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. 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! 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. 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. 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

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

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. 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). 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!