2012 Graduations!

I want to begin by congratulating all the 2012 graduates! Congratulations on your accomplishments.  May you continue a life full of purpose in whatever it is that you do!

 These days are always a bit full of nostalgia, I am 25 years old still pursuing a bachelor's degree.  My journey is becoming a bit lengthy.  I just don't seem to find my purpose and it is difficult to choose a major or career path without one.. I also seem to fall in love with everything I do, which makes it even more confusing...Nonetheless, I'm hanging in there...I am actually in the process of changing my major.  I have been pursuing studies that don't fall under my interest, but instead fall under a more "safe" route.

I have been pursuing a business degree because I felt it was the "safest" option.  Yet, in doing so, I have lost interest in school, something which is very much unlike me.  I am a school-girl by nature, in love with education and learning and realizing that school is no longer appealing, but rather dreadful, was difficult to take.  I have made a lot of mistakes and factored in things that are irrelevant when it comes to my education.  I have also failed to look for answers from within, but looked for answers in others...

BUT, I decided to make a change, to listen to myself and follow my heart...Sometimes all it takes is to believe in yourself, the unknown is scary, but as long as you know yourself and believe in yourself, you will find a way to make things happen!

Anyways enough about me...I am proud to say that my sister is one of the 2012 grads!  It's a great accomplishment and as my dad said, we came from nothing and are slowly building something for ourselves. We are originally from Mexico and started from zero when we moved to the U.S.  We were presented with amazing opportunities and overcame many obstacles.  I am happy to say that my sister is among the first in our family to hold a bachelor's degree (the first from the family that lives in the U.S.)!

To sum it all up, I hope you all can take the time to celebrate yourselves and your accomplishments and focus on your own journey! Success is relative, always make sure that you are doing the best that YOU can do based on your own terms and your own definition of success....Happy Saturday!

(There really should have been a take 2 on this!)

Blouse DIY!

You know you live in Arizona when you get third degree burns from getting into your car...well maybe that's an exaggeration, but it definitely feels like Summer already. We're already getting 103 degree weather, and the Summer hasn't even officially started!

All this means to me is that it's time to bring out the short shorts and flowy tops!

I have another H&M inspired tutorial, I hope you like it.  I really like H&M, I think they have cute clothes, in my size, and at affordable prices...this combination happens very rarely...because finding clothes that fits and is not in the junior section is a challenge for this 25 year old.

And yes, this is another flowy and very flattering top for all sizes.... and sooooo easy to make!

H&M Top

Fold fabric so that the stripes match.

Trace pattern.

Cut.

Sew seams and hem lines.

And you're done.

It's that easy!

Enjoy!

How to Make Your Own Peplum Blouse

Hello Ladies!

It has been a long time since I've posted anything :( ... for some reason Winter and Fall don't inspire me to sew.  I was meaning to get some crocheting done and to tailor some of my jeans, but that has also been put to the side while trying to keep up with school and work...but Spring is right around the corner and I have a few new sewing projects coming up! :)

Last week I was at H&M and saw this blouse which I think is so pretty!  It is extremely flattering and can really dress up an outfit... Not only that, but it is very easy to make from t-shirts or tank tops you already own. 

H&M Blouse

Right away I decided to buy a tank top that fits me well and an XL tank top for extra material to make the flounce bottom portion.  It was so easy to make, in fact, the fastest sewing project I have made so far.  

I hope you enjoy the sewing tutorial!

Make Your Own!

Start with a shirt that fits you well and some extra fabric for the flounce bottom.  I decided to buy the exact same shirt in an XL size as well  for the flounce to keep the materials exactly the same.  You also have the option to change the color or the type of fabric to make it more unique.

I created a pattern from the H&M blouse I bought for the flounce.  It is basically a cut out of 2 half circles.  The circumference of the smaller circle ends up being the total width of your shirt.  You would divide that by half since you will be cutting the fabric in half circles.


