Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Tutorial Tuesday: Sweatshirt to Flirty Skirt

I think all of us have that sweatshirt - you know, the one you just love for whatever reason (maybe it's super soft or maybe it has sentimental value), but you just never wear it. It's a bit bulky or it's not flattering. Well, Do Stuff (leethal blog) has come to the rescue and created a tutorial for turning that lovable old sweatshirt into a cute new skirt that's totally you. Click here for the tutorial

Monday, February 23, 2009

Mommy Monday: New Take on the Baby Tee

When I was in middle school it was all about the baby tee. What that meant was that basically we were all wearing tiny t-shirts that barely covered our stomachs, paired with flannel shirts and baggy pants. It was an interesting time. And a tough time for trying to be modest. Thankfully I made it through that period of my life and the flannel shirts and baby tees are behind me.

Or are they? This Mama Makes Stuff may actually have made me change my mind. Today's project is a different take on the phrase "baby tee" - this project has you turn your old t-shirts into adorable gowns for the newborn baby in your life.

Click here for the tutorial. Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Tutorial Tuesday: Hat and Mittens from Old Sweater

So, I've been scouting around on the internet and I've found some of the most delightful projects to share with you. Today's treat is a tutorial from One Pearl Button, showing us how to take an old sweater and turn it into the most adorable mittens and hat set. Winter is only here for a few more weeks and hopefully you won't need these long, but they could make these last few cold weeks a little more cheery. Click here for the tutorial.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Mommy Monday: Sweet Booties

So, I guess I can make the announcement here as where as everywhere else: I'm pregnant! :) Litte Baby West is due in August, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't have babies - and baby projects - on the brain. So, I've decided to dedicate Mondays for the next couple of months to Mommy-related topics, mostly projects to make for the precious little packages. Now, those of you who do not currently have children or aren't expecting, don't feel left out. These projects are fun and mostly pretty easy and would make absolutely sweet gifts for the next baby shower you attend.

Today's featured project is making this adorable pair of baby booties:

The tutorial is here on the Craftzine.com blog. I think the booties themselves are super cute, with or without the LED lights. So, tech savvy or not, these are a fun project with great results.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day: A Gift from Me to You

I really like Valentine's Day. Everything is all pink and chocolatey and it's just three days before my birthday. It sort of makes me feel like all the happy pinkness is for me. And the best part is, since my birthday was always right around the corner, I couldn't care less if anyone gave me a valentine or roses or whatever, because there, sparkling in the future, was my birthday. Ah, February. How I love you.

But for those of you who aren't lucky enough to have a birthday just a few days after Valentine's (fewer babies are born in February than any other month, I hear, so there aren't that many of us), I understand the desire to celebrate the 14th. And so, my gift to you today is this collection of tutorials on how to make various types of flowers to celebrate the day. Make them pink. It's what it's all about.

First, Burdastyle created a lovely tutorial on how to make roses out of fabric. They'd make such a lovely centerpiece. Here's the tutorial.


Next, if you're more of the paper-folding type, you can learn to make these lovely origami cherry blossoms with this tutorial from The Flirty Guide's Everyday DIY Ideas.


And last, for something a little more cute, whimsical, and wearable, here's a tutorial from artsy-crafty babe on how to make these adorable button flowers.


Happy Valentine's Day!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Tutorial: Ten Minute Top


Well, I've been trying to find us a good tutorial for a while, and today I think I hit the jackpot. Stitch Lounge created this adorable and easy top that just involves two squares of fabric and ten minutes of your time. I have some green-striped jersey I'm eager to try this with (I got it at Wal-Mart... three yards for 1.50. That was a good day.), so if it works I'll be posting pictures soon. Click here for the tutorial.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Heads Up: Free Shipping at Great Lengths

Ok, so most of you already know that Great Lengths Shorts is not just about shorts. They're also about awesome, affordable modest clothing for all occasions, including those oh-so-important occasions that involve corsages, bow ties, and decorated school gyms. And they've got a great deal going right now. From now through Valentine's Day (actually the day after, the promotion officially ends February 15th) shipping on all formal gowns is free. So whether you're thinking ahead for prom, planning a wedding, or just wanting to wear a pretty shiny dress for no good reason, head on over to Great Lengths Shorts and check out their formal wear.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Simple Sewing Tips


Not everyone wants to sew their own clothes, I understand that. But I think it's beneficial to know a little bit about basic sewing so that when your favorite, most beloved shirt gets ripped or the pull falls off your zipper of your best jacket, you don't have to host a viewing, perform an elaborate funeral ceremony, and bury it in a place of honor under the tree in the backyard. About.com has a whole section devoted to DIY fashion, (just discovered this, and you can bet I will be exploring it further) and they have a page dedicated to ten simple sewing skills it would be useful and handy to know. So go check it out, and increase your knowledge :)

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Modest Fashions at Bellisima

So, January was a dismal month for blogging, eh? January tends to be a pretty dismal month all around, what with the cold, the snow, the cold. Yeah, mostly the cold. But here we are in February, and suddenly everything seems better. We've turned the corner. Snow is melting (even though it will probably snow again), and we have the rosy pink glow of Valentine's Day to perk everything up. Oh yeah, and I was born in February, making it the best month of the year. Happiness.

So, February will be a month (hopefully) to renew both blogging and sewing efforts and hopefully get some fun things going around here.

For the first post of February, I just have to let everyone know about Bellisima! Modesty Boutique. Cute Faith clued me in to this site (thanks, Faith!) and wow, do they have some great stuff and great prices. Makes me anxious for the Husby's check to come in so I can spend it. Mwahahaha.

Anyway, here are a few of my favorites:

First up is this adorable bolero that could be used to modestify any formal without looking cheesy or bulky as sometimes, sadly, boleros do.

Next up, for those of us not attending a formal dance any time soon, but still wanting to get dressed up, this paisley skirt is just to die for (best part? it's on sale for 4.99):



This blouse totally gets me, as in - it knows where I'm coming from and it totally wants to hang out with me. I want to hang out with it too:


This entire outfit makes me giddy and totally brings that rosy pink glow of Valentine's Day into my heart:

So, go check out Bellisima. There is so much there - so cute and so affordable.

And keep checking back here at Modestify - there should be good things happening in February.