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50's, these humble servants of the Great Imagination are always finding new ways to revamp and revitalize even the most outdated chairs, window dressings, and garments; and the talent doesn't stop there.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
 With Christmas less than a few days away and Kwanzaa soon following, why not pull on your creative juices and save a little money at the same time with great fabric gift wrappings and bows? For most crafters and designers alike, fabric scraps from botched projects, incomplete projects, and projects with more fabric left over than used, often times accumulate into colorful mountains of textured material eagerly waiting to be recycled and put to good use. Many times the end result is a funky reconstructed shirt, festively trimmed greeting card, or cute little fabricated doll for the holidays. But what about using that beautiful fabric as an inexpensive and easy substitute for actual store bought wrapping paper for use during the holidays and any special occasion. Since fabric can be cut to size just like regular paper, wrapping a gift box in your child’s favorite Disney character or your wife’s favorite material is a great say I love you with an added flair! From Dora and Sesame Street prints, to brocade dress fabrics and Pima dot cottons, the perfect fabric wrap for that special someone is right under your nose. With the added benefit that recycling your fabrics can bring to our ecosystem and in turn, humankind itself, this single craft idea alone contains one of the greatest gifts you can give our planet. That same fabric you used to wrap a gift for your sister is the same fabric that she will use to make a patch for her son’s pants, and the same print her husband will transform into sellable bookmarks for the holiday. It’s the gift that just keeps on giving. To start utilizing your fabric scraps to their fullest, the following instructions are helpful. In as little as 1-2-3, your fun and fabulous fabric wrapping will be garnishing dull shirt boxes in no time. Well, what are you waiting for? Christmas is almost here! Supplies · pinking sheers · fabric scraps · ribbons, twine Instructions Lay your scrap fabric out on a flat surface. Place the gift in the center of your scrap fabric and check the fit to see if you have enough to cover all the sides once cut. Leave about a 1-2” surplus for complete coverage. Fold the corners and sides up together to get a visual measurement then cut your fabric accordingly using your pinking shears to create a nice decorative edge. Wrap the gift box with the fabric. Secure it closed with scrap fabric ribbons, twine, or fabric tape. 
Check out our great selection of Holiday fabric here! Check out our large selection of novelty cotton fabric here!
Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: back to school crafts, christmas crafts, christmas presents, consumer savvy carol, frugal, frugil, frugile, holiday crafts, holiday fabric, holiday fabric crafts, special occasions
 Blankets are a great gift for your loved ones this Christmas season. And hand-crafted blankets or throws created with specific loved ones and friends in mind, are sure to please. You don't need to have any sewing skills to create one either. With J & O's wide selection of 100% poly-winter fleece and a pair of scissors, you can make a warm lightweight blanket for loved ones over seas, little ones at home, even for those less fortunate. A warm winter fleece blanket can make even the loneliest of souls feel loved. For the sports fanatic in your life, we have NBA, MLB & College fleeces. For NFL football fans, we have the stuff that braves the cold. Make great lightweight holiday gift blankets just in time for the Super Bowl. For girls and boys who’ve been nice and not naughty, we have everything from Sesame Street and soccer, to basketball & ballerina’s. And for your favorite canine, we have Dog Bones & Paw Prints to keep them cozy as they stay on watch for the man in the red suit. If you want it, we probably have it, so take a moment to window shop in our fleece section right here at J&O!
To make these wonderful gift blankets just follow the easy step instructions below and watch your fabric turn into a display of holiday cheer to keep warm under a snowy day. Whether a novice or a seasoned vet, these no-sew throws make the perfect addition to any home décor.  Step One: Come to J&O Fabrics and pick from a selection of fantastic fleece fabrics for the holidays. Have one of our customer friendly cutting floor assistants cut the fabric into a 2-4yard length depending on the size of the individual who will be wrapped inside. Step Two: Wash the fabric with cold water on gentle cycle, or hand wash. Any detergent will do .Lay fabric flat to dry. 
Step Three: Lay fabric out on a large flat surface. Turn one of the shorter ends towards you and smooth out any wrinkles. Step Four: Cut a fringe along one short side by making 3-inch deep straight cuts about a 1/2-1 inch apart. Step Five: Tie a single knot at the base of each cut strip to complete the fringe along one side of the blanket. 
Step Six: Turn the fleece to the other short side and smooth out the wrinkles. Make the same size cuts a 1/2-inch apart and then tie knots to match the other side. Step Seven: Step back and pat yourself on the back. Your completed no-sew Just-In-Time-For-The-Holiday fleece blanket is done! Wrap it up in a box or roll it up and tie a ribbon around it in your own signature fashion. What an easy and lasting gift for that special someone. 
Take a moment to see what we have to offer for that special someone right here in our fleece section.
Check out our full selection of wonderful winter fleece here!
Check out our NFL fleece here!
Check out our MLB fleece here!
Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: angelina ballerina, college fleece fabric, fleece throws, holiday crafts, mlb fleece, nfl cotton, no sew blankets, no sew crafts, no sew fleece throws, phillies fleece
 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
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