Fabric.com Blog

I have been on a buying spree on your behalf! We have added many types of notions and supplies recently, and we will continue to add new categories of items this year. Recently, I added notions and supplies for making purses and handbags. You will find two sizes and three colors of feet for the reinforced bottom of a handbag. We have four styles of metal purse frames with ''kiss'' clasps. They look Victorian or early 20th century to me. We have faux croc purse straps and the little metal purse handle hooks that elegantly connect your straps to the handbag. We have also added lots of different styles of handbag handles - plastic, suede, wooden and rattan.

Mes amis, grilling out and the 4th of July go hand-in-hand to me. What better place to view fireworks than your patio after a fabulous meal. I can help with the meal but you will need to provide your own fireworks! For me, it is spare ribs. Throw in some corn-on-the-cob, potato salad and baked beans, you are in for some fine eating!

Remember when you were a kid, you went to Bible School or a brownie summer day camp. You made macaroni necklaces, newspaper woven mats to sit on and other crafty stuff! Lunch was usually a hot dog or bologna sandwich with chips and Kool-Aid! This was followed by summer games. At the end of the day, you went home hot and sweaty with Kool-Aid lips. It was a great time to be a kid!

Well, at Fabric.com we decided to recreate that feeling for a brief period during our lunch hour. Some of us wanted to create Fourth of July T-shirts, beaded flip-flops, and other quick projects. The goal was to complete the project in under an hour. This was also a great time to test out the Clover Mini Iron Adapter and The Professional Touch Rhinestone Applicator.

Here are some of our results:

One of our IT people created these cutting-edge designed flip-flops:

We learned this tip- the applicator tool is too hot to use on the flip flops. It was much better to apply the beads with Fabri-Tac glue.

Kristl created an abstract Flag for the Fourth of July on her T-shirt.

Victoria "decoupaged" a small galvanized bucket with fabric from the  "Zippity Doo Dah" collection. You can get these buckets or paint cans from Lowes and Home Depot for a very reasonable price. You can use the containers to hold candles, silverware, cool drinks,or cool your dips and salads depending on the size of the container.

This is a very easy project:

Supplies:

1 container

Mod Podge

Small foam brush

How-to::

Measure the height of your container. Measure the circumference at the top and bottom if they are different sizes. Create a paper pattern. I drew mine out on the dull side of freezer paper.  I drew 2 lines the circumference of the bucket 5 1/2'' apart (this was the height of the bucket plus a 1/2''.) I used a ruler to join the lines on the end. I ironed the paper to the fabric and cut it out. With the small foam brush, I applied the Mod Podge to the bucket in small sections and began to apply the fabric. Let the completed bucket dry orver night and trim any excess fabric. This is also a great project for kids to help with.

Tips for rhinestone/crystal/bead projects:

  Using tweezers is very helpful to place your crystals.

Position all your crystals in the design you want and preview it before applying heat. Crystals will not come off once they have been heat set.

Be careful with the mini iron and applicator- these are very hot! Do not use around children.

Here are some great results from some great people!

 

Take an afternoon and create your own summer fun!

When I asked myself this question, I had not visited my craft "box" in a long time. I actually have about 3 drawers and a cabinet of assorted craft supplies. Looking at these supplies is like walking down memory lane.

1. I have 3 boxes of fabric and stencil paints with assorted brushes and cleaners. There was a time when I painted almost anything from terra cotta pots to cabinet doors. I still have a beautiful stenciled magnolia garland over my front door arch. It was a lot of work but well worth the effort. A friend stenciled an ivy border on her hardwood floor.

2. I have ribbons. I used to make hair barrettes and headbands for my daughter. I loved to work with ribbon.

3. I have assorted knitting needles, crochet needles and leftover bits of yarn. In fact I still have a half-finished Cabbage Patch Doll sweater attached to a set of needles. Of course, I still have that Cabbage Patch Doll, too.

4. I have boxes of embroidery floss. I cross-stitched for years. It was a wonderfully portable project. I could cross-stitch anywhere from the waiting room in the doctor's office to business trips. I still use the thread occasionally on small projects. I broke down one day and gave away all my books and magazines on cross-stitching.

5. The backbone of my craft box is my hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, heavy duty stapler, staples, mod podge, poly-urethane spray, all kinds of glue, glitter and needles. I even have Plaster of Paris.

