Playing Catch Up

     It's been a crazy few weeks!  Between dealing with a newborn, trying to keep the house from looking like it was hit by a tornado, and getting everyone off to school and set in a routine... we've been busy!

     Anyway, here's a look at what we've been up to around here.

     First, the kids had to start the school year.  The first day is always the most exciting!

    It was Kai's first year of school and he was over the moon about riding the bus.  We love our bus driver to pieces.  That man is great!  Always in a good mood and ready with a wave and a smile.  The boys adore him.

    Also, our chickens are laying eggs like you wouldn't believe.  I expected a few eggs here and there, but we're getting 5 a day!

Scarlett's chicken, "Ballerina".

     The chickens do have kind of a prankster side to them.  They love to escape from their chicken enclosure and walk up to the back door to tease our cat, Rango.  I swear sometimes that chickens really can and DO laugh.

    With all these eggs, we have to find creative ways to use them.  Omelets for dinner, hard-boiled eggs for snack and packed in lunches, and an egg-souffle' creation that actually turned out quite yummy!

    Between all the running around, there is still time for us to goof around.  This mustache is still something that we love to run around with.  Who would have thought you could get so much enjoyment from a little piece of felt?  I recommend felt mustaches and glue dots to everyone.  :)

     Luckily, I've been able to catch a few spare moments here and there to keep up my crafty addiction. First, I wanted to whip up a Dr. Seuss hat for Liam.  The first fitting didn't go so well.

    Liam kept moving and it slid down over his eyes.  Being the great mother I am, I had to snap a photo before quickly removing his unintended blindfold.  ;)

     When I finally finished, I was so proud and excited to finally get some of those adorable baby shots I've always admired online.  I had visions of sweet, sleeping Liam with an adorable Dr. Seuss hat.  Instead, I put it on and he hated, HATED this hat.

    Once he calmed down, he then wouldn't stop trying to eat the pom-pom.

   You wouldn't believe the amount of "outtake" photos that I have with this hat.  I tried everything.  Finally, I was able to snap a quick shot of him being peaceful and calm.  Success!

     We haven't touched the hat since.

     I have gotten some sewing done.  A few of my friends are having babies and I wanted to make them presents as a surprise.  Everyone loves non-bill related mail!

    So I made some hats for my friend having twins.

    And a blanket for my friend having a little girl.

     Then, I got all hopped up on a sewing high and whipped up swaddles and burp cloths to put into the Etsy shop.  I adore bright colors and beautiful patterns.

     So that's what we've been up to.  I'm back into a routine and should be posting with more regularity now.  Hope everyone else is doing well too!

"Grouchy Ladybug" Burp Cloths and Spice Rack Button Organizer.

   I believe I have a button problem.  Whenever I see buttons on sale, something "pings" in my brain and I'm instantly drawn in.  My button collection has gotten completely out of control and while looking for some worthy buttons today, I decided to get it semi-organized... rather than just relying on a Rubbermaid tub of button chaos.

     Thankfully, this was a project that the kids were THRILLED to help me tackle.  Playing with buttons?  Sold.

    I've had this spice rack for years.  It's just been sitting empty forever because I knew that it would be used sometime, but I just kept overlooking it.  Not today!  I cleaned it up really nice and the kids and I were able to bring a semblance of order to my button box.  Still not completely done, but we're well on our way.   Perfect use for an old spice rack.

Spinning Spice Rack turned "Button Organizer"

    Also, my husband was a huge help yesterday and took the kids for a few hours while I had a big of time to myself.  I was able to finish off another set of burp cloths for the baby and now just have a few more left to go.  (Honestly, can you ever have enough burp cloths?  I don't think so, so I'm stocking up bigtime!)

    "Grouchy Ladybug" burp cloths.

     Don't you love it when you get uninterrupted sewing time?  :)

     Last, but not least, we had a big surprise this morning when I was watering my impatiens and discovered...

     I love little surprises that pop out of the blue like that.  I accidentally scared Mama bird away before I realized there was something else in my hanging planter while I was watering.  However, she came back right after I left.  The kids are thrilled and I can't wait to figure out what kind of birds they are and to see the babies when they hatch.  We had this happen last year at our other house and got to watch the baby birds hatch, grow, and eventually move on.  So excited to get to do it again! 

Baby Blankets Galore!

