Tag: Intermediate

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DIY: Embellished Pillow

Posted on by M&J Trimming

Add a little ice to your home decor this season with an embellished pillow that is sure to sparkle! We used loch rosen rhinestones and flat metal sequins to add a multi-dimensional shimmer that’s not too over-the-top, but still has a high-end style. DSC_0150

What You’ll Need:

6mm Round Loch Rosen Rhinestones
8mm Round Metal Sequins*
Pillow
Needle and thread
Scissors

DSC_01601. Sew sequins and sew-on rhinestones into an abstract cluster shape.

DSC_01622. Repeat the pattern throughout the pillow, or embellish random sections for a more eclectic look!

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*This item is currently unavailable. Check out our full selection of sequins.

Cute Kids Costumes

Posted on by M&J Trimming

For kids, Halloween is one of the best holidays of the year. They get to dress as their favorite characters, and walk from house to house retrieving candy. Who wouldn’t love that? But there are perks for adults too, like seeing all of the adorable costumes that the little ones don each year! If you’re looking for some cute costume ideas for your tiny tot, look no further. Here are some of our favorite costumes for kids!
il_570xN.191246178Dress up your little wild thing in a costume inspired by Maurice Sendak’s famous book, Where the Wild Things Are!

1b23411b7af10312b090988dd5b3ab84Everyone thinks their child is sweet, but with a cotton candy costume you can let the entire world know!

 

8f38828d1a946546af99c5d9b8f3b70cYour child can be the coolest bird on the block in a flamingo costume with matching hot pink shades.

 

This Frida Kahlo costume is perfect for cultured kids, and parents who love seeing their kids with drawn on facial hair.

 

slide_372210_4316436_freeWhy not aim high on Halloween, and set the bar to scientist? In a few years they’ll attribute their Nobel Prize to this very costume.

Clever Costume Inspiration

Posted on by M&J Trimming

Halloween isn’t only the time to get creepy. It’s also the perfect occasion to get clever! Check out these pun-tastic costumes, and get inspired to make your own hilarious creation!

638fccc3319b42eef1fe1e42b1ce76fcThis social butterfly costume is #winning in our books!

nrm_1411491135-50-shadesGet literal and literary with this fun 50 Shades of Grey costume!

Deviled-EggsA clever costume for couples who have an appreciation for a classic food pun.

Spice-GirlsSpice up your life with actual spices! The best part about this group costume? There are more than five characters to go around, and no one has to fight over who gets to be Baby Spice.

8c6a26da0a1ce442aff308167f95f398With a Taco Belle costume, you can still dress up as a princess while also being hilarious! Everyone wins.

Dye in Style DIY Round Up

Posted on by M&J Trimming

Ok, so you’ve probably heard about dip dyeing. The technique has been around for ages, but it’s picked up a lot of steam in the past few years with the resurgence of the DIY movement. We actually LOVE to dip dye at M&J, and one of our upcoming Halloween DIYs features the method! But since we’re holding the Trick or Trims RIT Dye Giveaway, we thought you might need a few more dyeing options with all of that RIT Liquid Dye you might receive. Here are a few of our favorites.

Swell Mayde Tie Dye Pants

These tie-dye jeans by SwellMayde are awesome! She used a sponging technique to get that abstract pattern. We wonder what this would look like using greens and taupes. Tie-dye camo anyone?

Playful Learning All Natural Dye

Want to know how to get a yellow this bright? Look in your spice drawer! Turmeric, and other natural items, were used to dye these clothes. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly after dyeing. Your nose might not be able to handle it otherwise!
Sharpie Tie-Dye Rookie Mag
This is a quick tie-dyeing fix for hippies on the go! Marlena from Rookie Mag made this t-shirt with a couple of Sharpie markers. We call shenanigans because this looks way too cool to take only a few minutes and some Sharpie markers.
Shibori Dye Method Honestly WTF
Shibori, the dyeing technique used in Honestly WTF’s dyeing tutorial, is an oldie but a goodie. But it’s like a REAL oldie. This method dates back to 8th century Japan. Some things never go out of style.
Batik Dye Wreath Tapestry from Kelli Murray
Sometimes it isn’t the dye that makes something fantastic, it’s the LACK of dye. This awesome wall hanging uses the batik method to create the negative space image above. Kelli Murray gives some great tips for those foraying into batik!
Have you used any of these methods before? Let us know which ones and what the results were below! And if you haven’t entered our Trick or Trims RIT Dye Giveaway yet, what are you waiting for?!

Four Ways: Leather and Chain Sleeved Sweater DIY

Posted on by M&J Trimming

Rock the runway by adding a faux leather trim to your sleeves.

SUPPLIES
1 1/4″ Faux Leather with chain
Flat Plier
Scissors
Magna-Tac Glue
Sweater(Ours was from H&M)

Supplies

STEPS
Measure the 1 1/4″ Faux Leather with chain around the wristband. Leave a bit of room prior to cutting so the 1 1/4″ Faux Leather with chain trim will remain comfortable.

DSC_5122Since this 1 1/4″ Faux Leather with chain contains leather and chain, mark the area that you would like to cut.
This will make the cutting process much easier.
Using your flat pliers, separate the chain.

