Dollar Store Fashion: Mexican Bath Mat Bag

Another of my great dollar store ideas. This one is super easy and quick, and it only cost $1!

What you need:

• Bath Mat (I love this one. It has amazing colors)
• Sewing machine -or- hand-sewing needle with thread -or- even hot glue(for those of you who don't have any sewing experience)
• Something to use for a strap(I used a strap from an existing bag that has little latches, so the straps are detachable, a thin belt would also work)

How to Do it:

1. Simply fold the bat mat in half length wise with the sides you want to show on the outside facing each other.
2. Sew up the two sides( or glue), with the fold on the bottom. Be sure to back stitch if you are using a machine. Leave about 1/2" to 1" extra past the line you sew so it doesn't come undone.
3. Attach the strap. Be sure to make sure the strap is sewn securely. Re-inforece the straps with multiple sewn lines so it doesn't come undone. 
4. Test it out. Put a few heavy books in it and jump around with it. See if the strap is sewn securely enough. The last thing you want is to be walking down the street and your bag breaks.

Dollar Store Fashion: Do-it-Yourself $3 Lace Dress!

So recently I've taken a little trip to the dollar store for some poor and creative inspiration. Let me tell you, I bought A LOT. Approximately $35 worth of stuff (granted everything was only $1.00).... So there will be a lot of crazy cool project coming up! 

First in my dollar store fashion project series is this cute little lace dress. It's relatively simple to do, but it does require BASIC sewing skills. Meaning you can either sew with a hand sewing needle, or you can sew a straight line on a sewing machine. I'll give you some quick sewing tips for you beginners who want some help along the way if you'd like to learn.

What you need:

• XL-XXXL Cotton Knit T-shirt (bought for $2 at Walgreens)
• Lace Doilies (bought a pair for $1 at the dollar store)
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine or a hand sewing needle and thread
• Measuring Tape
• A tank top for reference.

How to do it:

 
1. Cut sleeves and straight across under the collar. 
2. Measure the length of the top of you chest above your bust.
3. Cut the top the length of your chest. Be sure to cut equal amounts off from each side. Then gradually cut from the top to the side seam on an angle, until it blends with the side seam. 
4. Sew up the side seams. Meaning, where the arm holes use to be, you'll sew up.
5. Create the lace tank top front. To do so, take a tank top and lay it down flat. Lay the lace centered over neckline of the tank top. Cut out the shape to match the tank top neckline shape. The bottom of the lace section should end a little past your bust, you'll need a little extra in order to sew it to the shirt.
6. Attach the lace to the shirt. How you do that, you'll simply just need to sew a straight line across. The correct way to sew it so it looks good from the outside, is to sew "right sides together". Meaning which ever side you want to show from the outside, put them facing together. Then when sewing on your machine or with a hand sewing needle, leave about a 1/2" extra fabric from the line you sew. Make sure to backstitch your ends so it remains sewn.
7. Create the tank top back. In order to that, think about the shape you want to create. Draw it out if you'd like. Cut out the shape from the lace you'd like to create by folding it half length wise. Lay down the front of of dress with the back on top of it so you can match up where the straps on the front and back match. If you want the lace to dip down into the shirt like on mine, you'll need to cut out the shape in the shirt.
8. Sew the back lace to the shirt. Same way as the front.
9. Sew the front and back straps together. Make sure you sew it so the stitching doesn't show on the outside. Once again, make sure when you sew, right sides are together.

That's all there is to it! (I know it is a little more steps than my usual projects, but I thought I'd up the skill level a bit)

Try it out! Tell me how it goes. Send me a pic! Leave a comment if you have any questions and I'll try to help. Do you like it? Hate it? Let me know!

Grandma Sweater Tank Top

Ever see those horribly fitting "grandma sweaters" in thrift stores? Well, here's a creative solution on how to wear these one of a kind pieces.

What's great about old sweaters is they usually have bright colors, and are very unique. The downfall is fit. They're baggy, and most people can't pull of the potato sack silhouette. My solution? Turn it into a tank top!

Where to find them:
The first place to start hunting is your mom's or grandma's closet. I guarantee they have a few old sweaters they're willing to get rid of. I also have very good luck in any thrift stores such as goodwill for around $5. Look for interesting patterns or graphics. The size of the sweater doesn't make a whole lot of difference, even if the sweater is HUGE, the tank looks great because it adds the flow of the fabric. BUT, beware or large knit sweaters that you can see through. If the sweater's knit is too spaced out the entire thing will unravel.

How to do it:
1. Take a tank top you already have and lay it over the sweater.
2. Then cut out the neckline and sleeves to match the tank top you placed over it.
3. Finally, if the sweater has a fitted bottom, cut it off. That's all there is to it!

Ways to wear it:
As shown in the pictures, they usually look great with a fitted blazer or vest over it. Another way is to wear it with a large belt around the waist. If the sweater is large enough, it could be worn as a fall dress.

Using the scraps:
After cutting off the sleeves and neckline, you'll have some left over pieces. Find ways to wear to these pieces! As shown below, the sleeve can be used as a winter neck warmer. Another idea would be to use the neckline as a headband, or you could make cute knit jewelry or a purse.

How to wash and care for it:
Most knit sweaters are dry clean only. But if you're like me, hand washing it with detergent and letting it air dry does the trick. Do NOT wash in the washing machine and dryer. It will most likely fall apart or shrink horribly.