Fashion Headband Workshop July 12, 2009

Time:  9am

Cost:  $20

To sign-up:  1-800-9-MJTRIM ext 377

Hi everyone.  It looks like it’s time for another Headband workshop.  The date is set for July 12th at 9am.  If you’re interested in attending, please call 1-800-9-MJTRIM ext 377 to sign-up.  Bring friends and family to enjoy this exciting workhsop.  We’ll teach you all the cool tips and tricks to creating your own fashionable headband.

By Roseann

When I sat down to do this entry I was a little scared.  Americana fashion is hard to do without looking cheesy.  I don’t know, that’s just my opinion.  However, I really think that by incorporating our colors into today’s hottest trends the look can be quite hip.  Wear this piece with a white tank as to not over do it.

 Materials

1. Ultra suede tape 10 yards of both white and cardinal, and 3 ½  yards in French blue
2. Sobo craft glue
3. Jewelry wire
4. Wire clippers
5. Cord necklace fastener.  I choose to use a magnetic fastener, be sure that it will be large enough to hide all the ends of the leather.

 Directions

1. Cut the red and white suede into strips 36 long and the blue into strips 20” long.
2. Take all the red and white and 3 strips of the blue together and wire wrap the end.
3. I then pinned this end to a board and gathered the other side with the other 3 strips of the blue and draped to the other side of my board.
4. If you like pull on some of the leather strips at the unwrapped end to create different lengths in the necklace.
5. Once you have the desired look, gather the other ends, trim, and wire wrap.  Trim the blue hanging strips so they have a staggered appearance.
6. Using Sobo craft glue, glue the wrapped ends of your necklace into the magnetic fastener.

It has been one week since the king of pop, Michael Jackson has passed away.  Our sincere condolence goes out to his family. 

 It was 30 years ago when Michael first visits M&J Trimming in NYC.  His lively personality and creativity brought smiles to those who worked with him.  He always had an input on the designs of his world famous costumes.  His will to be successful and his passion for music will always live on.  He will be missed. 

By Dara

Summer is finally here!  It’s about time.  Well, actually it doesn’t quite feel like summer in NYC.  It still feels like spring time especially since it’s raining almost every day.  If it wasn’t for the tall buildings, you’d think its Seattle. 

 Anyways, summer is a time for celebration.  There’s graduation, Independence Day, and just time to enjoy the warm sun.  If you’re planning a celebration this summer for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries or graduation, then why not make it recession friendly.  Instead of receiving gifts, ask for a thick envelope with cash instead. 

You’ll need a safe place to store all that cash.  So today, I decided to make a money box!  The money box should be very popular this year; especially with the recession, who wouldn’t want some cash instead of a toaster for your gift. 

 The money box I made today measures 8 inches all around.  If you plan on doing the same size then you’ll need:

•  6 pieces of 8” x 8” form core boards.  (You can purchase a large one at a craft store and cut it with a box cutter)
• 30” x 9” fabric of your choice (This is the fabric that is going to wrap around your box)
• 9” x 9” fabric of your choice (This is the fabric that is going to cover the top of your box”
• 11 inches of the 1 ½” satin ribbon
• 13 inches of the 1 ½” satin ribbon
• 24 inches of the 1 ½” satin ribbon
• 27 inches of the 1 ½” satin ribbon
• Rhinestone button of your choice
• 2 yards of the 2 ½” hand-dyed silk ribbon
• Small box cutter
• Ruler
• Gem-tac glue
• Needle and matching thread
• One can of multipurpose adhesive spray
• Four straight pins

 Instructions:

1.  You have 6 pieces of the 8” x 8” board, take four of them and glue them together along the edge to build a box.  There should be a hole in the center after you finish.  It’s the space for the top and the bottom of the box.  Let is dry before continuing to the next step
2. While the glue is drying, work on the top of the box.  With the ruler, measure 2 inches from the edge of the board and mark it with a pencil. Mark the opposite side with about 5 inches from the edge. Then mark 1.5 inches on both the left and the right edge of the board. 
3. Using the pencil and ruler, trace the marked areas.  It should form a long rectangle.  It should be about ½” long. 
4. Use the box cutter to cut out that area.  It will be the hole for the money.
5. Now, using the multipurpose adhesive, lightly spray the top of the board and lay the 9” x 9” fabric on top.  Smooth out the fabric. 
6. With the cutter, cut through fabric into the hole you just created for inserting the money.  Leave enough fabric so that you can cover the inside and give it a nice finish.
7. Take the gem-tac glue and glue don the extra fabric onto the other side of the board.
8. Now, going back to the box.  Take the 30” by 9” fabric and wrap if around the box after it finished drying.  You can use the multipurpose adhesive and spray it around the box first.  It helps smooth out the fabric. 
9. Wrap it tightly and at the end, fold the extra fabric inside.  Then use the gem-tac and glue it in place. 
10. Use the gem-tac to glue the other extra fabrics along the edges of the box.  Fold the fabric into the inside of the box.  If it’s hard, use scissors to cut the corners and then fold the fabrics and glue it in place.
11. Using the pins, pin the top part of the box with the rest of the boards.  This should close the top.  We’re using pins instead of glue, so that you can take out the money when the party is over.
12. It’s time for the satin ribbons.  The 11” goes in front of the box.  The 13” goes in the back of the box.  The 24” goes along the side of the box.  Glue them in place.
13. Center the 27” ribbon and glue only the center of the ribbon to the center of the box.
14. It’s time for the hand-dyed silk.  With one hand, hold the end of the ribbon.  With your other hand, start folding the ribbon over to form a flower. 
15. Take the needle and thread and stitch the center in place when you’re done.
16. Glue the flower down on the top of the box and glue the button in the center of the flower.
17. When the glue for the box dries, flip the box over and glue the bottom of the box on.  You can add a strip of rhinestone trim to the button like how I did. 
18. You’re all done!

