Sumptuous DIY Halloween Decorations
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Arrange your branches in the center of the foam, you should be able to just push them in to secure
- Glue your feather trim around the foam so that it appears to be spilling out of the cauldron
- Apply your super moss around the branches to cover the exposed foam
- Arrange and attach your ravens how you wish
- Enjoy your beautiful new Halloween centerpiece
3 comments September 29, 2009
Milan – Spring 2010
Bottega Veneta
Dolce and Gabbana
Emilio Pucci
Emporio Armani
Fendi
Gucci
MaxMara
Moschino
Roberto Cavalli
Salvatore Ferragamo
2 comments September 29, 2009
Rev Up a Classic Shawl with Biker Chic Embellishments
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!
5 comments September 22, 2009
Helpful Tips for Your at Home Sewing Projects
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.
4 comments September 15, 2009
New York City’sFashion Week – Spring 2010
By Milton
If you love fashion, then you are going to love these highlights from Mercedes-Benz New York City’s Fashion Week Spring 2010. Fashion week started on September 10th and will continue until September 17th. There are so many great shows and this is just the first part of a series of images and videos I will post. Keep checking for new posts through the week for more updates!
Carlos Miele
Carolina Herrera
Chris Benz
Donna Karan
J.Mendel
Marc Jacobs
Tracy Reese
Zac Posen
5 comments September 15, 2009
Mark Your Calendar for Thursday September 10th
“Fashion’s Night Out” is a global initiative to promote retailers, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion. American Vogue editor, Anna Wintour, teamed up with New York and Company and the Council of Fashion Designers of America to create the event that will not only take place here in New York but will include fashion capitals in 12 other countries across the globe. Their aim is to remind consumers that there is an entire industry depending on them. The fashion industry is one of the largest industries in New York City, second to finance; the industry employs 175,000 people and generates $10billion in income annually. The festivities will take place Thursday September 10th from 6pm till 11pm. Over 700 retailers in all 5 NYC boroughs will stay open late, special appearance from celebrities and designers should be expected, contests will be held, DJ’s will spin and champagne will flow. The King of Prussia mall and all 40 Neiman Marcus stores across the country will also be participating along with select Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman, and Barneys locations. So if you are not a local NYC resident retailers in your area may also be participating, check your local paper and join the celebration from your home town.
Add comment September 8, 2009
September 13th’s Headband workshop
It’s that time again. Time for another fun and exciting headband workshop. Come join us on September 13th to learn how to create Fall season headbands. Call 1-800-9-MJTRIM to register.
3 comments September 3, 2009
Labor Day Sale! Two Days Only
Mark your calendar for this Labor Day’s sale. On September 7th, save 15% on all purchase on ribbons. Then save another 15% on all button purchase on September 8th. Don’t forget to save the date. For two days only, save on beautiful and unique selections of ribbons and buttons.
Add comment September 2, 2009
DIY Ribbon & Applique Necklace
By Dara
Accessories can either make or break an outfit and when you can’t find one that’s going to enhance your outfit, then make one. I always go through magazines everyday, looking for the latest trend. This Fall, I noticed that ribbon and applique necklaces are going to be the must-have accessory of the season. With a tight budget and still having a yearn for something nice, I decided to make one myself. You can too with a few simple supplies and instructions.
I used three appliques, item number 43013 from M&J Trimming, they were only $11.98 each. If you like the appliques, you can call 1-800-9-MJTRIM to order them. I also used two grosgrain bow, a yard of silk grosgrain, a small piece of ultra suede fabric and glue gun.
All you have to do is add glue to the back of the appliques and lay them on top of the ultra suede. When it dries, trim out the extra fabric. Make sure to not to cut in between the appliques, so that they hang together on the necklace. Then cut the grosgrain ribbon in half and glue it to each side of the necklace. Once you’re done, add the bows and it’s ready to wear. Simple, right?
4 comments September 1, 2009
DIY Fall accessories with Erica Domesek & Refinery 29
Learn how to make some fashion Fall accessories with DIY guru, Erica Domesek and Refinery 29. Erica created some stylish accessories for Refinery 29 featuring M&J Trimming’s pleated ribbons, dupioni ribbons, pearls, sequins, unique stitch glue and nailheads. There’s so many things you can do when you put a little exta creativity. Visit Refinery 29 for instructions.
Add comment September 1, 2009
