Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Drama Tween Giveaway I'm a winner


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I entered the Drama Tween Giveaway @ Hanging Off The Wire and I won. Our choice was to pick one outfit from Drama Tween. I didn't know what to choose my tween is sooo picky, so I waited til she came home from school.

This is what she picked...

Sequin Pocket Tank Gold/black Leopard


&

Sequin Pocket Shorts Gold/black leopard

The above photos are from Drama Tween website.
I'll post pics once I remember to take it. hehehe

Thanks to Hanging Off the Wire & Drama Tween my daughter loves her new outfit. One less outfit to buy for the summer, lol.






Monday, March 26, 2012

Madison Avenue Monday: Draw On the Boyes

Madison Avenue Monday: Draw On the Boyes: This is my absolute favorite ad featuring hot pants to date....  Though I don't think  that any self-respecting cowboy would have anything to do with knitting needles.

Hot Pants, Draw on the Boyes, Madison Avenue Monday, Serendipity Handmade
From McCall's Needlework and Crafts, 1972-1973

How to find your correct size?

Heyday Trousers: How I found my correct size:
After many of you expressed interest in my Heyday trousers, I thought I'd talk a little bit about how I chose the right size for my shape.   I am always worried about fitting pants because of my curvy figure. I have a 35.5 inch waist, 46.5 inch hip, belly pooch and junk in the trunk. Heyday's models are all gorgeous, physically fit ladies so I wasn't sure if they would be a good fit for someone with my shape. Fitting pants is always a challenge because our bodies are all different.
Sizing
 The Heyday site advises to go by your hip measurement because the waist can always be taken in or let out by a seamstress. 
size chart from the Heyday website
My current hip measurement is 46.5 inches and waist is 35.5. Although my waist size falls between the size 16 and 18, my hip is half an inch bigger than the size 18. I went up to the size 20 so I'd have enough room for hips and butt. It's always best to have plenty of room in the hip because you can alter the waist if needed.
How to Measure your Body
To measure your waist, measure around the smallest part of your mid-section, not around your belly button. Your natural waist is actually a few inches above your belly button.  
 To Measure your hip- measure the widest part, which is a few inches below your belly button (See the first image above). When measuring, make sure that you are breathing normally and standing straight for the most accurate measurement. Hold the measuring tape firmly but not tight while taking your measurements.
 
Alterations
Waist- Heyday trousers are generously cut to allow for adjustment. My size 20 trousers have enough seam allowance in the waist to be let out an extra few inches, if needed. Length- The leg length on all of their trousers is 31.5 inches so if you're tall like me (I'm 5'7), you don't have to worry about high-waters. If you're shorter, the hem can be easily adjusted at home or by a seamstress.
Tricks for Trousers
My main worry about these (and any) high waist trousers is my mom belly. I was curvy to begin with but after having two kids in the past 2 1/2 years, that lower belly area certainly hasn't gotten any better. My trick are high waist panties with a little bit of belly support or if you need more support, a pantie girdle or Spanx. Granny panties are a curvy gal's best friend. I wear mine every day and they are wonderful. They give you a little nip in at the natural waist, smooth out any lumpy areas and create a smooth foundation for any form fitting garments.  I buy mine at Target, next to the shape wear.
One of my favorite points of the Heyday trousers are the darts at the front and back, which create a flat surface and smooth line across the belly and rear. Bless them for those fabulous darts! A wide leg trouser of any kind is a flattering fit for someone with a large hip or waistline. That illusion of thickness at the lower leg balances out the wide middle and these high waist trousers create a fantastic curve at the hip and definition of the waist. If you order the wrong size, most purchases are easily exchanged.  Before placing your order, See Heyday's Shipping and Return policies for details. Anyway, I hope that helps you ladies out when ordering your Heyday trousers. They really are fantastic pants and I hope you love yours as much as I do! Do any of you gals have a pair? Tell me all about them!  Heyday Vintage Style is a sponsor of Va-Voom Vintage. All of the above opinions are my own.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

An Easier Way to Set in Sleeves

Tutorial: An easier way to set in sleeves:

Most printed patterns have you setting in a sleeve by stitching in a tight little circle around the armhole. Sunni from A Fashionable Stitch shows an easier way to do it on her blog. This is the method I use when …


Monday, February 27, 2012

Recycled Sweater Head Wrap and Cowl Scarf

I knit & crochet but to recycle a sweater to a head wrap and a cowl scarf is much more easier & . quicker. Check out how Trudy did it!

Recycled Sweater Head Wrap and Cowl Scarf:
I made Emily a couple of head wraps from some old sweaters and matching cowl scarves. I also made a head wrap for her cousin's 12th birthday. Don't they look so cute together? The head wrap can be worn plain or embellished. They are so quick and easy to sew. You basically cut out long rectangles, apply fabric glue to the long sides and sew the short ends together and you're done. I got the idea from Disney of Ruffles and Stuff. She's made some great tutorials, click here for the head wrap tutorial and here for the cowl scarf. Thanks so much, Disney, Emily loves hers. They keep her warm and stylish.








They were made from these two sweaters.



Happy Valentine's Day!!


Drama Tween Giveaway

Drama Tween by Vintage Couture, Inc. is a clothing line for fashion forward tweens who want styles that aren't readily available in their sizes. Giveaway ends 3/11/2012. It has very low entries. Hanging Off The Wire: Drama Tween *Giveaway*

Friday, February 24, 2012

Valentines Day Last Minute Refashon!

See what, Sew Country Chick did for her daughter. I'm getting some ideas...
Valentines Day Last Minute Refashon!:




This top is super easy and can be whipped together in about an hour if you have a mens T shirt hanging around. To see my tutorial visit me at
Happy Saint Valentine's Day!
Justine





Thursday, February 23, 2012

DIY Accent Rings

DIY Accent Rings:


Made from old clip-on earrings. See more plus a full tutorial on my blog.


Wednesday, February 22, 2012

How to sew a doll dress from a sweater sleeve

I had to share this... it's too cute.
How to sew a doll dress from a sweater sleeve:
Sewing for dolls can be so fun as they aren’t nearly as fussy about fit and you can use such small quantities of textiles without compromising on style and fun. This cute dress for an 18 inch doll designed by Bethany of the blog Finding Pins and Needles. Check out her tutorial on how to sew a recycled sweater sleeve dress for a doll.



Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Hanna Andersson Footless Tights Knockoff

Check-Out Hanna Andersson Footless Tights Knockoff:

Another online purchase I'd love to make, but at $16-a-pair-plus-shipping-plus-import-duties, I'd be paying about 90 bucks a leg. So I satisfied myself with a knockoff.

Good old Gymboree tights. Local and affordable (er, on sale).

Similar to making legwarmers, I cut out the ankle and toe section and discarded them.

I also amputated a pair of socks with pretty tops.

...folded the edges of the tights under and inserted the fancy sock top upside down.

Too frugal to toss the left overs, I remade the socks with the leftoever mid-section from the foot of the tights (just like the legwarmers here).


This was my test pair on my least favorite tights. Now that I know the technique works, I'm on the search for some spring-y colored tights to make over. Has anyone got a good source for spring colors?