Diy: How to make your own off shoulder blouse.

Hi guys, i have this bubbling feeling in my stomach writing this post. I had my first online tutorial and it went better than i expected. Let me gist you☺. A friend of mine called me up earlier in the week that she wants to make an off shoulder blouse and she doesn't know how to go about it. i told her no problem and she sent me the picture below. Chatted her up on whatsapp and within an hour she made her own off shoulder ankara blouse, soooo i thought...why not share this privilege with my #Sylteam.

Here are the requirements:
Tape measurement
Scissors
Tailor's chalk
Elastic ( wide or thin but thin is preferable)
A cutting table
Ankara Fabric
A sewing machine or Needle and thread (for those who have perfected there stitching game http://tailoringwithsyl.blogspot.com.ng/2016/12/tack-and-stitches.html

Measurement required:
Burst size
Blouse length
sleeve length
Round shoulder Size
Round sleeve size

Cutting Steps:

• Measure your burst size and add 10 to 15 inches, to cover for the looseness of the blouse and seem allowance.
  
• Get your blouse length measurement ( Desired length)
• Measure your Fabric to the length of Step 1 as width and step 2 as length then cut out
• Fold fabric into 2 at the width then cut ( one for back and the other for the front)
•  Fold into 2 again at the width.
  
• At the separated side, measure and chalk out 2inches at the width and 7inches down i.e length.
• Trace down to have a triangular shape then cut out
  
• You are done with the blouse.

  

  you should have something like this when opened.

• For the sleeve measure your round sleeve length and add 8 to 12 inches or more depending on the fullness of the sleeve. This will serve as your width.
• Measure the desired sleeve length you want, this will serve as your length
• You are to cut two of this measurement for each sleeve
• Fold into 2, at the separated side, measure and chalk 3inches at the width and 7 inches down at the length, trace down to get a triangular shape and cut out.
  
• You done !! 

Sewing Procedure

• Sew the side seem of the front and the back blouse together
  
   
  
  
  
• Sew the side seem of sleeve
• Join the arm hole on the blouse together with that of the sleeve
  
• Measure elastic against your round shoulder to get the desire tightness that works for you
• Stitch the edge of the elastic you measured to get a round band
• Fold the neck/ shoulder area of your blouse with your elastic in it
• Do same for the sleeve of the blouse
• Whooola!!! you are good to go. I hope this tutorial has been really helpful. Drop questions, observations and request.
  
  

 

Same pattern works for the styles below

 

Photo credit: brandedgirl.com, papertalkng, missebby

Top Seven 2016 Trends That Will Rock 2017

Happy new year guys, I hope you all had a wonderful transition into the new year. 2016 was a slay for fashion lovers, trendy styles like the cold shoulder trend, the off shoulder trend which caught on to everyone like a fragrance smell.... by now we all have a blouse or gown with a cold or off shoulder. Definitely 2017 is going to be a slam ☺. As much as we really exhausted some styles in 2016,we just seem to can't get enough of them, here are some styles that is going to still rock 2017.
  

• The Cold Shoulder : I really don't think we've had enough of the cold shoulder trend, designers keeps getting really creative with it and its interesting. We are definitely not getting bored of it anytime soon.

• Fringes : Hummmmm....you want a chic look? just fringe it baby. That is all there is to say.

• Distressed Jean : Distressed jean has always been in the picture but in 2016 we all got extremely distressed with our distressed jean that some rips were really alarming. 2017 will bring a less rippy look with more subtlety and class.

 

• The jean on jean trend : Seriously there is still more to pull off with this look. Come to think of it #tokemakinwa gave of an hint earlier in the week on how interesting this trend can still get.

 

• The Bell Sleeve: There is something about this sleeve that just gives you this butterflyish feel. It so refreshing.Gushing❤.

• Palazzo Pants and Jumpsuits: Personally I don't think jumpsuits are going anywhere soon, there is always a new design or a new color you want to add to the collection. All in all we just haven't had enough yet.

