Dye Jobs!

I've been having fun with RIT dyes.

This tank was a nice $2 find from the thrift store. I loved the zipper detailing but wasn't wild about the color. So I just dyed it darker.

This one again I loved the zippered detailing of the neckline. The top seam is a double-sided zipper. This was a $5 thrift store find. But I hated the color. So I dyed it dark green. 

And I chopped off some of its length. And paired it with a thrifted belt. 

Aqua-fying dye job

Got this dress at the thrift store for $2. And while I liked the pattern and fit. I wasn't wild about the color. So into a pot of Rit aqua dye it went.

Course the first time I wore it, the slit in the back decided to creep up an extra few inches. So now this dress is in the mending pile.

Until next time!
Marisa

Maxi Polka Dot Dress to Sweetheart Hi-Low Dress

I couldn't pass up this $5 thrifted find because it's rayon and polka dotted. 'Nuff said in my opinion. The huge amount of fabric didn't hurt either. But it was all sack shaped.

So first I cinched in the sides. Then I cut the bodice like so.

The back had some lacings that I forgot to take a pic of. I used the lacings to make the spagetti straps. 

But as I wanted a sweetheart neck line I pinched and gathered at the center. 

But then I added a little band of fabric as a pretty accent. 

Then it was time for the skirt. 

I checked out some DIY's of hi-low skirts on the interwebs and some of them said to cut the skirt in kind of an 'S' curve. I did that. Here was my first cut. I rose the front up a little higher after trying it on after my first cut. 

And here's some after shots. 

Oh almost forgot to mention. Here's my inspiration. A Forever 21 dress. 

I think I got it about right. 

Blog Makeover

This blog is getting a makeover. It's going to be all crafty from now on. If you are interested in my art and illustrations go to artnerdy.blogspot.com. I'm just doing a switcharoo. The new name of this blog is artsycraftydiy.blogspot.com. Enjoy

Chop Off That Length! Two Refashions

Scored this skirt for the low price of $3 at the thrift store. And while it is awesome in its long fullness I've been wanting a pleated black mini for a while.

So off with the length and a quick re-hem. But I discovered that the skirt had been made with an underskirt that didn't flare out quite nearly as much as the outer skirt. And this underskirt was sewn to the outer skirt. This resulted in weird pulling issues with the skirt. I just cut them apart hoping this would solve the problem. Oh and this skirt has Pockets! Yay!

And the new refashioned look was paired with a studded black $6 thrifted belt and a $3 thrifted tank top. 

And this dress was a lightweight possibly homemade $2 find.

All I did was chop off a bunch of the length, re-hem and pair it with a big red thrifted $6 belt. Not bad for $8 eh?

Zazzle Store Now Open!

I just opened a Zazzle shop! http://www.zazzle.com/mfirebaughart

I'm selling iphone 5 & 4 cases with this new design!

get the iPhone case here!

And prints of Marie Antoinette riding a manatee in various sizes!

get the print here!

More designs coming soon! All proceeds go to paying for my art school :)

DIY Circle Skirts

I've been seeing so many short full waist skirts and I wanted my own. So I made one! It was so easy, I made two.  If you want to make your own you need a square of fabric 45"- 60". (Since I'm little and I like short skirts I used about a 45" square.) And you'll also need some elastic too. Essentially what you do is fold the square into quarters and then draft quarter circles based on your own hip and length of skirt measurements. Then you make a waistband casing for the elastic. Follow these links for more in depth instructions. 

http://myimaginaryblog.wordpress.com/2011/08/09/how-to-make-a-circle-skirt-with-an-elastic-casing-waistband/

http://www.theribbonretreat.com/blog/circle-skirt-pattern-tutorial.html

This one even has pockets! I used this link: See Kate Sew Pockets

Circle skirts are made for twirling!

Both of these skirts are 2 layers. The top layer was transparent so an opaque skirt was made to go underneath. I used the same pattern for the under and over skirts. I'd recommend finding a fabric that isn't transparent and only making one skirt. Because otherwise hemming two skirts takes quite a chunk of time.