Hi Darlings! Before I get started on today’s post I wanted to share something I am really excited to be a part of. I am always so inspired by the stories that make up our lives and when I read about the Kathy Davis Brand I knew I had to join in on this mission.What began over 25 years ago with a handful of greeting cards is becoming a way of life. Founder Kathy Davis launched her business from a drawing table in the corner of her bedroom. A newly divorced mom of two, instead of doing what was “sensible,” she followed her dream of being an artist and creating a life she could love. Since then, the Kathy Davis brand has evolved from the belief that everyone has the right to “Create a Life They Love.” I have joined Kathy Davis in an amazing campaign to encourage YOU to Create a Life You Love! I will be posting a weekly picture on my Instagram @mimigstyle where I will be sharing ways in which I Create a Life I Love. I REALLY want you to join me by following @KathyDavisBrand on Instagram and posting your own images on how you are creating a life you love and tagging #CreateaLifeYouLove Make sure you follow me on IG so you can also participate in my upcoming giveaway! It’s gonna be awesome. OKAY!!!! Here it is as promised my second design for my SIMPLICITY PRE-SPRING PATTERNS! I am in love with this jumpsuit and will be making it over and over and over again. If you didn’t see MONDAYS POST on my first design make sure to check it out. Pattern start shipping to store on December 18th so keep an eye because as you know they sell out fast! #mimig #patterns #sewing #Simplicity

Hi Darlings!! I am always so excited when I get the green light to share my new Simplicity patterns… I am over the moon in love with my SIMPLICITY PRE-SPRING PATTERNS that will start shipping to stores on DECEMBER 18TH! I know, I know it seems like a lifetime away but it will be here before you know it and since they sell out fast you can be ready to start checking you stores mid to end of December. This is one of TWO PRE-SPRING DESIGNS and I will share my SECOND DESIGN on Wednesday. Today it’s all about these fabulous dresses! I can’t wait to see you guys make these babies up and of course you know there will be step-by-step video tutorials to go with these.

Hi Darlings, Today is my BIRTHDAY! I am NOT spending it working but I had to share my post today because I am so happy to be celebrating another year. Thank You Jesus for a wonderful 39 years of life!

Hi Darlings, yesterday I posted how I made a lining for the DIY Tweed jacket I was working on and today I am showing you the finished jacket. I love it so much! If you missed YESTERDAYS POST just CLICK HERE. Unfortunately the jacket pattern Butterick 5648 is discontinued it but you can probably find it on Ebay. The fabric is old and had been sitting on my fabric shelves for years, lol. Tomorrow is my BIRTHDAY! so I may take Friday off from blogging 😉 I hope you enjoy my jacket and I will see you tomorrow… xoxo DIY Jacket / H&M White Top / Zara Jeans / Plaid Pumps HERE /  F21 Necklace / MK Watch / WildFox Sunnies HERE

Hi Darlings! I am sorta gonna tease you today because I am posting how I create lining for patterns when they don’t have linings but I am not showing you how I styled it and fully finished it until my #DIY post tomorrow…he he. I am going to apologize now because this pattern has been discontinued for years but I have been meaning to sew it for just that long, lol! This method works for a LOT of patterns so you can feel confident in tackling a DIY lining in the future. I have several patterns that don’t require linings but I usually prefer my jackets or coats have at least a partial lining, so when they don’t I use the pattern pieces to create my own. I am going to show you how I did that for my Butterick 5648 Jacket (pattern now discontinued) Okay by looking at the pattern envelope you wouldn’t think “oh my this is awesome looking” lol! but the shape of view D is really what struck me and I so I knew that with the right fabric it would be amazing. The first step to creating the lining is to cut out the same main pieces out of lining the way you did for the fabric. Cut out the Back, Front, Sleeves and Facings (cut facings out of the main fabric) You want to interface your facings because instead of using lining to the edge we want the jacket to show fabric when unbuttoned and not lining. I cut my facings out of fabric and interfaced them. I turned the long straight edge under 1/4″ and then pinned my facings wrong side to right side on top of the front lining pieces and stitched them down. The first thing I did after prepping my lining and facings is to sew the jacket following the pattern instructions. I attach my collar, pockets and shoulder tabs too. Once the jacket is sewn I sew my lining pieces the same way. LINING ONLY: Sew right and left front to back at sides and shoulders, attach your sleeves and sew on your label if you have one then leave an opening in the center back so you can turn your jacket right side out after bagging your lining. Once you have sewn your lining pieces you lay your lining pieces over your jacket making sure that right sides are facing and that the collar is on the inside. You are going to pin all the way around the jacket and sew starting at the center back and all the way down one side and across the bottom of the jacket until you reach the middle and then go back up the center back and sew again in the other direction until you meet the middle and stitch and secure. Trim your corners and then using the opening in the center back start to pull your jacket right side out through the opening. When you have your jacket turned right side out simply slip stitch the opening closed. Make sure before you do that that all your corners are pushed out nicely and press it out to make sure it all looks great, then close the opening. Hand stitch the hem of your sleeve lining to the fabric and you are done. Fully lined and perfect! This jacket is so amazing and I love it so much that I have already decided to make it again but this time I am going to make it longer and more like a coat. * My fabric has been in my stash for years and I don’t know where I got it but any of THESE tweeds would make great jackets* Stay tuned for tomorrows post so you can see the finished jacket and how I rocked it 😉 I hope you feel a little more confident in creating a lining for a pattern when it doesn’t already have one. #DIY #linings #sewing

Hi Darlings, Happy Monday. I hope you had a safe Halloween this past weekend, we stuffed our faces of course and I stole all the good candy and full size candy bars, LOL!!! (just kidding) Today’s DIY plaid skirt is probably my favorite skirt I have ever made and I plan on making it a lot! The pattern review for this DIY skirt (Vogue 8956) is below of course and I also jotted down the fabric store where I picked up this AMAZING plaid fabric. “The Fabric Store” 136 South La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036 – Ph: (323) 931-8300 thefabricstoreusa.com” they don’t have an online store but they do ship so just call the store or drop in if you are local and tell them Mimi sent you. Pattern Description: Misses Skirts Pattern Sizing: I cut the 6 Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes Were the instructions easy to follow? It is actually not that complicated at all but since I was using a plaid I had to work a little harder just to match my plaid where I could. If done in a solid color, its even faster. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the style of the skirt and this laid just screamed to be made into this skirt. Fabric Used: I used this great plaid (fabric store info above) Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None. Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? YES!!! and Yes!!!!