6.  I have beads-tons of beads. These are my daughter's beads. She spent hours creating necklaces, bracelets,etc.

Now some of you might say that it is time to clean out the craft "box", but I say it is time to update the craft box.

If you have not noticed, we have just created a craft section. Watch it grow! I have my eye on the crystals. I have never applied crystals but I think I see some sparkly T shirts in my future; If there is something you would like added to the craft section relating to fabric, let us know.

 

 

The Sewline Fabric Pencils are the best marking tools I have worked with. They work like a mechanical pencil, one click and it brings a new supply of ceramic lead for marking. The line is sharp and clear and you don't need to go over the line more than once to see the markings. It is marked true on the first go. The pencil carries its own ceramic lead refills in the barrel just like a regular mechanical pencil.

The marks are easily removed with water or the eraser that is on the end if the pencil. The marks stay until you are ready to remove them from your project. I think we all need to have this marker in our quilting and sewing tool box.

 If anyone has used this product, please let us know how it worked for you. victoria@fabric.com

 

Note: As usual, read all instructions included with this product. Do not press fabric with the marking. You will not be able to remove the marks.

House Parts is an Atlanta-based company with one foot in the past and the other in the future! They offer beautiful Drapery Hardware with an historical flair. The finials are cast from items purchased at flea markets from Portobello Road to Scott's Antique Market right here in Atlanta. The 2'' fluted poles are wood through and through, and the finials are cast in wood resin. The brackets are also wood with fluted accents, and they have fantastic hanging hardware. It's a simple little piece of metal you mount to the wall with screws that are included with the bracket. The bracket has two screws already attached that slide into the hardware you attached to the wall. It couldn't be easier!

Now, let's talk about style. We have six different styles of finials ranging from tailored to over-the-top ornate. And, depending on your color choices, the ornate could become more understated and the tailored could become ornate. Create a cozy country look with the Sun-bleached Linen White, a warm white with a little bit of distress rubbed on (Arriving in June). Dress up a room with the elegance of Historical Gold, a low sheen gold with some age rubbed in. English Walnut and Antique Bronze are more traditional browns. English Walnut is a painted finish with warmth rubbed in. Antique bronze is a cooler brown finish.

Laurie, Nancy and I had the pleasure of a tour of the showroom and warehouse. They have been in business for over 25 years. They cast many kinds of products that can be found in some of the best home décor catalogs and retailers around the country. Our customer service team has had personal training with their staff in order to answer questions you may have while ordering House Parts Drapery Hardware. So, take a look up in your home. Would your window treatments look better on a better piece of drapery hardware?

The summer breezes gently stir the air. The sky is a sparkling blue and children's laughter is all around us as school ends. I asked my seven year old consultant what she was going to do this summer. One word was all she spoke-Swim! Water, beaches and sunny skies are in all of our minds. What does this bring to mind? Clothes, carefree, flowing, loose fitting and sheer! Just the thought of sheer fabric brings fear on many different levels. How do you sew on sheer fabric? It must be one of the more difficult fabrics to sew but well worth the effort.

First of all what fabrics qualify as sheer fabrics- Chiffon, georgette, batiste, lawn, organdy, organza, gauze and voile are just a few! Sheer fabrics drape well, are delicate and skim the body. Because of the delicate nature of sheer fabric, care must be taken in preparing and sewing the fabric. Here are 10 tips to get you started:

Preparation and sewing:

1. Prewash the fabric following the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Choose a pattern which will fit loosely and has few pieces.
3. Use silk pins and pin inside the seam allowance so no holes will show in the garment.
4. Pin tissue paper to the fabric before cutting to give it more body.
5. Use sharp scissors or rotary cutter and mat for the cleanest cuts.
6. If possible use the selvedge as a seam edge. This is one time that it is not recommended to remove the selvedge.
7. Use a size 60/8 or 70/10 needle, a lightweight to fine thread. If possible, use a small hole throat plate on your sewing machine. Use a short, narrow machine stitch (1.25mm- 2.00mm).
8. Use a straight stitch or small zig zag stitch to sew seams. Using tissue paper or tear away stabilizer will prevent fabric from slipping. Holding the thread tails as you sew will also help to prevent the seam from puckering.
9. Several types of seams can be used with sheer fabric. French, mock French, plain, hairline and more. The hairline seam is great for collars, cuffs and facing areas. To sew a hairline seam sew the right sides of the fabric together with a 5/8'' seam allowance using a short, straight stitch. Trim close to stitching line. Finish the seam edge with a small zig zag stitch. Press to one side.
10. Do not use steam on sheer fabrics. Steam can distort the fabric and may melt the fibers. As usual test a small scrap of fabric with your iron before ironing the real thing. Using a pressing cloth, press from the wrong side of the fabric using a low heat setting. If this is satisfactory, iron the original garment.

