A BRONZE AFFAIR- TUTORIAL {ALT SUMMIT LOOK 2}

Kimono: made by me (fabric found here c/o Michael Levine, tutorial below), Top: Urban Philosophy c/o, Pants: Tractr c/o, Shoes: Lulu's c/o, Bag: Lilly Jade c/o (obsessed with this bag. It includes an insert to become a diaper bag!), Cuff: Urban Philosophy c/o, Necklace: Nashelle, Sunglasses: Chicnova c/o, Lipstick: NYX 'Shocking Pink'

When looking for fabric I often ask myself, 'is it gold?' 'does it have sequins?'. If the answer to both of these questions is yes, than it usually ends up coming home with me. Alt was the perfect place to put this fabric to good use. At the risk of it being too much sequins for a day look, I made it into an easy to wear kimono and paired it with a graphic tee to loosen it up a bit.

The tutorial for this kimono is very similar to the tutorial for my silk kimono, however I had to make a few adjustments to the measurements since it is a completely different kind of fabric and the sequins don't drape like silk fabric does.

Click through below for the full tutorial...

Materials:

1 yard of sequin fabric (I used this fabric from Michael Levine). One size will fit most.
Matching thread

*Tip: Use normal (non fabric) scissors to cut, sew with wrong side facing up, and keep a few extra needles on hand just in case. These sequins are so tiny and very well secured, I hardly hardly had any problem when sewing with them.

1: Lay out your fabric and cut 5 rectangles with a similar layout as I have pictured above. This will ensure that you fit all of the pieces into one yard.

2 sleeve pieces 10" x 19"
2 front panel pieces 9" x 29.5"
1 back piece 24" x 29.5" On your back piece, mark in 9" on either side and cut a slight curvy between your markings for your neckline (pictured above)

2: Take your 2 sleeve pieces (they measure 10" x 19") and fold them in half width-wise with rt sides facing each other. Pin raw edges together and sew 1/4" from the edge. Finish the edges on a serger if desired. (A serger will only give a professional look to this garment, this fabric will not fray if left unfinished)

3. Take your large back piece and 2 front panels and lay your front panels on top of the back piece rt sides together on either side. Match up edges as pictured above, and stitch 1/4" from the edge along the top on both sides and from the bottom up on both sides, stopping 9" before you reach the top (see photo). This will be the whole for the sleeve.

4. Lay your front and back pieces that are now sewn together flat just like they are pictured in step 3. Turn your sleeves rt side out and insert each sleeve into the sleeve opening with the ends matching up. Pin and stitch all around the sleeve opening to attach the sleeve with a 1/4" seam allowance. Serge any unfinished edges if desired, and finish all raw edges by folding under 1/4" and straight stitching.

Labels: casual, dressy, lookbook, modern girl sewing, sewing, tutorial