     I've been working on a lot of baby stuff recently to get ready for the newest addition to our household.  Of course, after my last child, I had given all the baby stuff away thinking that we were done.  (Go figure.  Isn't that how it always goes?)  Been scrambling to catch up and wanted to start off with some baby blankets.

     The first one I made:

    This was in case the baby was a girl.  Used 100% cotton for the top part, and then a fuzzy material found in the "minky" aisle for the fluffy underside.  Also, my new labels came in!  Was so excited to have those arrive and couldn't wait to start attaching them to everything.  :)

    This was before I opted for an elective ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby.  That's when we found out that we were actually having a BOY!  Yay!  Another excuse to start whipping up different blankets.  I gave the fuzzy blanket to my daughter after she saw it folded and tucked away in my closet and started petting it like it was a fuzzy animal.  Looks pretty on her new toddler bed.  For once, she actually made her bed this morning.  (Knock me over with a feather!)

    Anyway, onward to the boy blankets:

     Both are lightweight blankets with 100% cotton top and soft flannel underside.  They were both super quick and easy projects and a great way to make the kids' naptime really productive.

    Finally, on my list of baby "done"s, is my first knitted project.  To those out there who knit on a regular basis, I salute you.  This was my first knitting project and seemed to take FOREVER.  Used two strands of yarn to knit with and it still took me four days to complete a single washcloth.  Still have two more to go.

     Currently working on knocking out a few more burp cloths.  Definitely in full-on "nesting" mode.

    Keep an eye on the blog, I've got a giveaway or two in the works.  Will be posting in the next week or so. 

Scarlett's "Fancy Pants"

I've been eyeballing the Lucia Bella Pantaloon pattern from Snazzie Drawers for what seems like forever.  I've had it on my Pinterest and finally decided to get out of my sewing rut.  (More on that later.)  Sat down today and got crackin'.

Scarlett's "Fancy Pants"-

And the back-

     I added the pockets because, well honestly, I think I just wanted to put more bows somewhere.  Starting to make stuff for her fall wardrobe.  No more shorts or skirts, falls a-comin'.

    So I view this as a success after my latest sewing rut.  It started off with a faux chenille blanket that I was making for the new baby of one of my husband's soldiers.  I worked forever on this thing.  Ordered a chenille cutter, ran out to get bias for the binding about half and hour before Joann's closed, you-name-it.  It seemed doomed from the start.  I didn't pay close enough attention and ended up sewing the rows 1/4" apart instead of 1/2", making it twice as difficult. 

    Anyway, so I finally get this thing finished, wash it, dry it... it's not fluffy enough, so I wash it again.  I'm used to washing my kids' stuff on "sanitize" and accidentally set it to that setting.  Well, go figure, if you wash red on super hot, it's going to bleed.  And bleed it did.  All of the white parts of the robots turned a muddy red... the yellow bias binding was ruined.  It was BAD.

    I tried washing in OxyClean, no luck.  Soaked it in Clorox 2 Colorsafe bleach, no luck.  Soaked in OxyClean overnight, nope.  Finally, I put in Rit color brightener (powder you can find in the laundry section), there was an improvement, but still nothing fabulous.  I brought out the big guns.  Rit color remover.  I figured that it didn't matter at this point and I was more curious than anything.  Put it in and... POOF!  It was ALMOST back to normal.  Now, it had been washed and abused so much that it just looked "used".  So I gave it to Kai, and he loves it.

After the final washing.

   After the faux chenille blanket debaucle, I decided to make a coat that I've been planning for awhile.  It was Simplicity Pattern 3654. 

I wanted to do the outside in a nice, light pink corduroy, lined with fusible fleece, and a a paper-doll print fabric for the visible inner liner.  I cut everything out and started to sew, only to have it look completely funky.  Then I realized that there was a large portion of the front section of the coat missing.  I tried drafting another piece for the front part of the coat, cut it out with new sleeve fronts and sewed it.  Still wasn't right.

     After I did that though, I found the missing portion of the original front piece (it was unlabeled and I figured it was mistakenly put in there from another pattern as I had bought it used).  I recut the front portion of the coat and the sleeves (I hate ripping out seams, and I had enough that I just figured I'd rather cut more) for the THIRD time, and sewed it together again.  It STILL wasn't lining up.  I couldn't figure it out, until I looked closely at the sleeve part and saw that it was missing a good 2" of the pattern off the top.  At this point, I had wasted 3 yards of fabric, hours of my time, and I was stressed to the max.

