Here at
J&O Fabrics, I am surrounded by an intimate group of abundantly talented women from diverse social and economic backgrounds, who not only possess the required skills and experience to help run one of the top fabric stores on the world wide web, but who pack under their belts the kind of crafty talent and creative mindset that motivates and stirs the artistic juices in all of us on a daily basis. Ranging in age from 20 well into their 50's, these humble servants of the Great Imagination are always finding new ways to revamp and revitalize even the most outdated chairs, window dressings, and garments; and the talent doesn't stop there. Every week our suppliers send us new fabric and material for our wonderful customers that even the most graceful of ladies find hard to resist, as the mere sound of the UPS guy sends us running to see what's come in. Designing new fashions and manifesting unique ideas into fruition is just part of the territory here at
J&O Fabrics. It's almost impossible not to be inspired to try our hand at something new amongst the multitude of assorted bolts that make up the colorful walls of this mom & pop brick and martyr.
Take for instance, Nydiadada. A lively and jovial mother of three, this seasoned woman with a youthful heart recently made all of us custom apron and dish towel sets for the holidays. As we each pulled our gift wrapped sets out with gleaming smiles on our faces and gracious thanks on our lips, we were delighted to discover that each apron looked even better than the next and at the end of it all, a beautiful array of colorful personalized kitchen attire emerged. From Judy's '
Chocolate Treats' apron to Netfah's '
Enkai's Children' set, Nydiadada created reflections of each of us on these cute terry cloth and novelty cotton crafts that would hold a place in our hearts for years to come.
You too may be one of the many with a special gift for fashioning fabric and creating crafts that you and others enjoy. Such ideas like Nydiadada's aprons probably cross your mind from time to time as well. When it does, find a way to nurture it. Even if it's been done before by a hundred other people in a hundred other ways, no one can do it quite like you. They say many people are born originals but die as copies. What better way to release the creative power inside us all than through the expression of those original ideas into the world. Create as only you can and see God made manifest.
Posts by J&O
Fabrics StoreLabels: apron crafts, college cotton, conservative, fabric crafts, frugal, holiday crafts, novelty cotton, terry cloth
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…..beautiful floral magnets made from various fabric scraps. Created in an assortment of different prints and colors, these cute little magnets keep spring alive year round and never wilt away. Crafted with less than ¼ yard of fabric, these reflections of nature make great refrigerator securing devices for your little one’s art projects or mom’s grocery list. This is a great gift idea for friends and family. Customize with cool novelty prints at great prices found right here at J&O Fabrics. Mary and Marie have done it again by utilizing their craftiness to bring these cute and handy flower magnets from their imagination to life.
Check out our novelty cotton fabric here!
Check out our calico fabric here!
Check out our breast cancer awareness fabric here!
Posts by J&O
Fabrics StoreLabels: breast cancer fabric crafts, christmas crafts, fabric crafts, floral fabric crafts, flower crafts, frugil, handmade crafts, handmade gifts, novelty fabric craft, scrap fabric, scrap fabric crafts
With the lazy, hazy days of summer slowly coming to an end, and the colorful display of autumn only a few weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about school again. From shopping for school supplies, to shopping for the latest fall fashions, the back-to-school ritual can be found in kindergarten classrooms and college dorms across America as students young and old stock up on the trendiest folders and backpacks, and the hottest jeans and sneakers. And what is school without books. From American history to Great English literary works, if they are not used for digesting large amounts of spoon fed material, they certainly are good for the daily graphic art entry as you dreamingly pass time waiting for the final bell to ring.
Yeah, these seemingly illegally heavy, extremely thick and often times extremely boring mandated books are the first and last thing to leave your possession once school begins, but they don’t have to be that dreaded; Especially when you have cool book marks to hold your place between studies. I don’t just mean any book mark either. I am talking about the wild and beautiful one-of-a-kind book marks hand crafted by you with the help of J&O Fabrics.
Fabric book marks you say. How ingenious! Well, maybe the concept has been around for awhile, but never before have you created your very own unique book mark with fabric from J&O; and never have you crafted one that is so reflective of the many faces of you. Until today! Why buy standard manufactured one with little or no personality, when in just a few simple steps, you can have the perfect page saver. With just a inexpensive supplies and a little imagination, your wonderful Romeo & Juliet book marker will be adorned in retro prints, extreme sports or your favorite Hannah Barbara character in no time. While these cool page savers may not make your reading any more enjoyable, they certainly will add a little color and spark to an otherwise dull page of black and white.
Supplies
Cardboard
Fabric
Elmer’s glue (or alternative fabric seam adhesive)
Scissors
Needle & thread (optional)
Decorative trim (optional)
Instructions
Step One
Cut your piece of cardboard to measure about 7” x 2”.
