5 Simple DIY Halloween Costumes for Men & Women

Once again we've scoured the net to find you some simple and fantastic DIY ideas. As Halloween approaches, the number one question is: “What are you going to be for Halloween?” If you’re still in the “I’m not sure” phase, you’re in luck. Here are 5 of the simplest DIY ideas that will wow your friends without breaking the bank.

1.       Fred and Wilma from C.R.A.F.T.

2.       Cupcake Barbie from Costume Works

3.       Bubble Wrap Jelly Fish from Martha Stuart

4.       Honey Bee Family Costume from Zinke

5.       Pop Art Makeup from Vlamboyant

How To Make a Beautiful Silk Scarf in 5 Steps!

Silk scarves transcend generation, season and trend.

1. Find a great silk fabric – we personally prefer light georgettes or crepes – and don’t be afraid to choose a bold, colorful print. Square scarves offer a few more styling options than do rectangular ones, so we suggest purchasing a 36”, 45”, or 60” square.
2. Steam the silk. If you only have an iron, use the lowest setting possible, and place a towel over the fabric for extra protection.
3. The mark of a high-quality scarf is a hand-rolled hem. This can be tricky, but we think it’s worth the extra effort. First, sew a quarter inch in from the raw edge all around the scarf. Now you’ll want trim as close to the stitch as you can; a centimeter is a good amount. If you place some kind of a paperweight on the soon-to-be scarf, so that you can pull your fabric taught, this will help during trimming and hand-sewing.
4. Backstitch the edge. Then, keeping the fabric taut, hold that edge between your thumb and forefinger. Roll toward you. You’ll want to roll so that the earlier stitching is hidden inside the roll. Now, slipstitch the hem.
5. Voila! Your silk scarf is finished and ready for wear.

How to Make a High-Waist Maxi Skirt

How to Make a High-Waist Maxi Skirt

Tools:

• Sewing Machine
• 2 metres of fabric
• Pins
• Fabric Scissors
• Zipper
• Invisible Zipper Foot
• Thread
  

  

 How To:

1. Cut out two rectangles. The length would be your desired length plus a little extra for flow.

2. Cut out a waist band that would fit around your waist plus a little excess. Make it about 4 to 5 inches wide.

3. Sew the two rectangle together (side seam)

4. Baste the top of the skirt and then pull on one thread to gather the top. Evenly distribute the gathers around a width that would fit your waist.

5. Attach the waist band to the gathered top, right sides facing each other.

6. Attach a zip to the skirt on the open ends.

7. Finish off the waistband

Fold the waist fabric over a couple of times. Press. Pin. Sew.

Finished? Show us what you’ve got! Post a link to your finished products photo below!

5 of the Easiest and Awesomest DIY Halloween Decorations

We’ve been trend spotting as we’re gearing up for Halloween and amongst all of the blogs, websites, news stories, and more, we’ve collected what we think are the coolest DIY Decorations for you guys to take a peek at! Have fun!

1.)    Black Lace Candles from Family Chic

2.)    Bloody Table Cloth from 365 Days of Halloween

3.)    Shrunken Head Cider from Martha Stewart

4.)    Fabric Pumpkins from Craftster

5.)    Milk Container Ghost Lanterns from Money Crashers

Easiest Silk Pillowcase EVER

AWESOME IDEA From DesignSponge.com For an Easy Silk Pillow Case

here’s what you’ll need:

scarf

double-sided fusible interfacing

backing fabric (around 1 1/4 yards for an 18” pillow)

pillow insert

sewing machine

iron

thread

1. if your scarf is thin, (i.e. silk) fuse it to a piece of fabric with double-sided fusible interfacing and an iron, to give it extra strength before sewing.

2. for the envelope style backing, cut out two squares of your backing fabric that are 1” longer than your pillow and wide enough so that they will overlap by 2 to 3 inches after you’ve sewn a 1” hem along one side.

3. overlap the two pieces and pin together so they create a square that is 1” larger than your pillow insert all the way around.

4. with right sides together, stitch the top scarf piece to the envelope pillow backing all the way around using a 1/2” seam allowance.

5. turn right side out, press and insert your pillow.

Original source:

http://www.designsponge.com/2008/11/diy-wednesdays-silk-scarf-pillow.html

How To Care For Your Silk Garments

Versatile, comfortable, and elegant, silk is a practical luxury with a place in any wardrobe. With today's "peace silk," made without harming silk worms, even those concerned about the environment can enjoy this fabric. Although relatively durable, silk is protein fiber similar to human hair and does require special care to stay looking good. By knowing the right way to clean, dry, press, and store silk, you can keep your silk garments in top condition for years.

