Kristina J. DIY Ideas | DIY Style

Cold Easter

2018-03-31T12:17:00.001-07:00

Cold Easter by skclemens1comcastnet featuring a pink skirt

J Crew j crew sweater, $105 / J Crew pea coat, $195 / Calvin Klein 205W39NYC pink skirt, $2,825 / See by Chloé suede ankle booties, $605

Easter

2018-03-31T12:09:00.001-07:00

Easter by skclemens1comcastnet featuring pink shoes

Needle Thread TIERED ANGLAIS GOWN Festklänning / Topshop pink shoes, $59 / Dune nude purse, $59 / Jennifer Behr floral crown

Boys Room Inspo

2018-03-24T17:56:00.001-07:00

Boys Room Inspo by skclemens1comcastnet featuring Tesler

Led bulb kit / Tesler ceiling light / Faribault Woolen Mill Co buffalo plaid throw / Winter throw, $120 / Urban Outfitters full bed bedding / Country accent pillow / Wooden coat hook / Vintage home accessory / New york throw pillow / Newgate clock / Inspirational home decor / Ebony furniture / Teak dresser / Williams Sonoma drawer nightstand

NEW DIY | Baseball Necklace Tee Tutorial

2015-08-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

I know minimalism is all the rage right now, but there's something in me that always craves a little flash and sparkle. Add to that the countless J.Crew catalogs I've poured over and you'll get my idea for this baseball tee project. It doesn't even need to be a baseball tee for this to work. Any shirt or sweater will do.

--baseball tee like this one from Forever 21

--gold chain (you can find this at Walmart as well as Joann Fabric stores

--rhinestone chain

--needle and thread

--wire cutters

1. Mark the center of tee neckline.

2. Starting from one end of chain, bring needle up through inside of chain and down on the outside of same link.

3. Progress along neck edge, tacking each link to tee.

4. Mark and position second row of rhinestones.

5. Using same technique as with the chain, attach each link of rhinestone chain to tee.

6. At the end, pull thread through to inside.

7. Tie small knot on inside to secure thread.

8. Done.

Midwest Gamine

2015-08-12T18:01:00.000-07:00

I've never been particularly classy (though I DO try). No, I get too sidetracked; too enamored with the latest variations of the classics to do those classic gamine styles justice. Several years ago, I read Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange, the super-guide to looking clean and neat like a classy Parisian. While reading, I discovered what I already knew--my biggest hangup with gamine style is that I get bored. I want color, bling, razz-ma-tazz! Which can sometimes look JUST TOO MUCH. And yet, I go there. Le sigh.... It will have to be enough that I feel clean and neat (if not completely Parisian) when wearing the occasional breton stripe.

NEW DESIGN | Peaches + Cream Dress

2015-08-07T16:56:00.000-07:00

This dress was an experiment in gathers and flow. I attached the skirt portion to two different bodices and took them apart before settling on this simple one. I wanted to create a summer dress with a bodice that didn't compete with the amazing coral netting. This skirt fabric has the softest feel you can imagine. No stiff tulle here. It's all feathers and whispers completely in balance with the soft cream lace. The DIY bridal jewel hair comb tutorial is posted here.

I've decided to start selling some of my older design samples, because a girl can only wear so many dresses and I create so many in a year that it seems a shame for the beauties to die a slow, unloved death in my closet. I will be sharing news of the sales on my Instagram account @thekristinajblog. Follow along over there if you want the most current updates on which dresses and DIY projects are being listed.

In the meantime, the Peaches + Cream Dress is up for auction on eBay, where you can bid for a chance to win this dress!

Dreaming of Havana

2015-08-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

I've always wanted to travel to Havana. Not likely to happen any time soon, but still,a girl can dream. Which is exactly what I do. I'm the girl who get Foder's travel books from the library and plans complete trips to wherever in the world I happen to be dreaming about. Current obsession...old town Havana. Wearing a hat puts me in the mood and is as close as I'm gonna get to strolling El Paseo de Marti.

Yep, my Panama hat does that for me, Ironically, the hat has nothing to do with Havana, but what even. I never said it made sense.

TUTORIAL | How to Add A Basic Bodice to a Strapless Dress

2015-08-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

--strapless dress (this one was damaged with the elastic missing)
--1.5 yards of fabric
--shirt pattern if you don't draft patterns (Any crew neck shirt pattern with a back seam will work, but you can try this scoop neck shirt pattern from Simplicity 1693.)
--Double fold bias tape in a color that coordinates with your bodice and dress.
--7 inches of 1mm elastic cording
--1 small pearl button

1. Cut your bodice fabric using pattern or drafting your own. You can shorten your pattern to a length of 3-5 inches under the armpit.

