Archive for June, 2008
Favorite Blog Post
The numbers of blogs available online have grown increasingly fast in the past few years. There are blogs about politics, movies, life, fashion and even garment embellishments.
There’s so many things you can do with buttons, ribbons and trims. We’d like to share with you some of our favorite blog posts and their unique creations.
Arts & Crafts:
Create & Live Happy - Button Candle
Cuteable - Button Crafts
Purple Faerie Paper Crafts – Button Crafts
Card Positioning System – Button Crafts
Thinking Ink – Baby Bib Card w/ Ribbon & Button
A Little Imgination & A Pile Of Junk - Crochet & Knitting
Michelle’s Rubber Room – Embellishing w/ Ribbons
HemiDemiSemiQuaver – Ribbon Flower
This and That Blog - Altered Tin w/ Beads and Buttons
Fashion:
This Year’s Dozen - Button Bracelet
Just One More Line… - Ribbon Purse
Zakka Life - Ribbon & Button Brooch
1 comment June 30, 2008
M&J Trimming Fuji Network
M&J Trimming along with B&J Fabrics was featured on “Yume Machi Bito” episode 60 on June 1st in Tokyo, Japan. The show was aired on Fujisankei also known as Fuji, one of Japan’s most popular television network. Fuji featured popular drama series such as “Absoulte Boyfriend” and “Hanazakari no Kimitachi”. These show featured some of Japan’s most famous actors such as Oguri Shun and Hayami Mokomichi. Therefore, M&J was very excited to have participated in the show. Here is a quick video clip.
Add comment June 30, 2008
Milan’s Menswear Spring ‘09
Milan’s Menswear Spring 09 shows ended this week.
Many top designers such as Gucci, Burberry and Calvin Klien displayed their collection for next spring. Here are few a highlights from the shows. Also, I’ll keep you posted on the show from Paris which started today.
Neil Barrett
Burberry Prorsum
Versace
Alessandro Dell’Acqua
Salvatore Ferragamo
Bottega Veneta
Add comment June 26, 2008
4th of July BBQ Cups: Because beverages taste better with gingham ribbon
By Eleah
If you are hosting the hot-dog holiday event this year, try thinking, “What would Martha Stewart do?”. Most BBQ’s I have frequented have been stocked with sleeves of plastic cups for summer beverages. Thus far I have witnessed only weak attempts of adornment to these disposable drink holders. And by weak attempt I mean illegible scribbling of someone’s initials at a last minute effort to rescue an abandoned cup from contamination or “sharing”. So get out your scissors and glue America, it’s time to celebrate our country’s birthday.
Supplies:
(Yields 4 cups, multiply depending on how many friends you have or divide if you have no friends)
- 1 yard of 10mm gingham ribbon in red/white
- Six 48mm glitter star buttons 37991 (4 silver, 2 red)
- Four 28mm glitter star buttons 37991 (2 red, 2 blue)
- Q-tips or something like Q-tips for painting on glue
- E6000 Glue: 37777
- 12oz Plastic Cups (see guest list for quantity needed)
- 1 black Sharpie marker
Making the Cups:
- Measure out 9″ pieces of gingham ribbon
- Roll up one end of one piece of ribbon with your fingers to make it small enough to lace through buttons. Refer to my blog image for suggested button arrangements.
- Once your buttons are laced onto the ribbon piece, slide them so that they are centered in the middle of the ribbon.
- Apply E600 glue to the backside of the ribbon and some to the buttons for good measure. Carefully place the ribbon glue side down around the cup. Refer to blog image for placement on cup, or if placed lower simply cut off access ribbon.
- Set aside to dry and move on the rest of the cups.
- Write down the names of the people on your guest list on the cups in the coolest font possible.
- Place the cups on a tray for guest to pick up as they enter. I would suggest making some extras and leaving the Sharpie beside them for any lurkers or tag-alongs.
2 comments June 24, 2008
Inspirational Fashion Trend Boards
By Milton
Like people, fashion come in all shapes and sizes. It’s no wonder that there are millions of fashion trends out there and inspiration seems to come in all forms. Each year designers forcast the upcoming trend at least a year before the collection actually hits the runway.
At M&J Trimming, we do the same thing and with us being in the fabric trimming and garment embellishment industry, we have a little bit of an advantage. We know what designers are planning for their next collection because it’s us that they come to for exclusive trimmings. Some inspirations actually comes from the trend boards we’ve created especially for our 5,000 sq ft showroom in NYC. Some of you may have seen these as you stroll along shopping at M&J Trimming. Here’s a few photos of the trend boards.
1 comment June 23, 2008
Results for 2nd Annual Independent Handbag Designer Award
The 2nd annual indepedent hangbag designer award was held last night at the New York Historial Society located on 170 Central Park West. As soon as the door opened at 7pm, lines of fashionistas with trendy bags entered the room.
The event was filled with designers from Judith Leiber to Debbie Stroller. When first entering the room, besides the luring cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, Judith Leiber’s display of handbags was standing as the center of attention during the event. The bags were encrusted with hundreds of rhinestones including the bag with the rhinestone handle as seen in the photo.
