I bought this dress because I absolutely loved the vintage print on this netting fabric, but knew I'd have to adjust the low neckline to be comfortable in it. Since we're all about modesty over here, I wanted to feature a tutorial that explains how you can raise a round neckline using ruffles.
The dress was tea-length with plenty of extra fabric at the bottom that I used for the ruffles, but if the fabric of your dress will unravel, you will need to finish off the edges. You could also use a coordinating color of fabric to make your ruffles if the length of your dress doesn't allow it.
Cut out the fabric in a half moon, slightly wider than the width from shoulder strap to shoulder strap. Try the dress on to double check where you want this piece to be placed.
Netting won't unravel, so I left the top edges raw to match the unfinished hem.
This isn't really an exact science...just use your eye to pin the remaining ruffles, then sew to your dress. The end result will be a dreamy, fluttery effect that matches the cut of the dress.
Would you ever raise a neckline this way?
Skirt:: Banana Republic
Blouse:: LOFT
Belt:: J.Crew
Trench:: Target
Bag: Handbag Heaven
Pumps: Nine West
Watch:: AE
Today, I'm loving:
- salted pretzels dipped in chocolate
- lisped prayers of my children
- a sateen black trench
- big hair that has a personality of its own
- the reassuring squeeze of husbie's arms around me
- little fingers on piano keys
- friendly cards in the mailbox
- sunbeams across the floor
What are you loving today?
The length of chain can be altered depending on how loose you want your watch to be. This length of chain will be folded in half later on.
I trimmed my ribbon to 2 inches total, which you can alter for your own length. I also used a drop of hot glue inside the clasp for extra reinforcement.
Good evening, mah dears!
It's been months since you voted for the Intelligencer Sweatercoat to be my next Anthropologizing project. I put it off because I wanted a spring version of the jacket since I live in the Midwest where sweatercoats are practically useless against the weather. Besides, I really wanted a project to use the cutout fabric I created and thought the detailing on the collar and cuffs made this the perfect option.
Based on the reviews I read online about the drape, I gave the bottom of my jacket a more definitive shape with less fullness, which I really like because I can leave it hanging open more like a swing coat from the1960's without it looking like a complete sack. HA.
Can't tell you how ecstatic I am about this floral cutout detailing on the collar and cuffs. It's just so quintessentially feminine and the silk flowers play perfectly against the rougher texture of the linen.
So, what do you think? Would you wear a spring version of the Intelligencer Coat?
Cutout fabric is a unique way to embellish your pieces and add a feminine dimension. Cutout fabric lends a certain luxury to any piece, but finding fabric like this is almost impossible and super pricey. This tutorial demonstrates how you can make your own standout fabric.
You can use it when constructing a piece from scratch or add it to existing items, such as t-shirts, cardigans or clutches. For this tutorial, I used it for a spring jacket I built.
You can use flower stencils to create the flowers, but it will save you lots of time (not to mention sanity) if you have some sort of fabric cutting device. I can't say enough about my Sizzix Big Shot cutting machine. It's way less expensive than other options, and the result is perfectly uniform shapes.
I used 25 total flowers for this project.
The starch gave the fabric a more formal stiffness that I wanted for this jacket, but I would skip the starch if I was going to use the fabric to overlay a t-shirt or cardigan.
Kristina J. Copyright 2014