Dry cleaning
Care instructions for most for silk items, especially for pure silk, recommend dry cleaning. For dupioni silk, lighter silks like chiffon, China silk, and crepe de Chine, and multi-color or hand-dyed prints, dry-cleaning usually is the best option. For other types of silk, though, while dry cleaning helps maintain the original texture of the fabric, it does carry some risks. Commonly used cleaning solutions aren't suited to silk and silks can be damaged if placed in the same vat with rougher fabrics. To make sure your silk gets proper treatment, always tell the dry cleaner that your garment is made from silk and make sure they know how to clean silk.

Handwashing
Silk fabric has been produced for over five thousand years, whereas the dry cleaning process has only been around since the 1840s. Clearly, dry cleaning isn't a must. Even dupioni silk, which is almost always labeled as dry clean only, can be hand washed if the seams have been serged and you don't mind the fabric losing some of its firmness or color. Although low-quality silk may become rough or dull after hand washing, better quality silk tends to looks better and last longer when hand washed. The natural coating on silk fibers reacts well to warm water, so hand washing also has the advantage of refreshing silk and giving it a better drape. Silk can be hand washed in cool or lukewarm water using a mild detergent such as Woolite, Ivory soap, or shampoo dissolved in the water. Because silk resists dirt and stains, only a small amount of soap should be used. Silk, like most natural fibers, doesn't tolerate abrupt changes in temperature very well, so stay with one water temperature throughout the wash. Avoid soaking silk as this may fade the dye. To both revive faded or yellowed colors and protect the fabric from alkali damage, rinse the silk in water with a few tablespoons of white vinegar added. While some people prefer a matte finish, this texture is usually a sign of alkali damage, which can eventually make the fabric brittle. The vinegar rinse will minimize this. After the wash and vinegar rinse, rinse the silk thoroughly in cool water.


Machine washing
In general, machine washing is the worst way to clean silk as the agitator and other garments can damage the fabric. Garments made with a combination of fabrics or those that are highly detailed should not be machine washed at all. However, if the instructions for your wash machine state that the machine is safe for silk, there should be no serious problem washing most silks in it. Before washing, make sure there's no soap or dirt on the inside of the machine that might stain the silk. Place the silk item in a mesh bag or a pillowcase loosely tied closed. Use a small amount of a very mild detergent and wash on a gentle cycle, such as a wool cycle, at a temperature of no more than 86°F (30°C). If you use a spin cycle, keep it as short as possible.

Treating stains
A capful of hydrogen peroxide and or a few drops of ammonia added to the wash will help keep white silk bright and rinsing silk in white vinegar diluted with water will help remove yellowing. While recent perspiration stains may be washed out or dabbed with a tablespoon of ammonia dissolved in half cup of water, older perspiration may be removed with a vinegar solution. Unfortunately, though, perspiration stains on silk, as on many garments, may not be completely removable as perspiration causes damage to the fibers. Remember, silk may be strong, but harsh chemicals can cause permanent damage, so avoid using bleach or any product that contains bleach, enzymes, or whiteners on silk.

DryingEven if you machine wash, never use a machine dryer to dry any silk as the friction and lack of humidity and can damage the fabric. Instead, roll the silk item up in a bath towel and gently press the water out. Never wring silk. When most of the water is out, finer silk should be hung up to dry, while coarser varieties, such as bourette, should be dried on a flat surface. Keep the garment away from heat sources or direct sunlight, both of which can turn silk yellow.

Pressing
Silk should be pressed while still damp, never when completely dry. If the item has dried, dampen it with water from a spritzer bottle before ironing. To avoid damage, turn the item inside out and iron on the reverse side of the fabric on a cotton-covered ironing board. Use a low setting and don't use steam, which can leave watermarks. Because many silk garments are hand sewn, take care not to apply pressure to the seams of the garment.

Storage
For long-term storage, keep silk in a cotton pillowcase or other material that can breathe. Avoid plastic, which traps moisture and can cause yellowing and mildew. Silk, like other natural fibers, is a favorite with moths, so store cedar chips or balls with your silk to keep the bugs away.

Silk may be considered a luxury, but caring for it properly doesn't cost much in terms of either money or time. Gentle washing, drying away from a heat source, and storage in material that provides air circulation is all silk really needs to stay looking good. Care for your silk garments well and they'll keep their original softness and sheen for years.

Fall Into Fall Fashion With 10% OFF!

http://www.printedsilkfabrics.com