New romper…

A few months ago I saw this reversible stripped knit fabric on one of my warehouse walks. As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to make something out of it for the blog. I loved the feel of it and the fact that it was reversible was an added bonus. Robin found this pattern and we both liked the ease and flow of it. I also like that as it cools down I can put on a pair of tights and knee-high boots and have another look. Sorry it took a few months to get it sewn & posted, but better late than never. Here are a few pics of the process and the links to the materials we used.

Pattern: Vogue 8813 Fabric: Stripped knit Buttons: Grey/brown swirl Notions: Wonder Tape

And off to work I go.

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!

The first fabric Friday…

I was supposed to be relaxing on the beach, with a drink in my hand, but instead, due to tropical storm Flossie, I’m back at my desk typing. I am disappointed to say the least, but work must go on.  We’re hoping to reschedule, but so far we’re not having an easy time of it. Anyway, today we want to show you some of the new products that just hit our warehouse and should be online by next week. I will show the link to where they will go when they are online. Remember it takes us about a week from warehouse to online. Thank for your patience, it will be worth it. The licensed cotton prints are perfect for children’s decor, accessories, and apparel. The apparel fabrics have an amazing feel. I know they are going to sell quickly. When I was photographing them in the retail store people couldn’t keep their hands off them. The new home decorating fabrics have are beautiful. The navy embroidered one is so classic. A few of the home decor fabrics are linen blends. I always love the look of linen blends. For me they read as relaxed, airy and timeless.

Cotton Prints

Dr. Seuss Green Eggs and Ham

Licensed Cotton Prints

Hello Kitty

Modascapes

Kyoto Garden

Apparel

Double Knit

Eyelet

Stretch Denim

Sweater Knit

Voile prints

Striped Knits

Home Decorating

PKaufman

Just a reminder that our cotton prints and our flannel prints are 10% off everyday. Also this month, August 1st through August 31st, the entire Home Decorating store, as well as the entire Home Decorating section online, is 20% off.  To top it off, if you order more than $75.00 online you get free shipping everyday. What a deal! Next week I’ll have some new notion products to show you as well as more fabric. See you next Friday!

Thanks for checking in.

Enjoy!

Time for a few new dresses…

So you would think since I work at this amazing fabric store that I sew clothes for myself. That is not the case.  I have worked at Michael Levine’s for over 10 years, and while I did learn to sew, read patterns and even knit, right now sewing is not something I do for myself. I have made a few burp clothes and blankets and even knitted a handful of scarfs, but with three kids and a full time job, I just can’t squeeze it in. I do love fashion and home decorating so, like many of you, I am always walking through both stores saying what I want to make with our fabrics. Usually I hold onto the thought for a day or two and then move on. Last month, while walking through the warehouse, I came across two fabrics that really jumped out at me. I really wanted a dress from both of them and have been thinking about how to make that happen for a few weeks now. Yesterday, as I was driving (that is where I do my best thinking, especially if the kids aren’t in the car), I had a brillant idea. I realized I could kill two birds with one stone. I could make a dress and blog about it and after I could wear them. Yes, see, I am amazing at muti tasking! LOL! I decided to enlist Robin, one of our employees who in a avid sewer. This morning, I wasted no time and went to her to propose my plan. She jumped onboard instantly. She will now be joining me on this and similar projects, as we continue to grow our blog. Next,  I went to the warehouse and pulled the fabric. They are both new knits and will be online next week.

I talked to Robin about the look I wanted and we found a few patterns that would work.

After a few minutes, we narrowed it down to these two.

The floral will be perfect for the long daytime look in Simplicity 1804. Robin may need to adjust the neckline, as it looks a bit low. The stripe knit, which has two usable sides (one side  is a stripe (shown above) and the other a solid grey) will be great for this funky romper dress, Marcy Tilton, V8813. The under layer will be the solid and the over pocket layer will be the stripe.

Both are casual, but I can still go out to dinner on a wekend and look nice. Just what I am looking for.

Next week I will post an update. Hopefully they will be done soon. I can’t wait!

Getting back on the horse…

It has been way too long since I have posted here. There is so much going on at our store & with the online division that I am having a hard time blogging and getting everything else taken care. I am going to try & get here once a week. I have so many ideas for the blog, it’s just finding the time to make it happen.

I’m not sure it you blog followers also follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, but that is where I post new products , as well as daily specials and anything else I think may intrest our followers. Last week we hit 500 followers on Instagram and we gave away a bag of Shabby Chic fabric. Next we want to hit 1000 followers. We’re getting close. Follow us on Instagram and you will be entered to win 2.5 yards of one of our ITY prints. Just find the post that asks you to enter the ITY you would most want. Enter the ML number in the comment box & you will be entered to win. Remember you must also follow us.

We have new products in store & online almost daily. I just want to share a few of those items here.

I love, love, love these new colored sew-on spikes. Add a little neon to your look.

We have been receiving cottons like crazy. Don’t forget they are 10% off everyday. We just added our Liberty to that as well.(online only) I know cottons have gone up in price the last couple of years. Hopefully this 10% will help a bit.

This is Paloma from Dear Stella. Beautiful aqua & citron colors.

This is a brand new Japanese import from Seven Islands. It has two usable sides. Great nautical look.

This is our newest Liberty. Last week we received over 15 new products. From this sophisticated blue & white, to a really fun candy print.

We also just received new licensed prints. We have The Simpsons, Family Guy, and the ever popular Star Trek.

One more collection that caught my eye was Taxi. Designed for Timeless Treasures by Alice Kennedy, Taxi is bold. Black, white, and yellow really make a statement.

Beside cottons we have new knits, wool blends, and linens that just arrived. Here are a few bright wool blends and just a few of the ITY’s that we have.

Lastly, for new product, I have to share Sealah-No-Sew Tape.

I love it. We carry it in all the sizes, as well as an assorted pack. It is a double-sided, pressure sensitive, transparent, peel & stick adhesive. (It is always a good idea to test it with every fabric before you use it on your project) It can be used on a variety of fabrics, trims wood metals, glass, leather and plastic – just about any surface. It is great for window treatments, trim applications, home decorating, crafting, lamp shades, scout badges and appliqués, scrap booking, stamp embossing and repairs or all sorts. Most of your gluing can be done mess free and without burns. I just used it to do a quick fix on my daughters ballet costume and it worked great. I also had a blogger Instagram a photo of a hem she did. She loved it as well.

All the new produts above are being added to our online site as I type,. They should all be online by June 14th. Thanks for your patience. They are all ready for purchase in our retail store in Los Angeles.

Hopefully I will post again soon. I have so much more to share with you; they’re filming a reality series in our store, Mimi G’s posted a dress from our fabric and we sold over 300 yards in less than 24 hours, we hosted 23 bloggers last week, Mimi G took a behind the scenes tour and had a shopping spree, and more. Stay tuned, I promise there is more to come.