 By Milton

Alexander McQueen

The first group of menswear ended yesterday in Milan. The shows included Alexander McQueen, D&G, Dsquared, Emporio Armani, Etro, John Varvatos, Marni, Salvatore Ferragamo, Z Zegna, Bottega Veneta, Burberry Prorsum, C.P. Company, Calvin Klein Collection, Costume National, Dolce & Gabbana, Ermenegildo Zegna, Gianfranco Ferré, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Jil Sander, Missoni, Moschino, Neil Barrett, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Trussardi 1911, Undercover and Versace. Here are few a highlights from the Milan shows.  All the fashion excitement is moving to Paris tomorrow, where more designers will present their collections for the Spring 2010 for four days.

Bottega Veneta (Above)

D&G (Above)

Dolce & Gabbana (Above)

Gucci (Above)

John Vervatos (Above)

Prada (Above)

Roberto Cavalli (Above)

Salvatore Ferragamo (Above)

Versace (Above)

Are you planning a trip to M&J Trimming’s showroom in NYC?  If you are, then you’ll be glad to hear the good news.  We now offer group tours within our showroom.  Our Marketing Coordinator will give you a presentation on how the company got started and what we offer.  She will also answer any questions you may have about the industry; making this a fun and informative trip. 

 All group tours also receives a small goody-bag for each person and 15% off your purchase in the store and online.  For more information or to sign-up, please e-mail info@mjtirm.com with “Group Tour” on the subject line.  We look forward to seeing you soon.

By Roseann

If your dad is anything like mine, then he’s probably not interested in any fancy expensive gifts this Sunday.  Some of the best gifts given to dad were the macaroni art you made when you were five.  A handmade gift is more personal and really comes from the heart.  But, now that you’re older you may want to step up the level of taste just a bit, not that the macaroni art wasn’t cute.  So, if the “what should I get dad for father’s day” question is still plaguing you?  Skip the shave kit or another tie, you know he’s got plenty, and try making him a gift this year.  My suggestion is a pair of cufflinks.  It’s easy to do and won’t break your bank.   

All you will need for this project is cufflink posts, you should be able to purchase these at any jewelry supply shop. I found them for a dollar a piece, some cool buttons, wire clippers, and E-6000 craft glue.    I chose 4 different styles to create a variety of looks.  I like to cover my basis.  They range from casual with a leather button  to business with a gold and black glass button and a gold crest to very dressy with a rhinestone , for dads who are into a little bling.  All of these buttons can be found online.  All you need to do is remove the loop from the back of your buttons and glue the cufflink post to the back.  When purchasing buttons for this project be sure to purchase shank buttons only.  I hope this has helped some of you.  Please share with us some of your creative personalized gifts for dad.

Father’s day is just around the corner and it’s the perfect time to start thinking about a creative Father’s day gift.  If you haven’t decided what you want to give your Dad yet, then this post is for you. 

 You can easily customize something especially for him.  There’s no one else out there like your Dad and there’s definitely only one of him.  So why not customize something unique that’s just for him?

It’ll definitely bring you back to those elementary days when you use to handcraft a gift for him at school.  Create something useful for him like a belt.  They’re easy to make with leather trims and your choice of buckles. 

 Another good idea is to add a bullion crest onto a baseball cap for him.  He’ll need one in this hot summer weather.  Good luck and keep checking back for some more fun ideas for Father’s day. 

By Milton

Chanel (Above)

Many times, small details are the ones that give life and personality to a garment. Too often, we overlook these details and don’t realize how embellishments can make a piece look beautiful.

 To demonstrate this, I picked 7 looks from the Resort 2010 collection. They have different kind of embellishments and they all work perfectly. Notice how without the embellishments, they wouldn’t look the same or they would probably look dull. Most of them utilize sequins plus a different element such as beads, crystals or mirrors.  Others, like the look from Zac Posen, use beautiful buttons and ribbon. You can also make any piece you already own special, just find the right embellishments and have fun being creative with them. 

Alexander Wang (Above)

Diane Von Furstenberg (Above)

Marc Jacobs (Above)

Oscar De La Renta (Above)

Zac Posen (Above)

Marc by Marc Jacobs (Above)

This past Sunday’s headband workshop was another success and, “What do we consider a success”, you ask?  Well, it’s when we’ve accomplished our goal in creating a fun and exciting time for those who participated. 

 Marisa of Neon Tea Party also attended this early morning workshop and assured readers that she had a great time.  Visit Neon Tea Party for some details on her experience.  If you’re interested in attending the next headband workshop, pleases call 1-800-9-MJTRIM ext 377.  Spread the word.  We hope to see you there.