     I had to sew something, ANYTHING, that would work.  So that's what motivated me to tackle a project I've been thinking of for awhile...

the "fancy pants".  :)



Scarlett's Back-to-School Dress

I say "back to school", but really, it's going to be her first time going.  Makes me happy and sad all at the same time!

As you probably know, I'm a sucker for anything "vintage".  Vintage-inspired, actual vintage... you-name-it.  For this dress, I used Amy Butler Lotus Full Moon and paired it with Michael Miller Sweet Stuff.  The pattern was Simplicity pattern 2461- Dress option "B".  I added a band of contrast to the very edge of the sleeves by making the Amy Butler fabric into single-fold bias tape.  Buttons were added too, but other than those two things, I basically stuck to the pattern on this one.

Scarlett's new school dress:

She's getting so BIG! 

Chiffon Skirt Tutorial

Okay, so this skirt can be worn on its own or paired up with the corset dress for extra "oomph".  Either way, it's super cute and not too hard to do. 

I tried to minimize the seams and raw edges as much as possible since this was my first time working with this material and it was super shifty.

If this is your first time working with chiffon, think of it as a crazy criminal.  If it can get away... it will.  :)

Supplies
1 3/4 yd of nylon chiffon... I cut mine down to 56" x 56" (the bolt was 60" wide), so make sure that your bolt is wide enough, or you may need to make adjustments to the steps.
3/4" elastic
Long scrap of material for waistband.  At least 4" wide and long enough to go around your child with room to spare
Bow embellishment and hand-sewing needle (optional)
Measuring tape
Acrylic ruler
Rotary cutter
Matching thread for chiffon and waistband.
Safety pin

Step 1- Measure around your child's waist and write down the measurement.

Step 2- Cut your chiffon.  For a 2T skirt with a little bit of gather but not too crazy, I cut a 56" x 56" square.  It's going to look huge, but we're going to be folding and gathering later, so no worries.  Make sure you don't have any selvedges on there.  If so, just trim them off, taking care to keep it as straight as possible.

Measure and cut.  Trim off selvedge.

Step 3- With right sides together, pin two opposite edges and sew a seam 1/2" away from the edge.  Backstitch a few stitches at the start and finish of the seam.

Pin and sew seam 1/2" from edge

Step 4- Now you should have a chiffon "tube" with the seam on the outside. 

4a.) Grab the seam at the bottom and fold the tube up so it is now doubled on itself with the wrong sides together, right sides out.

4a- Lining up the seams, wrong sides together

4b.) Fold one more time, folding the tube in half along the seamline.  Be careful to make sure that all the layers are folding evenly.  This step may include a few mumbles and grumbles.  It took me about 3 tries to get everything folded evenly and without slippage.  Chiffon is a tricky little sucker.  Be patient.

4b- Folded up twice.  Raw edges on left, right side folded

Step 5- Pin like crazy.  Pin all around the front, and all around the back.  I wanted to minimize shifting, so once the front was pinned, I just flipped it back and pinned the back from the inside.  Once it is pinned and you are sure the layers haven't shifted too much, trim the top to make it even.  Just trim a little, if you're trimming off inches and inches, you're going to end up with a Britney Spear's length skirt.  Not cool.

Pinned and Trimmed

Once pinned, stitch around the top, slightly less than 1/2" from the raw edges, all around the tube.  Then, baste directly below the stitchline for gathering.  (No need to gather yet, but when you do, just pull the bottom thread on your basting stitch.)

Step 6-  Cut your waistband.  Make the strip 4" wide and a few inches wider than your child's waist measurement.  My daughter's waist measured 18" and I cut the strip 22" long.  Gives it a little wiggle room for slipping it on.

With right sides of your waistband together, sew down the short end (backstitch at beginning and end) 1/2" from the raw edge.  Press seam open.

Align short ends and sew 1/2" from edge.

Step 7- 
a.) Gather your chiffon skirt so the top will fit your waistband. 

Gathering

b) Pin like you mean it.  Pin right sides together.  Match up side seams.

c.)Then, sew from the chiffon side (easier to manipulate fabric), making sure that your stitching falls below your previous stitches so they'll be covered later.

