Aug 2, 2014 | By Carly J. Cais, DIY
A couple years ago I was desperately wanting some galaxy-print fabric since clothing featuring photorealistic prints of stars was just about everywhere. But I couldn’t find any fabric sellers that sold this particular print!! So I just Did It Myself, and designed a number of fun galaxy-print fabrics on Spoonflower.com, utilizing licensed Hubble Telescope images of star fields, quasars, Red Giants, planets, and galaxies. I worked on them in Photoshop to adjust the colorization and created seamless repeating patterns so they would be perfect for fabric (or even wallpaper!). 
In order to offer them for sale in my shop, I had to order test swatches to check the color and printing. For one of the designs I ordered a fat quarter of Organic Cotton Sateen (upper right in the photo above), not quite sure what I wanted to make with it but certain that I wanted a good enough amount to make something neat. And I finally hit upon a little mini-skirt (though had I ordered 1 yd, I would have had enough for front AND back!).
As it was I had to use some black cotton sateen for the back, but it turned out pretty well regardless and I’m just as pleased with it as if it had been galaxy-print all the way around.
I used Butterick Pattern 6834, chopping the length at View E (since that’s all the galaxy-print fabric I had). (I believe the pattern is no longer available.)
Here are some similar patterns you could use:
It sewed up quickly and was pressed and hemmed in no time, and now I have a fun mini-skirt for Summer!
If you’re looking for this same galaxy fabric, it is here:
Or other galaxy print fabrics: (click through to access my shop on Spoonflower)

They look great as blouses, T-shirts, even leggings (on stretch cotton jersey!!)
Stay tuned for my outfit featuring this skirt, coming soon to the blog.
Happy DIY’ing!
xo
Carly
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Jun 3, 2014 | DIY
It seems like an age since I posted I posted about Daisy-Print Inspiration here on the blog…but yes, this print is still trending amongst street style and retailers lately. I DIY’d an oversized sweatshirt in this neat pattern, and though it may be a little out of season by now, you can always do this on a more lightweight material.
Plus you can customize the flowers exactly how you want! Here’s how:
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Apr 2, 2014 | DIY
*This project I contributed to Snippets Magazine: The New York Issue on Cut Out + Keep in 2010, and am re-posting to my blog here.
A la Balmain or a la Jenny, this blazer is looking sharp!
Though it only appeared onscreen for the briefest of moments, this was Little J’s take on an elegant cover-up to take her straight to the Ambassador’s Dinner and show up Damien. Making your own is easy, just by adding multiple safety pins to a blazer in need of a makeover.
Materials:
Black fitted Blazer / Medium-large size silver Safety Pins
How To:
1. Start by inserting a couple safety pins in a fan-shape at one of the side-seams of the blazer, right where it hits your waist. Try not to push the safety pins through the jacket lining.Add more safety pins in-between the first row.
2. Keep alternating placement as you fan out from the side and create a “starburst” pattern.
3. Add a few larger safety pins near the edges.

4. Repeat for the other side of the blazer.

So easy- and so impactful. This piece looks great over skinny jeans, or even a slinky dress for a night out!
Happy DIY’ing!
xo
Carly
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Feb 27, 2014 | DIY
As I posted (quite awhile ago now!), skirts and dresses with faux sleeves tied in the front are a mini-trend that has made it all the way from the runways of Celine to everyday street style. It’s a cute way to define the waist and yet add a casual twist to any outfit.
I figured it would be super-easy to re-purpose a sweatshirt into a little skirt with the sleeves as non-functional accessories. With 5 straight seams to sew, it’s also fairly quick and easy, even for sewing beginners. Here’s how to make your own version of this look: (more…)
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Jan 9, 2014 | DIY
As evidenced by my recent DIY Inspiration post, windowpane-print is everywhere! It’s a graphic, eye-catching statement that is reminiscent of checks and tartans, but feels oh-so-fresh this year. I wanted to find a way to mimic the look without splurging for it – and without messy fabric-painting; some way that would create crisp, bold lines in a cinch.
And I figured out how to make it easily (with a little help from some trim and double-stick fabric tape). Here’s how:
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