Entirely Smitten

Simple Waistband Resizing {Tutorial}

I'm so excited that many of my non-sewing friends have decided to give it a go since seeing some of my clothes hacks.  It's a good idea to start by making simple changes to clothing to get an understanding of basic sewing techniques.  The last thing you want to do is dive into really intricate, complicated sewing projects, get discouraged, and quit sewing for life!  Here is a super easy tutorial on adjusting an elastic waistband.  At some point or another this will come in really handy for you.

 

This skirt is a size 12, but we're going to turn it into a size 7 :)

 

Step 1. The rippin' and the tearin'

Find where the seams are for the skirt.  Here, they're on the sides.

 

Use a seam ripper to get underneath one of the stitches.  The curved part of the seam ripper (between the tip and the red ball) is actually a razor and will cut the thread for you.  Once you cut that first thread you should be able to lift each stitch one at a time and slowly pull it out.  If you don't have a seam ripper you can use a dull fork to lift the first stitch, then snip it with a pair of scissors, then use the fork to pull out the remaining stitches :)

 

Now that you've pulled a few stitches you can see the elastic band inside.  Hook your finger around it and gently pull it out a bit.

 

Step 2.  Size it Up

Try the skirt on and pull the elastic out to where the skirt fits nice and snug.  Once it fits, pinch the elastic together right at the waistband of the skirt so you can sew it.

 

Step 3.  Sew the band

I used pink so you could actually see it :)

 

Step 4.  Cut the Remaining Elastic

Step 5.  Close it up

Using a similar color to the fabric of the skirt, sew the small opening closed being sure to avoid stitching through the elastic.  It should be pretty easy since the hole is so small :)

DONE!

 

So there it is.  Keep in mind that this same technique can be used for replacing an elastic band that has worn out on the favorite skirt!  Just remove the old elastic band, slide a new one through the channel (use a safety pin to help you feed it through) and finish up as shown!

 

Using Chalkboard Paint in the Home {Round Up}

I have a major crush on chalkboard paint.  I remember being in 5th grade and a friend's dad painted a small section of her room with chalkboard paint and I was HORRIBLY jealous.  I may have even said something like, "Wow.  That's dumb.  Who would want that?"  (Refer to Aesop's Fable "The Fox and the Grapes!")  But in reality I am passionately in love with it!  There are parts of me that wants to paint every wall in my house with it and just use chalk to draw shelves, frames, flowers and such, but that may be a little too much, even for me!  I am definitely incorporating it somehow though. 

I have a nice big wall in my dining room that would look amazing with floor to ceiling chalk paint.  After casually mentioning it to a friend she cringed.  I of course died laughing because she's kind of a color-phobe like me.  I love color, but when I attempt to put it in my house I get scared and go neutral.  The same goes for design.  I drool over quirky, abstract home designs in catalogs, yet my house is beige-y beige with not a single shocking piece of decor.  Well, no more!  My soon-to-be chalkboard painted dining room will be my declaration of freedom!  Freedom from Beige-itis!   

I scoured the webs of internet to rattle me up some inspiration and found nothing but awesomeness! 

 

Exhibit A:

 

Heather Chadduck, the amazing style editor at Cottage Living magazine, shows us that a chalkboard wall is not too bold or too modern to place in a dining room!

 

Exhibit B:

This chalkboard border was done by Faiella Design and was a feature on Apartment Therapy and for obvious reasons.  Simply stunning.

 

Exhibit C:

Feast magazine knows what's up! 

 

Exhibit D:

Flicker member NEGS26 stylishly displays their spices with chalkboard paint!

 

Exhibit E:

Apartment Therapy is really diggin' the chalkboard walls!  It's good to know that they're on my side!

 

Exhibit F:

How cute is this one from Rusty Bluebird?

 

Exhibit G:

I love Pottery Barn.  These chalkboard tiles are AWESOME!  (Pssst... click the link - they're on clearance!!!)

