I'm sew domesticated.

Saturday, June 11, 2011
Last weekend I went through my to-mend pile and did some sewing and stuff.....

1 First up was my striped skirt from this post. A few of you asked how my skirt was longer than the one on the Forever 21 website. The skirt comes with a fold-over waist band but I didn't fold mine so it would be longer on me. However, the size I usually get was still too short on me so I got the largest size they had and took the sides in. But then it makes that pucker in the front and a little in the back so I took it in again and now it's the perfect bodycon skirt! And only cost me $7 and a couple of hours!



Pinning the sides...


Finished!

2 After wearing these Gap gray shorts the other day, I had to fix them up! They were a bit too baggy for me on the bottom when I rolled them up so I did a simple little sewing trick... I just overlapped an inch from the outside and tacked that sucker down. Now I can roll it without the extra bagginess. As you can see compared to the first picture, it looks a lot slimmer at the bottom...and no more peek-a-boo Gs!



3 I thrifted these yellow jeans a couple of weeks ago and they were way too long (or I am too short) and more of a straight-leg than skinny jeans. So I hemmed them and took the sides in around my ankles.


I first turned the jeans inside out and traced the outline of my other skinny jeans with some left over at the bottom to hem. Sewed along that line. Cut off any excess fabric. Hemmed the bottoms and done!

I can't wait to bust these babies out this summer!!! My first pair of colored jeans! I'm so cool now.


Pssst...don't forget to enter to win this cute, ruffly, modest one-piece swimsuit!
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54 comments :

  1. I MUST learn how to sew! You did a great job, especially the skirt!

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  2. Wooohooo! I need to fix up some more of my stuff. My mom usually does it for me but I should do it myself since I do know how to sew XD
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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  3. Love those yellow jeans!  Great job.  

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  4. You make that striped skirt look great!  Love that you took it in!  I need to learn how to do that kind of stuff...Oh, and those yellow jeans are perfect!  I've just started checking out thrift stores and I'm so surprised by the great finds!

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  5. You are amazing at this stuff!  I would be too scared to tackle DIY-ing jeans... And the skirt looks amazing! 

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  6. Great job! Although I don't think I'd wear the striped skirt tucked in, it's a tad bit tight (I don't mean that mean! Please don't take it that way!) I just felt like I needed to say that. I still love your blog!
    Natasha www.natashaatkerson.blogspot.com

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  7. Haha I definitely did the same thing with flare cordorouys (spelling??) that were just not working out...now they're skinny cords and I actually like them :)
    Great work!
    ~Sarai
    the-puddle-jumpers.blogspot.com

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  8. you should totally do a tutorial on how to hem jeans like you did the skinny yellow ones, i've been dying to do that to a couple jeans i find wicked cheap at the consignment store but never have the guts to do it myself! i do shirts all the time, but jeans are so daring for me. as always your AWESOME!

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  9. MikaelasobsessionsJune 11, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    wow, how great!! i love F21, but there stuff is always too short for me. i need to get some skills with sewing as well!!

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  10. Sew talented! I am hopeless, but I always have ideas and when I can I get someone else to realize them on a sewing machine. Otherwise I'd butcher the garment.


      Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
    June giveaway 

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  11. Man you put my sewing skills to shame.

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  12. I like how your striped navy/white top goes with everything you tried on in these pics!  You're seeewww clever.  I'm still trying to make these super easy pants.  nevergonnahappen

    Those yellow pants are an awesome thrift store find!! Colored jeans are going to be huge for fall! :)
    {mommy chic} latest post: pants on fire

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  13. I'm so jealous of your skillz!

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  14. ha, i'm with vanessa: you are sew crafty! ;)

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  15. You're amazing. Sew sew domesticated indeed!

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  16. I love it!  I never seem to get around to altering my clothes that need altering.  Very inspirational, Elaine!

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  17. I love every one of these looks! That skirt is adooorable. =)

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  18. Bravo! You are domesticated! I especially love the jeggings. I think it takes some considerable skill to hem and take in a pair of jeans... :)

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  19. I loved everything on here! specially the striped skirt, and the yellow jeans. you sew good!

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  20. Simplystylishmom.comJune 11, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    Love the yellow skinnies and love how you wore the stripey tee with the stripey skirt - it looks really good - that could be one of your rule breaking outfits!

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  21. I always have these projects that I want to do, but don't ever think about them being this easy. I love love the skirt! I did the same thing with a red pencil skirt & it turned out awesome.

