It’s been a chicken broth and liquid diet kinda day.  It’s not that my throat is sore.  It’s that my entire body aches.  I’m freezing, but not running a fever.  I guess I just want my Momma to come take care of me, but then again all I want to do is sleep too.  Not too sure what to make of this crummy day yet.  Hopefully it’ll turn around and I’ll be a new person tomorrow!

Be a fashionista fan at your team’s next game. This strapless gameday dress is easy to make and can be given a variety of looks. It can even be a top worn with shorts, leggings. Add length by adding ruffle or fabric at the bottom. Pockets or straps can be added the list goes on. So let’s roll up our sleeves and get started.

Supplies

Oversized T-shirt sporting team insigne or graphic image

Erasable fabric marker or chalk

Yard stick

Fabric scissors

Thread (match T-shirt color)

Straight pins

1-Yard 1/2″ elastic

1-Yard 1/4″ elastic

1-Yard bias tape (regular width)

Large safety pin

Bust line measurement 

Lay T-shirt flat

Removing sleeves, collar, and trimming sides:

First, cut off sleeves on the inside seam line. Lay shirt flat on surface, use yardstick to draw horizontal line across shirt, just below collar. Cut along line from one end to the other to remove top portion of bodice. Next use yardstick and draw a straight, tapered line from top corners down to bottom corners, respectively, and cut. Next, turn inside-out and sew side seams with a 1/2″ seam allowance. 

Measuring empire wasteline:

Lay T-shirt flat with side seams in center. Starting from the top, measure 7 inches down at two separate points and mark horizontal line for the empire waste line–– this is where the elastic casing goes under the bust. Note, if you’re small busted you can shorten this measurement to 6 inches, and if you’re large chested increase to 8 inches.

Also, I like to taper the back panel down by approximately two inches and cut off this excess fabric. It looks less bulky in the back. This isn’t necessary, but will give a better fit. 

Time to sew

Creating top casing:

Fold and pin top of fabric edge at 5/8″ and sew along border, allowing room for 1/2″ elastic. Remember, keep an opening for elastic!

Creating empire casing with bias tape:

Using your earlier guidelines, sew the bias tape around the inside, tacking both the top and bottom bias seams and allowing room for the 1/4″ elastic. Note: I like to use casing at the waste because it is easier to evenly distribute the elastic and it is much softer against the skin. Also, remember to leave an opening in the casing to feed elastic through.

Adding elastic:

Finally, with safety pin on one end, thread the elastic through both top casing (1/2″), and the wasteline casing (1/4″). Sew elastic ends together, respectively. Turn right-side out, and your strapless gameday dress is ready for the cat walk! Don’t forget those diva sunglasses!

Supplies

T-Shirt in YOUR Size

Erasable fabric marker or chalk

Yard stick

Fabric scissors

Thread (match T-shirt color)

Straight pins

1-Yard of 1/2″ ribbon, your color choice, or, go up to 1″ width but use a softer satin ribbon

Large safety pin 

Lay T-shirt flat

Remove sleeves & collar.

Cut off sleeves and collar just past seams so you are left with the bodice of shirt.

Fold bodice in half length-wise and lay flat.

Draw pattern and cut

With your marker, draw pattern on the bodice (see picture). If T-shirt has a graphic image, keep in mind where you want it placed as you begin your alterations.

Neckline: enlarge neckline

From inside of shoulder seam, measure 1-1/2″ and mark A. From A, draw line to midpoint of folded neckline (curve slightly).

Armhole: reduce size

Measure 2″ up from bottom of armhole and mark B. From B, draw line up to A (curve slightly).

Side seam: taper

Again, from B, draw tapered line down to outside bottom hem line.

Cutting: keeping T-shirt folded, use your pattern lines as a guide and cut. 

Sewing Time

Turn inside-out and sew side seams with 1/2″ allowance (Tip: do quick reverse at beginning and end to keep stitch from coming unravelled).

Finish underarms by folding edge 1/4″ and stitching. (Tip: I usually sew with a small zigzag to give stretch).

Turn neck edge under 1/2″ (1/2″ to 1″ depending on your ribbon size) and sew the casing. Use safety pin on one end of ribbon, feed through casing, front and back. Draw-in slightly to gather neckline. Tie bow.

Turn right-side out to view your new drawstring tank.

Embellish with your own personal style! Eg.g., instead of ribbon, use: sequin trim, metallic cording, beaded strand – anything you can fasten or tie at the neck … make it yours!

Have I ever mentioned that I love Cabela’s, but I’d settle for Bass Pro just because it’s not a 6 hour drive from my college town.  So, on a recent trip to Bass Pro, I took it upon myself to start making out my list for dear ole’ Santa Clause.  I mean, he’s a busy man & all, so getting my list into him 5 months early would definitely be helpful and I may just get what’s on my list this year.  Fingers crossed!  Here goes nothing.

So, we’ve all figured out I’m quite the fisherwoman, right?  I’ve been known to out fish my dad and various friends, but this puppy would definitely help me into putting those silly boys and their fishing stories to shame.  I mean what girl doesn’t want to do that?

…HELLO friend.  Now THIS is the Christmas present I’ve always dreamed of.  Please, Santa?  It’s only 3 grand, which isn’t all that much when you think about it.  I mean you could purchase a running car of some type with the price of this slick fish finder.  I think I’ll save this for my Christmas list until I’m racking in the big bucks.

Red.  It’s a wonderful color.  It’s the color for heart survivors.  It’s the color for my OU Sooners.  It’s even one of my favorite colors.  I’m more a pink color lover, but red is in the same group, so it’s all good.  Dang, this Nitro boat is almost entirely too pretty to even take to the lake, but I still love it.

Would you look at all of those PRETTY buttons just dying for me to push?  They look push worthy and all of that lovely chrome…mmmmm….it’s just SO cute!

Just enough for 3.  Who could ever need any more room than that?  It’s not like I’m taking out the entire OU football team and I’m not the typical college girl who must have a beer in her hand at all times.  3 is enough for me.

My goodness, I love to fish.  If I could fish every day of my life for the rest of my life, I’d be one happy girl.  You could go as far as saying it’s in my blood.  So, it’s a given when you give me the opportunity to go fishing and go out on a boat & try to land Walter, just what do you think my answer is going to be?  Yes.  No, forget that.  How about ‘Hell Yes’!  I get all excited when something jumps on my line & even more excited once I get it in the boat.  So, last night our objective was to land a Saugeye.  The only Saugeye type fish I had ever landed was a Walleye and that was years ago in a small Kansas lake.  To my surprise, I caught my first Saugeye.  Now, I’m hooked.

Given this nice sized fish was 17 1/2 inches and not a keeper by any Okie standards, I’m still on the lookout to land that 20 incher that one can only dream about.  Cross your fingers, I’m sure I’ll get a keeper Saugeye one day.

P.S.  We’re going Crappie fishing this weekend &

I CAN’T WAIT!

It’s safe to say that I LOVE fishing.  Being out in the open water.  Chasing fish around the lake on a Lowrance fish finder.  Oh yes, this is me & this shall be my summer.  Laying out on a boat.  Out in the middle of nowhere.  Just me.  My rod & reel. ….and a string bikini.  Oh yes, this shall definitely be the summer of my dreams!  Just a simple Oklahoma experience.

Trolling for fishies.  Never knew I could be this talented, did you?  Fishing is complete second nature to me, mostly cause I’ve been going fishing with Daddy-O since I was a wee kidlet.

Headin’ home.  Actually, hanging out at the dock and waiting on the truck to be backed into the water.  Wasn’t too happy about going home, but there’s always a fishin’ trip tomorrow!