Friday, September 20, 2013

Fabric Friday....


So this week we have a lot of new product going online and there is still so much outside my office & in the warehouse it is crazy. Larry (#larrylovesfabric), the owner, has been buying like crazy and I have to say he has found some beautiful fabrics at great prices, which we can now pass onto you. I think you're going to be very happy over the next few weeks as the fabric continues to roll out.

Here are a few apparel fabrics that caught my eye this week...

As the summer leaves us and we gear up for fall these three wool/spandex blends are perfect. Sometimes a solid is just what is needed for a staple piece.

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I know you all love a good strip knit, so here you go. Navy and white is such a classic combination. Love this!
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This black & white stretch gingham seersucker fabric is a great weight. It is 58% Cotton/29% Polyester/10% Elasthane/3% Spandex. This classic black & white gingham is right on trend for the fall.
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I posted this knit print as I was photographing last week. The modern feel and geometric print just caught my eye.
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This Chambray Stretch Linen by Robert Kaufman is soft and breathable.  It is 54% Linen / 44% Cotton / 2% Spandex. Personally stretch is my bacon...everything is better with it.
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For a little more stretch we brought in a few new rolls of denim. They all have stretch, but this one is called a Super Stretch. It is 98% Cotton / 2% Polyurethane. That should fit like a glove. I don't have a picture, but it make me think of the beautiful black leather with a spandex coating we just received. Just perfect for the leather pants I keep seeing online and in all the magazines.

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We ordered this 21 wale corduroy in 21 colors. From kiwi to flamingo and many shades in between. It is ultra soft and light weight. I can't wait to see what amazing items you all are going to make with this.

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Beside fabric we're really trying to boost our notions department online. This week we added over 50 new products. Here are just a few...

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We have had chain in the retail store for sometime now. Last week we received over 60 new chains so we're going to try them online as well. They sell by the yard and come in the traditional gold and silver, as well as many colors and styles. Last year I made a few great necklaces for the holidays. They were so simple and really great for all the holiday parties I went to. We plan on making a few new ones in November. I was inspired by a few great ones I saw in Anthropology last week. A little felt, some vintage looking buttons, and E600, and you'll be ready to accessories. You can take a look at the ones I made last year  here.

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Remember many of these items were just photographed this week. They are in the process of going online. I have linked to where they will be. We just like to give you a little preview of what is coming.  Have a great weekend.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

New Foam Tuffet...


Happy hump day. Robin & I want to show you this new product we received. These foam tuffets are perfect next to a bed or chair or as a foot rest. There are so many ways you can go with it. From juvenile, to retro, to funky and so much in between. Really, your imagination is the only thing that will limit you. Have fun and please, if you make one, tag us so we can see it.

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Supplies:

2 yards of fabric, pictured here ML247495

1/4  yard of solid fabric of your choice for piping

3 1/3 yards of cotton cording (enough to go around tuffet twice) or use pre made piping, trim, or fringe

1 piece of batting, size of top of tuffet (optional)

1 foam tuffet (18" diameter/15" tall)

1 quick pleater. I used the 2 inch pleater

Pattern:

Cut top piece 19" diameter circle. (to allow for seam allowance)

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Cut 4" band circumference of the tuffet.

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Cut 3 widths of fabric at 15" long each.

The piping was made with 1/4" cotton cording & a solid fabric.  (you could also use a pre-made piping or use a fringe)

Make sure there is enough to go around the tuffet twice.

Stitch piping to the circle top piece.

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Attach 4" band to piped top piece.

Attach 2nd piece of piping to the bottom of the band. Set aside.

Now, sew the 3 large pieces together to make a loop. (In this case the 3 pieces equalled 3 times the circumference)

Get out your quick pleater & start pleating. I like to pin the pleats in place.

We decided to go with a box pleat, but a knife pleat would also work well.

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Hem the bottom. I used the Sealah double sided tape to make is super quick & easy.

Iron the pleats down.

Attach pleated skirt to bottom of band.

Place the batting on top of the tuffet. This is optional, but it will give it a softer look.

Put your slip cover on your tuffet.

Now you have this perfect foot stool or side table that coordinates perfectly with your space.

Here is our finished product...

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There are so many fabrics that would work well with this project. Here are a few others we suggest...

ML247510 is one of my favorite fabrics. You can't go wrong with this beautiful embroidered indigo.

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A Shaby Chic linen would be great as well.

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I love this Moroccan Ikat print.  The colors are great. I can see this in a tweens room.

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Also take a look at the pouf that Lisa Tilse made with the fabric she designed for Robert Kaufman. We should have this fabric in next week. It is really a bold pop of fun.

