Glam Witch Skirt

I have been looking for an excuse to make a big skirt for a long time, and when better to dress up than Halloween? I want to be a glam witch for Halloween but you can adapt this tutorial to whatever you want, or even make a dress for a special occasion. I was practically giddy when I figured out how easy it would be to make a skirt like this – perfect for a last minute costume idea!

Glam Witch Skirt

What you will need:
- 2.5 yards of fabric (look for fabric that will billow nicely) (your length will depend on your height – see tutorial) (add a second solid fabric of same amount if your outer fabric is sheer like mine, I used taffetta)
- 2 inch wide elastic (measure waist for length)
- 2 inch or larger wide ribbon
- The Usual Suspects: sewing machine, thread, scissors

Step 1: To start, measure the length of your skirt with a measuring tape. I stepped on the end of the tape and held it up to my waist (or the height I wanted my skirt). Mine came to about 36 inches. Double that for the length of fabric you will need. Go buy your fabric. I had to buy two fabrics for this skirt because I couldn’t let go of a sheer fabric I found – but it is NOT necessary to have two layers if you have a solid fabric.

Step 2: Trim the edges of your fabric. With right sides together, serge sides together. Then hem bottom of skirt. Do this for your second fabric as well if you have one. Leave the tops unhemmed at this point.

Step 3: With skirt inside out fold top over to create a 2.5 inch hem (enough room for 2 inch elastic) (if two fabrics, fold together) . Sew hem all the way around, leaving a small opening at end.

Hint: If you are working with two fabrics, make sure they have the same width – mine did not have the same width and I had to pleat my outer fabric – annoying.

Step 4: Feed elastic through opening and sew ends together back at opening. Sew opening of hem closed.

Step 5: Use ribbon as accent to complete skirt. Maybe even add belt loops!

TIP: I did not taper the fabric at my waist – just used the fabric width as is. I would recommend tapering it at the waist to reduce bulk at the waistline. Beginner’s mistake haha.

Enjoy! Hey, big girls like to dress up too, right? :)

         

          

Happy Halloween!
Cheers,
Bridget XOXO

Spooky Spider Plate

Halloween is one of the BEST holidays of the year. Or maybe Fall is just the best season of the year and I love all that it encompasses. That seems more accurate. The brisk chill in the air, foliage, pumpkins, long sleeve shirts… I could go on and on.

Last year was the first year I started decorating for Halloween. Joe and I always get pumpkins but since we’re just starting out we our sincere novices in holiday deco – I think that’s how it starts though, right? You start one year and slowly build on your decoration collection and each year you get better and better at it. Last year I made a bunch of Plush Pumpkins and then raided Homegoods on November 1 for super cheap decorations. I’m trying to make more this year, so I’m starting with a Spooky Spider Plate:

What you will need:
- Oil based paint pens
- Plate (any size you like, could be from thrift store or an extra from your cabinet. I used one from a set I bought that was discounted because some pieces were broken)

1. Clean your plate and dry well.

2. Find an image of a spider web online – or just wing it if you're confident! I did a practice draw with a pencil on a piece of paper.

3. Using your paint pens, draw out your web on the plate – it doesn’t have to be perfect – a little imperfection makes it look more authentic (at least I think so). Then draw in your spider.

4. I trimmed the edge with a gold paint pen to finish it off.

5. Lastly, put your plate in the oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

  

My little display, most of which was grabbed on sale after Halloween last year – I’ve been waiting to put that silver skull out for almost a year!

Happy Halloween!

Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers,
Bridget XOXO

“Just the Neck” Fleece Cuff

After a few Fall-flavored days at the end of September, Joe got a little excited and opened up his snowboarding bag. He had been thinking of his favorite neck cuff and wanted to wear it on a long run he had coming up – he likes it because he can pull it up over his ears and nose if he wants. After trying to convince me that the smell was “how it’s always been”, he kindly asked me to make him a new one – something we lovingly deemed “just the neck” (of a turtleneck); because really, that’s what it is. So here it is: how to make “just the neck”.

What you will need:

Fleece (less than half a yard)
The Usual Suspects: thread, sewing machine, scissors, ruler

1. Cut your fabric – I cut a rectangle 26” wide x 12” tall ( you can always adjust to your needs if you want it taller. We kept the the width small so that it could be pulled up over his nose and stay there if he wanted it to.)

2. Fold fabric in half “the hamburger way” so that the two short ends meets and right side of fabric is in. Pin and sew ends together. Trim excess.

3. Fold top edge down to finish edge – pin. Sew seam by pulling fabric taught when stitching – this will allow the fabric to still stretch after sewn. Repeat with bottom edge.

Done!

 

 

 

Very simple; basically a tube with finished edges. I figured I would post this tutorial even though we in the Northeast have 80 degree weather in October right now. This is for those of you who are looking for gift ideas to get started on for the Holidays and those of you in the Rockies who will be getting snow in the next few days!

Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers!
Bridget, XOXO