Halloween for some is nothing more than a night of inconvenience as little snot nosed children from far and wide seem to flock to your door at the setting of the sunand beg for their fix of red 40, high fructose corn syrup , and of course, that powdered white stuff the FDA calls ‘sugar’. You know, the stuff that makes children’s heads spin and their mouths to run a mile in a minute flat. It’s the stuff that a junkies high is made of, and an addicts low craves for.
For others, Halloween is the night of frights where you are guaranteed a front row seat at a double feature showing of Michael Myers in Halloween, and then an all night viewing on your favorite sofa of Jason the comeback kid in Friday the 13th Parts 1-10. For these individuals, Halloween goes hand in hand with devil worship, haunted houses and of course, heinous acts of terror.
For the rest of us, Halloween is all about the wildest, most creative and of course, most fashionable costumes! Out of all the “secular” holidays we Americans celebrate, this one gives us permission to dress as scandalous ladies of the night , impersonate police officers, and cast spells on arch enemies with the stroke of our magic wands, all without punishment or apology. And if we are lucky, the perfect hand made costume incorporating fabulous Halloween material from our local fabric store, can win us a few extra bucks in our pockets and the title of “Queen of the Costumes” for the night.
Maybe the ancient Gaels from the Celtic culture were on to something in their beliefs that on October 31st, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead became dangerous for the living. Even then, it was a practice to wear masks and costumes in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them. Interesting. Maybe the religious festivities born out of various European Pagan traditions better known as All Saint’s Day, brought just the right amount of spiritual undertone and mystery to conjure up the battle between good and evil that Halloween has been notoriously known for. Or maybe, just maybe the imagery and hype surrounding Halloween is just an amalgamation of nearly a century of work from the American filmmakers and the FDA to create a demand in the consumer’s minds for the dark, the mysterious and all that CANDY!
Whatever the motivation to embrace this wickedly wild and spiritually festive event, one thing is for sure; it must be done in style. If you’re a trick or treater, carry the best bag to hold your goodies. If you are attending a costume party, make sure yours wins. And if you are joining the angels at the All Saint’s Day parade, wear the most colorful and festive outfit you can find. Hey, the freaks only come out once a year, why not join them!
Check out some of the coolest Halloween fabric on line right here!
Waffle weave fabric is a woven fabric with a recessed square pattern. The weave was given this name due to the raised edges around the recessed squares that give the fabric a breakfast waffle look.Waffle weave fabric is available in different weights from very fine to medium to coarse. The light weight waffle weave is often times used to make dish cloths, while the coarser waffle weave material makes plush towels and bathrobes. But for this article we are going to talk briefly about organic waffle weave cotton and the benefits of this fabric as it pertains to food preservation.
Did you know that organic cotton waffle weave is a great all-natural material that can be used for keeping greens fresh and wilt-free? It’s true. Keep your salad greens crisper longer without wilting, browning or sliminess by wrapping your freshly bought produce in this highly absorbent yet soft fabric for perfect salads each time. The organic waffle weave fabric is made from 100% cotton fibers that are chemical and fragrance free. That means no pesticides, no dyes, and no artificial treatments or finishings. Make sure to wash the weave one or two times before the initial use to ensure that the fibers are softened enough so that they will have increased absorbency. Then just wash your greens thoroughly, wrap in your waffle weave fabric and place in the refrigerator. It’s just that easy. Your organic waffle weave fabric is also perfect for straining fruits, berries and beans too. Make sure to keep your organic waffle weave slightly damp so that it doesn’t suck all the moisture from your greens and clean your material every so often to keep it in good condition.
Now that you have yet another use for your waffle weave cotton, share it with others. Fresh organic salads in the summer never tasted better!
What do The Honeymooners, baseball star Yogi Berra and Yellowstone National Park have in common? If you guessed a large number of fans, you’re only half way right. The actual answer is Hanna-Barbera’s animated cartoon, ‘The Yogi Bear Show’. Created in 1958 as a supporting character in The Huckleberry Hound Show and given his own show in 1961, the personality and mannerisms of this fictional anthropomorphic bear with brown fur and a permanent hat & tie attire were crafted by the popular aforementioned names. The character of Ed Norton from the Honeymooners was said to be Yogi’s inspiration. Yogi’s name was given as an ode to famed Yogi Berra, and the fictional park that the episodes were centered around was named Jellystone Park, a takeoff on the famous Yellowstone.
