Tag Archive for "Forever 21" - I Still Love You by Melissa Esplin

Posts Tagged ‘Forever 21’

Refashion: Darts + Jeans

August 27th, 2012

27 Comments

I have this regular problem that I can’t seem to find pants that fit in both the waist and the legs. I don’t feel this way, but according to most clothing stores my legs are disproportionately large compared to my waist. I think my legs are fine the way they are, so I’ve been trying to figure out easy ways to alter my jeans.

I’ve taken jeans in from the back seam, but it always looks glaringly noticeable. Susan took some jeans in at the side for me, but I’m too lazy for her sewing skills and for jeans that were only $10. I’ve also tried the elastic approach and making my jeans bigger, but I wanted something easier. Yes. Even easier.

Then I had this genius thought while Chris was complaining of the same thing with his pants. I was pinching and thinking of how to take his pants in, then it dawned on me. DARTS. It’s virtually invisible and takes less than 5 minutes. That’s my kind of fix!

I was so proud of my original idea, then I remembered that I saw it somewhere else way before I thought of it. Liz has two tutorials on how to take in pants with darts. You should check them out. Doing darts is super easy. It’s a little less noticable on pants that don’t have decorative top stitching, but I’m more concerned about the fit and the fact that I didn’t have to do any unpicking in order to get the right fit.

Much better silhouette.

See, I smile when my pants fit right. Also, I smile when I’ve just gone clothes shopping. I went on a bit (for me) of a clothes shopping binge last week. It feels so nice to have new duds!

Outfit Details:

headband: handmade
necklaces: handmade, c/o Tai Pan Trading
top: Forever 21
cuff: handmade
jeans: Forever 21 (I love their $10 jeans)
shoes: thrifted

Do you have a magic brand of denim that fits you perfectly, or how do you alter jeans to make them fit you?

Handmade: Floral Top

June 28th, 2012

10 Comments

I was planning on making this top before heading to the beach last month, but that never happened. The fabric has been taunting me to make it into something for months. I originally got the fabric for Project Run & Play, but that never happened. I still have a load of fabric and projects in my head inspired by that series. I should work on getting through that list. I think it would be swell if I could make Penelope’s back-to-school wardrobe. I need to take advantage of that before she starts getting picky about her clothes and realizes I’m the antithesis of cool. Time is ticking away!

I used the pattern I created for last year’s summer dress for drafting the top. It’s really helpful to keep paper drafts of projects you’ve previously made. It made sewing up this top a real breeze. Because of the grain, I didn’t have enough continuous fabric for the back piece, so I pieced the back together, with a yoke. I think I might experiment a bit more with this in the future with sheers or pleats. It’s got a lot of potential.

I did a high-low hemline for the top. It may seem that’s all I’m doing these days, but I’ve really always been obsessed with them. I remember in 9th grade wishing the backs of my shirts were longer than the fronts. I may have made the back a little too long for this top, so when I get a bit of time, I’ll unpick and rework the hem. For now, it works just fine if I belt the top or tuck the top in.

Outfit details:

earrings: i heart a million little things, etsy
top: handmade
belt: handmade (with tutorial)
jeggings: H&M
shoes: Forever 21

Fabric supplied by Fashion Fabrics Club. Connect with FFC on Facebook and Pinterest

Style: Daringly White

June 12th, 2012

6 Comments

Today was possibly the worst day to wear white, but I’ve made it through the day virtually unscathed (which is nothing short of a miracle). Penelope did some spectacular mono prints and foam prints this morning in her art class. I’m so happy she likes art and isn’t afraid to get dirty with it.

top: dress from Forever 21
necklace: handmade by my dad
earrings: ihamlt, etsy
belt: thrifted
skirt: handmade
shoes: c/o PB&J Boutique

I’ve mentioned this before, but I must say these are the cutest shoes I’ve ever owned.

Style: Friends and Florals

May 16th, 2012

5 Comments

Me, Muffin, Melanie, Alma

And yes, that would be me wearing the same floral top two days in a row. And my fly at half mast. But that’s how I roll around here. I had a great time with friends this afternoon.

top: handmade
jeans: Forever 21, refashioned
necklace: handmade by my dad

Handmade: Floral Peter Pan Top

May 15th, 2012

9 Comments

I’ve had this floral fabric since last year. I’ve been hoarding it for the perfect project, which presented itself last weekend. I have a bunch of Megan Nielsen’s patterns from designing her branding, so I had my cousin and my sister-in-law come over to sew some with me. My cousin made the ruched top (two-toned idea taken from liz) and I started working on the Banksia top.

I didn’t do the button placket on mine, I’m too lazy for buttons. Instead I made the peter pan collar reach all the way around the neckline.

I also added a high-low hemline and shortened the sleeves.

I really like this fabric, it’s light-weight and it’s a fantastic print. I wanted to make sure that I did this pattern correctly, so I followed all the instructions (to a T – which I never do), and took my time with everything. In the end it was so worth it.

Rushing = the difference between handmade and ‘homemade’. I finished all of my edges with a rolled hem. So easy (now that I’ve got the hang of it) and so professional.