Oh my! Is it that time of the year already? Back to school makes me think of so many things. The early morning rush, making lunch (I hope I have one more juice box), kid free days, homework filled nights, permission slips to sign and scholastic book sales, to name a few! The line: I would send you a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils from Nora Ephrons
You Got Mail pretty much sums up my feelings on the start of a new school year. New beginnings permeate the air! In the material world here at J&O Fabrics the new school year brings many must have projects to mind. Aside from covering school books, there are lots of bags to be made; handbags, tote bags, computer bags, and pencil cases. What would a new school year be with out new outfits with matching accessories? For some it is truly a new beginning, new digs to decorate! Dorm rooms need curtains, pillows, and fleece throws. We have everything you need to create that personal touch. Check it out! With tons of fabric choices for all of these great projects you are sure to find something that is perfect. Since it is a time to start anew maybe you should treat yourself to a brand new pair of scissors too!  Candyland Decorative Dora the Explorer Circle fabric Crayon Fabric Black
 Sporty Princesses Fabric Peace Sign FleeceCheck out our Selection of: Novelty FabricFleece FabricRetro Decorative FabricDots FabricScissors and Cutting ToolsPosts by J&O Fabric StoreLabels: back to school crafts, decorative fabric, dots, fleece, novelty fabric
 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
 When is the last time you walked bare foot in the grass, climbed a mountain in search of heaven, or simply sat with Mother Nature and allowed her to whisper sweet nothings into your ear while her gentle winds tickled your cheeks and filled your lungs with the sweet breath of life? How about the last time you communed with the bountiful plants and fascinating creatures around you and shared in the exchange of love that connects all living things with one another? Between our careers, our families, our bills and our schedules, remembering the last time we did any of these things can be an arduous and often times awakening experience. Too often we get caught up in the distractions of the world that we don't allow ourselves to truly enjoy our time here or the beauty Mother Nature has to offer us. For the month of June I welcome you to take a moment and step out of the rat race we call life and REdiscover the outdoors starting with some of our favorite prints and designs inspired by Mother Nature's bountiful playground itself. June is the Great Outdoors Month, and in celebration , J&O Fabrics offers a plethora of fun outdoor inspired game and activity novelty prints to create unique crafts, garments, quilts, and home accent pieces with. From cabin curtains, outdoor throws, sports inspired pj's, fishing vests, and horse blankets, to camping gear, outerwear and bags, J&O Fabrics has fun fabric prints for everyone during the month of June and every season of the year. They say you never miss something until its gone, and tomorrow is not promised, so take advantage of life itself while its here.With so much to discover and learn from our great outdoors, what are you waiting for? Let our fabrics inspire you to take that step back into nature. The world is yours.  Labels: great-outdoors-month, novelty fabric, outdoor-theme-fabric, outdoors, sport fabric
 In these economically uncertain times, our survival skills kick in and our natural response is to cut back, cut out and hold our breath while the nightly news reports on yet another mass lay off of jobs. We join the ever growing population of stressed out worker bees and me-myself-and-I clones in the competitive rat race called 'life', who find truth in the encouraged notion that it is survival of the fittest, with no rest for the weary. It is a delusional and vicious spiral of continuous fear based responses that chip away at the 'reality' of what it means to be alive. And while this method works for some, it is not the remedy of choice for everyone. There is another group of people who are ready, willing and able to look at the economic challenge and see an opportunity to create and REcreate their life, and help others along the way as well. They are able to turn their stumbling blocks of lost jobs and income into stepping stones, and their obstacles of financial exhaustion, into opportunities. It is amazing how creative we can be when our backs are against the wall. What better time than now, to nurture all those gifts we carry but have discarded as silly little hobbies from our younger years. What better way to REcreate our circumstances, than to pull out those carpentry books we tucked neatly away for a rainy day read, take a free class in photography at the community college, or unfold those wisely preserved and still stylish designer fabrics and never used Singer machine that you promised yourself one day you would create magnificent fashions with. What better time than now to put down our worries and fears of what tomorrow may bring, and challenge ourselves to creating the future we want for ourselves. It really is a matter of perspective, and at J&O Fabrics, we strive to make it our business to tempt you with enough eye catching fleece, upholstery, decorative, novelty and organic fabrics to bring out the successful survivor in all of us. Because even if your passion isn't crafting, your creative juices will start to flow in one direction or another. The time is now. Labels: childrens-novelty-fabric, conservative, consumer-savvy-carol, fleece-fabric, frugal, novelty fabric, resourcefulness, upholstery-fabric
 For most, the brother and sister team of Raggedy Ann & Andy remain nostalgic memories of the innocence of American youth; two peach colored rag dolls with old fashioned patriotic colored outfits and a head full of red yarned hair. For some, images of Raggedy Ann & Andy remind them of the many adventures, mysteries and beautiful places that were found in between the pages of their famous books penned by Raggedy Ann creator himself Johnny Gruelle. And for some, Raggedy Ann alone stands out as a symbolic representation of the anti-vaccination movement in America during the late 1800’s. History has it that writer Johnny Gruelle created his fictional Raggedy Ann character in 1915 when his daughter, Marcella, brought him an old hand-made rag doll that he drew a face on. He came up with the name for this crafted doll from a combination of book titles by poet James Whitcomb Riley and soon after, introduced his red yarn haired doll to the public as Raggedy Ann in the 1918 book ‘Raggedy Ann Stories’. Tragically, Johnny’s daughter died at the tender age of 13 following a non-consented school vaccination for smallpox. Gruelle became an opponent of the vaccination, and the Raggedy Ann doll was soon adopted as a symbol of the anti-vaccination movement as a result. Til this day, the battle between vaccination supporters and opponents continues as increased awareness of the risk factors surrounding immunizations comes to light. Now, when you stumble across an antique Raggedy Ann or Andy doll, read one of Johnny Gruelle’s timeless Raggedy Ann adventure books or purchase a yard or two of Raggedy Ann & Andy novelty fabric, maybe it won’t just be nostalgic memories and an affinity for red heads that speaks to your heart. Maybe, just maybe it will be a reminder of children like little Marcella and the quest for more holistic way of living for all of us. 
Check out our other Raggedy Ann & Andy fabric here! Check out our selection of children's fabric here!
Check out our complete selection of novelty fabric here!Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: anti-vaccination, immunization, johnny gruelle, novelty fabric, raggedy ann, raggedy ann and andy, raggedy ann and andy fabric
 My life in a fabric store is never dull. There's always something new to learn, and something funny going on. We have a bunch of new employees and they are hard working and a lot of fun. It's been very busy lately and sometimes it frazzles our edges! But a lighthearted attitude makes all the difference. And the customers are funny! They say the wildest things. Like one guy a minute ago who just a whole lot of our novelty fabrics, just said "Hey don't tell me the total just me sign for it." He might like fabric as much as I do. Barely a week goes by that I can resist the urge to bring home another piece of fabric. When I see some nice new pieces of totally irresistible fabric, then some project ideas start popping into my head, I just can't help myself and I regress back into customer mode. Going home once again with hands full!! Posts by J&O Discount Fabric Store Labels: cotton prints, cotton-novelty-fabric, novelty fabric
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