Super Easy Maxi Dress Tutorial

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DIY Maxi Dress

I'm currently into sewing since my (very generous) mother-in-law gave me her portable sewing machine. This is one of the first dresses I made and it's so simple, I believe anybody can make one! I failed to take photos of how I made it so here's the step-by-step procedure with my sketches. I hope it's clear enough but if not, just leave your question on the comment box below and I'll get back to you when I can. Happy sewing!

Super Easy Maxi Dress Tutorial

1. Measure your hips + 2 inches for comfort + 1 inch seam = (label A). We are measuring this as the widest part of the body.

2. Measure your desired dress length, from your shoulder down to the hem line you want, +1 inch seam = (label B)

3. Cut your fabric as such:

4. Now fold your fabric in half, lengthwise, and sew ends together

5. Measure shoulder-to-shoulder and divide by 2. Then add 2 inches for allowance = (label C)

6. Subtract (C) from (A divided by 2) = (label D). That's what you need to cut from the top. To make sure your halter top is symmetrical, divide (D) by 2 and measure that from left and from right.

Then measure your armhole and divide by 2 = label (E). Make a mark from top on both left and right.

Now cut from your marked ends of (C) and your marked (E).

7. At the back side of dress, cut a "V" or "U" shape in the middle.

8.  Now hem away! Sew all open ends, making sure you don't sew the dress close! 

SEW JUST THE HEM on all open parts ~ arm holes, neck lines and bottom of dress

9. Make a loop on the neck line with an inch opening. Do the same on the back. This is where you'll insert the ribbon to hold the dress together!

10. You could either use a store-bought ribbon or make one from the same fabric. Then insert the ribbon in the loops and tie in the back. You're done!

If you decide to make a similar dress, I'd love to see it too!

DIY Menu Board for Meal Planning

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I don't know about you, but thinking of what to cook for dinner leaves me clueless most of the time! My husband and I would always wait for the other to come up with something, then we basically end up eating the same meals over and over.

I got super excited when I came across the Menu Board idea on Pinterest, so I made mine the exact same day and finished it within a few hours! I would love to add more recipes to my board but for now,  I'm just happy that I finally got to organize our weekly dinner menu!!

Here's how it works:
With my menu tags all in the upper box ("pick here"), I choose the menu I want for the coming week and clip 7 menu tags on the side. First pin is for Sunday, second pin for Monday, third pin for Tuesday, and so on. When the week is over, I put the used tags in the lower box ("yum!") and repeat the process. Once the upper box is almost empty, I return all the menu tags back in the upper box! Sounds fun and easy, right?

Here's what I used:

8x10" frame (for 8R photos)
small wooden clothespins
fabric (or you may use a decorated card stock)
glue gun
wide clear tape
double-sided tape
white card stocks (for the menu)
cutter, ruler & cutting board (or scissors)



First, I cut my fabric to fit my frame and put it as I would a photo. This will be my backdrop for the Menu Board. By doing this (and not directly working on the fabric), I could easily change the backdrop come Christmas season or Valentines or whatever occasion!

With 7 pins to hold my dinner menu for the week, I positioned them on the side and try to set an even distance. Then I used my glue gun to attach the pins to my frame. 

Now that I have the pins positioned, I cut some scrap paper to kind of determine the size I want for the menu tags and the boxes.






Then, print away!! With the measurements I want, I made the menu tags and boxes. This was actually the hardest part of this project: remembering all of my recipes! So I asked my girl friends for help and they sent me some of their recipes too!

To further organize my Menu Board, I used color codes for my menu: red for meat, green for vegetables, and yellow for seafood. (That's actually the same color code I use for my chopping boards!) This way, just by looking at the colors I could easily plan for the menu of the week, making sure I have the right combination of meat, seafood and vegetables. I also printed my menu's ingredients and I'll show you later what they are for.

Here's a tip: I wrapped my menu tags with the wide clear tape (like a 'lamination') to keep them protected. My board will be in my kitchen and I wouldn't want a drop of water to ruin my menu tags!






For the menu tag holders, I created my own boxes to exactly fit my board. I also wrapped them  with the wide clear tape.





Now all that's left to do is assemble the board! I attached the boxes to the glass on my frame with a double-sided tape. I also added the "menu" logo just to finish the look. 










Now, remember I also printed my menu's ingredients? I attached them on the back of each menu tag and once I have my menu plan for the week, I simply turn the tags over and there's my grocery list!

* And yes, my husband cooks dinner for me once every month :)

Ready to make your own Menu Board? Click here for my menu tags and boxes templates! 

Happy crafting!

Onesie Cupcakes

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My husband was invited to a baby shower today. He was thinking of bringing a diaper cake but then he thought the mother-to-be's friends might already have one.

So what's the next best thing to cake? CUPCAKES!

This gift is so cute that I just have to share how I made it! Here's a step-by-step guide. Enjoy!

Decide how many cupcakes you want to make:

1pc onesie = 1pc cupcake
pair of socks = cupcake toppings

Fold your onesie, both sides to the center
(Leave the bottom bottons undone)

Then fold again in half
(Now you have 1/4 of the onsie, lengthwise)



Position the pair of socks at the colar end like this.
(Note that i put one sock's top higher than the onesie's edge and the other sock is positioned lower than the other)

Then roll as tight as you can.

It should look like this after rolling. One sock's end now looks like the cupcake's topping, while the lower sock gives you enough material to cover the lower part of the cupcake.

Use the lower sock's garter to hold the cupcake's end firmly.

Done!

Now all you have to do is package it like a cupcake -- with cupcake wrappers and box!

Isn't it adorable? :)

DIY of the week: Magazine Clutch

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I love those vintage rolled magazine clutch bags that started in Italy during the 70's.  So I made one for myself using my favorite Audrey Hepburn magazine cover!

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN MAGAZINE CLUTCH


Materials:

1. inexpensive clutch - something long and curved on the bottom
2. magazine cover printout - i used Google images and picked one that I liked
** Vogue has this online library of their vintage magazine covers,all the way back until 1916!
3. mod podge - i used the glossy finish to get the real glossy magazine cover feel
4. brush or foam for the mod podge
5. cutter and cutting board


Instructions:

1. Measure your clutch and print your magazine cover to that size.
2. Apply mod podge on the clutch then place the magazine cover on top. Let dry for at least 20 minutes.
3. Once dry, brush mod podge on top of the magazine cover to seal and protect. You might wanna brush a few times with 20 minutes drying interval between brushes.
4. Although it will completely dry in an hour, wait 24 hours before using. 

Happy crafting!!

Paper Purse

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Inspired by the many paper purses I see online, I decided to make some as  giveaway/gift bags for my girls. Aren't they so pretty?  I, of course, tried to do more by  printing out our names on the card stocks for that personal touch!

Here is a paper purse template I made with easy instructions. You may adjust the template size on your printer to get the exact purse size that you want to use. I suggest printing the template on a plain paper and once you're happy with the size, cut it then trace the template on your card stock. That way, you can maximize the use of space on your card stock. Have fun with it and use different types, textures and colors, you may even add decorations to your paper purses like buttons and ribbons. Enjoy!

Here are other templates I found on the web that you could use:

Hand gift bag

Purse box

Purse favor bag with instructions

Mini Hersheys Chocolate Wrappers

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Most people love chocolates. And what better way to make them more appealing than wrapping them nicely!

For one of our parties, I dressed up some mini Hershey's chocolates with colorful wrappers and put them on display at the desserts table. Not only are they nice and pretty, chocolates make great treats and favors too!

Here is the wrapper template I made for mini Hershey's nuggets. Add names, greetings, cute notes, etc and personalize it. After designing your wrappers, print them on a regular plain paper, cut, wrap around the mini chocolate bars  and glue ends together at the bottom. You now have instantly transformed your chocolates into pretty little party treats!

Party Banners Template

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Our Engagement Party Banner

One of the easiest ways to decorate a party or event is to use banners. I especially like custom banners because it is more personal and it makes the decoration special.

Because banners are fun to make, I am sharing my simple banner templates with you. I made pink and blue birthday banners, and I included a blank banner for you to customize. 

The banners can be easily printed on a legal size paper. Just cut on the solid lines and fold on the dotted lines over ribbons or strings, glue the flaps and you're good to go! Have fun! :)

Our Wedding Banner