Label Me: Studded Collar Blouse DIY

 I bring you a special treat on the Muse this Monday! Remember my friend Jessica whom I've featured on the blog in both Inspiring Style: Lanvin for H&M and PhotoShooting: Jessica Estrada in 2010?

Well she recently started her own blog, Label Me, where you can see her jewelry design talents, modeling work and fashion how-tos. And now she's sharing this ingenious studded collar blouse DIY with you all. This look is everywhere (and I love it), so why not see how to do it yourself?

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Hi Muses! I'm so excited to share this DIY project and hope you enjoy making your studded collar blouse. What's awesome about this DIY is that it's relatively inexpensive. Thrift stores have tons of these blouses for under $10 and the studs can be found on Amazon and Ebay for a few bucks. Enjoy and make sure to check out Label Me for more fun DIY projects and vintage style tips.

♥ Step 1: Draw
Since this blouse was a few sizes too big on me, I decided to remove the sleeves. Begin by drawing a straight line on both shoulders.

I recommend using fabric chalk to avoid possible staining.

♥ Step 2: Cut
Proceed with cutting along the line and removing the sleeves.

Sometimes I save the sleeves as they can come in handy for future projects.

♥ Step 3: Sew
I chose to serge the sleeve and sew it under with a narrow seam. If this is too advanced, you can always keep the shoulder unfinished and allow it to fray. Since the original shoulder seam is still in tact, the sleeve will have just enough fray without ruining the fabric.

♥ Step 4: Trim & Pin  
(and some sewing)
Cut 2 pieces of elastic at 1.5- 2.5 inches each (depending on how narrow you want the shoulders).


Pin the elastic along the inside seam of each shoulder and gather the fabric as you pin. Once everything is pinned, you can proceed with sewing the elastic down.

♥ Step 5: Draw, Stud, Clamp
This is where the fun begins! Start off by penciling a light dot in the places where you want to place the stud.

Go ahead and place the stud in its position by pushing the prongs through the fabric along the collar. You can close each prong with small pliers and then continue doing the same with each stud.

And Voila! you have an awesome, one of a kind, studded collar blouse made by you!photo credit ~ Richard Cordero
 
Check out Jessica's Label Me blog for more DIYs and vintage reconstruction.

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And just because I have so much love for you muses, I'm sharing this deal with you: Enter code FABB30 at t+j designs and get 30% off your purchase (expires 10/31/12)!
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