9/17/12

Makeover Monday: Falling for Plaid

It's makeover Monday! I am really liking this series so far because it motivates me to always be working on something crafty or artistic for the next week.  Last week I did not include the pictures of the process, but I decided to do a step by step this week so you guys can copy it if you like it!  With cooler weather quick approaching (I rode my bike to work today while it was around 50 degrees, BURRR), scarves are one of my go-to transitional accessories. Another thing I cannot get enough of this time of year is adding plaid back into my wardrobe.  Plaid gives floral a run for the money in terms of my very favorite print! So without further adieu, I bring to you a long plaid dress that I transformed into an infinity loop scarf! 
 
1. This is the perfect DIY if you are hemming a long dress with a soft, thicker fabric and wider skirt.  First, measure and mark where you will cut your dress.  If you are interested to see what the new shortened dress turned out like, you can see it here (it is heading off to a lovely lady in Hong Kong today)!  After you cut you dress, you will be left with the bottom piece of fabric, which is what you will be using to make your scarf! I did not have to cut mine at all as it was a good size already when I wrapped it around my neck twice.
 
2. After you have the piece bottom fabric cut and ready, you should lay it flat and fold over the rough cut edge twice. My fold was about 3/4 inch.  Keep the fold in place with pins. I also removed the two buttons that were left over from the end of the dress.
 
3. Now you are ready to sew! Sew the bottom edge of the fold, as pictured, using a simple straight stitch. Pull out the pins as you get to them.  When you get to the end, make sure to turn the corner and sew the edge down too. 
4. Next, you will connect the two ends so your fabric forms a circle.  Align the two ends and pin them in place.  Proceed to sew the two ends together.  I tried to follow the seem that was already on the fabric for aesthetic reasons.  
5.  Now you have your circle scarf! You can easily stop here, but I wanted to add buttons to mine because I thought that would add a cute touch at the back of the neck.  Plus, I liked that it paid homage to the fact that it used to be a plaid button up!  I used a white sewing pencil to mark where I want my 5 buttons to be placed in a row along the edge where I had just sewn the two ends together.  I used a needle and thread to sew my buttons into place.  
6. Once your done, wrap it twice around your neck for the perfect cozy fit.  Ta-da, now you have a new fall/ winter scarf, perfect for latte sipping and pumpkin picking! 
Let me know if these steps were clear and helpful! If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section and I will reply.  Also, if you have an ideas or requests for future makeovers, I would love to hear them! I hope you all are having a lovely start to you week!
xo Hannah

36 comments:

  1. You're kidding, this scarf is awesome!!! I am seriously impressed! And also jealous that it hit 55 wherever you are. I've been walking to school and I am perpetually sweaty, not a good way to start off the day.

    Have I ever told you I have a friend named Monica that you look JUST like? I'm gonna somehow send you a picture, I swear it's uncanny! You cute girls!

    My idea for a makeover is: painting/decorating some kind of furniture to make it new. I just moved into a new house so I'm really into that right now!

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  2. What a great idea, I love the row of little buttons down the back! :)
    Faye x

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  3. yay, sewing tutorials!! that scarf is so cute, what a good idea to make it out of fabric you're cutting away from dresses. And those buttons in the back are such a sweet detail.

    Also, looove how the plaid dress came out, i'd be super sad to part with it if i were you haha

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  4. This tutorial changed my life. It also defended me from a rampaging Kodiak bear. Thank you braided bandit

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  5. I love plaid, and that scarf looks so lovely and soft. You're so inventive! I really want a sewing machine. That last picture of you is gorgeous by the way!

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  6. LOVE the addition of the buttons. So cute! I actually just purchased some plain to make an infinity scarf myself; maybe I'll add buttons? Great tutorial!