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Enjoy!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Mimi G For Michael Levine DIY Top Tutorial!


Hi Darlings!


It's so strange to be somewhere other than on my blog posting, but I'm very excited to share something awesome with you.  Over the next few months, I will be posting amazing, FREE tutorials for all of you to enjoy, thanks to the wonderful folks at Michael Levine Inc. We are going to have so much fun together, but I urge you not to miss any postings or announcements. So please, make sure to follow this blog by clicking "FOLLOW" in the sidebar and signing up for the newsletter HERE.


If you are not familiar with my blog, Mimi G Style, or my tutorials, let me share how it works. I film step by step, and easy to follow video tutorials that anyone can sew along to. Not only are my tutorials fun and easy to understand, but they are all fashion-sewing based, and great for any skill level.


Now lets get to the tutorial! We will be drafting and sewing from start to finish, a top that is flattering for almost anyone, and then we will be adding some great leather patch pockets, or a cool leather exclamation point. There is also an adjustment for those who prefer an off the shoulder look. Enjoy!



 FABRIC & SUPPLIES NEEDED: 1.5 -2 Yards of Purple Double Knit HERE, Black HERE  / 1 Leather Hide  HERE / Optional: Trim HERE


 DOWNLOAD the pocket and exclamation point template (other supplies covered in the video)

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Three Looks

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Saturday, September 7, 2013

Fabric Friday (does it count that I started typing when it was still Friday?)

Sorry this is late, but better late than never. Here are a few new products that came in this week.


Have a fantastic weekend!


New Home Decorating prints from Premier Prints


premier prints, dome dec

From Robert Kaufman...


Baile Folklorica


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Critter Club


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Ruff N' Tuff


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Super Kids


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Super Kids


Super Kids, Anne Kells, For the boys

Urban Zoology, Laminated Cotton


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New From Marcus Brothers


Romantic Olde Charleston


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New From Westminster


Lottie Da


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New Headbands


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New Flowers, Feathers, and Bow Embellishments


Flowers, feathers, and bows


Hopefully by next week we will be finished unloading more of our new fall apparel fabrics.  There will be so many beautiful fabrics hitting the warehouse and the retail store in the next few weeks, it is very exciting.  As I take photographs for the web site, I will share a few pics on Instagram. For your up to the minute information don't forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.


Have a great weekend.


Enjoy!

Monday, September 2, 2013

Announcement time...

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We are very excited to share this news with you.  Mimi, from MimiG Style, has come on board as Michael Levine's Star Blogger. Mimi has been blogging about fashion, sewing, and more for over 5 years. Her sense of fashion and style, combined with her amazing sewing tutorials, has brought her loyal followers from all around the world. She started sewing at twelve while spending her summers visiting her aunt. It was on that sewing room floor that her passion for sewing and creating took hold. We can not wait to collaborate with her! Starting in September she will be bringing monthly projects and tutorials to our followers. From apparel to crafts and everything thing in between.  We're excited to start this new partnership. With our fabric and Mimi's style we think our viewers should be in for a real treat. Stay tuned for our first DYI tutorial mid September. We will be bringing you one of this Fall's hottest fashion trends.


Enjoy!


Last, but surely not least, we have very exciting news. Mimi, from MimiG Style, has come on board as Michael Levine's Star Blogger. Mimi has been bloging about fashion, sewing, and more for over 5 years. Her sense of fashion and style, combined with her amazing sewing tutorials, has brought her loyal followers from all around the world. She started sewing at twelve while spending her summers visiting her aunt. It was on that sewing room floor that her passion for sewing creating took hold. We can not wait to collaborte with her! Starting in September she will be bringing monthly projects to our followers. From apparel to crafts and everything thing inbetween. With our fabric and her style you should be in for a treat. Stay tuned for our first DYI mid September. We will be bringing you one of this Fall's hottest fashion trends. Make sure you're signed up for our blog so you don't miss it.

Announcement Time...

 we have very exciting news. Mimi, from MimiG Style, has come on board as Michael Levine's Star Blogger. Mimi has been bloging about fashion, sewing, and more for over 5 years. Her sense of fashion and style, combined with her amazing sewing tutorials, has brought her loyal followers from all around the world. She started sewing at twelve while spending her summers visiting her aunt. It was on that sewing room floor that her passion for sewing creating took hold. We can not wait to collaborte with her! Starting in September she will be bringing monthly projects to our followers. From apparel to crafts and everything thing inbetween. With our fabric and her style you should be in for a treat. Stay tuned for our first DYI mid September. We will be bringing you one of this Fall's hottest fashion trends. Make sure you're signed up for our blog so you don't miss it.