Noodle Columns

You see that wonderful BTSSB blouse and it would be just perfect for your outfit! However, you don't have the money for a $100 blouse. So sad! This is what I recently thought, but I am so strapped for cash, I couldn't buy one. I looked through G&LB Extra 1 and I saw a "Before and After" alteration page for blouses! So I got the idea to make my own! Let me show you!

What You Will Need:
*Blouse
*Lace
*Ribbon
*about 1 yard of white fabric
*Hook and Eye latch

1. Find a blouse on your favorite brand website. I chose this one:

2. Buy a blouse at your local Goodwill, GABs, or cheap shop!

3. Wear the shirt and get a good idea where you want to shorten it. DO NOT CUT IT YET! Since I am putting ruffles on this blouse, I have to see where the ruffles will start. Once you have an idea, cut some extra white fabric to make the ruffles, OR you can buy them pre-made at Wal-Mart or Joann's! Sew the ruffles into place. Make sure everything is how you want it! Then, cut the excess fabric from the shirt and hem.

4. Next is the collar! You can choose any width of lace you want! I chose this opaque lace. Pin it in place and sew.

Since the blouse I chose has a bow, I will make a bow too! Make one large rectangle for the main bow, two slightly smaller rectangles for the ends, and one small rectangle for the "knot". Once it's sewn together, sew one side of the bow to one side of the collar. Then, attach a hook-and-eye latch to the bow and collar.

So, it looks like this now!

5. Oh no! There's a marker stain on the collar! Don't worry, we can fix this easily!

I chose this small lace to cover up the mark on the collar. Don't you think it goes well!

You can chose anything you want! Add embroidery or cut shapes out of the lace to make cute designs!

6. Next is the cuffs!

I chose to add the same lace as I did for the collar. It is wise to do this so you have a uniform look running through your item! Take your chosen lace and sew.

For an added cute look, I made little bows from satin ribbon!

7. To keep uniformity in my blouse, I will add the lace from the collar (that hid the mark) along the button line and along the bottom ruffles.

8. The blouse might be a bit baggy, so we will fix that by adding some ribbon to the back! Instead of ruining the nicely hidden seams, i folded the ribbon and attached it to the outside of the blouse.

Tada! Your blouse is done! It may take some time, but you will save alot of money! Plus, you will have an original design that no one else has!