Free People Exclusives DIY Inspiration

Mirage Print Shapeless Gale Dress

This dress will be one of the easiest DIY’s you’ve ever done. While technically the top of this is made slightly different, you can create the same look using the the basic instructions from a pillow case dress. Here are a couple tutorials from around the web:
http://mayamade.blogspot.com/2008/08/lace-dreams-tutorial-for-pillow-case.html
http://www.aroomsomewhere.net/2007/07/pillowcase-dress-tutorial.html
You’ll want to use a fabric that is lightweight and flowy. If you use something sheer like a chiffon, then the dress will need to have two layers, one top layer of chiffon and a bottom layer of lining fabric.
As far as sizing and the amount of fabric necessary you will need approximately 1.5 yards of 45 – 60 inch wide fabric. The wider the fabric you use, the fuller the dress will be.  You will cut your fabric in half length wise and length wise to create your front and back piece.  Then just follow the pillowcase dress instructions. Easy and cute!

Chambray Bandana Inset Buttondown Top

Start with a plain button down top, this particular one is chambray, but yours can be any button down top you choose, preferably made of cotton. You’ll need two bandanas. To make the shirt more like the original the bandanas should be matching, but you could use two bandanas in coordinating colors for a more fun look. just pin the bandanas in place, and either stitch them down by hand, with the sewing machine, or glue them down using fabric glue. Voila…you have a new shirt!

O-Town Muscle Tank

I know I said the first DIY was easy, but this one is even easier. Take a slightly loose fitting crew neck tee, measure approximately 2 inches out from the neck seam on the shoulders and make a cut from this point to right under the bottom of the sleeve.  Now, because knit does not fray, it just rolls in on itself you can choose to stop here and voila…you’re done! If you want to give it a more finished look then fold the cut edges under just a bit and hem them with a stretch stitch or zip zag stitch. Now you can turn any of your tees into a cute tank top.

Labels: diy inspiration, free people