Step Two
Cut your piece of fabric in a large enough rectangular piece so that your cardboard marker will be able to fit inside the enclosed fabric sleeve once sewn.
Step Three
Fold your fabric in half (right side in) and sew from the top opening of the long side around to the folded end of the bottom. When completed, turn inside out so that the right side of the fabric is now on the outside. If you would prefer not to sew, place the fabric right side out. Fold the open sides of the fabric and use an alternative seam adhesive to secure the sides of your sleeve. Remember to keep one short side open to slide your cardboard piece into.
Step Four
Once cardboard is snuggly inside the fabric sleeve, secure the top by folding the edges in, and either sewing, gluing or using a fabric spray adhesive to finish it off. Add your own little decorative touch by applying fabric paint designs, attaching tassels or adhering cool mini beading and ribbon to your final design.
Now, take a step back and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. If it’s your first, it will surely not be your last. Make great book marks for all your literary works both scholastic and recreational. Even give as gifts for family and friends. Encourage the love of reading in your children with fun Angelina Ballerina and Sesame Street print book marks too. From young to old, fabric book marks are a unique and great way to personalize your cherished, or not so cherished literary works.
Posts by J&O
Fabrics StoreLabels: back to school crafts, book mark, book markers, children's crafts, fabric book markers, fabric crafts, jandofabrics
With the lazy, hazy days of summer slowly coming to an end, and the colorful display of autumn only a few weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about school again. From shopping for school supplies to shopping for the latest fall fashions, the back-to-school ritual can be found in kindergarten classrooms and college dorms across America as students young and old stock up on the trendiest folders and backpacks, and the hottest jeans and sneakers. Over the years, some things change while others stay the same. One of the most nostalgic age old traditions is the covering of the school books. Back in the day, it was done with paper bags. Then as manufacturers got more creative, they came up with funky waxed paper coverings, designer print wrappings and even stretchy textile shells for those thick science books and boring English journals.
To jump on the bandwagon, we at J&O decided to take the art of book covering to the next creative level with the implementation of fabric. Not only can you make great clothing , upholstered furnishings and home crafts; but what fun you will also have garmenting your boring evergreen lab books with hot pin up girls, fast race cars and cool retro prints. Add a little color here, a little design there, as your stack of much disliked studies turns into a much admired reflection of the many faces of you!
In just 10 simple steps, your cut novelty prints will turn into unique works of art that you will love. Not only will your professor approve, but your pockets will be happy too.
What you will need:
Brown paper bag or brown crafting paper
½ yard 45” fabric
Fabric spray adhesive, fabric glue or regular elmers glue
Scissors
Decorative trim (optional)
Fabric Book Cover Instructions:
Step one
Cut open your paper bag from top to bottom along one of the sides. Cut off the base so that you are left with a rectangular shaped paper that will serve as your shell.
Step two
Grab your book and place it in the center of the paper. Wrap the paper up across the bottom of the book and make a crease along the bottom cover. Do the same thing for the top of the book. Now take the book off the paper.
Step three
Fold the paper up at the bottom crease and down at the top crease. If you are using brown crafting paper, cut back the paper so that it extends no more than 3-4” from the top or bottom of the book.
Step four
Place the book back at the center of the paper and bring the left side of the paper shell/cover over the book and line it up with the right side of the paper cover. Fold the overlap around the front cover of the book and make a crease. Then insert the front cover of the book into the slot that is formed by the folded top and bottom sides of the shell. When your book slides all the way until it hits the crease, stop. Now do the same with the back cover.
Note: You really should not have more than 3” worth of shell covering around the perimeter of your book. If you do, then you might want to cut back some.
Step five
Once a firm fit has been established, take the book out of the shell and put it aside for the moment.
Step six
Take your shell and unfold the sides again.
Step seven
Now lay your piece of fabric flat and place the shell on top of it.
Step eight Cut the fabric out to fit the shell. Leave about 1” around the perimeter for give when folding.
Step nine
With your selected adhesive, affix the back of your fabric to the paper shell and allow to dry
Step ten
Once secured, fold the shell securely in the same manner as you did originally, and slide book into slots again.
Voila! Your fabric book cover is complete at this stage unless you want to embellish it with fabric paint, trims, sequence or some other finishing that tickles your fancy. 
These simple handcrafted book covers are not only easy to make, but are also inexpensive too. With just a little bit of money and a half a yard of fabric, your classmates will know you're a fan of Scooby Doo and football in no time.From young to old, fabric book covers are a unique and great way to personalize and protect your cherished, or not so cherished literary works.
Check out our great novelty fabric here!
Check out our hot college fabric here!
Check out our fun children's fabric here!
Posts by J&O Fabrics Store
Labels: back to school crafts, book covers, children craft, college basketball, fabric crafts, novelty fabric craft, school, school.