Scalloped edge DIY shorts

Hi everyone, how are you? Summer is packing it's bags and heading out. My garden is ready to be turned down for another year. The leaves on trees are just showing signs of changing color of foliage. But before we leave summer behind, the last shorts DIY!
I had shorts I just found were too long in length. I decided it was time to make them fancy! You will need some fabric markers or chalk, an object with a round edge (such as a glass or cup), scissors and bias tape for the edge.

First, decide where on the shorts you want the scalloped edge. You may want it higher then the hem of the shorts or right on the hem - it's up to you. Next take your round edge item (I used a glass) and place it by the hem. Trace with the fabric marker/chalk to draw a half circle. Repeat this step around the leg opening.

Cut the traced scalloped edge. You can use bias tape which comes folded for you - or, I used colored lingerie elastic. You will then pin around the edge and you may: sew it by machine Or sew by hand. I did mine by hand since the elastic is a tad silky (and slipper) on the sewing machine.

sewing edge by hand

It's that simple to complete! It's a fun way to make your clothing unique and personalize. It's also resourceful and you don't need to purchase new styles. 

I hope to be involved in some craft fairs this holiday season. So I will mention where and when as that time approaches. Otherwise I have some new patterns I might be sewing and offering to customize in my Etsy shop. Until then, welcome autumn weather! Pumpkin spice everything! 

N E W S and upcoming DIY project

News to share ~ super excited to have ordered some new fancy business cards! This is a screenshot of what I picked and it will have more detailed info on it. I used Vista Print online for my cards, which gives you options such as: use your own logo, info to add to card, place info on both sides, use a photo, add matching items during your order. If you visit Vista Print now, you can use a savings code SAVEBIG for a discount on select order. I don't get any brownie points for sharing bout certain blogs (I wish I did!) and simply wanted to give a thumbs up to this place. I also will have a Google number to share for my business.

And when I get to it, since I like to share lots of pics, a DIY project for scalloped shorts! I had seen some in the stores this summer but frowned upon the price (umm... $50 for shorts?!) and decided to use a plain navy pair I owned. You will need shorts you can alter, a cup or mug (to draw the scalloped edge) and I used lingerie elastic for the edges (but biased tape is fine). So that will be my next post, all about making your plain summer shorts into something more fancy. Have fun in the summer sun everyone! 

Muggy days DIY hemmed shorts

It's muggy people, we are in the full swing of summer now! We have had a lot of rain over here, a few times roads flooded. But it's been wonderful for my garden ~ I do love my fresh vegetables!

Everybody, grab a raft and swim in the roads!

I've started to offer my seamstress services to my local friends. Wow, has it taken off! Word gets around fast nowadays and I've had several friends in my first 3 weeks of seamstress work. I have also had friends-of-friends who wanted me to hem, mend or alter things. I am working on getting a Google phone number to allow people to contact me by phone. That way I can keep my own cell number private but still have a way for customers to contact me directly. 

hemming pants

Along with my new seamstress work I hope to participate in a craft fair or two this holiday season. I haven't done one in years and am so out of the loop. But I want to make some holiday themed gifts to sell. And plushie style toys, I adore making cute things for all ages to enjoy! I still need to decide just what to make for it, since I have piles of patterns to pick from. 

DIY add length to shorts project!

Here are some shorts from the thrift store I added length to. It's a very easy thing to do with a sewing machine or simply by hand stitching. 

- First pick a type of fabric for the added length. I picked a cotton fabric with some blue to match my shorts. Measure around the shorts leg opening, be sure to add about 2"s to the measurement for some wiggle room.

- I took my cotton fabric, decided I wanted it about 2 1/2"s in width (length was my measurement I took around leg opening, refer to above). Cut the cotton fabric, set aside. 

- Turn your shorts inside out and decided where you want to sew the fabric on - I decided about 1" on the shorts opening. I used pins to mark this but you can use fabric chalk or fabric markers. 

My plastic clear ruler I use for measuring.

- I took my cotton fabric I had previously cut and turned under about 1/2" and stitched it with my machine, this will be the new leg opening and will not fray. 

- Remember how you marked the 1" on the shorts? Take the un-stitched edge of your cotton fabric, pin to the 1" line on the shorts leg opening. Sew across, sew edges (it will be a loop now) then repeat to other leg opening.

My shorts where a thrift store purchase, the new hem came to about 2"s after sewing. 

Ready for summer!

I hope you have fun altering your own thrift store and summer attire! Please visit my shop for hand made, hand crafted artisan gifts. Support the small businesses online and keep the arts alive!

Summer S A L E ~ 6/8 to 6/28

To celebrate over 12,000 page views of my blog ~ it's a summer SALE! Visit my Craftiness by B shop on etsy, place any order over $12 (not including shipping cost) and use code: SummerLuv12 to receive 12% discount!

I hope to make some summer sales and get ready to bring in some new stock by autumn.

Crafting up new things!

Hi everyone, how has it been? Spring is quickly turning to summer weather here. Very warm weather which brings storms and the occasional tornado warning. But the weather helps my garden thrive and grow!

I have two garden boxes

my pea stalks

I've also been enjoying those great vintage Simplicity patterns I bought months back. I found some based on vintage bathing suit style halter tops. If you have some basic sewing skills you can make these! The only challenge would be adjusting the bust if you need to, which you can find help here at Curvy Sewing Collective blog.

Simplicity pattern 1426

I picked cotton prints to make these with. The pattern does call for a fabric as the lining, so you can use other fabric beyond cotton. But really now, look at the poodle print?! I want to make a bathing suit top with that print, it's so cute! And these require very little notions, it calls for either snaps or buttons for the back closure. Otherwise the straps tie at your neck or the patterns allow you to sew the straps to the back (as a traditional bra-style). 

If you are on Twitter be sure to find me on there! I try to update it weekly with a few new pictures, maybe a link to crafty projects and little things.