I felt a bit ambitious when I was away and thought that I could get away with making something fun with this top sans a sewing machine. It was a Goodwill find and the lightest, gauze-iest, cotton I've ever felt - super perfect to wear in a hot climate. I planned out my DIYs in advance and brought some tools along with me that's going to make this piece fah-bulous!!
Any thoughts on where I took this??
I met up with my concrete pal over by the outdoor shower and gave this top a bath.
Then came the rubber banding :) See where this is going??
I brought along some of ILovetoCreate's dye (they're awesome powder dyes that come in plastic bottles) and then filled them up with water before I got to playing. I didn't have to worry about any dye leaking in my suitcase using these guys, which make them perfect for on-the-go crafting. Blue, orchid, and green shades made the cut!
With my dyes set and my top rubber banded...
...I started adding color!! I added five rubber bands to the piece and matched the color from the outside going in, making a green/orchid/blue/orchid/green color combination.
Ready to add the blue!!
When I finished adding all of the color, I tossed the piece into a freezer Ziploc (smart move Maris, using that Ziploc bag that brought over your carry-on toiletries in.) and let it marinate.
I got some work done and consumed some Indonesian beer while the dye soaked.
I got a little pool time in while I waited...
And, I even hit the local flea market for some textile browsing while my piece was chillin'.
I ended up letting it veg overnight just to make the color super rich. When it was ready to exit the Ziploc, I thoroughly washed it in warm water until all the excess dye had come out and the water was running clear.
I let the piece dry in the sun (it was literally hanging over the balcony ledge...when in Bali...) before making some final tweaks!
There was a flower on the front of it that just screamed nightgown, so I removed it.
With the flower gone...
...I created a little pinch and cinch in the center of the lace portion...
...and had my new piece ready to go.
Unfortunately I shot my after pics at home because I wore this as a bikini cover-up and was in/near the water the whole time (blerg on leaving my phone at the room while on the beach) but, the pics are just as fun.
This totally works as a top with a dark cami or bra underneath! You can't even see how sheer it is anymore!
Didn't the colors turn out awesome? I love this combo - I want to use this as my bedroom decorating inspiration!!
I found some flowers that I matched...
...as well as someone's vehicle.
Not my car, but when it's parked on the street it's just fair game for me and my photos.
I think the owner of that teal car needs my shirt! Teal car owner in the mid-city area of Los Angeles - if you see this and recognize your lovely car as the backdrop of my photo, hit me up and I'll get you some tie dyed gloriousness to match yo ride!
