Make Ballet Skirts

Make Ballet Skirts

Well-made ballet skirts can make any girl or dancer feel graceful and attractive. Juliet ballet skirts are flowing garments that give a graceful feel and can look good on virtually anyone. A handful of easy steps can enable you to make as many ballet skirts as you want.

Instructions

1. Unroll the tulle and lay it flat on your floor. Fold the fabric into thirds width-wise so that you have one long piece. The bottom third should be folded up first.

2. Pin the layers together across the top with the quilters pins. The top portion will comprise the waistband seam.

3. Sew a 1-inch seam along the top edge of your folded fabric. Do this with your sewing machine.

4. Bring the ends of the long tube together. Arrange the skirt so that the inner layer of tulle is on the inside, creating a skirt liner.

5. Use your sewing machine to sew the short sides together. Be sure you are sewing all layers together so that no layers slip away from the seam. Stop short of sewing shut the waistband.

6. Cut off the edges that are in excess. At this point, your skirt should be inside-out.

7. Attach the large safety pin to one end of your elastic band. Thread the safety pin through the opening in the waistband of the skirt. Bring it all the way through the to the other opening.

8. Sew the elastic ends together after cutting off any excess.

9. Spread out the tulle evenly on the elastic band. The tulle should be distributed evenly all the way around.

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Tiny Orange Wild Flowers

Butterfly weed has tiny flowers growing close together on an umbel.

Throughout the spring and summer, meadows and ditches alike are alive with blossoms. Big, showy flowers like daisies and black-eyed Susans are common, but the smaller flowers often go unnoticed. There are several wild plants with orange flowers measuring less than 1/2 inch including bristly mallow, scarlet pimpernel and hoary puccoon. Butterfly weed also sports tiny flowers held on large, joined clusters called umbels.

Bristly Mallow

Bristly mallow (Modiola caroliniana) is a common lawn weed throughout the Southern United States. They are creeping perennials that flower from February to June. Its ½-nch wide, orange flower is vaguely cup-shaped with five petals. A mature plant reaches 20 inches in height and has a bristly stem.

Scarlet Pimpernel

The scarlet pimpernel (Abagakkus arvebsus) is a member of the primrose family. Its ¼-inch, star-shaped, orange flower is fringed and has five petals. The flowers arise on square stalks from July through August. It ranges throughout the United States and is toxic to both humans and livestock. Scarlet pimpernel is often confused with common chickweed, but the square stems and orange flowers are hallmarks of the pimpernel.

Hoary Puccoon

Hoary puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) was a favorite among Native American tribes. The name puccoon was given by them for the plant's ability to yield colored dye. The ½-inch wide, five-petaled flowers arise from hoary puccoon in March through June. The plant grows throughout the Southeast and Central United States. It is a member of the Forget-Me-Not family.

Butterfly Weed

Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is unusual among orange-flowered wildflowers in that its small flowers arise in groups upon umbrella-shaped bracts called umbels. Butterfly weed flowers throughout the summer and grows throughout the United States, where it reaches heights of 1 to 3 feet. Despite being a member of the milkweed family, butterfly weed does not produce milky secretions or sap. This common flower garden plant is available for sale in many garden centers and through catalogs.

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Cover Your Head With A Large Square Scarf

A cute scarf can complete your outfit.

Call it a Jackie O imitation, a tie-back or do-rag, a square scarf not only secures hair into place, it can help define a sense of style for any outfit. The beauty of a square scarf is in its versatility. While putting a scarf on your head can simply mean putting it over your head and tying it back at the base of the neck, incorporating a couple of different methods can increase the wearability of even the plainest of scarves.

Instructions

Basic Wrap

1. Fold a large, square scarf in half to form a triangle.

2. Place the folded crease against the top of your head where the hairline begins. The narrow point of the triangle should trail down against the back of your head.

3. Grasp the left and right ends of the triangle and tie them in a double knot underneath the hair at the base of the head. Look in the mirror and adjust the scarf according to taste.

Decorative Turban

4. Arrange a large, square scarf on your head so the scarf sits directly in the center of your head. Wrap the scarf around your head, bringing all four sides together at ear level.

5. Wind the ends together in a clockwise motion to form a tight, thin rope.

6. Starting at the base, twist the rope clockwise to form a small rosette. Continue winding the rope around itself until only about 2 inches of the ends remain.

7. Tuck the ends underneath the rosette to secure the turban in place.

Head Cover-Up

8. Fold a large, square scarf in half to form a triangle. Place the folded crease against your hairline, allowing the narrow end to fall behind your hair.

9. Cross the right and left remaining ends over each other in front of your chin.

10. Wrap the ends around your neck. Tie a double knot to secure the scarf in place.

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1970s Hairstyles With Curls

1970s Hairstyles With Curls

Farrah Fawcett may be the most famous 1970s curly hair icon, but there were many other ladies making waves with their tresses in the disco decade. The hair dryer was invented in the 1970s, revolutionizing curly hair styles. Its introduction eliminated the need to sleep with curlers, since a woman could quickly dry and curl her hair in the morning. Curly hair styles were in vogue for both short and long hair.

Feathered Curls

Farrah Fawcett made loose, feathered curls iconic with her blond, Charlie's Angels moxie. The feathered look was easy to re-create at home with a hair dryer and a circular brush. Drying hair up and out around the brush creates the curls and feathering, and some peroxide creates the blond, if you're not lucky enough to be one already.

The Shag

The shag has withstood the test of time, and has appeared on the heads of many famous pop stars and actors in the decades since the 1970s, such as Jennifer Aniston, John Stamos and Eleanor Friedburger. The shag is characterized by its many layered waves and, while it can be adapted for straight hair, it works best with curls. The shag is a free, low-maintenance style that maintains its shape as hair grows.