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  7. this is so smart! Love the way it turned out!
    xo,
    nancy

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  8. that is REALLY cute - i love it. and sewing the buttons on is adorable. i love this - it's the perfect amount of plaid and so very 'lumberjack chic'. i may wanna steal this for you - is it wrong that i would have just made this from the dress and forgotten about the dress part? haha.

    and i cant believe it's 50 degrees in the morning. i had to turn my heater in my car on. not totally prepared for it

    <3 katherine
    of corgis and cocktails

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  9. I love what you did with the button detail! plaid is my *favorite* :)

    #8o3
    Meghan
    alionheartblog.blogspot.com

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  10. Love the way EVERYTHING turned out! I guess you're keeping the scarf, or will that be offered on your Etsy site, too?? Nice way to keep a memento from your favorite dresses...An idea I saw at a darling shop near Kona, Hawaii, was to add layers of beaded fringe to scarves. Some of the scarf material was very rustic and to have the more glitzy beads on them made them really funky!! Like you! I think bear bells would be an easier way to keep the Kodiaks away!!!! Gotta love your brother! You are certainly putting your sewing machine to good use. Very impressed with the tutorial!! Hugs, Mom

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  11. I like that you kept the buttons in the back, and the plaid fabric is really pretty.

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  12. I love this idea! Scarves are one of my favorite things about fall and winter :)

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  13. This is such a great way to recycle old items! And I love the result- so adorable on you!

    Sincerely,
    Sabrina

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  14. I am loving these posts! I especially love this one, infinity scarves can be so expensive. The buttons on this are such a cute detail too!

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  15. AHH what a great idea!

    Rachel
    floralpintsandcommonsense.blogspot.com

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  16. such a fun idea...I can't wait for the weather to cool off around here.

    xo erica

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  17. It looks awesome! Very neat & professional
    xx

    http://pony-chops.blogspot.co.uk/

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  18. Can you come to Minnesoata and teach me how to sew please??

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  19. I love it. Both the revamped dress and the scarf look excellent, and very cozy indeed!

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  20. I am a big fan of plaid. I like to layer it under a structured black blazer for the office.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  21. Soo lovely! I have been meaning to take one of my boyfriends old sweaters to do this too (shh :)) but I love the way you've added the buttons and tailored it. It looks exceptionally cute with the outfit you're wearing. This post has really put me in the fall mood xx

    -Carly
    www.theislandsecret.com

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  22. This is brilliant; I can't believe I hadn't thought of this before. I'm probably going to be cutting up all my clothes to do this with now...

    <3 Melissa
    melissa.lynn.amaral@gmail.com

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  23. I love this idea! I just wish I was more crafty... Love your blog and I'm following you now <3

    xo

    Ashley

    Southern (California) Belle

    Enter to win my Benefit cosmetics giveaway!

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  24. Oh that's perfect! You are so creative with your sewing machine!

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  25. LOVE this diy! I am obsessed with circle scarves, so this is right up my alley :)

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  26. This is too perfect. I am obsessed with all things plaid right now and see these kinds of dresses all the time at the goodwill. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  27. what a clever idea! the scarf goes great with that outfit, too!

    xxx
    www.ladyalamode.com

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  28. I love that the dress found a home and you found a good use for the leftover fabric! I have a maxi dress I'm about to lop off at the knees (I know- for shame, but it's just not my style!) and I'm trying to decide what to do with the pretty bottom fabric. Love this series AND jealous of your scarf weather!!

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  29. great idea! love the way it turned out! :)
    Oh, My

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  30. I will never tire of plaid. I know some people are sick of it but something about it is just so natural and relaxed. (and it reminds me of camping and I like that).

    I also love how it looks with denim!

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  31. This is so cool!!! I'm planning on clearing out my wardrobe this week, so I might just hang on to a thing or two to make one of these :D Thanks for sharing!! Rhi xx

    The Wildest of Dreams

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  32. I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!! Not only did you make the dress super hip and wearable but you got an amazing scarf for free (well, not counting time of course). YOu did a fantastic job, the scarf looks amazing!
    And also I think it's great that you wear the items on your shop because I would not think the finished product could be a dress but it's a great length!
    http://dusanabotswana.com/

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