No More Gap!

I don't know about everyone else, but I have a problem with jeans gaping at the back waistband.  They fit well everywhere, except at the waist.  So here's a quick fix...maybe 15 or 20 minutes tops!

Layered T-Shirt Dress

The other day while shopping at the thrift store, I came across some men's t-shirts that coordinated well together.  I thought they would be perfect for a layered dress that I had been envisioning in my mind.  I also found a navy blue half slip that would be perfect as the base of the dress.

I brought them home and got to work.

I first put the slip onto my dress form and pinned the sides.

I then trimmed away the excess.

The next step was to cut my strips with a rotary cutter. 

I cut several strips 3" wide.  

I could have left the edges raw since t-shirt fabric doesn't fray, but I opted to go with a small serged edge.   It finished it off and gave a slight ripple to the edge.  Now it was just of matter of stitching the strips to the front and back of the slip.  I followed the curved hem of the slip and and placed each layer about 1/2" over the previous layer.

Once they were all attached, I set the front and back skirt aside and worked on the top.  I used a commercial pattern that I already had to make the bodice.  I trimmed the neck and sleeves with the black t-shirt material.

I attached the front and back skirt to the bodice before stitching the side seams.  The t-shirt fabric had some stretch, but not enough to go with out a zipper, so I placed an invisible zipper in one of the side seams.  Once the zipper installation was complete, I pinned each layer to make sure they would match perfectly and then stitched the sides.

Here's a close-up of the layering.

I'm really happy with the results.  Its super comfy and cost about $10 to make.  The necklace was a last minute addition to the outfit.  I'll post about that in the near future.

I like to link to these great parties.

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Shabby Chic Cupcake Stand

My son just got married and they opted for a shabby chic wedding reception.  You can read the full post here.  I thought you might enjoy a tutorial on how I made the cupcake stand.  Everything was thrifted objects except for the threaded rod, nuts, and washer that hold it all together.  Total cost, including paint, came in under $30!  Not bad since I saw a pretty nondescript one on Etsy going for $140 plus $35 shipping!

I started with a shallow wooden bowl turned upside down for a base.  Next was a round table top with a carved edge detail that actually measures about 24" in diameter.  A wooden lazy susan was taken apart and used for the next level, followed by two metal trays—one with handles and one with sides.  A metal tart tin with a fluted edge is next.  The whole thing is topped off with a small wooden bowl with straight, deep sides.  A decorative wire basket sits upside down on top of the bowl.  Each level is divided by a variety of turned wood objects—a candle pedestal, salt and pepper shakers, and a lamp base.  (Not seen in the "before" picture is the small wooden bowl with straight sides and the decorative wire basket...they were an afterthought!)

The first step was to decide how tall each wooden divider needed to be and cut them to size.  I opted for about 5" between cake stand layers.  That didn't mean that I could cut all the wooden dividers evenly, though.  Some of my trays (the small wooden bowl, the tart tin, and one of the metal trays) had sides to them that I had to allow for.  You can see what I mean in the finished picture.  I opted to put the sides facing down on these levels so that a person wouldn't have to lift the cupcake up and over the edge.  After measuring and cutting the dividers, they all needed holes through them to allow for the threaded rod.  I was lucky with the lamp base, it already had a hole drilled done the center to house the electrical wires.  The salt and pepper shakers were also equipped with a hole through most of it.  The candle pedestal needed some help, so I put in on the drill press and drilled right down the center.  

I also drilled a hole in each of the levels.

Next was to paint everything white.

This metal tray with the swirly handles is my favorite!  Since the sides of this tray were very shallow, I left it upright.  The other metal trays I placed upside down to make it easier to get to the cupcakes.

The top of the cake stand is a wooden bowl with straight sides.   I drilled a hole part way into the underside so that I could countersink a nut into it.  I then used epoxy to adhere the nut.

The threaded rod screws right into the underside of the wooden bowl.

Now its just a matter of putting it all together starting with the top layer and working your way to the bottom.  The final layer is the upside down shallow bowl to be used as a base.  I cut the threaded rod to size and my hubby touched up the threads with a grinder so that the newly cut threads would work properly.  A washer and nut holds the whole stand together.

    

    

Once everything is tightened down, turn it over and enjoy!  You now have a custom cupcake stand that will be the showpiece of any party!  And, one of the best parts...it all comes apart for easy storage!

I like to link to these great parties!