DIY Maxi Skirt

I have been obsessed with maxi skirts lately! I don't know if it's because of summer time or if it's just because they are so comfortable! Either way, I knew I could make my own cheaper than I could buy some. While I was at Walmart the other day I found this mustard colored fabric and thought it would make a gorgeous maxi. It was super cheap so I bought some and also a white liner fabric, since it was slightly thin and see through. I browsed a few different tutorials first since it was my first time sewing a skirt. (Actually it was my first time sewing a piece of clothing from scratch aside from Barbie clothes!) I found this one from One Simple Bliss to be the one I liked the most. Please check out her tutorial for a more in depth look at how to make this style of maxi.

Here are the materials I used:
1.5 yards of fabric
1.5 yards of liner fabric (if your other fabric is too thin or sheer)
1.5" wide elastic
thread

In retrospect I recommend using at least 2 yards of fabric. I realized the 1.5 yards after washed and dried and trimmed was too tight around my ankles to walk comfortably. I have to sew a slit in mine to fix that problem.

To figure the length of elastic you need, just measure around your waist where you want the skirt to sit and subtract about 1-2 inches.

To figure the length of your skirt, measure from  the waist to the floor and add 3 inches. I think mine was 46". * Make sure you have washed and dried your fabric before measuring and trimming.

Now if you have two pieces of fabric like I did, pin the inner fabric to the wrong side of your outer fabric. This edge on my fabric was the bolt edge so I didn't hem the edge. You can, though, if you think it will fray. just fold over 1/2 inch and then pin together.

Next sew a basting stitch across the top of the fabric. Use your lightest tension setting and longest stitch width. Do not back stitch or lock your stitch at the beginning or end!

Now pull one of the strings to make the ruffle pleats in the fabric. See the tutorial I mentioned above if you need to see more in depth information on this. You want the ruffled length of the fabric to be the same length as your elastic piece.

Now you will pin the fabric to the elastic. I basically pinned the elastic to the right side of the outer fabric, so the edges were even. Now sew them together with a zig-zag stitch. (Don't forget to reset your tension and stitch width on your machine!)

Now you will need to sew the edges together. With one fabric you will only have to do this once. Just fold the fabric in half, right sides together, then pin and sew a straight stitch all the way down, making sure you stitch the ends of the elastic together as well. If you are worried about this edge fraying, go back over it with a short width zig-zag stitch.

If your edges are super straight you could sew both fabrics together, but my fabric was a little difficult to work with. so I sewed mine separately. First I sewed the inner fabric together, making sure not to accidentally sew over the outer fabric. Then I sewed the outer. ( Sorry there are no pictures, I kept forgetting to take them!)

Here is the skirt so far without the bottom hemmed.

To hem the bottom edge, I folded (both layers together) over a half inch, then ironed it all around. To keep my two fabrics neat and tidy I sewed a straight stitch across as well. Now fold the edge over again, this time 2", then iron and straight stitch around again.

That's it! Done! If you use a jersey knit or any fabric that won't fray, you can go without hemming the bottom. Even easier! Now go make one!

Life Hacks

Oh, good ol' social media. How else would we know how to peel a banana the EASY way! This morning after scrolling through Facebook and Pinterest I came across a number of different "life hacks". Have you seen these? I mean really, some of them are genius, and yet others leave me asking "what the...".

Learn how to cut a bunch of grapes in half all at once! Here

That one I saw this morning and thought, ok that's pretty awesome! But then you come across some randomness that makes you think, "who would actually do this?".

 

You and I both know this meme was written as a joke, but unfortunately, I'm sure there have been a number of people who have tried this. Please people, remember not everything on the internet is true!

I did come across an interesting article I'd like to share called "10 Lifehacks from 100 Years Ago". Apparently these little cards used to come in packs of cigarettes and they would print little things on them, life hacks, artwork, trivia, etc. It's always interesting to read these things from years ago. And just like the present day, some are pretty genius and others, well, might not be the safest. Still, they are pretty interesting! 

I like number 6!

Do you have any interesting lifehacks? Where did you come up with them? 

A new look

I needed a fresh new start for my blog. So I started with a face lift! I will still be chronicling my journey through motherhood and healthy homemaking, I will just be adding  few new things! I hope you enjoy!

I am now a WAHM (work at home mom) with my own company, Brother'sBinky, a toddler and a semi-mobile baby! Within the last two years I have tried to change our home to be as healthy as possible by changing our diet, and just cleaning up how we live. I am currently starting a journey for our family to be more self sufficient. I am learning new (old) ways of homemaking and homesteading. Hopefully I can pass these skills along to my children and maybe some to you as well!

ENJOY! 

A New Chapter

As you can tell I have let my blog go by the wayside for a few months. It was because of a few different reasons (mainly my sanity), and also because I have recently started my own business! If you know me, you already know about my new business venture through Facebook, and some of you may have even purchased some of my items. I hope you like them as much as I liked making them! Here is my formal ribbon cutting...

Introducing... Brother'sBinky! I am now making custom, handmade, Cloth Diaper Covers, Wet Bags, Baby Carriers, and other items for mom and baby.

How did this begin you ask? Well after creating items for me and my family, and having great comments on them, I decided I would sell these items. I enjoyed making them, why not do something I love and make some extra money doing so.

As for the name of my business, I have to give credit to my husband. I could not think of a name I liked that would represent my products. After asking my daughter (for the umpteenth time that day) "where is your brother's binky?", my husband chimed in, "That's what you should name it! Where is brother's binky."... and so the name was born.

Brother'sBinky is currently on Etsy, Facebook, Pinterest, and I have also made some baby wearing videos on Youtube. It's slowly coming together, and I am still not quite sure of my overall goals for my small business. I want to love what I do, so I will take it one day at a time.

Custom embroidered ring slings for twins

Rainbow Chevron Adjustable Cloth Diaper Cover

Handmade Wet Bag

I'm slowly getting organised and trying to juggle being a WAHM and all that it entails. I still want my children to be my first priority and spending time with them will ultimately come first. I give a huge thank you to my husband who is so supportive of my new chapter and has helped me not just financially, but emotionally as well.

(Here is where I tell you to check it out!)

Etsy: www.brothersbinky.etsy.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/brothersbinky
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/BrothersBinky/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgWoYK7zt6028zRpVk_cVTw
 Email: brothersbinky@gmail.com