DIY Tutorial: Miu Miu Fall 2010 Runway Inspired Tank

Gracing 3 August covers and being featured in fall spreads, I was inspired by this Miu Miu dress.

I wanted to make it wearable and to me the the bodice of the dress was the most captivating part of the look, so I decided to make a Miu Miu inspired tank.

Ruby Mines DIY Miu Miu Inspired Flower Tank

Left: Lilly Allen, August Vogue UK Cover, Right: DIY Miu Miu Inspired Tank

You can see that there are slight differences, but considering that the original Miu Miu dress costs $2,300 - $4,900, I thought our DIY version using an old tank and ~$6 of supplies embodied a similar style at a very, very, very small fraction of the cost!

Now on to the tutorial!

Supplies:
Other supplies:

• 1 yard of matching basic cotton fabric ~ $3-$4
• Silver sequin: small and large (1 pack ea - 79 cents each)
• Black satin ribbon
• Aleen's Fabric Fusion Permanent Adhesive (find at most craft/fabric stores)
• Either black fabric for flowers or ready made flowers from another top, dress, etc.

1. Cut a strip of black ribbon and make a long bow. Hand sew to center of tank.

2. Cut 4 of the front panels, you will use a pair for each side.

Panel Measurements:

• 11 1/2 inches long
• 3 1/2 wide at flat end
• 4 1/8 wide at widest point (near curved bottom)

3. Pin each pair together, with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Pin perimeter for sewing, leaving flat end open.

4. Sew, then turn inside out.5. Using your fingers bring the seam to the edge. Pin entire perimeter. Press then remove pins.
6. The length of the front panel depends on your frame. Figuring out this measurement is easy : simply try on the tank and put panel on your shoulder. Position it just behind the shoulder seam on the tank (like the picture in step 7). The end of the strips should sit on both sides with the end about 3 inches below the center of the tank. Fold excess seam inside strip and press.

**Example, when I tried mine on the panel was ~ 1/2 inch too long, so I folded the 1/2 inch excess inside the panel.
7. Now Pin the tank just pas the tank's shoulder seam and top-stitch with a regular stitch.
Do for both front panels.

Flowers

• 2 Large Flowers
  • Petals: Oval 1 7/8" long x 1 3/4 inches wide with bottom cut off slightly (see pic below)
  • Center: Circle with 3/4" diameter
  • Base/Stay: Circle with 7/8" diameter
• 10 Small Flowers
  • Petals: Oval 1 7/8" long x 1 3/4 inches wide with bottom cut off slightly (see pic below)
  • Center: Circle with 3/4" diameter
  • Base/Stay: Circle with 7/8" diameter

For both large and small flowers you will need the following:

Cut 5 petals, 1 stay (bottom of flower), 1 flower center

The large and small flowers are made the same way so I will just show you how to make the large flower.

8. Sew on a #4 or gathering stitch across bottom of petals. Slightly overlap petals while sewing.
9. Separate front and back threads from the line you just sewed.
10. Gently pull the top thread and the petals will begin to gather. Gently distribute the gathering as you gather until you have a flower. Once done, clip ends of thread.
11. Using the fabric glue, apply a ring of glue on the stay (base) of flower. Gently place and position the gathered flower. Let glue dry for at least 5 minutes.

Then apply a little more glue in the center of the flower and gently place the center of the flower in place.
You will need 2 large flowers, and 10 small flowers. If you cut them all first and do each step for all of them it will go really fast. I promise! ;-)

Silver / Black Focal Flowers

For this part you can either make 2 large flowers out of black fabric or ready made flowers from another top, dress, etc. (I used 2 black flowers from another top).

12. Fold the large sequins in half. Don't completely fold them in half- only the bottom half is really folded- this makes them look like silver petals.

13. Hand sew the large sequins into the flower center. The sequins will have a small hole at the bottom perfect for a needle to pass through!

14. Glue flowers to the tank panels using the fabric glue and then reinforce with hand sewing, hand sewing the flower through the panel AND the tank. 15. Just like the last step Glue the large and small flowers to the tank panels using the fabric glue and then reinforce with hand sewing, hand sewing each flower's center through the panel AND the tank.

16. Apply a thin circle of fabric glue in the center of each flower and gentle add sequin. Tip: don't pour them like glitter, sprinkle!!

Then just let them dry!
How lovely!

Lovely flowers with delicate sparkling centers, runway inspired with contrasting black and lilac, but still very wearable and feminine!

Left: Lilly Allen, August Vogue UK Cover, Right: the DIY Miu Miu inspired tank YOU just made! ;)

Additional Inspiration /Other color options:

Make this in yellow or orange like Eva Mendes and Freja on the August covers of W and Vogue UK magazine or black as seen on the runway and on Drew Berrymore in her spread for the August issue of Elle magazine. Or, choose any color you like!

Care: As with all clothing with delicate petals (like J.crew flower & petal tops, etc) hand wash gently with care!

I hope that you all enjoyed this tutorial. I will have another one up shortly.

Also: Welcome to all my new subscribers, followers and google readers! I'm so happy to see that people are looking at my site. :-)

Thanks to Refinery 29, Budget Babe, and The Look for Less for featuring my last tutorial!

Have a lovely lovely day everyone!

White Sundress Quick Tips, Suggestions & Ideas!

The White Sundress; cousin of the little black dress, and know for its ability (if worn properly) to transform a girl into a classic summer bombshell.

So here’s a quick guide to Wearing White Sundresses. You might have your own tips. tricks, and hints, and if you do please leave a comment and I would love, love to hear them! :) Now on to the tips!

