Tutorial: Galaxy Print

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I’ve noticed that if I can’t do something in my studio (if it makes a huge mess), I rarely muster up the motivation to start it. This was one of those rare occasions. I made this galaxy print from scratch. It was fun and painterly, I think I may actually do it again sometime.

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This fabric was originally a painful juvenile raspberry color. I could have made it work, but it wasn’t me. I had a few items piling up that weren’t quite the right color so I had a dyeing party in my wash room. I didn’t care what colors came out as long as they weren’t the same colors that went in. I threw this knit and a couple of others into the wash with a high concentrate of teal dye and let it do its thing. It was awesome to see how different each piece came out!

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The purple that came out of the dryer was just begging to become a galaxy print. I read a few things on spot dyeing, but just went for it. I ended up having to do it all over again, but I figured it out in the end. It wasn’t terribly time consuming once I figured it out. Full explanation after the jump.

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Sewing up the peplum didn’t take much time at all. I basically used the block I made from my high-low circle dress, but drafted up a new circle piece on the bottom.

I didn’t want the peplum to be too flouncy, so it’s not a full circle. Long explanation short, I used a slash and overlap method I learned from Carrie in a pattern making class I took at Sewing Summit last year. I can provide a full step-by-step tutorial if y’all are interested. Just pipe up in the comments.

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Constructing this top took about an hour and a half. I feel like I’m getting much faster when I use patterns that fit me already. It definitely helps make sewing “cost” less.

Outfit details:

  • necklace: Forever 21
  • top: handmade, hand dyed
  • belt: thrifted
  • pants: Pac Sun
  • shoes: Target

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I’m so happy with how this peplum fits! I think they’re such a flattering silhouette for any body type. At some point Chris and I will add another baby to our family. It’s nice to know I’ll have a few pieces in my wardrobe that will work for the first and fourth trimesters.

Speaking of the awesome pooch-hiding superpowers of peplum tops, I’m over at Über Chic for Cheap sharing the things I’ve learned about dressing a postpartum bod. It’s got some funny illustrations so you’ll want to head over.

Get the instructions how to make your own galaxy print after the jump.

Galaxy Print Tutorial

istillloveyou-galaxy-print-before-dye

Supplies

  • fabric
  • 3 dyes in the same color family (blues, reds and violets)
  • dye fixative
  • bleach
  • boiling water
  • salt
  • paint brush
  • tarp or shower curtain
  • bowls and cups for weights
  • disposable gloves

The fabric I used wasn’t in the same dye family to start out. I’m sure I could’ve worked with it just fine, but I dyed it this nice purple before starting.

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Spread out your fabric and weigh down with bowls or weights. Mix up 1/4 cup of boiling water and 2-3 tablespoons bleach.

To keep the bleach from reacting and deteriorating fabric more, throw it in the wash, or mist with vinegar. Test out a swatch and see what the vinegar does. Sometimes it changes the color for good (or for bad) I found out that little tip from Sabra.

When the bleaching is done, you want to add the color. In little dishes, add a generous teaspoon of salt, 1/4 cup water, a tablespoon of dye fixative and your pigment. The more pigment, the more saturated those dots are going to be. I varied the saturation on the dots and it created more depth. I also varied how big the splotches were. Let it sit in the sun (or in the case of my second attempt, in the bathroom).

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Now you need to heat set it. Ironing it helps. Do that. Microwaving it made the biggest difference. Put all your fabric in a microwave safe bowl and microwave it for about 5 minutes. Pull it out every couple of minutes to turn it over.

Launder on cold and dry at the highest setting allowed for the fabric. Cut your pattern pieces and sew!

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    1. Katie says:

      I’d like a tutorial!

    2. Haylee says:

      Me! ha definitely count me in for a tutorial, this shirt is absolutely a-dorable.

    3. phil says:

      looks like a cool fabric , stellar print too ;-)

    4. kristin says:

      This shirt is awesome! Looks great on you. And your postpartum tips were hilarious and true! :)

    5. Lindsay says:

      That is a gorgeous color! I love peplum tops, and they look great on you, too.

    6. Melissa says:

      Love! You should seriously consider a pattern drafting workshop in addition to your calligraphy workshops. I would be there in a heartbeat!

    7. Heather says:

      Yes on the peplum tutorial. It’s so cute!

    8. Natalie says:

      I would love a tutorial! I haven’t had any luck finding a peplum to fit just how I want.

    9. Aurelie says:

      Tutorial for me too! Thanks:)

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