Michigan’s MoM Blog

I need models to demonstrate how radiant you can look in the new Mary Kay makeup looks. If you are far away, you can do it on-line by visiting MaryKay.com/ramonamooney.  Go to the Virual Makeover, choose one of their models or upload your photo. Then choose a natural look for everyday, a classic look for important meetings, and/or a dramatic look for stepping out on the town. You can have so much fun playing around with different hairstyles. 90% of the time I have every product in stock. MaryKay.com will send me an email with your must haves and I will get them to you ASAP.  I’m having more fun than I imagined with these make overs!  If you are close to me call 734-913-8131 for a private, in person, half-hour, makeover with a lovely photo of how gorgeous you look.

I learned to work with leather, sewing it with an industrial sewing machine about 20 years ago. How I learned and where I learned is a story of its own. Let me know if you want to hear that story.

In my last post I promised to tell you about the leather alterations I did last summer. 

I was walking out of my bank when I stopped to admire a custom-made leather motorcycle seat on a Harley. Next thing I know its owner was standing next to me.  We exchanged business cards.  Months later he came to me with a worn, or should I say aged, leather jacket that was now too short in the torso and too short in the arms.  My customer know exactly what he wanted me to do, almost step-by-step. 

I inserted extra leather in each sleeve between the elbow area and the wrist area.

I also inserted extra leather at the bottom from the bottom of the zipper all the way around so that it would actually meet him at  his waistline.

Since he had worked in leather for years, seats and saddle bags, etc. he had the exact same trim that was elsewhere on the jacket.  So I covered all of my seams with this trim, making the finished jacket look like an intentional design from its orginal designer so many years ago.  This jacket was also covered with commemorative patches from MIA friends and places he had visited over all the years of riding.

He was so happy with the finished jacket that he then had me alter leather pants to fit correctly – tight.

This was last summer’s leather alterations story.

Dear Friends,

Please excuse me for being so busy with life changes that I haven’t had an extra minute to communicate on my own blog!  My goodness.

I have so much to share.  Everything from interesting customers (the names are changed) and their creative projects to classic movies, where I get alot of my own inspiration.

This Chirstmas, a customer came to me with a special present for her Autistic son.  He loves to play the trombone and wear a marching band uniform.  Because she cannot find it in green and white online, I am custom making it for her. 

It’s gratifying for me to fulfill such a special and specific need.

Next time I’ll share the leather motorcycle gear alterations I did recently.

Michigan’s MoM

This week we got a request for how to make a cage crinoline.  What is it?  It is a slip that allows a limp skirt to stand out in a circle, like Scarlet O’Hara’s in Gone With the Wind.

The instructions on how to make a 220″ circumference cage crinoline. The materials involved start with elastic at the waistline and tricot (single knit light weight fabric for making slips).  As it descends to the hips the crinoline starts being gathered at that area resulting in a larger circumference at the bottom (roughly 6″ down). There put your first row of boning.  After that attach another row of crinoline (stiff netting) this time 8″ wide,  Then another larger circumference of boning, and then another row 12″ wide and so on until it is the length and fullness desired.  I suggest you plan it out on paper for the length and fullness you want as a successful result.  When you estimate the amount of fabric, netting and boning, get much more or the tricot so that you can put a layer of tricot between the wearer and the crinoline.  Crinoline is nice and stiff netting but it is quite scratchy and uncomfortable.  There is usually a slip of tricot inside with an outer layer of the descending larger and larger circumference crinoline I have described above.  Both are together and wrapped around the elastic at the waist.

Thank you for your interesting question.
Michigan’s MoM Sewing Services

If you are tied of crowds, parking hassles, driving and the drain on your gas tank. Let me come to you.  You can get your clothes altered and a free makeover with beauty tips at the same time. I have excellent Mary Kay skin care and makeup.  You can try it for free with a full money-back guarantee.  Our skin care is packed with multiple benefits for having smooth younger-looking skin.  Most men agree their women look at least 10 years younger.  Check it out at MaryKay.com/ramonamooney.   There are ways to get expert makeup advice on-line and have product sent straight to your home.  Or call me to set up a time for a pin fitting of your clothes and a skin care/makeup class right there in your home.