 

• Turbans : Asides from the religious value,turbans is here for everyone. It is the go-to when you are having a bad hair day or you want a different look or you just want that Arabian princess look ❤. They come in different types now sequined, beaded,tulle,velvet...you just cant get enough.

 
 
Photo credit: Instagram and Pinterest.
 

Upgrading Your Wardrope in 2017 (Recession Conscious)

2016 will be known in Nigeria as the year which the word "Recession" was mostly used, everyone has to learn to live within his or her budget scale #bob (base on budget). For fashion lovers staying stylish and beautiful and not break your purse has been more brain tasking than it should be.You want to be the 'original' girl whose clothes are cool and looks are better. You need to get the make-up look, get the hair, and get the clothes right so you can be the unique girl that everyone admires. Here are steps to guide your style for the coming year.

Detox:
 Before any upgrade you need to cleanse first. To clear out clothes you should start with throwing out what is ripped and what is too small. Once you have done that you should now be able to clear out what you don't like. Then with shoes try all on and clear out what you need too following the rules above. With accessories throw out the broken and dispose of them, with make-up throw out the empty, the messy and the ones that don't compliment your skin tone. Once you have everything you are going to clear out decide what you can fix or give away to a friend or charity. 

Dress according to your life style :The perfect wardrobe should not only be tailored to your personal style, but also to your lifestyle! Track your life and outfits for two weeks, to find out what types of activities you need clothes for and in what quantities.

Pinterest

• Set out essentials according to your lifestyle. You don't want to be a Toke Makinwa when you work in an environment with strict work outfit rules, also that doesn't stop you from being stylish you can be creative and versatile with your official wears.
• The best way to mold and define your personal style is by researching and becoming aware of different aesthetics and styles.  
• Stop following fashion rules 
• Don't be a trend chaser. 

Experiment: Stop telling yourself you can't pull that off, get out of your comfort zone. Fashion is such a great way to express yourself, but all too often, we wear the same variation of something over and over. You're either scared to try something new or you just don't even really think about it.

• Next year, focus on picking out items you wouldn't normally wear that seem cool to you. 
• You can also try styling your favorite items in new ways.Try out new crazy trend or styles you can never imagine yourself on and who knows you might end up loving it. 
• Don't be afraid to shine.
• Stop playing match-matchy   

Learn to save while shopping: Shopping on a budget can be difficult – especially when you want everything. However, if you can't afford to splurge, it's important that you give yourself a budget. Be honest with yourself about your finances.

• So many styled outfit we all want to recreate or buy are not cost friendly. Replicate style looks affordably.
• Stop making spontaneous purchases. Just because the bag is lovely or the dress is too cute to ignore doesn't mean you have to buy it. 
• Try thrift shopping. 
• Buy from independent retail outlets that offers discount and all sort of sidings( bargaining options etc)
• Look at patterns online, if you have some sewing skill you can easily alter most clothes. If not, you could always take them to a seamstress or a tailor.

Add some classic pieces to your closet. Classic pieces are those that never go out of style and always look amazing. These pieces usually include jackets, handbags, shoes, and suits / dresses. You should invest a bit more into these pieces, as they can be reused for years to come.

Credit: Peter Rosa photo

• Buy your self one special piece instead of a bunch of so-so stuffs.

• A quality handbag will never go out of style. Pick a practical bag in a versatile color (blacks, nudes, browns) to carry on any occasion.
• Get a few pairs of shoes that will go with everything. A good pair of flats, sneakers and heels (or dress shoes for men).
• Invest in a little black dress (LBD). The LBD is a classic that should be in your closet. Find a little black dress that you love, and you'll be able to style it tons of different ways by switching up jewelry and shoes.
• For men, investing in a nice, quality suit will pay off in the long run. You'll always have a well-fitting suit, and it will never go out of style.

Up your underwear game: Let us not be all about the outer appearance alone,the right underwear will make you seem leaner, feel comfortable, sexy, confident and make your clothes look better.