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  22. Those jeans are the best thing since sliced bread! I'm all over them like a hobo on a ham sandwich! I'm not sure what you wear with shorts, but I wear the silkies, and they never peek out.

    North Meets South

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  23. Wow!! You're a master-mind! I need you to come do a make-over to my closet!!

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  24. I thought I was the only one who had to modify her clothes to her short body. Ha!

    Good post!

    xoxo

    Ana Paula

    Pretty in Polka Dots

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  25. Jasmine, Transient WithdrawalJune 11, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    Ahhhhhhhh! I love your yellow skinnies! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE wear them soon :) I barely know how to sew on buttons...Must. Learn. Soon!

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  26. haha. much needed sewing tricks. I love how you made your jeans skinny. I will have to try that!

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  27. Love the colored jeans.  I still need to get a pair of white jeans which I understand from all the fashion magazines are a necessity this season.

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  28. I'm impressed, you did a great job.  I'm afraid our sewing is limited to fixing hems and seams--and by "our sewing" I mean mine.  LOL!

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  29. You are Amazing. I am so impressed. 

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  30. Those yellow jeans are too adorable. I wish I could sew! I have some perfect grey jeans that stick out all funnily in the knees and I feel bad constantly taking my grandma piles of things to fix for me!
    -Meaganhttp://spunkychateau.blogspot.com

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  31. Quite impressive DIYs :) I need to make time to mend the things on my "to alter" list.

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  32. YES. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY AWESOME. Those jeans look amazing along with the striped skirt. Mine would probably come out looking...not striped at all.

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  33. Great post! I love the striped skirt. I actually have the floral wedges that are in the photo with the skirt. I also love your yellow skinny jeans, I'm looking to buy some of my own :) xoxo

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  34. CactusandcucumberJune 11, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    awesome ideas..i have to cut my pants all the time.
    cactusandcucumber.blogspot.com

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  35. Those yellow jeans are soooo awesome!  They look so much better after you altered them, I should really do that to some of my too-long skinnies.

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  36. that's a totally cool sewing tricks! lovely yellow jeans!!

    happy weekend
    xoxo

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  37. I love the brightly coloured jeans on you & clever with altering the skirt ! I wish I was better with my hands. Love your apartment by the way, the wooden floors against the white light & walls ^^ Very nice.

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  38. Oh these projects are awesome. I've been craving a pair of colored jeans for the longest time and this yellow shade is so pretty! 

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  39. So wish I could sew to fix up a few of my clothes that dont fit properly!!

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  40. Great job! I like sewing!

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  42. I seriously need to get myself a sewing machine. This point was driven home yesterday when I spent 45 minutes hand sewing up a little sun glasses pouch for a friend of mine. It would have taken like, 5 minutes TOPS had I had a sewing machine. Those yellow skinnies are awesome too, almost makes me wish I had the guts to wear pants hah.

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  43. Love the skirt updates, and I think I might have to employ my mother-in-law to help me make some straight leg jeans into skinnies!

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  44. I am impressed and jealous! I so wanna learn to sew!!! The idea of tailoring jeans to make them skinny for you...brilliant! They would fit just me and no more hard searching for skinnies that someone else says these are supposed to fit me. ahhh, one day

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  45. You're so crafty! I always have to hire a seamstress to tailor my clothes, you're lucky you can do it easily. Love the yellow jeans!

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  47. That skirt looks EVEN better the way it forms around your knees, it's like SO flattering, and I would think the opposite would be true. It just goes to show TIGHTER IS BETTER :)

    SEXY!

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  48. You are so cool! lol I've been looking for bright color jeans but I'm just so picky about the fit. I wish I could sew, it would make everything so much better. Plus my wallet would be a bit fuller. Just a bit though. Great post!

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  49. I love what you did with the skirt and pants. Did you teach yourself how to sew? Do you have any tips for a newbie?

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  50. Yes, through trial and error! Check out easy sewing projects first. This skirt tutorial is pretty simple if you make sure all your measurements are correct and you follow the directions!

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  51. You've got skills Elaine, and you gave me some ideas for some clothes I have that don't fit right. Thanks 

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  52. Did you have to rip open the seam on the jeans, and then re-sew. I can sew, but just a little confused how you got them skinny without a sewing machine. :-)

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  54. Bummer! I definitely need one now. Thanks!

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