Step 8- Fold unattached edge of waistband back 1/2" to the wrong side and press.  Push waistband back down and CAREFULLY trim off excess bulk from where you attached the waistband in Step 7c.  Remember, don't cut too much or too close to the seam.  You're just removing extra "fluff" from the waistband so it's not bulky or poofy later.  I wouldn't cut past the original stitch line you made in Step 5.

Step 9- Now, fold waistband over to the back, making sure that the lip you ironed in Step 8 is folded up underneath so no raw edges show.  Also, make sure that the waistband is far enough down to cover your previous stitchline.  Pin in place.

Looking at the photo above, my skirt is inside-out.  I pin it that way so that I can make sure the stitching is covered on the inside when it is flipped.  Just easier for me.
Step 10- Flip right-side out and topstitch all the way around (close to the edge) until you get about 1 1/2" from where you started stitching.  Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end, leaving a 1.5" gap to insert your elastic.  The gap should be on the inside part of your skirt. 

Step 11- Cut a piece of elastic that is the same size as your child's waist measurement.  (When cutting the elastic, do not stretch it.  Just lay it flat.)  Thread it all the way through the waistband through the gap you left. 

Then, overlap the elastic and stitch back and forth a few times to secure it. 

To finish, make sure that elastic is completely inside the waistband and stitch the opening closed.  Hand-sew on bow embellishment and enjoy!

 



Convertible Sleeve Corset Dress with Removable Chiffon Underskirt

WHEW!  This was a whopper of a project.  I got a little excited about this week's Project Run and Play on my sewing forum.  The subject was "Colorful Couture".  After looking up "couture" to be sure that my idea was actually what is was (hey, America's Next Top Model only teaches so much), I pulled out a piece of paper and started jotting down ideas.  I wanted this dress to be flippin' outrageous.

Here is the back (my favorite part):

And the front:

The sleeves are also convertible from pleated straps to half-pleated cap sleeves:



Hand-painted antiqued eyelets-

Another option with the dress is the removable chiffon inner skirt (tutorial very soon!):

The dress can be worn with or without the chiffon inner skirt.  The skirt can also be worn with a separate shirt on its own.

Without further ado, the tutorial for the main corset dress.

I like to put warnings on my tutorials, kind of a "head's up".  I am new to sewing (been sewing for about 3 months or so now), so I don't always have the sewing jargon down and a lot of my stuff is just eyeballing or guesstimating.  I wrote down my measurements and can tell you exactly how I made THIS dress, what I would change, etc.  I suggest reading through the entire tutorial before committing.  If you have a better way of doing it, by all means, go for it!  Like I said, I'm new and I make stuff up on the fly.

Supplies for dress WITHOUT chiffon underskirt  (yardage is applicable for size 2T dress.  Adjust accordingly for your sizing needs.)
1 yard main material  (they gave me an extra 2" on my "yard", so you may want to get 1 1/4 yd instead)
1/2 yard of material for trim
1/2 yard of material for lining
Large eyelets and Eyelet pliers
*Paint for eyelets if you want to customize them
*Clear, non-toxic matte finishing spray to seal  (I used Krylon Matte finish... love that stuff.)
Ribbon for corset back
No-fray so ribbon won't get ugly.  (I use a heat sealer.  Heat sealer, clear nail polish, or no-fray works fine.)
Matching thread for both main fabric and trim.
Disappearing ink marker for fabric
Buttons
Lace (about a foot)
Lightweight interfacing
Pattern paper or pattern fabric
Acrylic ruler
Rotary cutter


Step 1- Take your measurements.  You'll want to take a few.  Mine are in the parentheses.

Measurement A- Around the chest and back, right up under the armpits.  (20" I wrote mine at the bottom in the picture b/c I didn't want to scribble over my other measurements.)
 B- From armpit down torso to where you want the bodice to end  (6")
C- How far you want the arc to span across the chest (4.5")
D- How high you want the arc to rise  (0.5")

If you just want your bodice to be straight across with no arc, skip "C" and "D".

Draw out your bodice again so you can visualize your pattern.  I wanted to add a 1/2" seam allowance all the way around the edge, so I drew that in with a dotted line.  I would also add 1" or 1.5" to measurement A when you are making your pattern.  My dress fits without squeezing, but I really wish I'd made the bodice a bit looser so she could wear it longer.  As it is, I put it on her from the bottom, sliding it up.  It's snug, but she's going to outgrow it FAST.