After an hour or so of socializing and networking, it was finally time for the awards. Everyone hurried to their sits in excitement for the results as well as the goody-bags which included M&J’s measuring tape, gift certificates from Borrow Bag or Steal, lip balms from Smart Water and much more.
Here is the result for the winners.
Best Student-Made Handbag – Clara Yoo: C L A R A Y O O
Best Handmade Handbag - Darren Wallace: Darren Wallace
Most Socially Responsible Handbag – Bridget Reid: PFYH
Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design - Lui Antinous: Lui Antinous
Best Green Handbag – Helen Marcoschamer: Ecoist
Audience Fan Favorite – Suzanna Scarola: Bellabags
Besides the finalist and and the winner’s handbags at the event, there was another special handbag that made it to the award. Timmy Wood’s Eiffel Tower handbag which was featured in “Sex and the City”, the movie. The bag was signed at the bottom and is going to be given away by Borrow Bag or Steal at the end of the month.
3 comments June 19, 2008
15% OFF all Bullion Crest
If you didn’t already know, then you know now that with every changing season there is a new trend. Besides the classic black dress, there’s another trend that never seems to go away. Of course it can’t be none other than the preppy style. For over 15 years now, this classic trend came and never left.
This week, M&J Trimming wants to give the classic preppy trend the proper recognition it deserves. Therefore, starting today June 18th through July 1st, we are taking 15% OFF all purchase of bullion crests. So what are you waiting for? This sale is only available online at MJTRIM.com.
The bullion crests aren’t limited to just garments. You can also use them to enhance the appearance on your bags. They can be used on both men and women’s accessories and garments.
Take 15% Off All Purchase of Bullion Crests!
Sales ends July 1st, 2008
1 comment June 18, 2008
Bridal Money Bag
By Kristin
“Twenty- Thirty-grand. In small bills, cash. In that little silk purse.
Maron, if this was someone else’s wedding, sweet tonato!” – Godfather
Maybe you remember that line, maybe you don’t. Either way, it applies to this week’s bridal blog. While you are making your rounds talking to your guests at the reception, they are bound to hand you an envelope with a beautifully written card and sometimes a monetary gift inside. A money bag or money purse is a great way to hold those envelopes as you go table to table. It will make giving hugs, kisses, and handshakes easier as the cards get more numerous. When you are done greeting your guests, simply hand the bag to your Maid-of-Honor, Best Man, or parents to hold onto. At the end of the night they can then take that home with the other gifts for you.
The money purse is also a lot safer than a card box in that you don’t need to worry about a catering hall employee or party crasher stealing the cards. While you wouldn’t think on your happiest of days, nothing like that could possibly happen, it unfortunately can. Make sure you also inquire about wedding insurance, it helps for more things than just your location getting rained out or band not showing. Try Wed Safe at www.wedsafe.com
While researching a money purse for my own wedding, I was disappointed in the styles to choose from, all were very boring and too traditional for my more modern affair. I ended up not making one due to time constraints (I was still working on making my dress). I decided instead, to show you one based on a design for my friend and her San Diego beach side wedding.
Materials:
Note: Items can also be ordered by phone. 1.800.9.MJTRIM ext 377
- 16″ of ½” grosgrain ribbon (item #34377 in cream featured)
- 1 yd. 25mm imported organdy ribbon in Lt. Beige
- Button/tassel appliqué (item # 36930)
- 16″ of 1″ heavy apron tape in natural
- 1 piece 8 ½” x 22″ medium weight non-transparent silk blend fabric in a natural/champagne color
- 1 yd 2mm imported rayon twist cord in off white or antique
- Scissors, sewing machine, needle, cream/natural colored thread, straight pins, large safety pin
Directions
- Use a sheet of 8 ½ x 11″ paper as a stencil and trace 2 rectangles on your fabric. Cut out and lay on top of each other. Pin one 11″ side together and hem a ¼” inseam, backstitching at both ends. Open and press.
- With the wrong side up, pin down the twill tape about 2″ down from one of the newly created 16″ sides (this will be the top). Hem along both edges. This will later be used as a tunnel for your drawstring cord.
- With the right side facing up, pin down your cream grosgrain ribbon and hem along both edges. This piece is purely aesthetic.
- With right side facing up, pin organdy ribbon across widthwise and over where your twill tape is hemmed. This two is purely aesthetic but also will hide your twill tape if your fabric happens to be slightly transparent. Set aside the remainder of this ribbon for later.
- Fold fabric in half so your first hem remains unfolded. Pin the bottom and other side edges together and hem. On the second side hem stop and backstitch ¼ ” into the area where the twill tape and organdy ribbon meet. Restart hem ½ ” from there and continue to the end. Remember to backstitch each time you begin or finish a hem.
- Tie a knot at both ends of your twist cord to prevent fraying. Pin your safety pin into on knot and use it to jimmy your cord through the tunnel you created earlier with the twill tape.