 

Exhibit H:

Who doesn't need this amazing calendar?!  Photo Credit: Dan Duchars

 

Exhibit I:

Who would've thought that slapping some chalkboard paint onto those old sliding closet doors could transform them to this?!!!  IN LOVE!  Bravo!  (Found this on Houzz.com but I'm not sure if that is the actual source of this delightful piece.)

 

Exhibit J:

I know this style doesn't appeal to everyone and some will think it looks messy, but I love it!  I love that they hung empty frames to write love notes in!  Great work, Isabella & Max rooms!

 

Exhibit K:

There's something about this that just draws me in.  It may not be a very practical room, but Anthropologie has me charmed anyway.

 

Exhibit L:

Omg.  Drooling.  See, neat straight lines and neutral colors get me every time!  I dream of the day when all of my food is stored identical glass jars.  The Style Sisters are amazing!

 

Ok, so now I have you convinced that chalkboards rule, right?!  Well boy do I have a surprise for you!  Instead of paying out the wazoo for fancy chalkboard paint that only comes in black or green, make your own!

 

Here's the Recipe:

1 cup of paint (any color of your choice)

2 tablespoons of white non-sanded tile grout

 

That's it!  Just shake up your paint color as usual, stir in the grout until there's no lumps, and PAINT!  Woot woot!

Orange and Clove Pomander {Fall Craft}

I don't know if I willed it to happen last night before bed, but when I woke up this morning I felt a little Autumn creep in!  The air was cool and crisp and the sky was bright blue with wispy clouds floating overhead.  Simply lovely.  Even though the midday heat will linger for a couple more weeks, I'm definitely in fall mode! 

One of my favorite things about fall is the smell that I have come to associate it with-  fires, mulled cider, pumpkin spice muffins, and leaves, somehow all magically blended together to make a distinctly "fall" smell.  So comforting. 

Today, being in a fall mood and all, I decided to make a few orange and clove pomanders. 

 
Full tutorial after the jump!

DIY Play Kitchen Set for Kids! {Hack}

Another Dress Hack!

I enjoy sewing pretty much anything, but I have a special love for hacking things.  For some reason, turning a shirt into a skirt or a dress or a pillow feels more creative than sewing from scratch.  In some cases it's easier because a lot of the construction is already done for you, but in most cases you really have to finagle things to make them work in your new piece. 

Here is my most recent hack Before:

Although this Old Navy peasant top was cute, I felt like a moose every time I wore it- which was never, because who wants to look like a moose?  Anyway, I thought it would make a super cute dress for Nimby!

And here it is After:

   See how I did it after the jump!

10 Easy Projects for Those Old Jeans {Round-Up}

At the request of the lovely Ashley Sanders, here is a round-up of some great ways to upcycle those old jeans!

 

1. Coasters by Going Green Crafts and Artists- Love these!  2. Placemats by Today's Nest - Gorgeous marries clever!  3. Book Cover by Jimmie's Collage - super cute  4. iPhone Case by Sewplicity - I will definitely be making one of these!  5. Jean Pillow with Pocket for Remote by Good Housekeeping  6. Jean Flower Necklace by Bubbly Nature Creations - in LOVE!  7. Jean Organizer Bins by Craftzine - so clever!  8. Denim Covered Buttons featured by Style Hive  9. Recycled Jeans Purse by julie-bird - I used to make these in high school, but hers is much cuter  10. Braided Jeans Rug - Howcast features a quick vid on how to make one!

 

Hope this helps Ashley!

 

 

 

Hammerhead Ribbon Hair Clip {Photo Tute}

At the request of a dear friend who is OBSESSED with shark week...

Fabric Strip Flowers {Photo Tutorial}

1. cut a fabric strip  2. tie a knot at the end. 3. use hot glue to secure the tiny tail into the knot  4-6. twist the fabric outward and glue to the center as you work your way outward.  7-8.  change to twisting the fabric strip inward as you continue gluing around the flower  9.  secure the tail to the bottom of the flower and secure with hot glue :)

No Sew T-Shirt Scarf {Make it!}

These are really easy to make and I love how versatile they are.