Stitch the bodice together at shoulder, sides and back seams, leaving 4 inches open along top edge of back seam. Press top edge of dress under 1/2 inch and pin folded edge in place to bodice. (My dress was quite gathered, so I took it in at the sides to fit smoothly over my bodice.)

2. Edge-stitch along folded edge of dress to attach to bodice. Zig-zag seam on inside to prevent fraying. At this point, I put in the sleeves.

3. At inside of back seam, fold seam allowance under and top-stitch 1/4 inch from edge.

4. Stitch bias tape to right side of neckline.

5. Trim and clip neckline.

6. Press bias tape up and to inside of neckline.

7. Fold ends of bias tape to inside of blouse and top-stitch in ditch along neckline to finish edge.

8. Lay elastic cord in a loop under bias tape on inside of bodice. Run several stitches over to secure.

9. The elastic loop should extend past the bodice edge like this.

10. Attach small button to other side of bodice at neckline edge.

11. DONE.

TUTORIAL | How to Add Drape Sleeves to a Dress

2015-07-31T17:30:00.000-07:00

--sleeveless dress
--1 yard fabric (I used an unworn blouse I had on hand to coordinate with my dress. This technique works really well with contrasting colors...like white sleeves on a black dress)

1. Cut fabric or shirt into two rectangles at least 12 inches long and 14 inches wide. This will give you plenty to work with while eliminating bulk.

2. Position your fabric under the sleeve line of the dress. Keep the rectangle perpendicular to the dress to create the right drape.

3. When you have the sleeve fabric positioned where you want, pin into place along sleeve line. You will be leaving 3-4 inches beneath the armpit unpinned for now.

4. Top-stitch close to dress edge to attach sleeve, leaving armpit fabric free.

5. Flip dress to inside and trim away excess sleeve fabric, then trim sleeve fabric from bottom sleeve edge up at an angle to where sleeve fabric meets armpit of dress. Make sure to leave at least 1/4 inch extra to have fabric for seam allowance.

6. Stitch underarm seam on sleeve and hem.

7. From inside of dress with right sides together, stitch up the open 3-4 inches close to dress sleeve edge. Press.

8. DONE.

NEW DIY | How to Make a DIY Bridal Haircomb Tutorial

2015-07-14T17:37:00.000-07:00

Summer is the season of weddings and I'm always drooling over the gorgeous bridal hair pieces from BHLDN. I've been working on a few do-it-yourself accessories that can have you ready to attend a wedding in no time!

First up is this super easy (and I mean SUPER EASY) hair comb. I created one with white pearl chandelier earrings and another with blue beads that could be used by bridesmaids or for yourself as a pretty guest. If you snag the earrings on clearance, these DIY bridal hair-combs could cost you less than $5, which is beans compared to a whopping $140 you could spend at a bridal store. Go forth and create, mah dears.

--Chandelier earrings
--Haircomb
--Jewelry Pliers
--Hot Glue Gun

1. Using the pliers, remove the ear hoop from the earrings.

2. Run a bead of hot glue along the top section of the hair comb and press earring flat keeping dangling beads free from glue. Let dry.

3. Done.

NEW DIY | How to Make a Leather Flower Clutch

2015-07-08T18:30:00.000-07:00

--clutch with a front flap. Mine was from the clearance rack at Target.

--leather hide (Try this awesome white leather hide from DarbySmart. It's soft and pliable, which makes it perfect for DIY projects like this.)

--round studs (I used this DIY stud set from DarbySmart. It comes with a good variety of shapes in both gold and silver plus they're iron-on, so you can use the left-overs for garments or other fabric DIY accessories.)

--hot glue gun

1. Cut the number of flowers you need by tracing them onto the wrong side of the leather or by using a cutting machine. I used my Sizzix Big Shot machine and the second largest of the Flower Layers Die shapes.

2. Starting along the bottom edge of clutch flap, hot glue flower backs to clutch. Continue to glue flowers in rows up to top edge of clutch flap, being sure to offset flowers so they don't lie in straight rows. It looks less interesting if they fall in straight rows up and down.

3. When all flowers are attached, use small amounts of hot glue to attach round studs to flower centers to prevent glue from pushing out around stud where it will be visible when it dries.