Hi Darlings and HAPPY FRIDAY! I mentioned yesterday I was traveling so today I am posting a recap of our week on the Tieko & Mimi site. You may remember in September I mentioned launching a separate blog (yes now I manage two, lol) where Tieko and I would be posting style ideas and showing you how to wear one item several ways to maximize your closet. We just launched less than a month ago and we already have over 90,000 page views!! that is incredible and we are so thankful for the support that has come from my Mimi G Style following. This has also helped me incredibly by allowing my blog here to remain DIY focused so I GET MORE TIME TO SEW!!!! so If you have yet to follow that BLOG or check us out. HERE is a recap of our looks this week. I want to make sure I am giving both awesome DIY and pattern reviews here with projects and monthly sew-alongs but that I am also giving my non-sewing darlings a place to see style options for everyday looks there. (info on the looks below on the T&M site)

Hi Darlings! I am traveling today so I am leaving you with a favorite “Throw back Thursday” post. This poncho is super easy to make and can be made with so many fabrics. I have the original pattern review and fabric link (use code MIMI45 for 10% off) below. My bag was from Target and my booties from Steve Madden. Pattern Description: M6209 Pattern Sizing: I cut the x-small Fabric: 100% Tartan Plaid Wool (options HERE) Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done? Yes Were the instructions easy to follow? So easy you don’t even need them, lol I could have made this blindfolded…okay maybe to blindfolded but yes it was very easy to make. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I was in need of a great belted poncho and I LOVED the idea of making it in plaid. Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None. I made the neck warmer separate and used no pattern. I literally made a tube about 12″ wide by 24″ long and sewed it the long way, turned it to the inside in half and sewed it close (wrong side) as far as I could…turned it inside out and then hand stitched the opening closed. Would you recommend it to others? Yes, it is so easy and fun to make. #review #sewing #poncho #Plaid #DIY

Hi Darlings! This DIY has certainly gotten its use around here. In case you don’t recognize this lovely piece it is the freebie sew-along I did in August and posted HERE then I made it in grey too and wore it with leather leggings HERE. You can check THIS VIDEO out if you want to follow the sew along and make the dress. This time I made the DIY Gold Dress it in this cool fabric I picked up a while ago at Hancock Fabric and then belted it with tights and yes… these are the same STEVE MADDEN BOOTIES from yesterdays post but in black. You can grab the BOOTIES HERE. My earrings are from H&M and my belt is from Target. I have already reviewed this pattern and did the sew along but below is the review again with pattern info. xoxo Pattern Description: V9111 Misses Tops Pattern Sizing: I made the small Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes Were the instructions easy to follow? This is such an easy pattern to sew up and there are only a few pieces so it sews up quickly. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love anything that is drapey and wraps, lol Fabric Used: Gold Ploy Blend Knit from Hancock Fabrics Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I added length to make it a dress. I show you how to do that in THIS video Would you sew it again? YES! #sewalong #sewing #Gold #blackboots #stevemadden #DIY

Hi Darlings, I am going to warn you now that I bought the following boots you are going to see in black too and I will be wearing them everyday with everything!! consider yourself warned…I don’t want to hear any “Why you wear the same shoes” comment, LOL!!! I am obsessed. These booties are fabulous, work with everything and they are comfy! I got them HERE use code SMSTYLE at checkout. My sweater is from H&M last year and my jeans are GAP. My bag is an old Kate Spade and my sunnies are Celine.  See you tomorrow with a new DIY xoxo #Boots #sweater

Hi Darlings! I love this DIY Draped Top so much I am cutting out another one today. It was pretty easy to put together once my brain focused on the darn illustration, lol! even now I sometimes get turned around when reading some of these steps. I wish I could go in and re-write them. The fabric is an amazing Crepe De Chine from a local fabric store here in LA called “The Fabric Store Los Angeles on 136 South La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036 – Ph: (323) 931-8300 thefabricstoreusa.com” they don’t have an online store but they do ship so just call the store or drop in if you are local and tell them Mimi sent you 😉 The pattern review for my DIY top is below..I am wearing Zara Jeans, J. Crew Necklace, MK Bag, Zara Shoes Pattern Description: McCall 6991 Misses Tops Pattern Sizing: I cut the 8 Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions are pretty clear, if you are new to pattern reading you may get a tad confused with the fold and twist because the front is cut in one piece and then folded onto itself to create both left and right front. If you just follow the illustration you should be fine. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the front drape and long back Fabric Used: Crepe De Chine Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn’t make any. Would you sew it again? Yes I will be making it again in a solid color. #sewing #CrepeDeChine #mccall #DIY #top #6991

Hi Darlings! If you missed my periscope you can watch below. I covered a ton of info on what to consider before starting your blog, how to decide on what to blog about and how to stand apart from the rest. Click the video below to watch my periscope. Sign up for my Blogging Course HERE