The bigger the difference between the circumference of the big circle and small circle, the more flow the blouse will have. 

(While trying to figure out how to make this, I found out that the gathering/ruffle that this type of cut makes is called a flounce)

(Cut 2: for front and back)

(Sew side seams)

You will need to cut some length from your blouse.  The flounce should start at your natural waist.  I measured this to be at 2 inches above my belly button.  I gave it a 1" seam allowance so I cut the shirt only 1" above my belly button.

Pin the smaller half circles, front and back, matching the side seams.  My half circles ended up being a bit bigger than the width of my shirt, but because this is a stretchy fabric I was able to stretch the shirt to match the half circles without making it noticeable. 

For the bottom seam I recommend you serge or zigzag the raw edge first, then iron the fold before sewing.  It will make it a lot easier to sew the seam without ending up with wrinkles which tends to happens on rounded raw edges... after that you are all done! :)

Sewing Machine Deal!

Hey everyone,

I've been away for a while, work and school have taken all my time this semester.  School is over in a week and I'm hoping to start making some scarves.

In the mean time, look what I found! My sewing machine is 7 years old and should have retired 5 years ago.  It's the first and only sewing machine I've ever had and to tell you the truth, I haven't treated it too well.  I need a new machine and I've been wanting a serger since... forever!

I'm excited, although I wasn't prepared for the expense, but i guess this is my Christmas present to me from me.... It seems like a great deal, $279.99 for both, $5 shipping and no taxes... if you're thinking of getting a sewing machine check out www.woot.com.

Singer 5523 Scholastic Sewing Machine & Singer 14SH764 Stylist Serger

www.woot.com

my new addiction...

So I recently discovered Pinterest... a new addiction and an awesome place to look for inspiration on DIY projects... here are some of my favorites DIY's for this week...

Source: epbot.com via Alice on Pinterest

The site has step-by-step instructions on how to create these cute little flip flop hangers.

Source: mckells-closet.blogspot.com via Robyn on Pinterest

This is so unique and easy to do, McKell is on Blogger and has an Esty shop too!

Source: prettykittyknittycity.com via Karen on Pinterest

SOOO adorable!

Source: lindseydanielladidit.blogspot.com via Mary on Pinterest

This looks so fun and EASY to make and so pretty!

Source: bedifferentactnormal.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Very handy...

Source: vixenmade.blogspot.com via Mona on Pinterest

A good refashion idea for old sweaters

Source: weheartit.com via Melanie on Pinterest

....and the list goes on and on....

A stroll in the park -Maxi Dress

My most recent sewing project as seen in THIS POST.  

I had a lot of fun making this dress.  Like I said on my previous post, we started off with a love-hate relationship, but once styled I really liked the outcome...

-Erika =)

This is the pattern I used for the bodice, as you can see I created my own version of the pattern.
 HERE is another dress I made using the pattern as shown.

McCall's M5623 Misses' Lined Dress

I don't remember where I got it, but I did find an Etsy seller selling it for $6.00

I'd rather be sewing...

I should be doing homework, but... 

...I'd rather be sewing.

 Well in this case blogging about my sewing.  Here is a glimpse of my most recent creation.  I was having a love-hate relationship with this dress until I finished and styled it...

 It's definitely love! 

HERE is a full post of the dress styled and worn :)

This is the pattern I was talking about in THIS POST.  I made this one a maxi dress by extending the length and I also added a lining fabric, which makes this dress sooo heavy.  I didn't expect it to make such a huge difference.   

I also created a sweetheart neckline for this dress, but it's much more subtle here.

I tried to make the dress reversible. The lining fabric is just so beautiful!  But that's a little too advanced for me.  Although I did buy extra fabric to make something else with it. :)

Ugh! Just looking at the fabric as I post this makes me wish this was the main 

fabric and not just the lining.  I'm seriously in love with it!  

Can any of you relate to my dilema???

Ok, back to doing homework, here is the final project!