MLM Fabric - DIY Resources

I hope you have enjoyed my Sew it Yourself Posts. Below are links to each one I have done - so far.

Sew it Yourself Piko

Sew Yourself a Perfect Top

Sew it Yourself MLM - My Compilation of patterns for most MLM items for ladies


Now that you know how to make your own items, I'll let you know where to find their fabric and similar fabrics.

The best and most reliable place to find the real deal - fabric is LDG Textiles. Check out their Facebook group and join to take advantage of flash stockings and sales.

You can also find it on eBay and Etsy from time to time. But LDG always has a good inventory.

Several custom knit groups are beginning to offer brushed poly similar to what MLM company makes their leggings out of.  The fabric content for MLM company leggings is 92% Polyester and 8% Spandex. I'll list the fiber content that each group runs, if available.

Zenith and Quasar has offered brushed poly the longest and I think their's is the best. They carry a brushed poly lycra in heathered colors to be used for active wear. It is so soft and has a nice brushed finish. I have made leggings, pajamas, and my son underwear with it. It's wonderful and doesn't pill.

Lilly Himrod began printing custom prints on this brushed poly base in January of 2016, but had offered it in heathered colors for a year prior. This brushed poly is brushed on both sides. The printing process does flatten the fibers and make the fabric feel slightly slick initially, but after a few wash & dry cycles, it plumps up nicely.

The brushed poly base from Zenith & Quasar is 89% Polyester and 11% Spandex. The compositions are extremely close. The stretch is better on the Zenith & Quasar fabric, it is 100%.

Here is a pair of leggings I made with Zenith and Quasar brushed poly.

Zenith & Quasar also offers prints on a "plush" brushed poly. This is brushed only on one side, but the brushed finish is more plush and extremely similar to MLM company legging fabric. The fiber content is 90% polyester and 10% spandex. It also has amazing stretch and recovery. Here are photos of leggings I have made with the "plush" brushed poly from Zenith & Quasar.

I have also bought brushed poly from Wanderlust. Their brushed poly is 95% polyester and 5% spandex. It is more plush - almost velvety in feel. The fibers are very dense and thick. It has 50% stretch and recovery is good.  Here is a pair of leggings I made with the Wanderlust brushed poly. (Photo coming soon - I can't find it!)

A few more custom knit groups are currently offering brushed poly. They all just started, so I have not had a chance to try them out for myself. But below is the information that I have.

Starfluffle - First round of prints at preorder now (10/16). 96% polyester and 4% spandex.

Bitty Bee - First round of prints at preorder now (10/16). 95% polyester and 5% spandex.

So Cheeky - First round of prints at preorder now (10/16). 95% polyester and 5% spandex.

Wonderground Fabrics - First round of prints at preorder noew (10/23). 95% polyester and 5% spandex.

Riki Prints - First round now open (11/3).

Smoogie - First round now open (11/3). 93% polyester and 7% spandex.

Snowy Owl Customs - Just announced, no details yet.

There are also 2 groups that carry some heathered colors of brushed poly - these are soft, but more like an activewear knit.

Made Whimsy - I have bought their brushed poly and made the leggings in the photo below with it.

Sahara Fabrics - offers the same brushed poly heathered colors as Made Whimsy.

There are also several discount reseller with brushed poly - but be warned the quality is not comparable to the custom knit groups. But these groups also sell poly lycra blends - such as liverpool, jersey, and scuba - which are often used by MLM company to make their tops and dresses.

So Sew English - I have purchased from this company. The brushed poly was too thin for my liking for leggings, but it does make nice tops. Also - they current shipping times are pretty long - so don't order if you are in a hurry.

Pretty Posh Prints - I have purchased from this group too. And again, the brushed poly is too thin for my liking for leggings, but it will be great for a dress or top in the future.

Sincerely Rylee - I have purchased from here, but not brushed poly. Great customer service and pretty fast shipping.

Below are a few others, but I have not personally purchased from them.

Knit Pop

Love Adore Knit Fabrics

Cali Fabrics

Purple Seamstress 

Raspberry Creek Fabrics

Sew Vagabond

Vinegar and Honey

Love Adore Knit Fabrics

Koshtex 

Sew Sisters Fabric

Sew Landry

There are so many groups and places to shop, that I know I am missing some. As I think about it or run across them, I will update. If you have a suggestion - please leave a message and I'll look and add if needed.

 Thanks!

Sew it Yourself EYMM Piko Top

I have a super easy Hack for you today.

The Piko Top from Everything Your Mama Made. It has several variations, but the one in the middle is an exact match to a very popular MLM clothing designer top.

Kymy Johnson is the designer and owner of Everything Your Mama Made. She's also a MLM fan and helped me with this blog. Thanks Kymy!

The sizing for the Piko Top mirrors the sizing of the MLM company dolman tunic pretty close. Kymy measured her XS dolman tunic and it's measurements were very close to the Piko. I tried an Erma on at a party and I was a small in the dolman tunic, I made the Small Piko Top and it was a perfect fit. I checked with a few friends and the medium was also the same. 

