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!

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Join us Sunday, November 22nd and re-create your old wardrobe 

Location:

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1008 Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10018 

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By Blerona

To get into the spirit of the ‘New Moon’ premiere on November 20th , I wanted to make some kind of jewelry that represented the Twilight Series. I had in mind the charm that Jacob made for Bella in ‘Eclipse’, but I came across this picture of Alice. She has on this cool necklace that looks like a pendant attached to ribbon. So I decided to make a necklace like hers instead.

Here’s what I came up with

Materials all from M&J Trimming:

• 3/8” Dark Grey 9mm Velvet Ribbon
• 1 Silver 9mm Metal Sew on Snap
• 1 36L Silver Metal Crest Button w/ Shank
• Multi-Grip Glue or Gemtac Glue
• Sewing needle and grey thread
• Scissors

Directions:

1. Cut the ribbon in half to make two smaller ribbons each should measure 9-10inches
2. Take apart snap and sew one part onto each end of both ribbons.
3. Make one slit 2inches from the other end of both ribbons
4. Insert shank through slits and glue together
5. Let it dry and enjoy the movie.

By Goldie

For my first post I decided to create an easy DIY chain and seed bead necklace.  Although I choose these materials solely many other combinations can be created from the array of trims offered by M&J such as; ribbons, lace, cording, and leathers.

Materials:

• Two different chains style: 42357G and style: 42360G (not available online please call 1-800 -9-mjtrim) yardage depends upon length you desire
• 4 yards seed bead trim

To get the look:

1. Cut 1 piece of beaded trim 3” longer than length of 1 of the chains.
2. Thread this piece through the chain and secure ends with glue
3. Next thread the other piece of beaded trim through second chain, knot the excess trim off to one side and let hang
4. by widening one of the links in the back of the chain attach the two chains together

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 Dara

When it comes to Halloween many of us enjoy dressing up and pretending to be someone we’re not for just one day.  However, there are certain years like this one, when we wonder if  a $100 costume is practical.  With the economy the way it is, some people are going the other route for Halloween. 

If you don’t feel like wearing a costume this year, then you also have the option of wearing the colors of the holiday.  The great part is that you can reuse the outfit later on for other special occasions.  You can wear an orange dress and use black ribbons as a sash.  Then top it off with black leggings and shoes.  If you really want to make it stand out, then also use unique stitch fabric glue to add some loose sequins to your leggings.  That’s all it takes to look great for a fun night out.  If you don’t want to wear an orange dress, then wear your little black dress with orange ribbon sash and orange accessories like a ribbon bow with applique headband. 

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!

Come to M&J Trimming to make your one of kind custome for your Halloween fun!

M&J Trimming – 1008 Sixth Ave., New York NY 10018

Call : 1.800.9.MJTRIM