4. Finish applying studs to all flowers.

5. Done.

Tackling Monday

2015-07-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

TJ Maxx skirt similar | LOFT Love Triangles blouse | Steve Madden Wedges | Kohls clutch | Francesca's watch

There's something about a black and white print that makes me feel like I can conquer anything...even the challenge of a Monday morning. I loved this LOFT print the minute I saw it, plus, it comes with a matching midi skirt that you can pair to create the look of a casual summer dress. 'Nuff said?

American Girl

2015-07-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

GAP dress and jacket | Target Wedges and crossbody similar | HM belt

Primary colors are my fave ever, so it's always easy for me to pull together something patriotic. I'm especially in love with this jersey knit dress from Gap. It's super lightweight and swishy. Bonus.

Happy, happy Fourth of July and lots of thanks and appreciation to the men and women who serve our country!

NEW DESIGN | Dockside Midi Dress

2015-06-29T17:30:00.000-07:00

Old Navy bag | HM belt and shades | Steve Madden flats similar | Francesca's watch

I'm the first to admit I go overboard on the fancy dress building, but for this little number I went basic and...plain? Which is what it felt like when I was sketching it out, but the Dockside dress is just so ridiculously summery and comfy that I can't seem to hold a grudge against it for not being more fancy. Plus, I found this fabric that reminded me so much of the Madewell Stucco Dress at Goodwill for $3. And shoot, I'm down with that. HA.

Minted Spring Event

2015-03-12T06:01:00.001-07:00

Good morning, mah dears! It's time for the Spring Event at Minted! Until Monday, March 16, you can receive 15% off all Wall Art and Baby & Kids Products! I'm currently curating art work for the house my husband and I are renovating, so I've got my eye on several pieces from Minted's Limited Edition Art Prints. Head on over and check out all the amazing options. Use code HAPPYSPRING to get 15% off your purchase.

*Kristina J. will receive compensation for use of affiliate links.

Winterizing A Sleeveless Dress

2015-03-05T11:11:00.001-08:00

NEW DIY | How to Make a Sequin Statement Top

2015-02-11T15:30:00.000-08:00

Should you fancy a fling with theatrical impact, using some sequin strand to make a statement top will get the ball rolling. Sequins always make the overall effect a little bolder. If your top is super soft, like this sweater, using a harder textured sequin will play against the sugary sweetness. I was wanting to use #LOVE, but opted for hello instead. No matter the statement you choose, it will be the perfect balance of touch and tender--a dramatic mix of gold dazzle against a soft cream canvas.

--blank top
--needle and thread
--one spool sequin strand ribbon like this from Joann Fabrics

1. With top on, mark the top and bottom of where you want the letters to be. I used some embroidery thread to do this and made my letters long and skinny. My statement is abouut 4 inches tall.

2. Pull several sequins off the end of strand to leave a 1-2 inch tail. Tie a knot to keep remaining sequins from falling off.

3. Lay sequin strand flat on top at starting letter marker. Using a knotted needle and thread, pull thread from inside to outside and return needle to inside over sequin strand. Pull taught but not too tight to prevent puckering. Repeat this step about every other sequin to attach strand to top. The thread should pull under the sequin to remain invisible.

4. Using initial markings as a guide, continue looping and tacking letters to complete full statement. If you run out of thread, pull to inside and secure with a knot. Begin again with step one.

5. Once the statement is complete, pull the tails to the inside using a needle and secure with a couple knots. You can also iron a piece of interfacing over the inside to secure the threads like I did when creating my Anthro-inspired Amour sweater.

6. DONE. (You'll want to wash a sequin embellished piece by hand.)

NEW DESIGN | Winterstruck Raventail Dress

2015-02-06T15:30:00.000-08:00

Raventail Dress

You know that Fancy Nancy syndrome that makes a girl want to wear cut lace and scalloped hems every day? That's what I'm indulging with this laser-cut lace design, which is actually a top and skirt worn as a dress. You've seen me design coordinating pieces and style them as a dress before with the Marquette and St. Ignace designs. I love the versatility! It's like getting four outfits for the price of one. Design home-run!

NEW TUTORIAL | How To Make a Cube Doorstop Pouf

2015-02-04T12:11:00.001-08:00

I've been on the hunt for a small floor pouf for my entryway for quite a while. I've basically stalked the internet looking for the perfect cube doorstop. Alas, my diligent efforts to find a classy pouf at a price point I was willing to spend only resulted in stuffed chickens and scary looking cats. Creepy. Ergo...(using that word makes me feel all smart and stuff) the necessity of creating a diy version of a cube doorstop. Enjoy!