The Pageboy

The pageboy was a style most popular with teenagers with a short haircut. Using a curling iron, they would curl the bottoms of their hair inwards, from the nape of the neck all the way around. This included the bangs. The resulting look was a smooth and somewhat helmet-like do, such as that sported by California Haley Mills in "The Parent Trap."

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Straighten Wet & Wavy Hair

When coming out of the shower, you may notice that your wet hair has larger curls or waves. While you have the option of having a hairstyle with natural waves, straightening your hair can give your hair a more finished appearance. The waves in your hair will remain if you use a towel or electronic dryer to dry your hair. By using the correct hair products, appliances and techniques, you can straighten wet and wavy hair for any occasion.

Instructions

1. Pump a nickel sized amount of hair straightening balm into the palm of your hand.

2. Rub both of your hands together to coat both hands with the hair straightening balm.

3. Work the product throughout your hair from root to tip. Make sure to cover your hair completely with the product. Add more product if you feel it is necessary but you should not be able to visibly see the balm. Adding too much product will make your hair stiff.

4. Brush your hair from root to tip with the paddle brush. Brush the hair where it naturally parts. Doing this will continue to work the product through all of your hair.

5. Turn your hair dryer on to high heat.

6. Turn your flat iron on to medium to high heat. The heat will depend on the texture of your hair.

7. Use the paddle brush to pull your hair straight and direct the hair dryer nozzle behind the brush. Drying your hair will smooth out your wet and wavy hair.

8. Smooth the flat iron over your ends to complete the style.

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Elegant Long Wedding Hairstyles

Curls are a dramatic wedding style for long hair.

Wedding hairstyles should complement the dresses and make a statement at the same time. If the hairstyle is for the bridesmaids, it should be understated so that it doesn't detract from the bride's hairstyle. Women with long hair have several options for wedding hairstyles, which can include a ponytail elegantly cascading down the back, curled hair and loosely styled layers. Keep your hair accessories simple. For example, pearls will highlight any color dress.

Ponytails

Pull long hair into a ponytail that cascades down the back. For extra embellishment, use a curling iron or hot rollers to create curls after the hair is up. Use bobby pins to flatten the top of the hair. Bobby pins can match your hair to blend in or have special adornments that match the dress, such as rhinestones. Use barrettes instead of hair ties to give hair a fuller, more polished look.

Ponytails can either cascade straight down your back or sweep to the side. For side hairstyles, use pins near the nape of the neck to hold the ponytail in place.

Ponytails work well with princess ballgowns, and you can use a tiara to complete the princess look.

Loose Hair

Pull your hair off the face with barrettes or pin curls, leaving only curls that accentuate the face. Curl the rest of the hair with a curling iron or hot rollers so that it cascades down your back.

Use a saltwater style spray for outside or beach weddings. This will make your hair seem more voluminous and will thicken thin hair. Layer hair to create the appearance that hair is fuller. Use tiaras made with flowers or simple designs to give loose hair a more elegant look.

Loose Bun

Pull hair into a loose, low bun at the back of the neck. This style works well with strapless dresses. Allow a few curls to accentuate the face. Use this style for thin hair, which will give the appearance that hair is fuller. To adorn the simple style, add a tiara, flowers, decorative headbands or clips with precious or semi-precious jewels that coordinate with the dress.

Soft Waves

Hair with volume will go well with sleeveless dresses. Create soft waves with volume for a princess look. Blow dry hair to create volume and add shine, and then use a barrel curling iron to create soft waves. Allow curls to cascade around shoulders. Use hairspray to hold them in place. Add a tiara to hold your hair back, but allow some curls to hang down and surround the face.

Alternatively, try sweeping hair to the side for a dramatic look. Hold hair in place with bobby pins at the base of the neck. Add flowers to the opposite side, starting by the ear and following the line that the hair makes. Use bobby pins to hold the flowers.

Tags: your hair, curling iron, hair fuller, long hair, that hair

Short Over 40 Women'S Hairstyles

Women who are over 40 face a bit of a conundrum when it comes to finding the right hairstyle. They want a style that conveys the fact that they've moved past their twenties, yet they also want a style that makes them look beautiful and youthful. Three classic short hairstyles for women are good choices for those who have hit the 40-year mark.

Bob

Cut your hair into a bob. This classic hairstyle never goes out of fashion and works with all face types. You can choose how you want the bob to look. For example, the classic bob includes bangs, but you can choose not to have them if your hair is wavy or thick. The bob traditionally is cut around chin length, but your bob can be a little longer or shorter, depending on your hair type and what you want to do in terms of styling. To take care of this look, if you have straight hair, try curling the ends under toward the chin as you blow your hair dry. If you have wavy or curly hair, try putting a little styling gel through it and teasing your curls out casually for a not-so-serious approach.

Pixie Cut

Snip your locks into a short pixie cut. This look works best for those with thinner hair, but it can work on anyone. In this cut, the hair is cut until it is only one to three inches in length. If your hair is straight and you leave the hair a little longer, you can part your hair on the side and then bring some bangs to the opposite ear. If your hair has a little wave to it or is curly, then you can use styling gel to tease the hair into a messy, spiked do. Since the hair is so short in this look, you may find yourself going to the salon a bit more often, but it's worth it considering that the length of the hair translates into very low maintenance.

Layers

Frame your face with some layers. This look is best for women whose hair is straight. If you want to try this style, keep your hair just above shoulder length or higher. It's a good look for all occasions and times of day. Those with rounder faces may want to avoid this cut because it may make them look heavier than they really are due to the layers framing the face. Once you have the basic cut, you can either leave it natural for a formal look, or you can accessorize with some clips or a headband for a more casual style.

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