Posts in Tag

Fashion

Whether you’re working from your home office or back to all things corporate, take your comfort to the next level with our stylish Suede Ballet Slipper DIY. Make your new slippers to match your outfit (even if that’s pajama pants, we won’t tell) or stand out with bright colours & fun prints!

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With warmer weather on the horizon and our need to be outdoors stronger than ever, protection from the sun’s UVA & UVB rays is important.

What if your clothing could help with that? Due to the tight weave of the fabric, our Sun Safe collection of fabric has you covered – literally!

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This Fall/Winter 2020 season combines colour, texture and print to allow for interesting combinations or simple wardrobe upgrades.

Cinnamon Neutrality

Crisp leaves, warm colours and beautiful sunsets – with autumn comes taupe, caramel and…cinnamon!

Add some warmth to your fashion this season with the Cinnamon Neutrality collection.

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Batik is a technique of applying wax to fabric in various patterns, which resists coloured dyes, producing beautifully designed fabrics. This technique originated in Indonesia. Watch the video below to see this fascinating process.

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Flannelette fabric is perfect for cool winter months and warm, fuzzy comfort year round. Always a favourite for pajamas, but it’s great for crafts too!

There are prints for everyone and every season … new prints include monsters, dinosaurs, pretty flowers and cute characters. There’s so much more in stores now!

An easy project and a perfect gift for new babies and kids alike is a simple blanket made using back-to-back flannelette with rick rack edging for a sweet finish.

Easy Baby Blanket

What You Need:
1.2m each of two fabrics
4.8m of 1/2″ or larger rick rack
thread

  1. Cut two pieces of fabric 110cm (43″) x 110cm (43″). Round corners, if desired.
  2. Sew rick rack to the right side of one the fabric pieces along the edge, stitching down the middle of the trim.
  3. Place fabric pieces right sides together and sew, using previous rick rack stitching line as a guide and leaving a small opening for turning.
  4. Turn right sides out and press.
  5. Topstitch close to the edge, being sure to close the opening used to turn right sides out.

With so many flannelette prints available, there’s no end to the fun you could have.

Whether you’re going out on the town or celebrating at home, make a statement and ring in the New Year wearing something luxurious or sparkly … or both!

Sequins, velvet and lace are go-to choices for fancy dresses and evening wear. Pick your favourite pattern and fabric and sew yourself something spectacular just in time to shout HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sequins

Tips For Sewing Sequins

Pick a simple pattern with as few seams as possible.

Identify the “nap” or the direction of the sequins and cut all pieces in the same direction. Cut your pattern pieces from the wrong side, and from a single layer of fabric.

For best results, remove any sequins from the seam allowance by hand before sewing pieces together; particularly if they are large and stiff. You may need to hand sew ‘extra’ sequins along the seam afterwards to cover any blank areas.

Use a needle that’s thin and sharp and keep plenty of extras on hand. A thicker or dull needle can get stuck in the sequins when sewing.

Don’t iron, but do press. Very low heat (remember sequins may melt at high heat), press from the wrong side of your fabric and use a presser cloth (such as a scrap piece of cotton) to protect your sequins. Remember to test on a scrap piece beforehand.

Sequined fabric should always be lined to avoid skin irritation.

Velvet

Tips For Sewing Velvet

Cut all patterns pieces in a single layer. Lay your fabric nap side down and place your pattern pieces on the back to minimize slipping and use a lot of pins.

You want to make sure your pattern pieces are secure and won’t shift when sewing. Again, use a lot of pins or hand baste in place before sewing.

Use only the sew-in type of interfacing if needed.

To press use a towel or scrap fabric to protect the right side of your fabric while you steam the wrong side. Hover with the iron rather than apply any pressure so the velvet isn’t crushed.

Lace

Tips For Sewing Lace

Check your lace fabric for any obvious right and wrong sides. Pay attention to the design elements of your lace and place the pattern pieces to take advantage of the design rather than trying to cut the lace straight across. Cut all patterns pieces in a single layer.

If pins don’t hold the lace pieces together, try small binder clips. Another option would be tailor tacks or a loose basting stitch which can be removed afterwards.

Use a narrow zig zag stitch for the seams. Use a strip of skin coloured fabric to bind the trimmed seam allowance; it will then be almost unnoticeable against your skin. Alternatively, use a French seam.

A traditional choice for nobility, velvet for fashion is more accessible than ever. Woven or knitted, this luxurious and super-soft fabric is the go-to fabric for party season, but is showing up in more casual outfits as well; with smoking jackets, tops and pants! And with it’s warm and cozy feel is perfect for any winter event.

Stretch velvets are particularly rewarding to sew and, although a little tricky to cut and sew without the pile shifting, are a little more forgiving than classic woven velvet.

Woman wearing a lace topped velvet evening dress made using Burda pattern 6483

Item #3387158 Stretch Velvet Solids | 88% polyester 12% spandex | 148cm

Woman wearing a velvet wrap dress made using Vogue patern 9350

Item #3387558 Ice Crushed Velvet | 92% polyester 8% spandex | 153cm

Woman wearing a crushed velvet, ruched dress made using Vogue pattern 1632

Velvet isn’t just for grown-ups… mixed with a matching satin, velvet looks sweet for little ones too.

little girl in a crushed velvet and satin dress using McCalls pattern 7648

Along with solid or crushed stretch velvet, there are additional opulent choices such as burnout, glitter or even embellished with pearls! Be sure to check out the entire selection in stores now.

Item #3136600 Burnout Velvet | 95% polyester 5% spandex | 150cm

While you’re planning your party dress, why not get a head start on gift making for the holidays? This DIY Fringe Scarf, using an assortment of stretch velvet, is an easy, elegant project that all will love.

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