Roseann

So, as many of you may or may not already know, I am absolutely in love with beaded fringe and certainly cuffs.  This week I’ve decided to combine my two loves, and am loving the result.  Hope you dig it too.

Materials:

• ½ yard 3” beaded fringe
• 1 package of ss30 nail heads
• Scarp denim (I used a piece 2 ½” wide and 9” long.  The length measurement depends upon your wrist size.  Take your measurement and add 2”)
• Craft glue
• 1 12” separating zipper
• Ez rhinestone setter  or you could use the side of a pencil t o finish the prongs of your nail heads
• Needle and thread

Instructions:

1.  Cut your denim into 4 equal sections and cut 3 pieces of fringe 2 ½” pieces.
2. I used a little glue to secure the pieces of fringe between 2 pieces of my denim and stitched.  Stitch as close to the twill tape of the fringe as possible so that it will not be visible from the other side.
3. Mark two columns down the two center panels of your denim cuff.  My marks are 1/2” apart.
4. Apply nail heads at your marks
5. Fold the ends of your cuff over ¼”, you may press this down or secure it with a little glue or stitch. 
6. Attach the bottom portion of your zipper to finished ends.  To shorten the zipper cut the top portion off, then using a needle and thread wrap some thread around the top tooth.  Doing so will keep the zipper from coming off the teeth.
7. Wear and Enjoy!

By Roseann

This season every designer has jumped on the biker chic bandwagon and fortunately I happen to love this look.  Chains, leather, and hardware is used to adorn all looks casual to evening.  This naughty but nice look can be intimidating to some and can come with a hefty price tag.   Using some leather cording and chain you can create a necklace that’s ultra hip, works for almost every age group, and is easy on the wallet.

Materials:

• 1 yard 6mm leather braid
• ½ yard 17mm gold chain
• ½ yard metal oval link chain
• One yard 3.5mm mesh link chain
• Gem-Tac glue
• Four15mm rings
• Four 6mm end caps
• Two 7mm jump rings and four 4mm jump rings
• Metal clasp
• Wire clippers and needle nose pliers

Instructions: 

1. Cut leather braid into two pieces 1 measuring 14” and the other 18”.
2.  Finish the ends of the leather pieces by gluing the end caps
3. Cut mesh chain into three pieces 1 measuring 13” and 2 pieces measuring 8”.
4. Cut oval chain down to 12”.  Thread 13” piece of mesh chain through oval chain and secure with 4mm jump rings.
5. Cut 17mm chain down to 16”.
6.  Attach the 17mm chain to the 18” piece of leather using the 15mm rings.
7. Do the same with oval metal chain and 14” leather.
8. Attach the front of the necklace together by threading 8” pieces of mesh chain through 15mm rings.  Secure the mesh chain with 4mm jump rings.
9. Attach clasp to jump ring.
10. Wear, enjoy!

 By Roseann

Over the past month I have been posting ideas and instructions for creating your Halloween costumes.  It has been a very busy month and I was unfortunately unable to post everything that I would have liked to, so I’ve decided to do a little recap of the events held here at  M&J and share a couple of last minute ideas from a basic garment that everyone has in their closet that maybe useful next year.

The Halloween DIY bar went over very successfully.  People brought in all kinds of things to embellish and take to the next level.  My favorite was a bustier that was part of a mail order bride costume. We embellished it to the max using everything from feathers, chains, sequin, beading, and nailheads.   Masquerade masks were created, an Elvis costume adorned, and cat woman accessories made saucier.  The event took place Fri evening in the store; it was the first of what I hope will become an annual event here at M&J.

One of the things I wanted to show people this year for Halloween was that costumes can easily be created from pieces already in your closet.  I made a couple of simple pieces from men’s white button down shirts.  The process in seven steps was easy and fun to do. 

Straight Jacket:

• First you will need a white button down shirt, this can be oversized. 
• 10 D rings
• 5 yards of 1 ¼” webbing style: 42216-0 (1-800-9-mjtrim) and 2 yards 1/14” twill tape.  You could use twill tape for the entire project if you prefer. 

1. Remove the top portion of the collar as well as the sleeve cuffs, front pocket, and buttons.

2. Cut the webbing into

      Four 10” pieces finish 1 end by folding 1” over and secure

      Four 16” pieces finish both ends

      Two 25” pieces finish 1 end on one and both ends on the other

3. Finish around the sleeves and the bottom with twill tape.  If the bottom of the shirt is not straight you will need to cut it even.

4. Attach 10” pieces equally apart on the left side of the center front of the shirt.  Leave 1 ½” extra, slip 2 d rings through this and secure to inside of the shirt.