- Turn bag inside out and press hems. Tie a bow with the remainder of your organdy ribbon and hand sew onto the center of one side of your stitched on organdy ribbon. Hand sew button tassel appliqué on top of bow.
- You are done!
3 comments June 17, 2008
Storage Box
By Eleah
Fabric covered storage help keep your little odds and ends in order while simultaneously adding a splash of color to your space. It’s a pretty quick and inexpensive project to undergo. The supplies are minimal and the usefulness factor is high.
NOTE: The decorating method described below is merely a suggestion that happens to mimic the common design of storage boxes seen in home décor magazines. Remember, you can also use buttons, rhinestones, Appliqués, fringe and tassels to decorate your box. This can also be a fun project to do with a kid to help encourage putting away toys although I would suggest doing the fabric wrapping of the box yourself if your child is under the age of 12.
Supplies:
-
½ yard of medium weight opaque non-stretchy fabric in a color of your choice
-
2 yards of ¼ inch grosgrain ribbon in a color that compliments your fabric or ties into the boxes designated setting
-
1 yard of 2-¼ inch grosgrain ribbon for the inside of the box
-
1 old shoebox
Making the box:
-
Lay the main compartment of the shoebox on your fabric and estimate how much you will need to wrap the entire outside of the box, adding an extra inch and a half to fold into the inside of the box. Cut a square/rectangle from your fabric that will accomplish this.
-
Repeat with the lid of the shoebox, except measure the depth of your shoebox lid to determine how much overhang you will need to pull and glue down the fabric.
-
Lay the shoebox in the middle of the first piece of cut fabric and begin to fold into the center of the box. Put down a strip of fabric glue on the inside rim of the box and seal down the first edge. Go around the box wrapping in snuggly. With the excess fabric, fold in a similar fashion as you would if you were making your bed… Consult 1950’s housewife if you don’t know how to do this. You want this to be pretty flawless or your box will look messy. Make sure to apply glue in areas needed to hold fabric in place.
-
Repeat steps with shoebox lid.
-
Now you should have a wrapped shoebox that sort of resembles one of those TV show presents that doesn’t require actual tearing of the wrapping paper.
-
Wrap your ¼ inch ribbon around the lid of the box applying fabric glue to the ribbon as you go. You only need a thin spread otherwise the glue will push out from behind the ribbon and look messy.
-
With the remaining ¼ inch ribbon, glue down along the raw edge of the fabric on the inside of the shoebox lid for a more professional finish
-
Repeat on the shoebox/raw fabric edge with your 2-¼ inch ribbon
-
Use any access ribbon to make bows or extra lines on the outside of your box. This is especially useful if you are making multiple boxes and want to be able to differentiate them from one another
Add comment June 10, 2008
Mail & Envelope Holder
By Dara
Bills, bills and more bills! They just seem to keep coming, one right after the other. Sometimes organizing them or just simply remembering where you placed them can get difficult.
For example, I have a habit of opening them after I get home and throwing them on whichever table or draw is closes to me. I guess it’s not the best habit when I have to pay the bills on time.
I finally came to the conclusion that I need some help. So for this week’s project, I’ve decided to make a mail holder. I wanted to buy one from the store, but it’s a lot more fun to make it myself. Plus the one’s at the store are so dull.
Materials:
- White on white poster foam core board (Two posters glued together with a thin layer of foam in between the posters)
Above: Poster foam core board
- Box cutter
- Sobo glue (Crafts glue)
- 2 ¼” of 5mm black velvet ribbon
- Bullion crest
- Square pyramid nailheads
- Velcro
- A can of Krylon’s indoor/outdoor gloss spray paint (You can get this a local hardware store)
Steps:
mail_box_sizes1 <— Here’s a pdf of the measures for the mail holder that you can print and trace.
- Measure and trace two 2″ x 8″ on the poster foam board. This will be for the side of the mail holder.
- Measure and trace 4.5″ x 10″ on the poster foam board. This will be for the back of the mail holder.
- Measure and trace 4.5″ x 6″ on the poster foam board. This will be for the front of the mail holder.
- Using a box cutter carefully cut the pieces off the poster foam board.
- Using sobo glue, glue the edge of the 2″ x 8″ onto the edge of the 10″ piece. Repeat this on the other side as well.
- Then glue the 6″ edge onto both of the 2″ x 8″ piece.
- Let it dry for about five minutes.
- Then after it dries, the mail holder should be sitting up right. Place it on top of the rest of the foam board and trace the bottom. This will be the support for you mail holder.
- Using a box cutter, cut of the piece, and then glue it onto the bottom of the mail holder.
- Now you can spray paint the mail holder any color you like. Remember not to put too much paint because it will dissolve the foam.
- Let it dry for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- After it dries, you can now decorate it using the velvet ribbon to hide the edges. Use glue to add this on.
- You can then also use glue to add on the bullion crest.
- Finally, add some nailheads to the top of the mail holder.
- Leave it dry for about 15 minutes and then add the velcro on the back so you can add it onto your wall.
- Now your mail holder is all done and ready for work. Enjoy!
Add comment June 9, 2008