Each half-hour episode was full of catchphrases, rhymes, and overestimated cleverness on Yogi’s part as this funny yet somewhat foolish bear teamed up with sidekick Boo Boo to outsmart ranger Smith for yet another episode of mischievous shenanigans. From Yogi Bear’s Big Break to the 3-part finally Yogi’s Birthday Party, the silly antics and comedic writing of partners William Hanna and Joseph Barbera kept us staying tuned for more.
Although though new episodes of the ‘Yogi Bear Show’ are long gone, remnants of his impact linger on. Thanks to his fan following, a line of recreational camp/parks bearing his name are still in operation across the US, celebrities such as Drew Carry have given life to his pencil sketched form through impressive impersonations, and J&O Fabrics has picked up a line of novelty print fabrics in celebration of the bear that was ‘smarter than the average bear’.
What family lives in an adjustable columned house in a futuristic utopia full of sophisticated labor saving devices and elaborate robotic contraptions? If you said the ‘Flinstones’, put down that peace pipe and think a little harder. The answer is none other than the Jetsons; the 1960’s animated television series by Hannah Barbara that ran in syndication well into the 80’s. This half-hour family sitcom projecting contemporary American culture and lifestyle from another time period was one of the few cartoons that got us fantasizing of full course minute made dinners from the palate of the imagination and instant communication with hologram images of friends in faraway places.
Each Saturday morning, young children with impressionable and curious minds gathered their bowls of Life and Honey Combs and plopped down on their colorful bean bags to travel into the exciting yet predictable future where lead character George Jetson was almost guaranteed to either be promoted, demoted, fired or rehired by his boss Mr. Spacely at Spaceley’s Space Sprockets. Young rocket scientists watched in laughter as another one of the child character Elroy’s whimsical invention went up in smoke after robot maid Rosie accidentally tried to turn it on. Parents lingered in the background wondering if the designers of such a cartoon were really predicting the future or just creating a story line full of fictitious ideas and silly imaginings.
Whether we were fans or foes of this labor-challenged and happy go lucky family, one thing is for sure; if any of us could order, change, create or eliminate an object or idea with the push of a button, most of us would gladly jump at the opportunity. In fact, with the modern technologies that exist today, most of us already do.
We welcome you to take a journey with us back into the future with our nostalgic and fun selection of The Jetson's novelty fabric right here at J&O.
Since I was able to spell my name, I have been drawing. I would sketch for hours, just disappearing into myself. Consumed by the look and feel of fabric, I would sketch images of women in clothing of my designs, right down to the microscopic details of their trim. From the recesses of my imagination, would come creations inspired by the world around me. I would absorb beauty from the swaying trees and the still flowers. I would soak in ideas from the sun and the rain. The simplicity and perfection of my ideal perspective uplifted and inspired me over and over again till I had created my own little world of splendor around me. Fire, water, earth, air and most of all LOVE, were the elemental canvas from which I drew upon and nurtured into each piece of art that would become the portfolio of my intimate relationship with fabric, fashion and mother earth.
Today, as I look around at all the various bolts of material that surround me here in between the walls of J&O, I am touched by the unique characteristics that each textile possesses. From the raw and rough texture of burlap, to the soft and sensuous feel of suede cloth, these beautiful fabrics are symbolic reflections of life itself. To look upon the pictorial scene of a seashore tapestry or follow the intricate embroidery of a silk brocade and not appreciate the creative imagination at work is almost a sin.
So I will gladly take these inspirations and shape them into the masterpieces of my own making for all the world to see. I will express the uniqueness that is me, and smile quietly at my expressions made manifest for they are simply reflections of the most High herself. And I will graciously invite you to do the same.
Check out our beautiful selection of dress fabric here!
This article is for all my penny pinching, frugal living, creatively resourceful yet sometimes lazy, financially challenged but can make lemonade out of lemons folks who are looking to add a little spice to those boring and out dated curtains, pillows and home accent pieces taking up residence in the comfort of your home.
Contrary to what you may have heard, in just a few simple steps, you can create great custom designed home furnishings without breaking bank or a sweat. All you need is a little imagination, a little patience and some trimmings and viola! pretty curtains, fun pillows, an elegant bedspread….all simply hand-crafted by you.