5. Attach the 16” pieces to the right side at same intervals leaving 8” free.

6. Attach about 4” of the 25” pieces to sleeves and then attach 2 d rings to the left.

7. Attach strip of webbing down center back starting 4” below neck line.  Attach 5” of webbing at top stop and attach 9” at bottom.  Same piece, you want a gap so that the arms can be thread through.

Ukrainian Folk Costume Inspired Shirt

• 1 white collard button down
• 2 tassels
• 1 yard cluny lace
• 3 yards 62mm jacquard ribbon
• 1 ½ yard 12mm jacquard ribbon
• ½ yard cording

1. Measure 2” from neckline and mark all the way around, cut.

2.  Remove sleeve cuffs and pockets.

3.  Measure down center front of shirt; add 2 inches to that measurement. Cut two pieces of the 62 mm jacquard equal to the measurement from before and apply to front of the shirt; finish ends by folding over.

4. Cut another piece of the 62mm jacquard and apply to front of neck by tacking the front down push up a wave and tack. Continue around entire neckline.

5. Add tassels and cording to the back of the shirt at the center front neck line.

6. Cut cluny lace in half; apply to the sleeve 4” down from shoulder seam finish ends.

7. Apply 12mm jacquard around sleeve opening, use what’s left and apply at the edge of cluny lace at the top of the sleeve.

The belt is simply a jacquard ribbon 1 1/2 yard long wrapped and pinned.

By Roseann

I suspect that we will see a lot of MJ impersonators this Halloween, so I’d like to help those who are interested in celebrating the King of Pop’s iconic style do it right.  The late pop star’s style was always evolving and maturing from his bell bottoms and afro in the early 1960’s to tailored and refined yet glitzy looks of late.  While the white glitter glove became the corner stone of MJ’s on stage uniform, military inspired jacket’s endowed with cording, crests, and rich shoulder embellishment will forever remain inscribed in my mind as his most important contribution to fashion.  Creating the jacket is easy and paired with the right accessories will make a great Halloween costume or an awesome addition to your closet this Fall.  

Materials:

• 4 metallic frogs
• 2 rhinestone appliqués
• 3 v shaped iron on patches style: 4364001 (to order call 1-80-9-mjtrim) or you can use crests
• 2 yards metallic braind
• Black jacket
• Craft glue, needle, and thread

How to:  

1. Remove the buttons from your jacket.
2. Cut 8 pieces of metallic cord to 8” long.
3. Curve the cord around so that the two sides are parallel to each other and the ends are even.
4. For ease of workability I stitched the parallel sides together
5. Remove the closure loop and knob of your frogs, you just need the design loops.
6. Glue the rhinestone appliqués to the shoulders of the jacket.   If this piece is for more than costume, I recommend stitching the appliqués on.
7. Attach your patches or crest to the left arm.  In case you wanted to get really authentic you could attach a band of ribbon or leather around the right arm.
8. Glue or stitch (recommended) the metallic cord pieces to the front of the jacket in place of the buttons and covering the button holes.
9. Attach the ornament portion of the frogs over the unfinished ends of the cords
10. Measure 1 ½” from the end of the sleeve and mark.  Following these marks sew or glue the remaining metallic cord around the sleeve.  Depending on how much is remaining you could do a second row.
11. If you used glue let dry for 24 hours before wearing out.
12. Happy dressing up!

A pirate costume is a fun and great costume which you can easily make yourself.  You may think this costume is not the most unique idea, but by making it yourself you can add your own creativity and edge and can achieve the perfect feminine pirate costume.

Steps:

1. I used an inexpensive shirt I purchased at the Salvation Army.  I felt the red and white stripes fit the pirate theme.

2. Using scissors or a blade tear around the edges of the shirt in a triangular motion.  The triangles should not be equal in size or shape or done neatly you want to give the shirt a worn out look. I also replaced the collar strings with brown Italian leather trim 88742-BROWN to give it a vintage feel.

3.  For the belt I used 2 yards of faux leather metal mignon metallic gunmetal 42157-ANTR.   To create a thicker belt it will be wrapped twice around the hips.

4. I embellished the belt to give the pirate feel I was going for.  First I glued 2 metal coin bracelets 36770ANTS than I scattered different color metal coins. Nickel #36772SHINNY, silver #36772ANTS, gold #36772SHIG, and brass #36772ANTBR

5. To finish your belt simply put it around your waist and decide exactly how you want it to fit. Use a blade or leather hole punch to add a hole for your buckle, I choose a metal sword buckle #37242ANTB, slide your buckle through the leather and attach the clasp through the hole.

*All materials listed in green can be purchased by calling 1-800-9-MJTRIM.

