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Santa seems to be in so many places this time of year. Personally, I am still trying to figure out how he does it! There are only a few variations on the theme when it comes to what he wears, but I tend to think you can still be creative and have some fun. If you require a Santa of your very own read on to find out how J&O FABRICS can help you. Here is what you will need that we can help you with:  Red Velvet UpholsteryUse this fabric for Santas coat, pants, hat and bag.  Winter White Long Hair Fur FabricThis fabric is perfect for trim along the bottom of the pants and arms. Trim all along the bottom of the coat, up the front and around the collar. Trim on the brim of the hat. Use as much or as little as you like.  Patent leather Vinyl:BlackUse this for the belt which should be 3-4 inches wide. Here are the other things you will need: Pattern Buckle Black boots Hair and beard Padding Don't forget the bag of presents! Instructions: Find a pattern. If this is something you want to keep and reuse year after year take your time and do a nice job. I would use Red Velvet for the suit and hat. Get suspenders to hold up the pants, it looks more classic, but elastic at the waistband is also needed. The long fur is very luxurious, and all makes all the difference for a spectacular looking costume. The belt needs to be 3-4 inches wide - make sure you measure after Santa has all of his padding around his belly. You can try to find an old buckle or make one from cardboard, just paint it with a high gloss gold paint. Find some black boots and remember the white gloves. If you have trouble finding a Santa pattern find an old robe the right size, open the seams and use that as a pattern for the coat. A nice pajama pant pattern will work well for the bottoms. Here's a little tip from a gal who used to help dress Santa for the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade: Make up! Do not forget those rosy cheeks. Maybe a bit of glitter too! Remember Santa has been traveling in the cold long night! Posts by J&O Fabric StoreLabels: Christmas, christmas-fabric, Santa-Claus, Santa-Claus-Suit
 The other day I was visiting a friend of mine in Philadelphia, PA. I was staying over by Cottman Ave off of Roosevelt Blvd to be exact. Anyway, it must have been maybe 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning when I heard a loud "BUZZ" like the timer on an oven or alarm clock. The buzzing lasted for about a minute or two before the quiet air of the night resumed. Moments later, I would hear a rustling in the bedroom next to mine as if my friend was awakening for the day. It would not be long before I heard the front door close and his car starting up in the cold early morning hour. As I looked out the window, I could see him driving off down the road in the direction of what appeared to be a storefront with a blinking red light on its roof. As I looked a little longer, I could see that my friend was not the only one gravitating towards this light in the night. It wouldn't take long for me to realize that the buzzing that had awoken me from my slumber, was also coming from this same mysterious building. A dimly lit sign revealed to me that the object of attraction for the line of cars soon accumulating alongside its perimeter was none other than the infamous Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Upon the return of my friend less than 10 minutes later, it would be revealed that the buzzing I heard was indeed that of an oven timer letting the surrounding community know that the first morning batch of delicious and seemingly addictive Original Glazed signature doughnut treats had just come off the line and were ready to be snatched up by all addicts eager for their "quick fix" that would welcome them into a new day.  I had the pleasure of indulging in one of the dozen or so my friend purchased for his fellow employees on the job that day, and I must say...Vernon Rudolph stumbled onto something really special when he bought the secret recipe and started his own doughnut shop down in North Carolina back in the 1930s. Over 70+ years and millions of doughnuts later, Krispy Kreme is still drawing crowds and giving new meaning to the "Red Light District".  In ode to Krispy Kreme, doughnut shops in general, and addicted Americans everywhere, J&O Fabrics would like to take a moment to salute the coconut sprinkled, jelly filled, chocolate dipped, cinnamon rolled, and yes....original-glazed-eat-with-your-hands-and-lick-your-sticky-fingers-clean doughnuts and their vital contribution towards the culture that makes us Americans! Labels: donut-fabric, donuts, doughnut-fabric, doughnuts, krispy-kreme, novelty-cotton-fabric, red-light-district
 With the holiday season already well under way, J&O Fabrics has the perfect solution that will not only save on your pockets during these frugal times, but inspire the artist in all of us to emerge! In our efforts to nurture creativity, reduce excessive spending, promote a more Eco-friendly way of gifting, and encourage an entrepreneurial spirit, we are hosting our "1st Annual Most Amazing Handcrafted Gift Contest"!  Thats right! We are looking for the most amazing handmade gift crafts to feature on our J&O site and Facebook page during the week of December 25th. So whether you celebrate Hanukkah (Dec 11-19), Christmas (Dec 25th) Kwanzaa (Dec 26-Jan 1), or just love the spirit of gift givine, we would love to see just what makes you so unique. The winner will receive a $50 American Express gift card along with the notoriety that goes along with being the " chosen one " from our Fabulous Fans on Facebook. There is no better time like the present to run one of our craft contests. We know we have a lot of talented customers out there, we know that a lot of you celebrate the holidays, and we know that many of you love to share your latest and greatest crafty undertakings with us from time to time. So we put two and two together and figured out a fun way to showcase your crafts and some of our favorite prints and fabrics in a creative way with an online contest. What better way to reward you in return for your time, effort and ingenuity!