Now choose a fun pattern such as a swim suit cover up or loose fitting shirt to fit over that sexy camisole. Let's see what you have done when you are finished. I love to see what our creative customers have sewn! 

Here are some pattern suggestions:

FT-085 , FT-026, HP-054

It is not June 21st, but the signs of summer are already here. School will be ending this week and pools are opening everywhere. I already hear the slap-slap of flip flops in the hallways. Just saying the word "summer" lowers my blood pressure several points even though I am still working full speed ahead.

Our team of sewing enthusiasts got together last week to talk about what we want to do this summer. The ideas were flying. We will soon begin a series of "Stash Buster" projects. You bought that material at a great price, but you haven't thought of a way to use it. We are going to help!. You will also follow along as we teach one of our own to sew. We will continue to chat with designers. If you are interested in someone special, let me know at fabricmaverick@fabric.com. We can always ask them. Chef Bubba will be back as usual with a tasty recipe or two. In fact, he has one today to get your summer off to the right start. He calls it his "little black dress" pasta salad because you can dress it up or down. It is also very light on the calories. It can be marked swimsuit friendly.

Vegetable Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

 2-3 cups uncooked whole grain pasta (penne, rotini, etc.)

A combination of vegetables- zucchini, cherry tomatoes, black olives, scallions, etc.

 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese

1/2- to 1 cup balsamic vinaigrette

Cooking instructions:

1. Place water in a pan and bring to a boil. Add salt to the water. Add pasta and follow package directions. I used penne and cooked for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.

2. Place pasta in a large bowl. Add chopped cherry tomatoes, zucchini, black olives. You can add these in any proportion. You might also add summer squash, artichoke hearts, corn, black beans. If you like certain vegetables, add them.

3. Stir in 1/2 cup balsamic vinaigrette. If the pasta absorbs all the dressing, add more as required. I used South Beach Balsamic Vinaigrette. It has a great light taste!

4. Stir in 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. Refrigerate. This can be made the day before.

If you want to make this more of a luncheon salad, you can add chopped ham or chicken.

This will make approximately 16 side salad servings at only 144 calories per serving.

 The Fabric Maverick wanted me to mention that today is the 26th of May. Only 5 days left until the contest ends. Enter now and win one of those fabulous prizes. Am I eligible? I need to check on that.

Have a good summer

  Fabric.com has quite of bit of creative talent on staff and we have been working hard to start bringing you free pattern downloads.  Jennifer in our customer care division is a certified pattern maker and she has been creating patterns of our favorite fashions. Our first download is my version of a skirt that I purchased from a well know fashion retailer. It is made with medium weight cotton lycra jersey and has a super comfortable folded "yoga" style waist.   After making my first skirt I quickly realized that this could also be worn as a top or a dress by simply unfolding the waist and adjusting the body position.  The skirt and waistband length can easily be adjusted as well. Wow...What about a tennis skirt, maternity dress, a beach cover up?  It is all here in this staple of a pattern!       

 This pattern is easy, quick and always in style. Please enjoy and post your version of the "Nancy" dress in our photo gallery.

Now Go Sew!

Nancy

P.S.  Coming very soon...Stephen's Grandmother's (AKA Bubby) very own apron pattern.    Seweet!

 

This is true for one lucky person. If you have been in the Sahara desert for the last 6 weeks, you probably do not realize Fabric.com is having a contest. The lst prize is a trip to Italy, 2nd prize is a Dell laptop and last but not least is the $500.00 Shopping spree at Fabric.com. What you may not have realized is that you can register once a day and no purchase is required. Marketing has told me that over 50000 people have registerd as of last week. Of course, I am not eligible so you already have me beat. The deadline for registering is May 31st, 2009. Do not miss this opportunity. You just might be that lucky winner! If you want the insider's tips of traveling overseas, see Alanna Nelson's blog. Good Luck!