Here at J&O we carry a large selection of tassels, tie backs, rosettes, gimp braid, tassel fringes, onion fringes, and decorative cords in an assortment of colors and sizes to meet your crafting needs and give your interior accent pieces and window dressings the facelift you are looking for. Why spend almost $50 when with a little hot glue, needle and thread or adhesive spray, you can turn those plain purple pillows into exotic eastern inspired creations for just a few bucks. A 7/16” decorative cording in Midnight Meadow here, a 4” Tassel Fringe in Holiday Splendor there…Martha Stewart watch out! Here we come.
Whether you are revamping an item for yourself or someone else, it’s amazing how much difference the right trim can make in not only the look of the item, but its worth as well. That 1970’s set of old pale blue polyester drapes you got on sale from Gimbels can now be that set of beaded vintage drapes with a modern flair that have your children calling you ‘cool’ and interior design fashionistas wanting to know just ‘Where did you get those?!’
Whatever your personal style, whatever your personal taste, make your home your canvas in which to create works of art that are as unique and original as you; one trim at a time.
Have you ever wondered what to do with all those t shirts found in storage chests, laundry baskets, in the bottom of dresser drawers or behind your children’s beds? I am talking about the ones that no longer fit right, look right, or feel right anymore. The ones too unattractive to keep for lounging around in, and too nice to shred up into dust rags for your Saturday house chores. They are the ones your father-in law brought home from his Domino Tournament last year as a souvenir of his triumphant win. They are those boring corporate shirts with fancy logo’s your boss gave you for Christmas instead of that long awaited raise….year after year. These are the tees that we could do without, until now.
Below is a step by step guide to creating wonderfully creative and useful bags out of recycled tee shirts. It’s a way to help save the planet, give back to mother earth, salvage sentimental clothing, and have fun while doing it. We call these crafty carriers ‘Tee-Bags’ and welcome you to try your hand at one of your own. All you will need is a few items to get started and a little bit of creativity & time to create your masterpiece. Customize one for yourself, your friends or your loved ones in just a few simple steps.
Step 1
Select an jersey tee shirt from your pile that is in good condition. Small, Medium, or XXL will do. Whatever size works for you.
Step 2
With a pair of sharp fabric scissors, cut off the sleeves. You can use the arm seams as a guide. These will become your handles. Now cut out the collar. By doing this, you will create a wider opening in what will soon be the opening of your tee-bag. If you want or require a larger opening then cut the neckline a little wider.
Step 3
Turn your tee shirt inside out and either with your sewing machine or your own hand stitching skills, sew the bottom hem of your tee together (front &back). This will soon become the base of your Tee-Bag so make sure to create a secure stitch. We don’t want it to come unraveled while running for a bus or packed with your essential fabrics and notions you picked up from your favorite fabric store J&O.
Step 4
While your Tee-Bag is still turned inside out, hem the cut out arm holes (now handles) and neckline (now bag opening). This is an extra step, but by doing so, you create a more refined and ravel-free bag.
Step 5
Admire your completed work!
If you have a design, logo or print on your Tee-Bag already, then all you might want to do is press it to give it a new look. If you are creating from a solid color tee, then this is your opportunity to customize it for that special someone or create a work of art just for yourself. Use colorful trims, notions, beads, patches, fabric paint, ribbons or whatever else inspires you. Just make it your own.
For fun fabric trims hop on over to J&O and search our online or brick and martyr store for just the right print or design to make your Tee-Bag complete. With so many fabrics to choose from, your very own one-of-a-kind Tee-Bag is just a click away at http://www.jandofabrics.com/index.htm
Check out our selection of fun and fabulous trim here! Check out our selection of novelty fabric here!
J & O Fabrics is a leader in online fabric stores with hundreds of discount fabrics including: upholstery, quilt, quilting, drapery fabric, fleece, decorator, felt, retro, upholstery fabrics and more!
Halloween for some is nothing more than a night of inconvenience as little snot nosed children from far and wide seem to flock to your door at the setting of the sun and beg for their fix of red 40, high fructose corn syrup , and of course, that powdered white stuff the FDA calls ‘sugar’. You know, the stuff that makes children’s heads spin and their mouths to run a mile in a minute flat. It’s the stuff that a junkies high is made of, and an addicts low craves for. 
m the American filmmakers and the FDA to create a demand in the consumer’s minds for the dark, the mysterious and all that CANDY!
