I Can't Borrow a Headband for Forever...

I borrowed my roommate's headband.
                                          I fell in love with it.
                                                            I wanted it.
                                                                            I needed it. 
                                                                                        But she wanted it back.

SO I MADE MY OWN!

Step 1: Find a cool fabric.
I used an old plaid button up that has been in the "mend" pile for quite some time... I had a photo, but I accidentally deleted it. My bad.
Step 2: Cut into 6 strips, about half an inch wide, and at least 12" long, and two additional pieces about 1" x 3".

Step 3: Braid. Make two braids, obviously... since there are 6 strips.
    If you don't know how to braid, ask a middle school girl. I'm sure she'd be able to teach you.
       Helpful hint: I safety pinned the 3 strips together, and then taped the safety pin to my desk so it couldn't go anywhere.

Step 4: Cut two hair elastics on the seam.

Step 5: Hot glue one end of a hair elastic to each braid, securing all three strips.

Don't Forget: Hot glue is [not surprisingly] HOT. And it is capable of burning your fingers through the fabric. Use caution. And a long stick, if necessary.

Step 6: MEASURE. [After the hot glue has cooled] make sure it will fit comfortably around your head. Depending on the length of your strips and the size of your head, you may need to trim the hair elastic, but remember, they need to stretch a little bit!

Step 7: Hot glue the other end to the other end of the same braid, it'll almost be like having two headbands. You can stop here, actually, and really just wear them as one or two, but I prefer to continue to the next step, it makes a much more secure headband.

Step 8: Wrap the extra small piece of fabric around both braids where the braid meets the elastic. Repeat on the other side.

And it's finished!!

And, now to model it in its awesomeness:

Oooooh yeah!

So not only is this a no-sew headband, it's also a no-cost headband. It's a very good rainy day project... don't be afraid to experiment with different fabrics... maybe even a bow or flower!!

Mad for Plaid

One thing that seems to be back in style this season is plaid. It's everywhere! I even saw a website that said "This season's two greatest hits, Tweed & Plaid!" I thought, If only I could find something that was plaid tweed, it'd be two birds, one stone.  Ultra-trendy. if you will.

Instead, Goodwill sold me this lovely plaid poly-cotton blend, but the colors are fantastic, and it's got darling mother-of-pearl snaps. And it's only about 6 sizes too big.

 I can't give a proper thumbs-up as the length of the sleeves inhibits the movement.

Anyone up for a picnic? 

First of all, I had to get rid of a lot of extra material, lest I have bustle like an early 1900's dress.  Then, I used a strip of elastic to keep the new ruffle in place as well as provide some room for movement. We all know there's nothing worse than a button-up that is too tight and has no movement... it's a popped button, waiting to happen. Especially if your cup runneth over as mine does. 

Helpful hint? I pinned the stretched elastic to a block of wood to make it easier to sew.

Then I stitched up where I had removed the fabric, and was met with a very unsightly bulge-y mess. So, I took that extra material and fashioned a bow... awwww.

It's practically camouflaged, but adorable nonetheless!

THEN... disaster strikes.

I sewed the bottom of the shirt to the back of the bow! It's the equivalent of tucking your skirt into your pantyhose!

Ugh. Rookie Mistake

So after I redid the bow, the shirt looked good, but still kinda mannish. It needed a feminine touch. So I grabbed the lace. ♥

And Voíla... 

my new shirt is born.

The shirt cost $2.96 at Goodwill. 

It took less than 4 hours.

This Project: $2.96

Total Project: $9.67

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