4th of July off the shoulder ROMPER!

 

Okay, who else is dying in this heat? Because I know I sure am!

With that being said, it’s OFFICIALLY summer. So what’s easier to just throw on and go other than a romper? They are my go-to & we are so ready to share this one with you, just in time for the 4th of July!

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What you will need:

This ITY print

 Cynthia Rowley Pattern 8124

Elastic

You can even jazz it up with this necklace!

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For measurements, reference the back of the pattern:

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We also highly recommend these fabrics for this cozy romper:

In order: Shibori Bamboo Knit in RedShibori Bamboo Knit in Indigo, Robin Crepe, Pebble Crepe, Andrea Eyelet Liberty of London Anderson

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Here you will find a video that walks you through the whole process of creating this garment (hope the music puts you in the summer mood!) If you are a beginner, don’t worry, we have provided a simple walk through! If you are more advanced, we have accommodated you through the use of using your serger!

We want to see your final product!!! Tag us on Instagram or Facebook and hashtag #MLEVINECREATION for a chance to win some goodies!!

Fourth of July Home Dec/ Beach Pillow

Hi Everyone!!

I am so excited to share with you our first tutorial VIDEO for you guys to follow along with. Soon, you will be able to purchase everything needed for these videos in a simple kit, but until then, ill be linking up everything that we used.

We started with this AMAZING pillow, I personally can’t wait to throw it on my towel at the beach and snuggle up and tan with it! But you can definitely use it as a home dec/lounge chair pillow as well!

pillow.jpgHere is what you will need to complete this project:

Pillow form We are using a 20″x 20″

Silver City Stripe Fabric We used 1yrd of this

Pompoms We used 6.5 yards

We also highly recommend these fabrics for this pillow:

Serape Stripe & Sunbrella Astoria Stripe

In this video we will walk you through all the steps to creating this gem! We hope you enjoy the beach vibes music and cannot wait to see what you create!!!

We want to see your final product!!! Tag us on Instagram or Facebook and hashtag #MLEVINECREATION for a chance to win some goodies!!

Cheetah Dress DIY

Okay, so I’m sharing a secret with you guys. This dress I’m about to show you, is my life.

Before I go any further just know you don’t have to be an experienced sewer to do this! Sewing comes with time and patience. But if you are an experienced sewer and would like to finish this dress off (the hem, neckline and sleeves then be my guest, but show me pics!)

I chose not to finish the edges, which sounds crazy- I know, but with the ITY that I used and the knits that I have used, its not necessary and I like it a little rough. And you heard right, I’ve done this DIY with Knits and ITY.. AKA I’ve made a TON, they are my absolute GO TO.

I’ve even thrown one together minutes before work… that’s actually how this all started. With that said, lets get started!

Step 1: Pick out a fabric. I LOVE my ITY (which I’m giving 2yrds away to a random special someone) I used 1.5 yards, but bought 2yrds to be safe.CHeetah.png

These are the two knits I have also used before (pictures with the dresses below)
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Step 2: Gather your tools

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Step 3: Pin the sleeve to your shirt IN, like so…unnamed-1.jpg

Step 4: Lay your fabric out, make sure you are “minding the grain” as my teacher has always told me (so that it stretches the correct way). I personally, lay my fabric out flat, then fold in each side according to how much fabric I need so that I have a solid middle piece remnant. You will then lay your shirt on top of the fabric down the center front. You can pin this down if your ITY is moving around too much.

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Step 5: Use your ruler to measure from your shoulder to the ground, this will be how long you want to cut your dress continually extending it as your t-shirt follows.

** I wanted this dress to be formfitting and a little bit edgy, so I followed the cut of my shirt, if you want it loose and non formfitting, add 2-3 inches as shown below, when doing this, you may want to add a piece of elastic to the back, if you don’t know how to do this, please comment and ill add the steps **

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Repeat steps 4 & 5: This will be your back, you should end up with TWO cuts that look the same, like this…

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Step 6: Who loves french seams?! Because I know I do!! To those who are unfamiliar, we are going to start by sewing the dress together as if you are actually wearing it. That means pattern print goes OUTWARD. Starting with the shoulders, we pin, then sew (I used a stretch stitch)unnamed-8.jpg

Sew the shoulders and the sides

Step 7: Trim your garment to 1/4″ from the seam like so

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Step 8: Now the magic happens! Flip the dress inside out and sew 1/2″ stitch unnamed-10.jpg

Sew the shoulders and the sides

AND THAT’S IT! I can’t stop making these nor do people stop giving me compliments on them. This in total takes me about 20 minutes (if that) to make.

Here’s how I wore (wear) it!

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Need Feedback :)

Hey everyone,

I need YOUR input!!

Im new over here at Michael Levine and want to really connect with you guys in new ways.

One way I am thinking is offering DIY kits for purchase on our site. That being said, whenever we do a tutorial for something, we would offer all the contents needed in one kit, just for you!

For example, this cheetah print DIY that I have planned for you guys this week, if a kit were put together for you to reproduce it, would you be interested in purchasing it?!

LET ME KNOW! I would love to get involved with your input in any way, shape or form!

xo,

Jackie

We’re Backkkkk

HEY EVERYONE!!

We had a little off-time on here but now we are back in action! We have TONS of new stuff firing up and I can’t wait to share with you! In the meantime, I have a super fun and SUPER EASY DIY in store for you this week. This is the scrumptious fabric I will be using. (Giveaway of this fabric will happen to recreate my final product, comment below if you would like to be apart of the giveaway!)

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The project takes a whole 25 minutes, unless you are using a fabric that frays, they you will need to finish your edges. If you would like to prep for this project, you will need:

2 yrds fabric

Matching thread

6″ of 1/2″ elastic

Your favorite t-shirt 🙂

I’m sure you see where this is going…. Lets just say I made one last week and the next day went out and bought fabric to make FIVE more… IM OBSESSED.

STAY TUNED

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!

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!

Fabric Friday

Happy Friday! I’m keeping this one short. We’re working on updating the site, as well as getting ready for our monthly newsletter on September 1st. So much to do & so little time.  As always, these fabrics are in the process of being put online. I will include a link to where they will be once they finish being processed. 

Rayon Challis

Rayon Challis by Robert Kaufman

Sketch

New colors of Sketch, by Timeless Treasures

Flannel

Flannel Plaids, Checks, and Herringbone from Robert Kaufman

Dear Stella Perrymint from Dear Stella

embellishments

Fashion Embellishments

Have a great weekend and make sure to keep an eye out for our newsletter on

Monday, September 1st.

Enjoy!

Fabric Friday…

I swear the weeks are flying by! Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend. Hopefully you will be inspired by some of

the new fabric we got in this week. As aways, these fabrics are in the process of going online.

I will include the link to where they will be once they are processed. 

New cottons…

BenartexFloral Philosophy

Benartex, Floral Philosophy, Paisleys

Robert Kaufman, La Scala 5

Robert Kaufman, La Scala 5

Andover, Thesaurus

Andover, Thesaurus, letters&writings

Robert Kaufman, Grandma’s Garden

Robert Kaufman, Grandma's Garden,

New Apparel & Fashion Fabrics…

Lace

Assorted lace

Rayon Challis

Robert Kaufman, rayon, rayon Challis

MeshMesh & stretch netting

Vinyl
(There are more colors of this. They will all be online next week. Perfect for Halloween!)

Galactic Vinyl, Specialty Fabrics, Plactic, Vinyl, and PVC

Enjoy!