gaps between the buttons- the fix!
Posted by: silksandvelvets on: September 4, 2009
With a needle and thread you can make button down shirts wearable!
The buttons and button holes on a standard shirt can spread open when you move, right in that area:
http://www.sewsuite.com/images/shirtplacket.jpg
Solution? Close up that area! There are a variety of ways to do that. Generally what I see is a snap or hook and eye added halfway between each button.
My preference is to try on the shirt, and find where it gaps- then sew that portion of the shirt closed. Turning the shirt inside out, you can take a needle and thread and very lightly do a whip stitch on the overlap. It doesn’t need to be tightly or evenly sewn to work. I only sew the gapping part closed, leaving the rest of the buttons and button holes to behave normally. Tada! Magically a button down shirt that fits across the bust line, worry free!
Whip stitch:
http://www.google.com/search?q=whip+stitch&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
Added bonus? Your shirt will be easier to iron over that area.
Hair Inspiration!
Posted by: silksandvelvets on: June 5, 2009
Ok, fun scrunchies made 
They are made with 6-7 inch long strips of bias cut (with pinking sheers) black on black stripe cotton as the base. If I wear them often, or it seems worth it, I will make more.
and added to my little Etsy page…
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5371507
I think I have finally found something to do with all of the scrap fabric I have laying around, lol. I wonder though, as 90% of my scrap fabric is white or ivory!
Corsets and Hips
Posted by: silksandvelvets on: June 1, 2009
Talking with my friend Solan this morning, the subject of corsetry came up- no surprise there!
The point we were discussing was how very very flat a lot of the corsets being produced are! Hardly any curve whatsoever!
My theories on why this happens:
1. People want the corset to make them smaller all over.
In my opinionated opinion, corsets are for smoothing the figure, molding the figure into shape, and making specific areas smaller. Specifically the waist! When a corset is “made to slim all over” what you really get is a garment that is too small all over. The result? Muffining over the top and digging in at the hips. Attempts to pull the corset laces in to slim the waist a bit more just make the entire garment more uncomfortable as your flesh is squeezed out the top and bottom.
Realistic solution- Have your corset made to slim the waist, and in the silhouette you desire- but NOT too small at the bust and hips. You will then have the curvy look of a proper corset, without it digging in at the armpits, muffining at the top and cutting in at the hips. Extra room at the hips will also mean you can wear a skirt under it more comfortably, and not have a muffin effect on your hips too! Fantastic!
2. People think that a smaller waist makes their hips look bigger.
Realistic solution- a smaller wait gives your body CURVES, which is the entire point. A woman walks by in a curvy corset and the reaction is not going to be about her hips being big. It is going to be about those wonderful curves. Without the curves she would be a tube.
3. But what if I really do want something to make my hips/butt smaller?
Realistic solution- to slim the hip area, low tummy included, you might notice that corsets don’t go down that far. Why? Because it is good to be able to sit down. For that area, you need an undergarment that is superflexible. Slimming the upper thigh, hips, belly? Try the firm foundation garments available! Want it to be sexy? Go for the see through black lace versions and use the garter attachments- think Pin Up girls and go for it!
4. Muffin tops? But I have to get it that tight to look like I am busty!
Realistic solution- padding. Take a look at Nicole Kidman in her movie roles. She is wearing padding, and then her own bust looks fuller and her natural cleavage shows. Just wearing your garments super tight creates muffining all the way around- not ideal.
Realistic solution- underbust corset. With an underbust, you will have WAY more flexibility with what you wear under the corset, and you will avoid concerns with your upper arms showing. Also with an underbust corset, your blouse can be full and your bra can be padded, to give you as much bust as you like. Yay! I have also found in over 15 years of wearing corsets that underbust are far more comfortable in terms of being able to put them on myself, reach into the back seat of the car, and most importantly- wear them with the most different outfits.
Silks and Velvets Blog
Posted by: silksandvelvets on: June 1, 2009
Hopefully educational, certainly opinionated clothing and costume posts forthcoming! –Yosa