By Roseann

Another popular Halloween and certainly one of my favorites is the Flapper.  I think all of us girls try this costume at least once.  And, why not, who doesn’t want to be a glamorous liberal minded woman breaking free from the shackles that were once placed on us.  This spirit is still alive in most of us and is a fun look for your Halloween shindig  or any other costume party through out the year.

You will need:

• Slip or cocktail dress, I used black but you can word with any color you like.  Remember that the flapper look put emphasis on the hips and not the waist, so you want a dress that is strait up and down and not contoured to the waist line.
• 5 yards 3” poly chainette fringe style: 00217-bk The dress that I used I found at Salvation Army and already had fringe on it, so I added 3” fringe in white to bulk it up and give the dress more dimension.
• 1¼ yard 6” poly chainette fringe style: 06006-bk
• ¾ yard 5” bugle bead fringe style: 14290-bks all materials listed above can be ordered by calling 1-800-9-mjtrim
• ¾ yard cut bugle / seed beaded trim style: 14622
• Unique stitch glue
• Sewing machine and thread

Directions:

• 1. Before you purchase your supplies be sure to take measurements around your neckline and around the skirt portion of your garment to be sure you are ordering the correct amount of trims.  The amounts listed above are for the dress that I used which is about a size 4 or 6.
  2. Add your 6” fringe around the neckline, you can stitch or glue it is completely your preference.
  3. Then add your bugle bead fringe on top, then measurement given above will only be enough to add the front of the dress
  4. Complete the neckline by adding your seed beaded trim, again I added just to the front
  5. Measure 2” from the bottom of the skirt and mark all the way around.  Repeat until you have marked 5 rows 2” apart.
  6. Add your 3” chainette fringe along your markings.  You may repeat with a complimentary color for more flash.  I added white to every other row.
  7. Be sure to add the correct accessories such as; a feathered headband, strand of pearls, and boa.
  8. Now, go be the most glamorous one at the party!

By Roseann

Take a walk down the costume aisle of any Halloween store and you will find the same unimaginative costumes year after year.  I believe that the best costumes are the ones we make ourselves.  Our Halloween costumes should speak volumes for our own personalities.  Over the next several weeks I will show a couple of quick and easy DIY Halloween costume ideas in the hope that it will stimulate your own imaginative DIY pieces.  Please share with us what you too have created.

 A very popular theme for Halloween costumes is medieval and renaissance.  This is a great theme for DIY if you are detailed oriented and can be easily be done with treasures from an attic or thrift store finds.  Interestingly home décor trims are quite suitable for detailing your medieval garments.   I purchased in inexpensive robe (under $20) and added a rabbit fur trim style: 41563-WT and 2” wide gimp style: 36808-10 both can be purchased by calling 1-800-9-mjtrim.  I replaced the ties with 5/16″ rayon twist cord style: 00618 in old gold and added imported fancy key tassel style: 50015 also in gold at the end of the new ties.  All of the trims were added by using fabric glue, since I know that not all of us are so inclined to sewing and I don’t want that to hinder anyone’s creative side.

 Check back through out the week as I will try and post a couple times each week leading up to Halloween.  And again, we are very interested in your own thoughts and ideas, so please share.

 Have a happy DIY!

By Roseann

It seems like yesterday it was summer and now Halloween is just around the corner. Maybe you haven’t even begun planning or are somewhat perplexed over your theme for your holiday gathering this year; well don’t fret because we’ve got some inspirational ideas in store for you. This Halloween try a more elegant approach to decorating for your holiday gathering. I worked up a few ideas for our decorations this year using feather trims and some inexpensive finds from your local floral or craft shop.

Materials for Wreath

• • 1 wreath (I used a plain twig wreath)
• • 2 feather boas style: 16776 (To order call 1-800-9-mjtrim)
• • Jewelry wire Materials for Centerpiece
• • Plastic cauldron ( the one used here has an inner diameter of 12”) you may also use a planter that you may already have
• • Thin branches
• • Sand or stones to fill the bottom
• • Super moss • 3’ artificial ravens
• • 1 yard (measurement is dependant upon the size of your cauldron) feather trim style: 27971 (To order call 1-800-9-mjtrim)
• • Craft foam

How To Wreath:

For the wreath I just wrapped the two boas around it and secured with jewelry wire.

How To Centerpiece: The centerpiece was a bit more involved, but still very easy.

