Progress on the Burda/Dice Kayek Dress (2)

This was a pretty challenging dress to make but the instructions were pretty spot-on. I made a few changes to the design. The original has two layers in the peplum, but I didnt have enough fabric so just went with the top layer.In hindsight it was just as well, my fabric was thicker than the reccommended taffeta, and the layers might have been a struggle to sew through

I made this from a cotton sateen (grid pattern fabric ) and a teal satin. The front is made with a strapless bodice, and waistcoat overlay, which is then joined to the back. The inside view is below.

Inside of bodice - the front top is cut on a fold

There were alot of layers in the peplum section, and I didn't have enough interfacing, so I used a few layers of tulle netting between the lining and main fabric.

Tulle used to give body to the peplum sections

The waistband is cleverly constructed - it has horizontal pleats, which mean that all the bulk for the peplum layers are hidden underneath. 

Inside Waistband -  showing pleats opening (pink fabric is skirt underlining)

The only problem was that the pleats were opening slightly, and although I hadn't stitched on the bow yet, I wanted to be sure that it wouldn't start opening when being worn. So I stitched through the inside pleat in a zig-zag pattern - as the band is cut on the bias, it means that my stitching is on the straight grain, so shouldn't effect the stretch in the band.

 Then all that was left was to put in the zip and attach the front folded bow. Although when I finished it I realised it would need a little tweaking under the peplum!

Burda 07/2011 Dice Kayek Dress (1)

Burda 07/2011 Dice Kayek

I'm working on this dress from the Burda Magazine from July 2011. I had originally planned to make the Burda dress that is otherwise known as Gertie's bombshell dress. But after making a toile, I decided against it. A bit too bare for Irish November weather!
I like that the Dice Kayek Dress has covered shoulders, so should stop me shivering at the wedding I'm planning on wearing it to.

Colourful Rag Rug Tutorial

Hi :) If you are inspired to make your own version of this rug - I'd love to see it-  do come back and leave a comment with a link to it! Thanks a mill


I'm sharing an upcycling project I finished recently. It's a Rag Rug I made from old, worn out tees and vests. I made this by single crocheting a long chain from fabric strips. It could also be made by plaiting/braiding strips of fabric together.
I used a single crochet chain as it uses a single strip of fabric, as opposed to the three you would need for braiding. So I found it made up faster than braiding.

1. You will need : some old tees and a large crochet hook. I used a number 4 (6mm)
Start by cutting into the tee shirt hem at an angle

2. Continue cutting around the tee, in a continuous circle. I cut the strip about 2 1/2 inches wide.
Follow the angle of the first cut , to give a continuous strip of fabric





                         

3. Then tie a loop at one end of the strip and insert your crochet hook - you will be crocheting a long chain following the directions below. 

 

4.Catch your fabric with your hook and pull a loop through the first loop (see below)

pull through loops

5. Continue pulling through loops until your chain is as long as you want

Crochet chain

6.You can tie on more fabric as you get to the end of your strip
I joined the strips together before I made the chain.
You could sew them together but it was much quicker to use this method of joining (from V and co ). how-to-jersey-knit-bracelet best of luck if you decide to make one:)

coil chain and sew together

  



7.Start your rug by coiling your chain and stitching along the edges to hold them together

view of the back

Continue for as long as you want ! mine grew quite a bit as you can see below

Finished Rug - made using lots of old clothes


Don't forget to follow this blog, if you would like to see new tutorials first :)

A few questions that came up in comments :

How many tees did I use? :  I used mostly old kids clothes, and I've just counted about 44!! But if you used adults tee's I'd imagine 20 would be enough. It measures just over a metre in Diameter ( or about 40 inches)

How was the edge finished : I turned under the tail end of the last coil and stitched it in place. Then I used a very long strip of yellow jersey, about 1" wide, and a crochet hook, to do a border of single crochet stitch.