--1 or 2 yards of leather fabric like this from Joann Fabric
--1/2 yard printed upholstery fabric mine is a greek key print
--bean bag filler I also used a couple bags of dry beans to add weight to the bottom
--needle and thread
--sewing machine needle appropriate for leather weight

1. Cut four squares from the leather fabric. My cube is 12 x 12, so my squares were 13 x 13 to allow for 1/2 inch seam allowance.

2. Cut two more squares from fabric. (My diagram below is backward. I originally planned to have the bottom and top cube panels made from leather, but liked the look of it better to have the majority of the cube constructed from leather with two printed accent panels on top and bottom.) You can do it either way.

3. With wrong sides together, stitch the four panels together end to end to form a closed square.

4. Turn four panel square inside out and stitch top panel to all four edges. Clip corners. You can lightly press these seams to make crisp.

5. Stitch bottom panel to cube with right sides together, leaving a small gap to turn right side out so it looks something like this.

6. Fill cube with filler through the small gap until it's as dense as you want it. I didn't want the door to bounce off my cube, so I left a little bit of give. Using needle and thread, slip stitch the seam closed.

7. DONE.

Outfits for Every Season By Adding Layers | The Pink + Orange Edition

2015-01-30T10:02:00.000-08:00

I ~~hate~~ strongly dislike being cold. I also ~~hate~~ strongly dislike limiting my brightly colored pieces to being worn only in the summer. Putting these two together is what drives me to create outfits for each season by adding layers to my summer pieces. It's a pretty formulaic way for me to use my clothes more effectively while keeping my look fresh. If you read my post on overcoming 12 months of insecurity, you saw the spring version of this outfit and since then, I've been able to rework the same pink and orange pieces to use even as the weather turned chilly. I've found that extra layers of denim and khaki always add interest and texture. Next year, I could go with a different colored cardigan and work through the whole formula again to create an entirely new group of outfits. Cool, yeah?

LOVE THAT | HEART ATTACK

2015-01-28T15:30:00.000-08:00

I'm not a big Valentine's Day celebrator--I don't decorate my house for it, bake little heart cookies for my children's lunch boxes or even send out cards. Total party pooper, I know...

What I do love about the holiday though, is all the pretties that start to pop up in stores. Here are just a few of my current V-day faves.

1. American Eagle Outfitters graphic top

2. West Elm accessory

3. West Elm home decor

4. West Elm gold bud vase

5. Furbish Studio Pillow SARAILLE PEONY

6. Rosewe White pullover sweater

7. Anthropologie Atom Art Bowls

8. Sur La Table valentines day mug

9. Rifle Paper Co floral iphone case

10. West Elm canvas tote bag

11. Charming Charlie Pearl clutch

DESIGNING | TELLURIDE CIRCLE SKIRT

2015-01-25T16:00:00.000-08:00

Telluride Circle Skirt

Wahoo! I'm finally getting around to posting my favorite piece from the Winterstruck Collection. Small confession. I have absolutely zero problems starting and finishing projects. What I really struggle with is actually getting said projects onto the blog. I'm pleased as punch I persevered for this one. In case you missed it, you can see the tutorial for my Anthro look-alike Amour sweater right here.

I love cozy wool. Like love, love, love it, so I used a drapey wool for this design rather than the slub-satin plaid fabric I'd originally found. It was not awesome... The result was a rather fabulous, weighty version of the Winter Festival midi circle skirt. I've generally kept to fitted shapes when using heavy fabric and tried a pencil skirt design first. It was just too normal and expected. Blech. This is so much better, yeah?

Wearing | Winter White

2015-01-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Kristina J. Tulle skirt similar | LOFT sweater | Land's End Pumps | Target watch

I know you guys love a great tulle skirt and I guarantee you this design from last year has never disappointed. The thing about cream tulle is that it can sorta look blah, so I thought if cream is too dull for winter, what might cream on cream look like? Shockingly, a whole lot of one color felt surprisingly less dull. Win, win.

NEW DIY | How To Make the Anthropologie AMOUR Sweater Tutorial

2015-01-20T17:30:00.000-08:00

It's a two-edged sword--this impulse to recreate a version of something you see in a store. On the one hand, I'm always thinking, do I really want to spend the time it will take to make this rather than buying it? and on the other hand I'm all like, no way will I spend THAT much money when I can just do it myself! Hear me? Of course, when the price point is set at hundreds of dollars, it makes the decision a lot easier.

After spotting the gorgeous image of the Amour pullover on Anthropologie's IG account during the holidays, I was determined to have one for Valentine's this year. With a discount sweater and a bit of yarn I set out to create this diy version of Anthropologie's Amour Pullover. If I had to do it over, I'd probably try to spread my letters some more, but it's hard to gauge when you're in the middle of tacking the yarn to the top.