1. The first I thing I did, and this is completely optional, is treated my cauldron so that it wouldn’t look like a cheap plastic cauldron. I sprayed it with spray on stone which can be purchased at your local hardware store. Once it has set up and dried I went over is with a coat of semi-gloss black spray paint.
2. Next you are going to want to fill your cauldron with sand or stone, you want to fill it just enough so that the craft foam will sit level with the top of the cauldron, so be sure to take a measurement.
3. Place your craft foam inside the cauldron; you may have to trim it down if you are not able to find it in a round.  I used an 11” round dummy cake, it’s made of foam and fit perfectly inside the cauldron you should be able to find them online at nycake.com
4. Arrange your branches in the center of the foam, you should be able to just push them in to secure
5. Glue your feather trim around the foam so that it appears to be spilling out of the cauldron
6. Apply your super moss around the branches to cover the exposed foam
7. Arrange and attach your ravens how you wish
8. Enjoy your beautiful new Halloween centerpiece

By Roseann

Biker influenced details will be seen everywhere this fall such as; fringe, studs, zippers, and other hardware.  Although this is a trend that has been seen time and time again, designers this season are pairing the hardened classic look with more feminine pieces like gowns and flirty skirts. Although it’s not quite time to pull on a leather biker jacket, the weather is quite right for soft jersey knit shawl.  I experimented with some ultra suede fringe and antique brass nailheads and am quite please with the contrasting robust embellishments on a soft draped fabric.

 Materials

• 2 yards of cotton or silk jersey knit fabric or a shawl purchased or preowned
• 2 packages Ss30 Dome Nailheads 4-ProngStyle: 04030
• 2 yards of 2″ Faux Leather Cut Fringe Style: 30246, I used a 6” fringe Style: 00807-bk which can be purchased by calling 1-800-9mjtrim.
• 1 bottle Gem-Tac Glue 4 Oz. Style: 29471
• 1 Ez Rhinestone Setter Set Style: 39318, or Brisk-Set Rhinestone Setter Style: 16512 and Nailhead Adapter for Brisk-Set Style: 16509 if you plan to work more frequently with nailheads.  The latter setter is more expensive, but will save you an immense amount of time.

 Directions

• Cut fabric down to 1 yard wide, or the desirable width you’d like for your shawl to be.  Finish ends with a sewing machine.
• Cut your fringe into two 1 yard pieces and sew to the short ends of the shawl.
• Choose which side you’d like to embellish.  Then measure up 16” on the right side and mark.  Using a yard stick create marking for studs in a straight line 1” apart beginning at the bottom left corner to the 16” mark on the right hand side.  Be sure to create your marking on the wrong side of the fabric. Since I used a black fabric I used a whiteout pen to make my marks, a paint marker will work equally as well.
• Continue with another line of markings 1 ½” bellow the first, repeat until you have created 7 diagonal lines.
• Now you are going to add each of your nailheads to the markings on the fabric using your setter.  Since jersey is such a light weight fabric I added a drop of Gem-Tac to the back of each nailhead.  I notice that the prongs are more likely to come out of the fabric if you don’t secure it with a little glue.  You are also going to want to let your glue dry for a full 24 hours before wearing.
• Enjoy!

By Roseann

In 1982 President Ronald Reagan declared September national sewing month “in recognition of the importance of home sewing to our nation.” This could not be truer today; the theme this year is “Reuse, Remake, Restyle.” Our blog has been dedicated to the do it yourselfer since the beginning and in the spirit of the month I’d like to share some helpful sewing tips in hopes that your creative projects this month go a little smoother. I have put together a list of the most helpful tips for what I’ve found to be the most common hang ups in a sewing project.

Golden Rule

The single most important thing to do before you even cut your fabric is to wash it. If this is not done your fabric will shrink and your garment may not fit after the first wear. Keep in mind that the width will shrink more than length; consider that you will probably lose about 10% of your width after washing when deciding how much fabric to purchase. Before washing my fabric I like to serge the cut edge, you can leave the selvage as is, this prevents fraying. If you do not have a serger at home a zigzag stitch can be done along the very edge, it works the same.

Gathers

Gathering for me has always been a bit of a pain. Pulling on basting threads can often times cause them to break and cause uneven gathers. If you created a zigzag stitch over a piece of dental floss instead of basting be sure not to get the floss in the stitches, it’s much easier to control gathers and will not break.

Curves

Sewing curves can be daunting, I cannot tell you how many times I have had to pull stitches and restitch to smooth out pinching and create a smooth line. To gain more control reduce your stitch length around curves and corners. It helps greatly. Reducing stitch length can also be done at the beginning and to end seams instead of backing up which can be difficult with very thin fabrics.

Matching Stripes and Plaids

You can spend all the time you like on a project but if your fabric patterns and prints don’t match at the seams, no one will notice the rest of your hard work. There’s a easy way to match your patterns pieces so that your garment doesn’t end up looking like an unintended Picasso. Cut out your patterns pieces one at a time. Cut one side then use the fabric you just cut as the other side, be sure to flip it over you want mirrored pieces. Fabric to fabric will help you line up your lines.