I’ve stuffed the stockings, laid out piles of prezzies under the Christmas Tree, emailed 18 of my closest friends holiday greetings, realized I’ve forgotten to stock my fridge with eggnog – and now I’m DIY’ing.
Isn’t that what Christmas is all about???:-)
The lacy ruffled vest: I know, it’s a strange concept. But I’ve been seeing these since summer in Tokyo – on all the coolest girls, and plastered all over the Japanese mags – where girls are using it as a feminine layering peice to tone down the masculinity of all that black, denim, and studs.
And it’s super-easy to make!
You Need:
*lacy long-sleeved top (I found mine at Goodwill – but you can probably find one at any thrift store – or even off-the-rack, since 80’s lacy stuff is experiencing a huge revival right now)
*fabric scissors
*sewing machine
*matching thread
*needle for finer woven fabrics
How To:
1. Cut the sleeves off your top carefully so you leave the finished armhole seams on the shirt. Cut straight down the center of the shirt. (If your shirt didn’t have a V-neck before, cut the neck into a V-shape.)
2. Cut each sleeve in half vertically and spread open.
3. Place one sleeve on one side of the cut front of the top. (Orient the top of the sleeve cap at the end of the V- of the V-neck; and the sleeve itself centered on the cut CF edge. The sleeve bottom/cuff area will likely be slightly longer than your top length.) Stitch the sleeve to the top along your shirt’s cut edge. (not pictured)
4. Repeat for the other sleeve – attaching to the other side of the top’s center front vertical cut edge.
5. Cut the sleeve edges into a scalloped pattern – you can follow the pattern of your lace – or cut in a vertical zigzag – or scalloped – it’s up to you. It may take a couple tries of cutting and then trying the piece on to see how the fabric falls – and adjusting after that.
You’re done!
Wear under a denim vest (my DIY here), layer under a fur vest, throw on over a slim-fit turtleneck – pair under a leather jacket or a men’s plaid top for the ultimate Victor/Victoria.
And if you don’t want to DIY – just buy – this adorable piece for $30 from jadelouse1’s Etsy store. (above)
Happy DIY’ing if you so choose – and Merry Christmas – Happy Hanukkah – and Superb (?) Kwanzaa!
xoxox
Carly
i love this diy! the lace vest looks great! thanks for sharing carly:D merry christmas!
TheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com
Very cute! Merry Christmas 🙂
I loved it, it reminds me of a lace top worn by Kate Moss (in off-white).
Happy holidays to you too, I love your blog, I have it as a link to mine! Many kisses from Greece!
I looooooooove that vest!
very cool idea. i had never thought of that
I love this!! Awesome DIY. 🙂
what an idea!!
=D
lovely!
http://www.greatmariska.blogspot.com
Great job!
Happy holidays!
X, fashionnerdic.
Great idea! Very cute vest!
http://www.invasionista.com
This is a great DIY! Thanks! I hate to admit this but I've had a brand new sewing machine sitting here for almost three years. I tried to thread it once and it looped, but I had no one to help me and I've lamented not being able to use it ever since! However, I finally found a place here that offers lessons so that is my goal for the new year!
(Thanks for your great comment on my blog, it restored my faith in humanity after that one whopper!) ♥
Very cute!
Denise @ Swelle: No problem! It was a fun little DIY to do. And sewing machines can be so unbelievably tricky if you don't thread them EXACTLY how they're supposed to be. Appearances are so deceiving!! Mine was jamming every 3 stitches, I took apart the bobbin, took apart the foot plate, cleaned everything, reoiled it, replaced the needle – but it STILL wouldn't work. Reread the manual like 18 times. Finally called the helpline. She was like – are you sure it's threaded correctly? I was like YES I haven't messed with the threading in days. Then I see – it isn't threaded through the top loop of the needle arm – my son was messing around with the machine the previous night and must have pulled the thread off the looper. I felt so dumb – it was such a LITTLE difference – I mean, who cares if the thread missed one of the 4526235 loops it has to go through before thru the needle? But the sewing machine did. As soon as I threaded it through there – BAM. It was fine. I felt like such an idiot.
And no problem about your blog – it's obvious you put alot of time and thought into crafting your piece – examining the issue from many viable angles – and STILL some people miss the point entirely. I think it's a factor of maturity (lack thereof), being unable to sympathize (no kids/little ones whom they have to make decisions for), or being part of the masses who see Suri Cruise as a fashion icon without examining the reasons why they do so. Don't let a reader's (well, two) lack of depth get you down – because it's good people are discussing this or beginning to wonder if it's alright to jump on that Suri-worship bandwagon!
So kudos to you for instigating the discussion! (Even if someone is abusive or ignorant on the internet – if you're able to start even one person questioning why they believe what they do – this is GREAT!) Think, people, think!
And now I'll stand down from my soapbox.;-)
Thanks for your comment!
xoxox
Carly
I will have a try! Great! I love the vest!
too cute!