 Applique FunWhen speaking of a way to use scraps I always mention applique. The usual way to think about scraps and applique is with cotton novelty fabrics. Novelty fabrics happen to be a specialty here at J&O Fabrics. All you need to do is use the design from the novelty fabric, say a dog or cat, for example and cut the design out with a pinking shears if you have them. Use some Heat N Bond Iron-On Adhesive using manufacturers suggestions. Once the piece or pieces have been ironed on you just need to choose your stitch of choice to hide the fabric edges.  Preppy Kittens FabricI usually set my machine for a dense satin stitch but, you can use any decorative stitch from your machine or embroider by hand if you prefer.  Lilac BroadclothIf you are using a solid scrap or a scrap that offers no clear delineated pattern or motif just create a shape of your own. Cut the scrap into any shape you like: a star, heart, animal or something geometric. If you feel uneasy about drawing something use a stencil to outline the design or find a simple coloring book outline to trace. Simply repeat the process to make your applique. Use your applique the same way you would use a purchased patch. Add it to a ready made garment to add new life to it, or use as an embellishment to add an even more personal touch to something you've created from scratch.
- Purchase some magnet sheets from the craft store and glue the fabric pieces to them, use them as refrigerator magnets or learning tools for your little one at home.
- Applique letters out of scrap fabric and place it on a tote or school book cover to add a personal touch.
- Have a favorite Tee-shirt with a stain you can't remove? Iron a few appliques over the stain or stains and give it a new life. Have fun reinventing!
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Posts by J&O Fabric StoreLabels: accessories, appliques, crafts
 If you’re anything like me, these days I’m sure you find yourself cringing in the supermarkets isles. Sometimes I think I’d be better off taking advantage of the dollar menu at the nearest fast food restaurant. Times are tough right now for the average family and as a Mom, I know I feel responsible for making every dollar stretch as far as possible. Sometimes it’s challenging not to take the easy way out. But there are lots of creative choices we can make to stretch our dollars. Maybe all it takes is a shift in our perceptions of a more simplified reality. I am sure I’m not the only one holding onto colorful pieces of cotton, denim and bark cloth. Not to mention trims and other various embellishments. Next time you’re not so little one puts on those jeans and they just aren’t long enough anymore, try adding some length with a 2” scrap of fabric, or a few fabric strips sewn together. While you’re at it you can make it into a fun project. Cut pieces of the design (even team logos) attach a little heat bond and iron on the design to the garment. Bonding these cut designs works great on a tee that has become stained or worn from too much wear. Speaking of fabric scraps. Since we are one of the largest fabric stores in the Tri-State area, we carry totes and totes of these colorful, funky and fancy ¼ yard pieces that literally collect over the years. They sit here taking up space and not paying towards the rent. They want to be put to use, but have been made to feel like they are only good for one thing…..nostalgic memories of craft projects done long ago or worse yet…..unfinished projects!! With the holidays just around the corner, now is the perfect time to rethink your gift giving ideas. When my daughter was born she received many beautiful gifts, but which one does she still wrap her baby dolls in? The crib quilt that her Aunt Sue handmade for her, and me, I still have the “Jingle Bell Jack” my mom made me from scraps. More commonly referred to now as YO-YO dolls, gifts made from the heart last a lifetime. Whatever you do with your time, energy, and resources is up to you. But if you want to make memories and keep a little extra cash in your pocket, consider the creative power of the imagination…enjoy and encourage the artist in you to flourish! To check out some of our really cool novelty cotton fabrics click here! To check out our selection of holiday fabrics click here! To see the latest childrens' fabric click here!
Until next time, this is Consumer Savvy Carol signing off! Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: 1960's fabric, back to school crafts, conservative, cotton fabric, cotton prints, crafts, fleece gifts, frugal, holiday crafts, holiday prints, novelty cotton, thrifty, yo yo crafts
 Anyone who has ever sewn or attempted to sew a garment, slip cover, or even remove a button knows the wonders of the infamous…. ‘seam ripper’. Small in stature, but powerful in its effect, the seam ripper has no moving parts, yet moves quickly and somewhat effortlessly through seams erroneously done in haste. Featuring a curved blade on one side and a small ball point edge on the opposite to help protect against fabric damage, seam rippers are the next best thing to the ‘undo’ icon on the computer. A tool of choice for a number of sewing tasks, this handy little tool is the perfect specialty notion for righting all our sewing wrongs. Stitched the arms of that custom ordered shirt together because the hopeless romantic in you got caught up in the ending scene between Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood in ‘The Bridges of Madison County ‘? Placed the button a little out of line with the button hole for the second time? Hemmed the pant leg of your husband’s best suit on the wrong side….again? Don’t worry, just whip out your pocketknife like seam ripper and rip away! These little tricks of the trade not only make great technical assistants, but they are fashionably stylish as well. Available in an array of colors, sizes and designs, purchasing the right one to coordinate with your sewing basket notion collection is a piece of cake. From wooden handles to pink sparkly ones, from 2 ¼” to 5” lengths, no hand is too big or too small to find its perfect match. Seamstresses are not the only ones who get to enjoy the luxury of the seam ripper either. Embroiderers can cut away excess fabric when doing cutwork embroidery with the seam ripper too. For such a little and inexpensive device, the purchase of a seam ripper can make the difference between a successfully completed project and one left undone. Just check your local craft store on online outlet for one. 
Sewing tip of the week: SEAM RIPPER…… GET ONE TODAY!
Check out our selection of fun trims here! Check out our selection of other sewing notions here! Check out our array of fabric here!
Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: crafts, frugile, seam ripper, seamstress, sewing, sewing tips
 Last Friday after work, my fellow co-workers and I went out for ladies night at a local hang out where we were guaranteed to have some good food, good laughs and a good time on the dance floor. While we were sitting in the lounge checking out the parade of young adult and middle aged fashionistas, an advertisement on the club’s monitor caught my eye. It read:
“Best homemade bikini contest next week!”
A picture of a model-like playboy bunny posed scantily in a hot white patent leather bikini trimmed with pink feathers was all that it would take to spark a curious excitement in some, and plant a seed of creative ideas in others. Without knowing all the particulars of the contest, one thing I did know for sure was that J&O was definitely the place the soon to be contestants needed to come for all their bikini crafting needs. From low hair faux furs, lame' and pima dotted cottons, to cute Betty Boop, organic hemp and crushed velvets, the ideas that could get you first place are endless. A short trip to your J&O fabric scrap pile and trim bag is all that you will need to make your homemade bikini complete. Use all your fabrics up and nothing to spare? Have no fear. With fabulously new fabrics coming in to J&O every week, you can design and create a swimsuit masterpiece that will go down in history as the hottest homemade craft this side of the Delaware. I can see it now, young girls’ repping their college team colors and mascots’ in cute two pieces , diva’s in glittery sequence with beaded ties, and Go-Green advocates in natural organics trimmed with fauna leaves and recycled fasteners. If I shed another 20 lbs and freshen up my seamstress skills, I may have a chance for fortune and fame with all the left over Christmas tree decorations in my overstuffed closet. I’d fashion assorted ornaments, strings of popcorn and a few red bows to my green sequence bikini fabric and call it Christmas in April. I’d even place a star upon my head and be the light and life of the party as I receive my award for most festive! For those of you living in the surrounding area, it’s not too late! If you got the time, we got the place. Stop in and pick up your homemade contest fabric and trims today. With a little money and creativity, your little hand crafted polka dot bikini could be your next claim to fame. Labels: bikini, crafts, lycra, swimsuit
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