The contest.... ' J&O Fabrics 1st Annual Most Amazing Handcrafted Gift Contest'
The contestants....You! The voters.... Our very own J&O Facebook Fans The prize...... $50 American Express Giftcard! To enter, simply:
*Go go to Facebook at www.facebook.com/jandofabrics. *Become a Fan of J&O Fabrics on Facebook. *Upload a picture of your handcrafted gift right under the wall (next to the Attach:) *Add a description of your handmade gift craft. To vote simply: *Become a Fan of J&O Fabrics on Facebook.
*Visit Fan Photos under our Photos section.
*Visit our Poll section on facebook to place your vote!
**Only 1 vote per person will be counted and the most amount of votes wins.
All entries are due in no later than December 18, 2010. Voting will begin on December 18th and end on December 30th. Once selected, the winner will be notified via email and Facebook. Your finished project will be featured on Facebook as well as our J&O Fabrics Blog Page for our customers worldwide to see. Remember, we are looking for the "most amazing" handcrafted gift fashioned by you. So get your creative juices flowing and your fabric ordered. From holiday themed prints, specialty organics, and festive embroidered/decorative sheers, to luxurious dress fabrics, warm polar fleeces, and fanciful novelty cotton, just the right fabric can make all the difference between a good gift and a great gift! So come one, come all. Show us what you got just in time for the holidays. Contest entry starts NOW! Posts by J&O Fabric StoreLabels: contest, facebook, first-annual-contest, holidy-contest
 Dear Netfah,
I just recently came back from a trip to Africa and was amazed at some of the beautiful head dresses the women wore there. I am interested in duplicating the look and have seen some "How To" videos on Youtube that seem helpful in getting me started. From your online caricature pic, I figured you also wear some type of head covering and wanted your opinion on the type of fabric best suited for the style. I am looking to start off with probably a versatile color like black or white that I can wear with various outfits, and something that will not slip off too easily. I also need to know how much yardage I should consider buying to create the look I am going for. Not too high, yet not "bandanna" style either. Any assistance you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Signed,
Africa Adorned from Tennessee, USA
Dear Africa Adorned, Yes, the women of the over 47 countries that make up the beautiful continent of Africa definitely have mastered the art of head dressing! And while many of the styles are used to identify a particular social status, ceremonial occasion, or country of origin, others are reflective of the unique tastes and fashion sense of the individual woman herself.
My general response to your inquiry regarding the type of fabri best suited for a novice such as yourself looking for a more simple African inspired headdress in a versatile solid color is to start out with two-yards of a 45" wide cotton gauze material in an easy to coordinate black or white. Cotton gauze is not only made from nature made and breathable fibers, but it is also lightweight and carries a slight stretch to it that will allow for easy manipulation of the fabric as well as a comfortable fit throughout the day. The recommended 2 yards will offer you some versatility in the height or style of your headdress as you discover the ideal look to complete any formal or informal ensemble. The use of traditional African printed cotton fabric also carries much appeal, especially to those who like patterns and vibrant colors. Though slightly less pliable than gauze, African printed cottons can add just the right touch to any outfit. cotton gauze fabric african fabric novelty cotton fabric Posts by J&O Fabric StoreLabels: african-dress, african-fabric, african-headress, ask-netfah, gele, head-wrap, Headwrap, novelty-cotton-fabric
 How to Prepare for Fashion Emergencies!!
With the Holidays approaching many of us have calendars that are filling up fast with festivities. After we take such care to dress for these special events, no one wants to be unprepared when disaster strikes. Yet we have all been there! Here are a few tips of what you need to have on hand when your clothes attack. All you need to get started are these eight items: Clear nail polish, glue stick, masking or duct tape, stick-on Velcro, small pair of scissors, small white candle, safety pins and sewing needles with large eyes. Now you'll be able to fix your most common mishaps or come to the aid of a fellow fashionista. Stuck zipper- Rub a small amount of candle wax onto the area of the zipper closest to the stuck zipper pull. Work the zipper until you work it free. Zipper won't stay up- Use a safety pin, loop it though the small opening at the tip of most zipper pulls, and secure the zipper to your waistband. Be sure to attach the pin with the sharpest side facing outward to avoid being pinched. Loose hem- Use a strip of tape (the heavier the fabric, the stronger the tape) to secure the hem until you have more time to sew it up. If this is an all day affair adhesive backed Velcro is the better choice. Clothing pulls- Use a small needle with a large eye to thread the pull to the underside of the garment. Secure it with clear nail polish, especially if the length is long. Try to use a smaller needle for finer fabrics. Run in your pantyhose- Use a small dab of clear nail polish to stop the run from getting larger. More than one of these kits is a good idea, I like to have one in my car. At work I have been known to use a stapler on a falling hem. Posts by J&O Fabric StoreLabels: Fabric-Emergency, Fashion-Emergency, Fashion-Emergency-Kit