For this post, I even made my top with the MLM who shall not be named fabric. I got this one from a friend. You can find their fabric or similar fabric at a few places. I'll do a post in the future with those resources. You can find that post HERE.

To make your own Erma - print out the High-Lo version of the Piko Top and the 3/4 length sleeves.

The MLM dolman tunic is about 3 inches longer than the Piko Top. Cut the Piko Top top on the "length/shorten line" and add a piece of paper to add length. I added 4" to mine so I could do a 1" hem. If you do a 1/2" hem, lengthen by 3.5". 

 It will look like this-

 

Cut your pieces out and follow the pattern instructions. They are really easy.

Here is my finished top.

I also made my leggings. The Everything Your Mama Made Get Moving Leggings are perfect for making your own MLM inspired leggings. The pattern has an athletic cut with slim thighs (to give compression) and as a mid rise that fits great. The fabric for the leggings is from Fawnette Fabrics.

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Sew it Yourself MLM company clothing

If haven't heard of MLM companies that sell clothes, I'm guessing you have seen it, but didn't know it. It seems to be EVERYWHERE! I have heard people rave and rave about how soft the fabric is, pretty designs, easy to wear pieces, etc. So I had to check it out for myself and attended a Facebook popup I was invited to.

Want to make your own - here are some patterns to try. I have an additional post for MLM company fabric and fabric alternatives HERE. Pretty much all MLM company items are made of poly blend fabrics and there are many places to buy the same style of fabrics.

Leggings - $25

There are so many legging patterns out there. I think the Everything Your Mama Made (EYMM) Get Moving Leggings are the closet to the style and fit of the infamous leggings.

The best FREE legging pattern is the 5 out of 4 Ninja Pants. They have so many rise options, and go up to a 5X. Get the code to make them free in the Facebook Group. Find my post about them HERE.

There is also the Peg Legs from Pattern for Pirates (P4P). The Peg Legs have a lower rise and slightly wider legs. The Peg Leg pattern is free with a code from joining the Facebook Group.

Plain Tee - $35


There are so many simple t-shirt patterns out. The Wardrobe by Me Wardrobe Builder Tee, Greenstyle Creations Lacy Slope hooded Tee (without the hood), and there are others.

Stretchy Knit Dress with Box Pleat Skirt - $65

I think the Love Notions Bluzette (the dress has many options and the right combination would make this dress) is close and so is the Greenstyle Creations Laurel Tunic and Dress (without the cowl). Also the Princess Skater Dress from Dandelions N Dungarees is very similar.

Dress with fitted Bodice, scooped neck and full circle skirt - $48

This can definitely be replicated using the P4P Sweetheart Dress (with solid bodice).


Raglan Tee - $35

There are also a lot of Raglan patterns out there.

My favorite is the Duck Butt Designs Really Awesome Women's Raglan (RAWR).

Hey June - Lane Raglan


Patterns for Pirates Slim Fit Raglan

And Greenstyle Creations Centerfield Raglan.

Swingy Tee with Side Slits

I think the Laundry Day Tee from Love Notions would look like this if you did the side vents like theirs. Free with code when you join the Facebook Group.

I made a separate blog post on recreating the swingy tee from the Laundry Day tee - Find it HERE.
Here is a photo of my DIY Swingy Tee

Maxi Skirt

These could easily be made with the Greenstyle Creations Sarah Nation Maxi Skirt. It can be made in woven or knit - so perfect for both. The Lola could be made as a shorter version.


Dolman Tunic with high lo hem - $35

There are several patterns that I think are close.
The Weekender Tunic (made with short sleeves) from 5 out of 4 Patterns.

The Piko top from Everything Your Mama Made (EYMM).  See my in depth blog on this easy hack (you just add length) HERE. Below is my DIY dolamn tunic using the Piko top .

And the Daisy Drop Shoulder Tee from Wardrobe by Me.

Cardigan

This could be recreated using the P4P Summer Kimono (just make it longer).

The KZJO Studio Grace Summer Cardigan is also similar and is already a longer length.

Mini Skirts

All these can easily be made with the Love Notions Sybil Illusions Skirt. The Sybil Illusions Skirt has numerous options.

The Cassie can be made using the free Pirate Pencil Skirt from Patterns for Pirates. Join the group to get the code to make it free.


Form Fitting Knee Length Dress - $45

I think the Greenstyle Creations Katie Dress is very similar.

Floor Length Maxi Dress with Fitted Bodice - $60

This dress could be recreated using the P4P Boundless dress.


Want to make a Swing Dress with a Hi Lo Hem?

 - check out this blog at Patterns for Pirates.


As you can see it would not be difficult to sew your own MLM company collection. I have included the pricing of the items I could find, but I don't know the fabric requirements for all the patterns listed above. Most of the tops I listed take less than 2 yards of fabric (most are 1.5 yards). I think these are pretty break even if you buy them or make them. The dresses I listed probably take between 2 - 3 yards. I think these would also be about even for cost of buying versus making them. Since I am petite and MLM company is all standard sizing, I will definitely get a better fit if I make the items myself. If you enjoy sewing your own clothes, you definitely can make these items yourself.

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Thanks!