--a black sweater or pullover
--one skein of white wool yarn
--embroidery needle
--white thread
--small piece of black jersey Pellon like this from Joann Fabrics

This technique allows you to have curving lines as opposed to block letters.

1. With the sweater on, mark where you want the words to begin and end with pins.

2. Form a knot in the thread and weave it through the tail of your yarn several times.

3. Pull the yarn through from the inside to the outside, leaving extra yarn on the inside to form a knot that won't pull through the top to the outside.

4. The technique you'll use to tack down the yarn is to come up on one side of the yarn and go down the other side into the same hole where you brought the thread up. This is an embroidery technique called couching. You can see a great illustration and example of couching on this DMC Threads blog post. This technique allows you to have curving lines as opposed to block letters.

5. Lay the yarn out in the general shape of your lettering and begin couching every 1/4 inch or so. You'll need to tack the yarn closer together around small curves for it to stay in place.

6. Continue with all the words until complete. If you run out of thread, start again with step 1.

7. When you've completed the text, pull the thread to the inside and cut, leaving a good sized tail. Tie a large knot that won't pull through. The inside of your sweater will look something like this.

8. Place Pellon over threads and yarn and lightly iron until fused. This will help unraveling when washing.

9. DONE. For $20 and 30 minutes, I have an AMOUR sweater that I, well...amour! Bam.

GUEST POST | Sew Caroline featuring a Tutorial from The Chic Girl's Guide

2015-01-14T10:34:00.000-08:00

Hello, mah dears! SEVERAL months ago, I contacted Caroline, author of the Sew Caroline blog to see if she wanted to feature a fashion project using a tutorial idea from my book, The Chic Girl's Guide to a One-of-a-Kind Wardrobe. Caroline features sewing tutorials and pattern design and I thought she'd be the perfect fit to demonstrate how to take a sewing tutorial idea and revamp it to fit her personal style and ideas. She chose the Sleeve Addition tutorial on page 73. You can see the full post on her blog, Sew Caroline.

I didn't have a sleeveless top in mind to transform, so I took some of my black faux leather fabric I snagged at Girl Charlee and make another April Rhodes Riding Peplum + added sleeves to this! I'll be honest, I love the IDEA behind my project (Lace + Leather) but the darts didn't turn out as wonderfully as I had hoped (and I am sure it is because the weight/hand of the fabric I used). I think before I wear it out in the eye of the public I'll make some adjustments. See this post to look at how the darts are supposed to lay.

For the sleeves, I used the outer layer of an old lace tunic from Target I had in my closet that had grown a wee bit too small (oops ;)). I grabbed a sleeve block from another pattern I had lying around my studio and went to town.

The back of this top features a fun exposed zipper. I've been loving exposed zips lately (ahem...) and want to try to incorporate one into a Sew Caroline pattern in the future!

SO! There ya go, my Kristina J-inspired Riding Peplum! Be sure to grab a copy of Kristina's book HERE* if you want to be inspired by her lovely creations as well! *affiliate link

Kristina J. DIY Ideas | DIY Style

Cold Easter

Easter

Boys Room Inspo

NEW DIY | Baseball Necklace Tee Tutorial

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

Midwest Gamine

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

NEW DESIGN | Peaches + Cream Dress

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

Dreaming of Havana

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

TUTORIAL | How to Add A Basic Bodice to a Strapless Dress

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

TUTORIAL | How to Add Drape Sleeves to a Dress

NEW DIY | How to Make a DIY Bridal Haircomb Tutorial

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

NEW DIY | How to Make a Leather Flower Clutch

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

Tackling Monday

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

American Girl

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

NEW DESIGN | Dockside Midi Dress

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

Minted Spring Event

Winterizing A Sleeveless Dress

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

NEW DIY | How to Make a Sequin Statement Top

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

NEW DESIGN | Winterstruck Raventail Dress

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

NEW TUTORIAL | How To Make a Cube Doorstop Pouf

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

Outfits for Every Season By Adding Layers | The Pink + Orange Edition

LOVE THAT | HEART ATTACK

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

DESIGNING | TELLURIDE CIRCLE SKIRT

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

Wearing | Winter White

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

NEW DIY | How To Make the Anthropologie AMOUR Sweater Tutorial

diy style + tutorials to your inbox

GUEST POST | Sew Caroline featuring a Tutorial from The Chic Girl's Guide