I’m so excited to announce that I’ve made it to round #4 of the Jane By Design Style Challenge! Thanks to all of you sweet Tea Talk readers for helping me get this far! I’ve been having so much fun with these challenges, and I’m so excited to be continuing on in the interview process!
So for Challenge #4 we were asked to open up our Jane By Design trunks and pull out the holiday sweater inside. Upon first glance, this sweater looks truly like a “grandma sweater”, but we were asked use our creative eye and envision something spectacular being created from it! Then we were asked to put our vision into action and create something that could be the next hot holiday trend for 2012.
After staring at the sweater for a bit, I decided I wanted to use my current favorite winter trend and combine it with some holiday cheer. The result: the holiday tunnel scarf was born!
Turning this “grandma sweater” into a stylish, and cozy holiday tunnel scarf was quite a simple process. Part of our challenge is to give you a step-by-step description of how I made my new holiday trend creation! All you need is a pair of scissors, black thread (or whichever color matches your sweater), a needle, and a pretty ribbon!
Step 1: Lay the sweater flat and cut straight across, just below the armpit so you have a fairly straight line all the way through the top.
Step 2: Fold over and hem the top part of the sweater all the way around where you made your cut. This prevents fraying, and will give your scarf a nice roundness to it.
Step 3. Starting from the bottom, sew the button section of the sweater all the way to the top. This will prevent the sweater from opening where it would usually unbutton.
Step 4: Take your ribbon and tie it around the back section of your new tunnel scarf. This will keep your scarf pinched together so it stays rolled up nicely, and will add a little extra sweet detail. I chose red to add a pop of color to my tunnel scarf!
And you did it! Super simply, and very fashion forward! Now you can rock some holiday cheer while still looking very chic! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also drape the scarf around your shoulders for a more covered, cape look. It would work perfect if you had a sleeveless top that you wanted to layer up for the holidays!
Wait! I have one more granny chic trick up my sleeve! I’m kind of obsessed with coffee cozies (it seems like I always have a hot coffee in my hand during the winter months), so I though it would be fun to take some of the leftover fabric from my sweater and make a holiday coffee cozy for my warm drink!
The process for making this cute, coffee cozy is very simple as well. All you need is leftover fabric (I used the shoulder section from my sweater), and a needle and thread.
Step 1: Turn fabric inside out and sew the two open edges together.
Step 2: Turn your new cozy inside out.
Step 3: Go out and get a hot drink and enjoy your new holiday coffee cozy!
And there you have it! The two hottest holiday trends for 2012! I’m absolutely loving the holiday tunnel scarf and holiday coffee cozy, and plan on keeping them around until Scott finally convinces me it’s time to put away the Christmas decor. Rest assured though, you will definitely be seeing both of theses as soon as the holidays come around in 2012! I already can’t wait!
So now that you know what I think will be the hottest trends for holiday 2012, and have seen how to make them, head on over to the Jane By Design Facebook page and leave a comment letting me and the sweet people at ABC Family and Jane By Design see your holiday and other awesome DIYs! I’m always so amazed to see fun DIY’s, and can’t wait to see what you all have been creating lately! If you’re in need of some inspiration, check out this sweet video clip from Jane By Design! Don’t forget to say that Chelsea from Tea Talk sent you as well! It would TRULY mean so much to me! I’m loving being involved in this awesome challenge, and would absolutely love to be able to continue on in the interview process! Thank you again for all of your support! Crossing my fingers and toes for this one!
-Chelsea xo