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 My Top 10+ Things to do with Leftover Fabric PiecesI have been sewing since my Aunt Harriet taught me how to make an apron at the age of seven. She let me choose what I wanted from her special stash of fabric and I was off and running. She taught me how to purchase and read patterns, and how to cut corners. I was taught to purchase my fabric at the same time I purchased my .75 cent pattern. At least that's what Aunt Harriet would tell me to do! When I found a pattern that I liked and that fit well, I would reuse it. Once I made a pattern and knew the yardage required I could buy something I liked on impulse. When I spotted a bargain or some calico that would make a great peasant blouse I would buy it. But what if I changed my mind and wanted to make a dress or a matching bag? I'd always add just a bit more yardage while watching the salesperson at the cutting table, of course the rest is history. I tried to keep up with my stash, but it would just keep growing. Once in awhile someone would be downsizing or organizing their fabric, of course the plastic bags or pillow cases of material would end up in my car. Granted, I've seen stashes worse than mine and I will not WIN by dying with the most fabric, but I am a fabric junkie. The only down side for me is: what I once loved and could not live without sometimes no longer inspires me. Unfortunately a large fabric stash is not my only guilty pleasure. I save scraps of all kinds, threads, buttons that come with new garments in those plastic bags, teeny tiny fabric scraps from cut patterns, and the leftover hems that have been cut off from pants, dresses and skirts. My scraps are in one of those set of plastic drawers separated by color. I'm talking about those big drawers that are the size of unpainted furniture highboys. What to do with it all?One of our Tweets asked what to do with scraps rather than quilts... Here are a few ideas: Below I refer to remnants as under one yard, scraps are odd shaped or small pieces. FOR REMNANTS: Handbags of all shapes and sizes or Linings for bags and vests  Scarves are also a nice way to use remnant add a trim or sew odd pieces together.  Whether for school books or journals add a personal touch to your books More ideas:Bean Bags, Ice Bags Flags and streamers for party decorations Wrap cans and waxed cartons to create vases Cover lamp shades FOR SCRAPS: Small bags of all kinds, change purse, makeup bag, ipod holder...  Greeting cards  Pin Cushions  Ornaments  Covered buttons  Liven up an old pair of sandals More ideas:Applique designs on solid fabrics or t-shirts, design a scene or new fabric! Extend the life of pant legs the kids have grown too tall for or give cropped pants an extra flair. Make your own bias tape Headbands See all Christmas FabricSee all Beatles FabricSee all Novelty FabricSee all Dot FabricSee all Gingham FabricSee all Striped Fabric
Posts by J&O Fabric StoreLabels: cotton fabrics, craft ideas, eco-friendly, economical, fabric remnant, novelty fabric
 At J&O Fabrics, we are constantly meeting customers much like yourself, who have tapped into their fabulous inner wells of creativity and manifested their unique imaginings into beautiful works of art. From cute and lovable cloth dolls made and sold mostly at craft festivals, to intricate hand-made bags made and purchased by high society elites, our customers are some of the best originators and designers around. For instance, take Mary and Marie, better known by the staff at J&O Fabrics as simply M & M. These two lively and lovely 'seasoned' women have been tapping into their creative feminine juices for many years now, and have no intention of stopping. Creating cute and fun crafts as a way of nurturing their Goddess given talents and fulfilling their philanthropic side is what feeds their spirit. And of course our selection of diverse and funky fabrics found within the walls of our brick and mortar might have a little something to do with their source of inspiration as well. Novelty prints, calico, African fabrics....each visit they make is fun for us all, and the little craft gifts they leave behind are cherished memoirs that leave smiles on our faces for days to come.  M & M's latest gift, a crochet Philadelphia Eagles Piggy Bank that we've affectionately named Marty. And isn't he just m-a-r-v-o-l-o-u-s! Complete with Authentic Eagles logo's on his green shirt and hat, Marty is the perfect craft for your BIG or little Eagle's fan. I am sure Mary and Marie could fill his body to the brim with all the money they saved by purchasing their material at J&O Fabrics and utilizing their craftiness to bring this cute and durable Philadelphia Eagles Piggy Bank to life! Check out our selection of NFL cotton fabric here!
Check out our selection of College cotton fabric here!
Check out our selection of NBA cotton fabric here!
Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: college cotton, College Fabric Blog, craft ideas, nba fabric, NFL Fabric, NFL-Fabric, philadelphia eagles, philadelphia eagles crafts, piggy bank
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 1Select 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!
Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: cotton, craft ideas, easy crafts, t-shirt, tee shirt crafts, tees, trim
 If you have a garment, home accent piece or window dressing that has lost its va-voom, or is just plain ole’ outdated, the simple and inexpensive options that could bring them back to life are only a few sentences away. Short of doing a complete re-upholstering, window treatment or spending unnecessary hard earned money purchasing something new; why not just add a little trim? For some, the idea of trimming is restricted to tassels and gimp braiding, but let’s expand that avenue a little, for trim can encompass so much more. By definition, trim means : material used for decoration or embellishment; as in decorative trimming. From the perspective of an artistic woman with a great imagination, those words basically translate to anything I can find that a needle and thread can pierce and hold in place. This of course means everything from buttons and raffia, to fabric scraps and beads. I had an antique spread once that I received from one of the elders in my family. It was a simple bedding made from a beautiful raw silk fabric from India. It was lavender with irregular naps throughout that gave it some texture and character. Though it was old and plain, it was full of potential. So I stepped into my craft closet I affectionately refer to as “The black hole” and gathered up some remnants that would surely bring this well received ‘gift’ some new life. Once I blew off the dust that had become the permanent blanket for some of my uncovered odds and ends, I gathered up a few cowry shells left over from a long necklace that fell apart during a wild night of African dancing, some royal purple glass beads from a jewelry project over the summer that lost my interest midway, and a couple spools of gold thread that I got on sale at the local J&O down the street. Little by little, I added my trim and turned my nana’s old spread into one uniquely beautiful bed dressing. Over the next few weeks I rode my creative wave and upgraded a pair of Lee jeans from the 1980’s with red/white & blue striped ribbon for the annual Cinco De Mayo Festival in my city, I spruced up the solid colored cotton throw pillows on my futon by sewing on some lace applicades here and there, and added a few gold highlighted cowry’s to a rather country looking lace hemp skirt for my big date with the new organic food cart owner down the street. With a little bit of creativity and a handful of freshly defined ‘trims’, my home and garment wardrobe are no longer fads of the past, but fashions for the future. Who knows, maybe with a little bit of focused effort I might join the countless other pack rats who have opened up uniquely one-of-a-kind stores on EBay and make millions. After all, one man’s revised home goods are another man’s treasure. Oh yeah, did I mention that I picked up some of my great trims at J&O Fabrics? If you haven’t been, it is worth the visit. Check them out at http://www.jandofabrics.com/ and start creating your wonderful masterpieces today!
Check out our selection of fabric trim here.
Check out our selection of tassels here.
Check out our selection of cording here.
Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: buttons, craft ideas, pillow trims, revamping fabric, ribbons, Tassels, trimming ideas, Trims
Uses for Tulle
Tulle, also known as Bridal Illusion, is a staple fabric for any wedding. Never overdone, it's inexpensive and beautiful. Tulle will add the perfect feathery light touch of elegance to any event decor.
Below we have a few practical suggestions on how to use our beloved tulle for your wedding and other decorating needs.
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Most people may not be skilled enough to make their very own bridal gown, however you don't have to be an expert to make a decent looking bridal veil. Some bridal veils can be pretty expensive. . . in lieu of the fact that a yard of tulle on average cost about $1.49- $1.98!
With wedding costs on a rise, making your own veil is an easy and practical way to save money.
How to Make a Bridal Veil
* drape and fold over according to preferred length* if needed, round out bottom edges of tulle with sharp dressmaker shears
* according to preference attach sequins, rhinestones, silk flowers etc. using fabric glue and toothpicks
* once dry, take hand-sewing needle with threa and work your
way in and out (over, under, over, under) of the fold
* Pull and gather
* Hand sew gathered edge onto a clear comb
Soften Party Lights
* If you want to add a little touch of class to white party lights, take a few yards of tulle and wrap around the lights for a soft glow.
Decorate Pews, Chairbacks & Use as Table Skirts
* With tulle, all you have to do is simply drape, fold or gather however you please. Unlike organza, chiffon or organdy, which are other popular wedding fabrics, you don't have to finish the edges of tulle because it won't unravel.
* Have a ball dressing the ceremonial area with elegant drapes of tulle.
* Wrap around chairbacks and tie in a bow. Attach flowers or other decorative elements
* Drape over guest tables or adorn face of head table
Wrap Wedding Favors
* Usually done with tulle circles, use tulle to wrap wedding favors
* Better yet, nix the over-priced pre-cut tulle circles and easily cut your own squares to hold everyting from mints to rice
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In case you didn't know, tulle doesn't only come in ivory, off white, cream or white. Check out our assorted color line up of tulles and nets with more on our website, jofabrics.com
Tulles
    Netting    ___________________________________________
Whoever said tulle was only used for wedding decor and ballerina tutus? Take a look at our list of unique uses for tulle and net.
Beekeeper Veil
Mosquito Net
Parachute Skirt
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If Tulle and Netting isn't your thing, check out our website, jofabrics.com, where there are sew many possibilities. If you're in the area, visit our store in Pennsauken, NJ, right outside of Philadelphia. The size of a supermarket, we have the largest selection of fabrics in New Jersey! Everything we carry is not on our website, so if you're in the area, check us out and browse our fabrics aisles.
J&O Fabric Center
9401 Route 130 South
Where Rt. 73 and 130 Meet
Pennsauken, NJ 08110
info@jandofabrics.com
Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: bridal fabrics, bridal illusion, bridal veil, craft ideas, Fabric, fabric-store, netting, Tulle, tulle uses, wedding decor, wedding fabrics, wedding ideas
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