Bridal Headband
By Kristin
Winter is here in NYC and the air is cold. I can start to see the sign of snow and I was inspired by this. I noticed while looking at bridal head wear that headbands made of luxurious ribbons are very much ‘In’. Taking a cue from Milton’s headband blog, I went a little more bridal with mine. For the winter bride I used a white Silk Satin Ribbon and a Snow Flake beaded and rhinestone appliqué.
First, I tied a bow about 1/3 of the way into the ribbon. Then I applied the appliqué over the middle of the bow using Unique Stitch glue. You can use any style and omit the bow if you wish. You can even take 3 sections and braid them together to create a unique look. To finish the headband, simply follow Milton’s instructions.
1 comment December 4, 2008
How to tie the perfect bow.
Christmas is getting closer, and I’m getting ready for wrapping all the presents for my family and friends. I always try to give each of the presents a touch of personality and I get very creative while I do gift-wrapping. However, to get there it’s important to know the basics, and that is why today I’m showing you how to tie the perfect bow. It’s very simple and with some practice you will be able to make ribbon bows in no time.
Instructions:
- Make a loop with the ribbon and hold the loop between your thumb and index finger, with the ribbon end at the back several inches longer than the front end. Use your opposite hand to pick up the long end and wrap it around the loop to begin the knot.
- With your index finger of the same hand, push a loop through the knot in front of the thumb holding the first loop.
- Pull the back of the loops with your thumbs and index fingers to tighten the knot
- Cut the ribbon ends to equal lengths.
Add comment December 2, 2008
Bridal Wedding Veil
By Kristin
The tradition of the veil on a bride has many back-stories. Some say it started in ancient Rome to confuse the evil spirits who may try to steal her away from the groom. Some say it was to disguise the bride before the wedding of an arranged marriage, this way if he saw something he didn’t like he wouldn’t run away. It is also said that the lifting of the blusher veil is so the groom knows he is marrying the right woman. There are so many variations on the story, but today the veil is more an accessory to the gown.
My best friend recently got engaged and has put me in charge of making her wedding gown and veil. As her Maid-of-Honor it is my duty to see what would look best on her and work with her taste. I know she likes lace, being a pretty traditional girl, so that’s what I went with. Looking in various bridal stores I noticed how expensive beautiful lace edged veils can be! They can be anywhere as much as $300 on up! So I’m going to describe how I made a beautiful antique looking lace veil that my friend could use on her big day without the big price tag.
Materials Used:
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Tulle
- Lace (I used #35329 in Ivory to Match the Ivory Tulle)
- Unique Stitch Glue
- SS16 Hot Fix Pearls (#03416) in Nacre
- 3″ long clear plastic comb
- Needle and Thread
Note: I chose a length a little longer than the fingertip. It is double layered with the top layer being about 8″ shorter than the under-layer. Choose a length that works for you, I’m going to give directions for fingertip length though.
Directions:
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Measure the length from where you want the veil to start, to your knee.
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Fold the tulle in half and use the folded edge as the top of the veil (where the comb will be sewn). Fold this piece in half length wise. From the top of the folded edge (comb edge) measure the length you used for the head to knee.
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Mark with pins a quarter oval. Make it a little wider at the top than the bottom to give it a more full look. When you are happy with the shape, cut it out.
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Unfold the piece (leave the top and bottom layers folded together) so you now have a half oval shape. Take the top layer and mark with pins about 8″-10″ up from the edge. Cut it shorter but still keep the shape of the bottom layer.
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Now the fun begins, you get to glue on the lace! This will take patience and time, it cannot be rushed! You can also opt to sew the lace on with a machine. Line the edge of the scallop up with the edge of the tulle and pin in place if sewing, pin it as you glue otherwise.
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Once you have the lace attached (and it has dried overnight) you can set the pearls or rhinestones (or both if you so choose).
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If you used a scalloped edge lace as I have, be sure to cut the excess tulle from the scallops for a cleaner look.
The nice thing about the veil is that you can choose to use lace as I did here, leave the tulle plain (like I did for my own wedding), use rattail cord (1mm or 2mm), beaded trims, or a thin ribbon edge. You can personalize your veil to match your dress and it won’t cost a fortune.