DSC_5125Once the chain is separated, cut the leather trim.
Repeat this for both sleeves. 
DSC_5127

Wrap the 1 1/4″ Faux Leather with chain around the wristband, and attach each end using your flat fliers.
Feel free to use your Magna Tac Glue to ensure the stability of your trim.
DSC_5129
What do you think? Tweet us @MJTrim
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DIY: Spring Favor Boxes

Posted on by M&J Trimming

By Blerona

If your throwing any parties this spring, favor boxes can be the perfect gift to give to your guests at birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, engagement parties and more. And what better way to be creative then to make and embellish your own. Here are five different boxes we made themed around Spring, two of these boxes we made by printing a PDF pattern on hard stock paper, from Ruffled.com . You too can purchase small boxes at any paper store or you can buy colorful paper, download the free patterns (here) and make your own spring Favor Boxes. Either way make sure you have fun! 

What We Used:   

Box 1:
5/8″ Single Faced Satin Ribbon Item# 00297   in Tornado Blue 
Rhinestone Heart Buckle Item# 32413 in Silver (1.800.9.MJTRIM)

Box 2:
5/8″ Single Faced Satin Ribbon Item# 00297   in Lite Orchid
Victorian Lace Flower Motif Item# 43559 in Lt Purple (1.800.9.MJTRIM)

Box 3:
5/8″ Single Faced Satin Ribbon Item# 00297   in Spring Moss
Rhinestone Sprays Item# 26288 in Lt Amethyst
Download PDF Pattern

Box 4:
5/8″ Single Faced Satin Ribbon Item# 00297   in Silver
Download PDF Pattern

Box 5:
5/8″ Single Faced Satin Ribbon Item# 00297   in Antique White
Turkey Feather Fringe Item# 45222 in White  
3 or 4 Loose Pearls in White

Other Needed Tools: Scissors & Glue

Four Ways to Embellish Your Sandals

Posted on by M&J Trimming
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By Blerona

To kick off this summer, M&J is showing you how to look super chic on budget, this time we’re doing it with your shoes. Sandal flats are a must have for the summer, but buying several pair of embellished sandals can get costly. So we purchased a pair inexpensive shoes and embellished them four different ways. Here are some simple DIY’s that will set your feet apart from all the rest.

Look One – Jeweled Embellishment

Materials

Directions

  • Step1: Hot glue the motif on to a piece of suede fabric.
  • Step 2: Cut along off the extra fabric and mesh around the appliqué
  • Step 3: Hot glue or hand stitch the appliqué to the top of each sandal.

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Look Two – Ruffled Flats


Materials:

Directions:

  • Step 1: Cut the pleated trim in half for each shoe.
  • Step 2: Hot glue the pleated taffeta onto the leather trim of the shoe

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Chained Flats

Materials

  • 10 inches of 15mm Metal Mesh Chain Item# 44522 (1.800.9.MJTRIM)
  • Hot glue gun /Thread&Needle
  • Scissors

Directions

  • Step1: Cut the trim in half both pieces should be 5 inches long
  • Step2: Hot glue only the discs onto the leather trim of the shoe. *Not the chain.

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Look Four – Studded Flats

Materials

Directions:

  • Step 1: Iron one appliqué to a piece of suede fabric, then iron a second as seen in the photo above. One appliqué for your shoe is made
  • Step2 : Hot glue the finished appliqué to the leather trim of the sandal

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Four Looks with One Dress!

Posted on by M&J Trimming

By Blerona 

It’s time to put your winter clothes away because Summer is Finally Here! Your only crisis for the summer, “what to shop for first?” Beach clothes, party clothes, work clothes, lazy Sunday clothes? Well, we  just made it a lot easier for you. We took one simple dress and a created four different looks, for inspiration.

Look one: Day at the Beach/Park Accessories:  Donna Karan Raffia heal & Vintage Emmanuelle Kkhanh Paris Sunglasses

 Trimmings Used:

Necklace Directions:

  • Step one-  To create a flower appliqué with a button please see this tutorial
  • Step two-  Connect Chain and pearl strand by tying them together with scraps of fine lace, with either a knot or bow.

Jute Belt Directions:

  • Step1- Make knots one inch away from ends and unravel cord.
  • Step2- Fold the cord in half then wrap around waist and make a knot.

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Look two: Weekend/Day Off Accessories: Alloy Cowboy Boots 

Trimmings Used:

  For Peacock Feather and Tooth Pendant Necklace Click Here for Instructions  

Belt Directions:  

  • Step 1- Slip one end of the leather trim around the shank and hand sew with a leather needle and thread.
  • Step2-Measure around waist or desired length and insert three or four holes one inch apart on the other end of the leather trim. Cut excess trim.

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Look Three: Happy HourAccessories M&J Headband , YSL Platform Pumps 

Trimmings Used: 

  • Bib Necklace: 1 Ready Made 8″ Beaded Collar Style# 45054-Black/Crystal (1.800.9.MJTRIM)
  • Stretchable Belt: 1 yard of 100mm Ruffeled Elastic Style# 42206-7 (1.800.9.MJTRIM)
  • Stretchable Belt: 2 Snaps

Stretchable Belt Directions:

  • Step 1- Measure Stretchable trim around waist and cut.
  • Step2- Sew snap closures to the ends of the stretchable trim, 1 inch apart.

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Look 4: Nautical Look for work Accessories: M&J Belt  

Trimmings Used:

To make a belt, instead of bow Click Here  

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DIY Video Week Six: New Years Embellished T-Shirt

Posted on by mjtrimming

Dear Fashion Lovers,

Our last Holiday DIY Video is here, and I’m showing you how to make this glamorous t-shirt, the perfect statement piece for your New Years Celebration. Be sure to get creative when making this DIY.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcIuPzEw7aA]

 Click here for the list of materials used.

            Happy New Years, Blerona

Halloween Costume Series: The Ultimate Flapper Dress

Posted on by mjtrimming

By Roseann

dress

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.

dress2

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!

dress4

dress5