

DIY Fuchsia + Gray Bow Neck Dress

Quickie post today: I'm still obsessed with color blocking though this one is much more mild - incorporating fuchsia with a medium gray.

Dress:  Fuchsia + Gray DIY Bow Neck Dress

Belt:  J. Crew Factory Metallic Webbing Belt

Shoes:  Talbots Flower Bouquet Ballet Flats, Gray Flint

Sunnies:  Michael Kors

Bag:  Balenciaga Twiggy, Anthracite

A closer view

I used this tutorial to make the dress (2 rectangles of 25 x 33") and then just added a gray border and sash.  What do you think?  I love the giant bow :)

(Balenciaga) Wallet to Bag: Easy DIY Tutorial

I love the idea of a clutch bag (and love seeing others rock it) but I also like keeping my hands free.  This is an easy way to have it all - just add a chain to your existing wallet for a light-weight and super cute mini-bag!  This can be used to turn your wallet into a wristlet, shoulder bag, or cross-body bag.

For this particular tutorial, I am using my Balenciaga Money Wallet in Electric Blue.  I think it's a shame that this beautiful color has to stay hidden within my purse so really wanted a way to showcase it :)

Side note: no wallet was harmed in the making of this tutorial so don't worry about any irreparable damage - this is a reversible process.

See tutorial after the jump: