Halloween

Ok, Here is another really easy Halloween costume to put together. The devil horn kit was purchased from a local costume store, Zeezos. The top is a black long sleeved dance leotard that you can find at a dance store or thrift shop. The skirt is made from a simple tube of black knit fabric.

To make the skirt. Take the measurement of your hips and then add 2" for wearing ease. Add 1-1/4" for seam allowance. Take this measurement and divide by two. We'll call this measurement "A". Now measure from your waist to your knee, or wherever you want the longest part of the skirt to stop. We'll call this "B". Cut two rectangle pieces. "A" measurement should lay across width of fabric (from selvage to selvage). "B" measurement should lay with the length of the fabric (parallel to selvage). The point is to give the most stretch across the hips.

Now, using 5/8" seam, join the two rectangles together at each side using a stretch stitch. Make sure you have right sides together. You should now have a tube. Find a piece of elastic the size of your waist plus 1". Make a casing for the elastic around the top of the tube. Since we're working with knit and it doesn't unravel we will simply fold over the width of the elastic plus 3/8". Sew 1/4" in from the cut edge and leave a 1" gap to insert elastic. Insert the elastic and safety pin ends together. Try on for fit and adjust.

The ruffles are really easy. I used a cheap satin costume fabric. Cut strips across the width of the fabric (should be about 45" long, depending on your fabric.) Cut them as wide as you want your ruffle times two. So, if you want your ruffle 3" wide then cut your strips 6". Now add 1" for top seam. Take your strips and join them right sides together. Fold them in half. Wrong sides together and sew about 1/2" down from the cut edge. If you have a serger you can finish this edge or use an overcast stitch on your sewing machine. Run a gathering stitch along this edge. Try on your tube and mark where the ruffle will go. Sew ruffle on the right side of the tube along your marked ruffle line. Trim away excess tube and your done!!

The arm bans are just left over ruffle sewn to a piece of elastic, 1" smaller than the forearm measurement. Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

Easy Summer Top Part 5

You made it to Part 5!! Yes, It seems like a long time, but the time it took to make these videos is just about the time it took to make this top. In about 1 hour you can make a cute new summmer top with lots of room to add your own designs and ideas. Drop me a comment about any how to's you'd like to see posted. Sewing is easy and fun once you learn the tips and tricks, and it's great to be able to say "Why yes, that outfit is designer...I designed it myself." Brandie

Easy Summer Top Part 4

Part Four!!!! Almost done!!! Here is how to finish the hem and add the little sleeve flounce. You could use the same color or a contrasting fabric. You might even think about adding a trim to the edge. Brandie

Easy Summer Top Part 3

Ok, Now that you're getting the hang of this, and so am I....Here is part three, how to attach the skirt portion to the top. If you feel like spicing up the skirt you could make it colorful by using different stipes of different fabrics. Vary the width of each stripe, just put together as many stripes as you like to equal about 45 inches long. Brandie

Easy Summer Outfit Part Two

Ok, Now that you have gotten started. Here is part two. Try this with any cotton or cotton blend fabric. You could even make the skirt portion of a different fabric. Mixing different designs and colors is very popular right now. I do have to give credit to my videographers, Ricky, who is 7, and Dara. Ricky did get bored a little through this so there is a few sighs and little shaking...:) Brandie