Step 2-  Draw out your pattern.  Using your pattern paper, acrylic ruler, and a pen or pencil, draw out your pattern.  I opted to draw the bodice piece in half and cut it on the fold so I'd use up less paper and have less room for "oh poop" measuring mistakes.  KEEP your seam allowances in mind.  First, I drew a rectangle that was Measurement A (remember, you should add 0.5"- 0.75" [remember the extra 1- 1.5" I talked about in Step 1, you're cutting that in half b/c your pattern is half] extra inches for growing room so you'll get more enjoyment out of your dress) and added a 1/2" seam allowance to the end.  Then I put a mark where I wanted my arc to peak (Measurement D) and marked 1/2 of C from the fold.  I used a paint can to draw the arc.  Okay, I'm a visual person.  Here's what my pattern piece looked like.

I'm telling you, I hate math and was able to do it.  It looks scary, but it's easy.  I then cut the right edge of my pattern to allow for the corset room.  I cut about halfway up and 1/2" in.  You can see it in the next step.

Step 3-  Using your customized pattern piece, cut out one of your main fabric and one of your liner.  Remember to cut on the fold (fold on left in the next pic) so when you open it up, you've got an entire bodice piece.

Note the right edge where I cut a little bit out for the corset.  Didn't measure, just cut a small bit.

Step 4- Cut out a 1.5" x 3/5" piece of your trim material.  With right side down on ironing board, fold back both long sides and one short side (bottom) 1/4" and press.  This crease will help you position your lace.  Now, put your lace on top of the crease and sew, folding and mitering at the corners.  Sew down one long side, the bottom, and then up the other side.  No need to finish the last side, as that will be covered up with liner and ruffle soon. 

Step 5- Center lace trim piece on bodice, lining up raw edges and flipping creases under.  (You may have to press again, but be careful with your lace.  Don't burn it!!!)  Pin in place and sew as close to the edge as possible.

Now, measure 1/2" down (Remember, that's going to be seam allowance).  Measure remaining and divide it by how many buttons you have.  Or, just eyeball the button placement and go for it.  :)  Sew 'em on!

Step 6- Cut a strip that is 2" wide and 1.5 times measurement A.  Right sides together, press and sew both of the short ends. 

After pressing, sew down each of the short ends.

Now, flip it right side out.  Press again.

Run a gathering stitch 1/4" from the raw edge.  Gather and pin to the top of the bodice, be sure to spread the gathers evenly.

Baste 1/4" from raw edge.

Step 7- Lay lining piece on top of main piece, right sides together with ruffle sandwiched in the middle.  Pin and stitch 1/2" from raw edge.  Zigzag or overlock stitch the raw edges.  (I forgot to do that at this point and had to do it later.  Grr...)

Flip right side out and press... being careful with the buttons and lace. 

Step 8- Flip over and hold the short part of the lining piece right sides together.  Pin and sew ONLY the short side (1/2" seam), do not sew up the cut-out corset part.  Press open seam.  Repeat with short side of main fabric.

Step 9-  As I said, I'm new to sewing and maybe there's an easier way to do this, but I just cut out pieces of interfacing (This is only one, I cut four.  Two like this, two mirror images), and fused them to either side of the main fabric and the lining.  Follow the manufacturer's instructions for fusing.  I recommend making it a little bit (1/2" or so) wider for easier eyelet insertion.  This worked for me, but it was tight.

Step 10- Now is a good time to start painting and sealing your eyelets if you want them to have that "antique" look.  This was my first time working with eyelets, so I didn't realize they had two parts.  (I know, I know.  Duh, me.)  Be sure to paint BOTH sides.  I used antiquing paint that I found at Wal-Mart.  Waited for it to dry, then applied the sealer and waited for it to cure.  Apply the sealer in a well-ventilated area.  Outside is great, just watch where the wind is blowing.

Step 11- Using your trim material, cut a strip of bias 2" wide and long enough to go around the edge of your corset piece AND have room to fold the short edges in 1/2".  Fold and press the short edges in 1/2", then fold and press the bias tape in half, wrong sides together.  Open it back up, and fold the raw edges towards the middle fold.

     Now, you're ready to pin it to you bodice piece.  Pin the bias tape to the bodice piece and lining, making sure that the main bodice piece and lining's seams are matched.  Sew just a TAD less than 1/2" in from raw edge.