5 comments November 24, 2008
Celebrating Thanksgiving
There’s many things to be thankful for every day of the year. This Thanksgiving M&J Trimming is truly thankful for receiving care and support from all of our customers. You are the one of the reason why M&J Trimming has been around for over seven decades and will continute to service you with quality merchandise for many more years to come. We wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving.
Add comment November 24, 2008
Swarovski Rhinestone Center
Do you like all things glits and glam? How about shinny and new? Then you’ll definitely like our newly updated Swarovski Rhinestone center. In this center you’ll find all of our Swarovski crystal merchandise as well as rhinestone related merchandise such as the rhinestone kits.
Add comment November 21, 2008
Rhinestone Portable Speakers
Add comment November 18, 2008
Winter Wedding Colors
By Kristin
You can apply these items to wedding gowns, invitations, wedding cakes and even center pieces. It’s amazing how adding a little accessory can make a big difference.
Add comment November 18, 2008
Christmas Decorations
Rhinestone Jingles
Decorating the Christmas tree with family and friends is a very special time. Making the ornaments yourself also means the quality time spent together more memorable. Here are a few ideas you can use for decoring this holiday.
Materials
- 1 - large jingle bell
- 1 - 11″ blue organza ribbon
- 1 - 11″ silver organza ribbon
- Various sizes and colors of flat back rhinestones
Instructions
You can create any design you’d like on the jingle bells using gem-tac glue and flat back rhinestones. Also laying one ribbon on top the other, you can tie it around the handle of the jingle bells.
Ribbon of Jingles
Materials
- 1 - Silver jingle bell
- 1 - 8 ½” of 5mm red velvet ribbons
- 1 - 9″ of 5mm emerald velvet ribbon
- 7 - Silver pearls
- 1 - 5 ½” silver wire
Instructions
- Using pliers take one end of the wire and hook it onto the jingle bell handle.
- Using the emerald velvet ribbon, tie a bow onto the wire to cover the area that was hooked onto the jingle bells.
- On the red velvet ribbon, measure 1″ and poke a hole through the ribbon.
- Insert the wire through the hole.
- Insert one silver pearl or as many as you prefer.
- Create a zig zag shape with the red velvet ribbon and poke a hole through the ribbon where appropriate.
- Repeat steps 4 through 6 until there is no more ribbons left.
- Using pliers been the left over wire to create a loop.
Note: you can use any size or color of pearls and ribbons you like.
Add comment November 13, 2008
Unity Candles
By Kristin
My husband and I were originally not going to use unity candles, but I thought it would be a nice thing to incorporate into our short ceremony. Unity candles are used to represent the love of the two families for the Bride and Groom coming together as one happy family. Usually there are two taper candles and one pillar. The parents of the bride and groom light the tapers and in turn the bride and groom light the pillar candle with the tapers making the union complete.
I used a pretty taffeta ribbon that has a great sheen to it and accented with a coordinating rhinestone button. You can pick any ribbon/button combo you like, I just happen to love purple colors, so that’s what I used here.
Note: Before you look into having a unity candle, be sure to ask your venue if you can have live flames from candles. Some places will not allow them.
Materials Used:
- Pillar candle about 3-5″ wide and 6-10″ high.
- 38mm Imported Taffeta Ribbon (#38817) Amethyst
- 33mm Rhinestone Button (#26380) Amethyst/Lt. Amethyst/Silver
Tools:
- Scissors
- Needle and Thread
Direction
Wrap the ribbon around the pillar candle and tie into a bow. Sew the rhinestone button to the middle of the knot. The same technique can be used for the taper candles as well, the rhinestone button can be left off the tapers and just a simple small bow tied towards the bottom.
Add comment November 11, 2008
50% Off Handbag Handle Sale!
Take 50% off all handbag handles on www.MJTRIM.com. There’s a wide selection to choose from. So hurry and take advantage of this sale while supplies last! Choose from bamboo, acrylic, ethnic, beaded, wood style handles and more!
Add comment November 10, 2008
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