I was in M&J Trimming on Saturday and barely made it out of there alive. I managed to restrain myself ONLY because I hadn't brought any yardage requirements with me, making buying trim for specific dresses an exercise in pure guesstimation. I ended up buying some green leaf trim (what I went in there for), a Superman patch for my little boy, and a string of yellow beads (they were 99).
If I were to make a list of everything at M&J that seriously tempted me, we'd be here for days, so the highlights: some polka-dotted stretchy foldover trim (especially as a co-worker stopped me on Friday in dismay. "You're not wearing polka dots!" he said, looking stricken. "You *always* wear some kind of polka dot!" I talked him down but it was a close thing.) Some heavy beaded ribbon in tones of teal and turquoise. Some faux-folklorica embroidery edging. And the killer, tulle covered with tiny square sequins. Square! So Courrges! I wanted to buy the whole bolt and use it to make a skirt. I wanted to buy all the bolts (they had multiple colors) and just hoard it.
Then I thought of this pattern, recently purchased as part of the Great Midriff Band Obsession of 2005 (look, this one is SHAPED) and thought how nice the sequins would be as the "purchased trim" for this dress. Now I just have to decide the color. I think tone-on-tone would be the best … not that I really have any place to wear a sequin-embellished ANYTHING, but that's never stopped me before.
Just one note: the floral dress looks as if it has a tiny collar, but it's just the miter line of the trim. Sorry. Fooled me too.
A Dress A Day 
sequins are everywhere now, even on office clothing, so you don’t need to worry about that!I think it’s fabulous that you make your own dresses..I’m actually a bit jealous! While I can recognize and appreciate great style (which you have both of), I unfortunately can’t create anything myself. On that note, since I love your blog so much I’ve added it to Shoebuy.com’s Official Blog (under our favorite fashion blogs). As the fashion consultant for the web’s largest shoe/handbag retailer, I manage the blog and am constantly updating it with recommendations, tips, updates on new brands and of course, coupon codes for discounts!Anyway, I look forward to seeing what your next great creation is going to be!
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This year’s Indian-inspired clothing has sequins for daywear; I have several skirts with sequins sprinkled over them, and I’m seeing a lot of embroidered tunics as well.Go for it.
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Someday, some fine day, I will make it into M&J Trimming, and will spend every penny I have. (You didn’t happen to notice if they had pink & black ruffled trim or pink & black striped ribbon, did you?)
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I didn’t! but they might have it on their site …
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And I know I’m hopelessly old-fashioned, but I just can’t wear sequins (or satin or diamonds, for that matter, not that the latter comes up that much for me!) in the daytime. I feel conspicuous.
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I think I remember this pattern from when it was first issued. And I love sequins, but only when they’re not popular.
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“Elegance” (you do have it, don’t you?) says a woman should never wear diamonds before 30. Now *there’s* a rule. I think you aren’t allowed to wear black velvet before then, either, unless you are a very little girl in Mary Janes. I never go out in the evenings, so am forced to glitter in the daytime. Today is much more austere — black quasi-military velvet jacket from Target (yea Target!), long black pleather flamenco skirt, black stockings, black boots. And a gold griffon on one lapel.
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I don’t have a copy of “Elegance”! I keep meaning to pick one up.And your outfit today sounds wonderful. Everyone needs a black pleather flamenco skirt.
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I talked him down but it was a close thing. Made me laugh. I am envious of your access to those specialty shops in the garment district. I was in NYC in 2000 and discovered a button shop – I thought Id died and gone to heaven.
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I’ve had my copy of “Elegance” for … ulp… decades. At least one. Probably two. And while I have read it until it’s battered, it doesn’t keep me from wearing diamonds in the daytime (I waited long enough for them!) or mixing coloured stones. It doesn’t keep me from wearing satin or sequins in the daytime, either. But the sequins are judicious, and so is the satin, since although I love sparkle, I don’t want to be mistaken for a holiday float, either.Oh, and black velvet waaaaaay before thirty, too! I have to wait until lunchtime to check Jonquil’s link, but I think I’ve found a sister-in-sparkle; I’ve a batch of those skirts myself. And today’s outfit is a sleeveless black metallic silk turtleneck, a dark red wool crepe skirt, black tights, black boots, and a black wool crepe quasi-military Albert Nipon jacket with jet buttons and embroidered with jet beads.M&J, M&J, M&J … I’ve promised myself for years I’d go back with a BIG bag. Which would be really smart, since the available supply of unusual trims seems to be an endangered species.
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I’ve just bought this pattern on eBay and I’ve been talking about making it in green satin with beetle wings and embroidery for the trim. 😀
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