Flip the bias tape over, making sure to cover the line of stitching you just made.  Pin in place and stitch close to the edge... securing it at the start and finish by backtacking.

Step 12- Time for sleeves!  If you want to go easy and just do straps, that's perfectly awesome!  However, if you want to go all crazy and make convertible sleeves, get ready...

     I had two scraps of fabric that were 8" x 9.75".  Looking back, I wish I had used larger scraps so I could have turned the raw edges under instead of just overlock stitching them.  I would cut two pieces that are 8" x 11" at LEAST and work with that... you can always take material away.  :)

     I did these sleeves by just eyeballing.  Don't be afraid to give it a shot.  It's really not bad!  If you want to measure, that works too!

12a.) Working with right side of the fabric down, fold the long ends of your sleeve piece back 1/4".  Press.  Fold back another 1/4" and press so raw edges on the long side aren't visible.  Sew.  Repeat with other sleeve. 

12b.)  Flip over so right side is up.  (From here on out, it's easier to work on both sleeves at the same time.  Mirroring the side you're working on.)  Fold one long side back about 1/4" or so.  Press and sew smack dab on the folded edge.  Repeat with other sleeve, only mirrored.

12b

Sewing down the very edge (ignore the two seam lines to the left.  My machine messed up and I had to redo step 12a.

12c.)  With wrong side-down, fold material so it covers the edge line.  Press.  Repeat with other sleeve. 

12c

12d.) With right sides still up, Flip the edge of the fabric up and press it so the fold will be the same width as the other.  Stitch down the edge.  Repeat with other sleeve.

12d

12e.) Just like Step 12c.  Fold and press.  Repeat with other sleeve.

12e

12f.)  Repeat Step 12d. 

12f

Step 12g.) Repeat 12e.

12g

12h.)  Now you should have:

By hand, take the extra bit of fabric and semi-pleat it.  Just fold it back and forth a few times, matching the folds on both sides.  Pin in place.

Now, here's what I would have changed.  after sewing the bottoms of the sleeves, as such:

Sewed sleeve.  Pulled open.

If I had the extra length in mine that I recommended in the beginning, I would now roll the raw edges up 1/4" and then another and sew in place.  As it is, I had to overlock and make do.  Phlppptt!

Step 13- Pin sleeves in place (side that is pleated on inside, loose part to the outside).  Making sure the edges slightly pass 1/4" down onto the lining fabric.  Starting on right side of lacy button thing, lift up the lace and stitch (backtack one or two at the beginning and end, but don't sew over embellishment), 1/4" away from ruffle, all the way around the bodice and ending back at the lacy button thing.  When you hit the edges of the sleeves, backstitch over them, then forward stitch... continuing on your way.

Did not have sleeves pinned yet, was interrupted and forgot to take another picture.  :)  Your sleeves should be pinned on at this point.

Step 14- Cut a 10.5" x 37" piece of your main fabric for the bottom dress piece and a 2.5" x 37" piece of trim.  (Honestly, the 37" L was just because I wanted the pattern to line up.  I would take the length anywhere up to 2x Measurement "A" and not worry about it bunching all funky.) 

      Fold your trim piece in half, wrong sides together and press.  Then, place it right-side down and press the long edges 1/4" .  Pin to dress piece, right sides together.

Sew 1/4" from raw edge.

Step 15- Fold right sides together and pin side seam all the way down, including the trim.  Sew with a 1/2" seam allowance.  Then overlock stitch.

Step 16- Fold trim under, pin in place and stitch around.

Step 17- Baste around raw top edge of the dress piece, pull string to gather.  Spread gathers evenly and pin to bodice, right sides together.  Sew 1/2" from top edge and then overlock stitch the raw edges.

Step 18- (Run a few test runs on a scrap piece of fabric if you've never done eyelets before.)  If your eyelets are cured and dry, lay them on the bodice top and position them .  Use your fabric pen to mark the center of the eyelet.

Punch through the hole using your eyelet plier.

Insert deep end of eyelet and push through hole. 

Flip to inside and put shallow end of eyelet on.  Squeeze pliers.

Repeat for the rest of your eyelets.

Step 19- Thread your ribbon through and seal the ends so they don't fray. 

And you're done with that part!

The chiffon underskirt can be added to it for additional "oomph" if you want.... or it can be worn on its own.  Tutorial for the chiffon skirt can be found HERE.
Enjoy!