Mimi G Pattern Review & DIY Steps!

UPDATE! The fabric has sold out but there are some AMAZING options very similar to the one below in style, texture and color scheme. View them HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE & HERE

Hi Darlings!

Today I am sharing step by step pics on constructing this great cardigan using McCall 6844 pattern and THIS amazing textured FABRIC! Let's get to it!

Cut your pattern pieces for View C (6 total)

 Lay the two front pieces on top of the back with right sides facing and pin shoulders ONLY at this point then sew shoulder seams using 5/8" seam allowance.

 Then attach sleeve using the flat method. Pin center notch on sleeve to the shoulder seam, then pin front notch and back notch. Sew and ease the curves in.

 This is the sleeve attached 

 Now pin entire side seam and sleeve the entire thing closed (as shown in the white line) this is the easiest method to inserting a sleeve especially in knits.  

 This is how it looks when both sleeves are attached and side seams/sleeves have been sewn.

 Now lay the two front peplum pieces on top of the one back peplum piece and sew along the sides (shown in the white lines)

 Now we will attach the sewn peplum to the bodice.

 With right sides facing pin the peplum to the bodice along the entire waistline as shown and sew.

Attached peplum

 Now take two of the four cut pieces for the collar and sew two together as shown in the white line. Then do the same thing for the other two pieces.

 Lay one on top of the other and sew all the way around the outer edge as shown on the white line and also along the bottom edges.

 Turn the right side out and press.

 NOTE: Sew the hem of the cardigan first before attaching the collar. Attach the collar to the cardigan by pinning and then sew.

 All that is left to do is sew the sleeve hem and give a good press! All done.

Then we style it! I used a belt to cinch in the waist but you could wear it open too.

xoxo

Mimi G

Friday Warehouse Walk… Just In & So Excited!

Just in from Robert Kaufman, Hello Tokyo, is a new collection from designer Lisa Tilse. We have been waiting for this collection to hit the warehouse and today it finally did. I know you're going to love it as much as we do. The prints are perfect for apparel, home décor, crafts, and more. The buttons and appliques make this collection even more versatile. Check out our post from last week and see the tuffet we made that would be perfect in this fabric.

 Click here to see the free downloads from Robert Kaufman...

 Click here to download the free  pillow pattern from Robert Kaufman.

 Click here to download the free zipper pouch pattern from Robert Kaufman.

 Click here to download the free softie pattern from Robert Kaufman.

 The collection will be on the sales floor tomorrow and online next week. Enjoy!

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.

I know you all love a good strip knit, so here you go. Navy and white is such a classic combination. Love this!

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.

I posted this knit print as I was photographing last week. The modern feel and geometric print just caught my eye.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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!

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.



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)



Cut 4" band circumference of the tuffet.



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.



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.







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...



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.



A Shaby Chic linen would be great as well.



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



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.



Enjoy!

Yarn bowls make yarn twice as delicious

Love the yarn bowl!

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)

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

From Robert Kaufman...

Baile Folklorica

Critter Club

Ruff N' Tuff

Super Kids

Super Kids

Urban Zoology, Laminated Cotton

New From Marcus Brothers

Romantic Olde Charleston

New From Westminster

Lottie Da

New Headbands

New Flowers, Feathers, and Bow Embellishments

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!