Source: Pinterest

Accessorize: I can't begin to stress how awesome accessories are. Just adding one or two things can totally transform your outfit and upgrade your style.Try pairing your articles of clothing up with different ones from usual. Bring out your shoes and jewelry. Make a belch outfit pop with an awesome necklace. Or, on the make-up side, wear a different color of lip gloss, eye-shadow, lipstick, or blush with an outfit that doesn't have a lot of spark.

Opera.com

I hope you all enjoyed this session, stay stylish always. Money should not be an excuse to not look good. Slay on #slaygang.

Tailoring with syl: Tack and Stitches

Tailoring with syl: Tack and Stitches: Hi everybody, I hope you are all ready for our first interaction. As you read, do not forget to drop comments, suggestions and questions....

Tack and Stitches

Hi everybody,
I hope you are all ready for our first interaction. As you read, do not forget to drop comments, suggestions and questions. This post will be discussing simple sewing skills we all need to get familiar with, know and of course practice. As a female or a woman who runs or intends to run a home...career woman or not...we should all have knowledge about some basic skills like how to cook....if not a chef-like cook (lol) ...you know... make a pleasant looking noodles also you should know how to use a needle and thread purposefully (if not a sewing machine, which we will discuss sometime later).
 In sewing, we have what we call temporary and permanent stitches. Temporary stitches are used to temporarily hold a seam or trim in place until it can be permanently sewn, usually with a long running stitch made by hand or machine called a tacking stitch or basting stitch. 
Permanent stitches are use to hold a seam or fabric together permanently. They are sturdy, strong and can hold for a long time. 
 
Major Type of Stitches 

Source: Pinterest

Back stitch - a sturdy hand stitch for seams and decoration. It is the strongest hand stitches, it imitates the sewing machine stitches. Back stitches can be use for major hand sewing, to sew a complete dress, blouse or gown.

Basting stitch (or tacking) - for reinforcement or for temporarily holding fabric in place. It is a big running stitch.

Blanket stitch - used to finish an unhemmed blanket.

Hemming stitch (catch stitch)- a type of slip stitch used for inconspicuous hems. you can find them at the end of your pant trousers, gowns and skirts. 

Darning stitch- for repairing holes or worn areas in fabric or knitting

Pad stitch - secures two or more layers of fabric together and provide firmness 
Running stitch- a hand stitch for seams and gathering. Running stitches are temporary stitches, easy but not very strong.

Source: Wikipedia

Button hole stitch - for reinforcing buttonholes and preventing cut fabric from rave line. It similar to blanket stitch but knotted at the end of each tack.

Embroidery stitch - one or more stitches forming a figure of recognizable look. Majorly use for designing.

Top stitch - used on garment edges such as necklines and hems, helps facings stay in place and gives a crisp edge.

Button Shanks- to tack buttons to shirts, blouses or trousers

Snap and Notions- popularly known as press buttons.

 How to pass thread into a needle 

Double thread

 Double thread:
Step 1: Fold thread into two.
Step 2: Pass folded thread into your needle eye.
Step 3: Extend to desired length and Knot/lock ends
Note: Best use for Button shanks,Back stitches,Running Stitches,Blanket Stitches and Button hole stitch

Single thread

Single thread:
Step 1: Hold tip of  thread
Step 2&3: Same as Double passing.
Note: Best use for Hemming Stitch,Basting Stitch,Running stitch,Embroidery stitches.

Hi,
Am syl, an upcoming designer, pattern creator and a fashion lover. Tailoring with syl is a blog created to connect all fashion lovers who desires to "self make cloth". The blog will be talking about basic tailoring skills that every individual should know and get familar with and also fashion in general. The blog is for every fashion lover who are interested in design creation,diy creations,cutting,stitching and sewing self made cloth with guidelines from the blog..........all in all...Tailoring with syl is a NEED for every one. New topics will be discussed every week, sketch patterns and designs to aid your understanding. Ideas from followers is welcome.Thanks for being involve.