We all know that black is slimming, and white, well, can do the exact opposite, this brings me to my tip#1:

White Sundress Tip #1: Be Sure the dress you choose is fitted.The easiest way to do this is to follow my golden rule: Wear a sundress with a fitted waist and/or waistband.

Take these 2 beauties for example:

Eva Mendes in Dolce and Gabanna

Oscar de La Renta Spring Runway

These dresses are very different and create 2 completely different looks; one very structured and one very flowy. But they have one very important thing in common: they both have a well defined waist/ waistband.

A waistband helps maintain structure and fit by keeping the middle of your body (your waist) narrow and fitted. This can keep a white dress looking slim on you and prevents you from looking wide even when wearing the fullest of skirts.

Here are some great examples:

BCBGMAXAZRIA Pleated Stretch Cotton Dress, Nordstroms, $218

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Dress "Zeina" Eyelet Sleeveless Empire Dress, Bloomingdales

Heidi Alloy Dress, Alloy, $36.90

Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Pleat Detail Embroidered Cotton Dress,Nordstroms, $118

Calvin Klien Pleated Cotton Wrap Dress, Nordstroms

Now if your dress doesn't have a waist, or if you'd like a different look, throw on one of the white sundresses best friends: the brown belt. It can be narrow or wide, and the contrast of brown and white will help better define your figure. (A dusty pink belt would look great too!)

I love getting belts from Forever 21 - they do a pretty good job and their belts are so cheap that you can buy as many as you like and just have them around just in case!

All of these were in the $5.80- $7.80 range. And it looks like none of these belts are available online anymore. I'd check your local Forever 21- they did a great job this time- some of the belts in this medium brown shade could even pass as leather. You could also check out other belts online HERE.

Tip #2: Wear a length that elongates your figure. White sundresses that are either right above, or right below the knee are the most flattering on women.

Now that isn’t to say that you don’t look great in a mini (I'm sure you look fantastic!) but a few inches above the knee or just below the knee can not only lengthen your figure, but will create more of a feminine silhouette, giving off more of that classic bombshell vibe. Now if you disagree with this and swear by the white mini - that's ok, but I still think ever women needs a bombshell white sundress - you can hang it in your closet, right next to your mini. ;)Both our 2 previous examples (Oscar de La renta and Eva Mendes in Dolce and Gabbana) are also at or below the knee.

What shoes do you wear with a white sundress? You have many options here, but I will just give you 2 of my favorites;

Tip #3: Different shoes, Different themes: Grecian Metallic Flats or Classic Bombshell Neutrals

If you want to wear flats or flat sandals, wear metallics. Silver can look great, but bronze or gold can give your look a more Grecian look, particularly flat gladiator sandals. To give it a contemporary grecian look - try a summer side braid.

Victoria's Secret, Colin Stuart Chandelier Thong Sandal, Victoria's Secret, Sale: $49

AE Braided Sandal, in Light Gold and Pewter, American Eagle, $29.50

Multi Cross Gladiator Sandals, Wet Seal, Sale: $10

I was pleasantly surprised by the Victoria's Secret Chandelier Sandals, they are so delicate but at the same time rich and exotic. They look well made and like they could flatter anyone (I honestly can say the same for gladiator sandals ;)).

For a classic bombshell look, try brown, taupe, or natural colored wedges, like Eva Medes did in our previous photo.

Wrapped T-strap Sandal, Charlotte Russe, $32.50

AE Geometric Wedge - Leather - Saddle Tan , American Eagle, $29.50

Merona Maribel Peep Toe Wedge Shoes - Lavender, Target, $26.99

I really love these Merona Maribel Peep Toe Wedge Shoes from Target - They are more of a taupe than lavender and really lengthen your silhouette.

Tip #4: For the office, trade in your white sundress for a white sheath dress.

The silhouette is more professional but looks just as lovely. Choose one with a waist (Tip #1) or pair it with a brown belt if you like. Make sure the length is work appropriate (just above or below the knee = Tip #2), and pair it with some brown, taupe, or natural colored pumps (Tip #3).

Here are some suggestions, for work friendly white dresses, J.Crew is a great place to start.

Cotton Cady Alexa Dress in Light Pewter, J.Crew, Sale:$79.99

Superfine Cotton Emmaleigh Dress, J.Crew, $158

Now if you’re wearing your white sleeveless dress to the office you will probably need a jacket or a cardigan.

You have lots of colors to choose from here: camel /tan, coral, pistachio or mint, turquoise, white, and cream among others. My personal favorite is a natural color like camel or tan. I have this J.Crew featherweight cardigan in Weathered stone from last year that I wear with my white eyelet sheath with a thin brown belt.

You can find the J.Crew Featherweight Cotton Bling-Button Cardigan in 11 shades this Season HERE.

I particularly like color Sea Mist:

The v-neck is great as it doesn't hide too much of the neckline of your dress. The crystal buttons keep the look contemporary and fresh and this cardigan is so light it won't make you feel or look hot. Sizing Tip: For this Cardigan I seem to always wear a size smaller, as this particular cardi seems to run a little large.

Tip #5: Look Hot don’t feel hot! Remember, its summer, and its hot outside. Make sure your sundress is made of natural materials: cotton, linen blend, eyelet (which is cotton), poplin (cotton blend), etc. Avoid polyester, spandex, other synthetic materials, and some knits. They will make you very hot.

Well that's all for now. Have a lovely summer day :)