 I did not grow up with Sesame Street, nor did I have children in an era when the show was at the height of it's popularity. But how can any person not be touched as well as enamored by the likes of such endearing characters? I'm talking about the Muppets, my first love was Grover, much later came Elmo. Whoever you call your favorite we have them here at J&O Fabrics. The show pioneered the changes of format for kids television, and education. The entire team of creatives continues to keep up and pump out new themes that change with the times. Celebrities still clamor at the opportunity to have a conversation with Cookie Monster or Oscar the Grouch. Now airing in over 140 countries it is the longest-running childrens show in history.  Elmo Lunchtime Fabric Sesame Street Read and Write Fabric
View all Sesame Street FabricPosts by J&O Fabric StoreLabels: big-bird-fabric, cookie-monster-fabric, elmo-fabric, sesame-street, sesame-street-fabric
 With the winter winds slowly starting to blow in, the threat of high heating costs down the line, and a continuing recession still affecting more than half the nation, keeping warm during the cold winter nights while saving money in the process is the order of the day. So we wrap our boilers and cover our windows, turn the thermo down when we are not at home, and keep it at a maximum of 68 degrees when we are. We monitor our gas stove usage, place draft blockers against doors, and throw on an extra layer of fabric, all in the name of financial preservation. One such layering phenomenon is the blanket slash robe slash cult fashion called The Snuggie, The Slanket, The Snuglet, The Snuggler, or the Nuddle Blanket to name a few. For some this cold weather friend is nothing more than a robe turned backwards; a must have for idiots promoting laziness and a lack of discipline on financial spending. For others, it is the next best thing to the 'Clap On' light and every other marketed item aimed at the desire for comfort and convenience to the overworked, overstressed, and financially strapped American consumer.
After spending what seemed like hours online viewing and comparing information on these trend setting fleece wraps, this is what I found: While The Snuggie is by far the most popular and least expensive out of them all (inspiring several fan based sites solely dedicated to the worshiping of this 100% polyester garment, and pricing in at very consumer friendly 2/$19.95), the number of individuals who passionately oppose the "blanket with arms" is just as popular. At one point during my research, I had to stop and laugh at the degree of negative energy being omitted by such a seemingly mundane argument and judgement call on not only the invention, but the purchasing of this and all the other wraps. Ranking in at #2 on the popularity scale, but far outweighing The Snuggie in color selection and customer satisfaction, was The Slanket. Invented by a college student tired of layering himself up during cold winter nights on campus, and sewn up by none other than his loving mother, The Slanket is about 60" wide and 95" long and uses 100% polyester mircofiber with no piling to create a soft wrap that is not only warm, but stands the test of time through many midnight meanderings and morning after washes. Problem... too much fabric and not enough stuff going around to keep the back and neck as snuggly as the front. Pricing in at $37.99 ea., The Slanket is considered a moderately priced product worth the purchase. I could not find much on The Snuggler to make an accurate comparison except that it is created by a company called Northwest, has a seamed bottom so that your feet stay warm, come in solids and custom prints, and sells for $29 and up. While the enclosed base seems appealing when snuggled up with a bowl of popcorn in front of a good movie, but heaven forbid you have to rush to the bathroom or get up for any reason, it is almost like running in a potato sack race. The last blanket wrap is The Nuddle Blanket (nap + cuddle). This super soft double sided and generously warm poly coral fleece fabric also comes with foot pockets like The Snuggler, but has an outer hand pouch and measures 55" wide by 71" long to ensure full shoulder to foot coverage when needed most. But just like The Snuggler, consumers are limited in their movement once in a vertical position. Available in a limited 5 colors and carrying a price tag of $58, The Nuddle caters more to the idealistic than to the practical side of our nature. With these specs now noted, I found myself even more compelled to save a little money and try my hand at making my own blanket wrap. A seam here, an opening there, and viola, I can transform a 2 yard piece of 60" polar fleece into a warm and cozy Friday night movie companion for less than $20. I could even get creative and use a zebra print faux fur, sheepskin material, or fleece with the name and logos of my favorite NFL team the NY Giants to really make my blanket wrap a permanent body fixture on a cold winter night. With the holidays right around the corner and the football season well under way, what better gift for yourself or a loved one than a custom blanket wrap made by none other than you! In these economically uncertain times, saving money is the order of the day so why not kill two birds with one stone by making your own blanket wrap. You will not only be saving money and heating expenses, but crafting a really hot gift to last you through time. Step I
Go to J&O Fabrics and purchase your fabric. Step II
Click on the link below to view step by step instructions.
http://www.sissonfamily.com/Sewingroom/images/2006projects/thesnuglet.pdf courtesy of
Welmoed Sisson
welmoed@sissonfamily.com
www.sissonfamily.com/Sewingroom faux fur fabric
polar fleece fabric
Posts by J&O Fabric Store
Labels: blanket-wrap-crafts, conservative, fabric-crafts, faux-fur, frugal, making-blanket-wraps, polar-fleece, the-nuddle, the-slanket, the-snuggie
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