My first DIY post featuring projects from my Cool Couture
Remake book had so many votes that I’m going to continue to
do all of them! I’m home for Christmas and I forgot my book
(eek!) so I had to use extra brain power to figure out the Balloon
Silhouette and included instructions for an ultra simple version
(#6) of this DIY.
The Instructions
- Find a sweatshirt. I found mine for $6 in the men’s section at Giant Tiger but you can easily find at a thrift store.
- Decide on your desired sleeve length. I made the mistake of cutting my sweatshirt before trying it on so I had to adjust my sleeves after I got a star wars cap sleeve effect (ugh). Cut, turn over and sew to finish.
- Use the sleeves to make the waist strap. I cut four strips that were folded over. Sew the end of the straps together and then sew length-wise to finish the strap. If you don’t have a sewing machine you can easily use a belt instead of making a strap.
- Use a stitch ripper or pointy scissors to cut holes in the side-seam to make room for the strap to go through. Use pins to mark how wide your strap is and therefore how big the holes in the side seams are. (see pic)
- Sew to finish side-seam holes. Alternative: Because the sweater I used is XXL the sleeves are large so the bottom was near my waist. In this case you don’t need to make holes.
- For a very simple version of this diy you can cut the sleeves, use a belt for a strap and instead of making holes in the side-seam for the strap, use an extra large sweatshirt so the sleeves dip low enough to put your belt through and tie at the waist.
- Finished!
Pictures
Final Thoughts
My balloon DIY turned out to be long enough to act as a dress so I plan to wear it with some boots and tights (which I don’t have on me thus the boring pic of the final result on the wall) so I’ll try to take a picture when I get back to show you how it looks on a person.
Thoughts? What would you have done differently? Do you like the sleeve-length I chose?
Re-Do
I chose to re-do this DIY in attempt to achieve a similar look to what’s in the instructional book and because of my poor planning with the sleeves in my first attempt. I like the sleeves on this version a lot better but I still don’t have the desired “balloon silhouette”. I’m assuming that has to do with the size/length of the sweatshirt so soon I will make attempt #3! (One of my personal fashion resolutions is to follow through more accurately with projects, see them through to the very end, analyze any mistakes and try again!)
Again I will try and take an outfit pic when I have my whole wardrobe with me (is it weird to miss your closet?)
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Hard to tell from the pic but it almost looks like a cute LBD. I like the sleeves a lot it adds to the dress feel, and it looks like it would be comfy and soft, too!
my computer had a virus and overloaded my hard drive, but she’s finally up and running again!
Also – hi, I’m back and commenting regularly again
Yaay! I’m glad you’re back! I’ve missed your presence! Yes bad pic – I’m at my parent’s house and there aren’t many good places to take photos. I’m glad you like the sleeves – this DIY has been haunting me today and I may try it again and add sleeves and make other minor changes.
It’s VERY comfy! If you have your dad or mom’s old sweatshirt this and the bow DIY are a perfect way to make it stylish and still retain a certain sentimental value.
Merry Christmas Rea! Glad you’re back!
This looks adorable. I’d make the sleeves longer, myself — probably just above my elbow. But, that’s ’cause I’m not as skinny as you and I like to cover my problem areas. Haha.
Would very much like to try this. Think I need to invest in a sewing machine and the time to learn how to sew!
@Rayanne It’s funny that you mention the different sleeve length because I just re-did this DIY to make them longer!
Yes! Get a sewing machine or you can go to http://www.theworkroom.ca/ who supply machines and sewing classes! It’s a great skill and again, you can easily do a quick and dirty version of this DIY by not finishing the edges =cool(?)flashdance result and use a real belt rather than make a strap.
Thanks for your comment!
I like the re-do. Also the 1st pic is kinda hard to see. You should post a picture of you wearing it
Happy New Year, I wish you all the best in 2010, I’m looking forward to reading more vintage secrets on this cute blog of yours.
Dejana
The re-do is cute, too! Thanks for the Workroom recco. Looks like it just might do the trick for me! Yay! A new project for the new year : )
@Dejana Yes I was on another computer and noticed my first DIY was completely black eek. I will take a pic as soon as I get back home. I’m at my parents in the Prairies and I’m stuck with jeans and tees – nothing that would really go with it since it’s essentially a dress on me.
Thank-you for the compliment! Happy New Year to you too!