For many of us, our cars are not only our modes of transportation, they are also our ‘babies’ our ‘tried & true’s’, and our ‘can’t do with outs’. So it’s no surprise when we get calls from customers interested in doing customed reupholstering on their Hummers, Beamers, Cady’s and even RV’s. From sunburst yellow vinyl’s to pretty in pink faux furs, the creative juices behind the showcased vehicles is something of an inspiration for interior designers and auto trim professionals alike.
So in ode to the 70 year old Detroit Sugar Daddy rollin’ in his 69’ Cadillac Eldorado, and the 25 year old California surfer turned detailer who has a fancy for convertibles of every make and model, we listed a few vital steps to take to help our novice customers in the reupholstering process.
Step One
Figure out your budget.A job like this can add up and dent your pockets pretty deep if you are not clear on your limits. Factor in costs such as fabric yardage, labor, poly foam cushioning and notions for a completed job.
Step Two
Decide who is going to do the reupholstering . Research car dealers, auto trimmers, detailers, and upholstery shops to see who has the most knowledge on the subject and the best pricing. If you are crafty enough, think about doing it yourself. It can save you time and money if you know what you are doing.
Step Three
Figure out what kind of material you want to use, which is best to use for your reupholstering project and most especially…how much you will need. 12 yards of vinyl that may work well as a covering for your seats will not always be the best for your headliner or flooring. For headliners, we carry a colorful assortment of lightweight suede cloths that adds a nice classy touch to any interior. Once you decide on the color and material, confirm with your upholsterer then check J&O Fabrics store for that perfect match.
Most fabric stores carry a selection of various prints, weights and textures to choose from. At J&O, we carry one of the largest in the world and can help you bring your dream car to life in the blink of an eye. If you are looking for glitz and glam, we have sparkling diamond jubilee vinyl. No Red Prada stiletto will go unnoticed when emerging from your metal framed world of silver ‘bling-bling’. If you are in the mood for something cool, we can supply you with enough material to create an ocean of blue within the four doors of your 2008 Chevy Impala to make it feel like you are cruising in a deep sea oasis….without the fish.
Whatever your fancy or fantasy, let J&O help bring them into fruition, one car at a time.
For some helpful do-it-yourself upholstery instructions, check out these informative sites:
When we think about fabrics, most of the time our minds don’t reach past the aesthetical aspect of the material. We think about the way a fabric looks and feels. We see its color and texture and how it falls on our bodies. We see how we can mold and shape this collection of fibers into a fabulous garment, or recreate the décor of a home into a magical oasis. But how much thought do we give to its beginnings and the many qualities that make these fabrics the wonderfully warm, lightweight, form fitting, washable, durable and absorbent materials that they have portrayed themselves to be?
Well, I took a little time to do just that. And I came up with a few inventions in the fabric world that stood out as some of the coolest thus far.
Here is my list of the Top 10 Coolest Fabric Inventions and a brief explanation why. Maybe you have your own list of fabulous fabrics to share with our viewers too. If so, we’d love to hear from you.
1. Linen Blends
I love linen. I love the look & feel of this natural fabric, as well as its durability and breathability. But like most of us, I could do without all the wrinkles and dry cleaning bills it creates. It seems it can’t always be machine washed & dried without shrinking. But with the blends, the linen is strengthened, it’s washable, more wrinkle resistant, and carries a nicer drape. All without sacrificing the very aesthetics that attracted it to me in the first place.
With the linen blends I don't have to worry about how my outfit will look at the end of the day, or if I am packing for a trip, I can throw one or two versitile pieces in my suitcase and just do a light touch up with the iron before I step out for the night.
2. Cotton Gauze
There is no better fabric for staying cute and cool in the hot summer sun than cotton gauze. This natural & breathable fabric offers a lightweight look, feel and coverage. Because it is essentially cotton, it dries quickly, holds dyes with ease and makes great garments, drapery and lounge wear. These characteristics are appealing when designing carefree garments for a lifestyle that embraces daily living in warm climates.
Poly fleece goes by many different names: polar fleece & winter fleece to name two. Basically it is a man-made, 100% polyester fiber material. It’s been around for some time and it is one of the great inventions for warm winter coverage. Fleece is soft & comfortable, retains heat well, and has an excellent weight-to-insulation ratio, making it light enough for carrying, yet warm enough for cold conditions. The polyester material of fleece helps to pull moisture away and keep you dry at the same time. It also dries quickly and still insulates when wet.
We usually find this material in our coats, slippers, winter hats & gloves. The fabric makes great throws and if it is a top shelf fleece, it can easily be thrown in the wash for good-as-new use time after time. I love that I can snuggle myself up in this wonderful fabric for a warm and restful sleep on those cold winter nights.
I grouped this category together because I love the idea of using naturally occuring, raw materials given to us by mother nature and utilizing it for garmenting our bodies and homes.
The fact that nature-made fibers are more harmonious with our bodies appeals to me on many different levels. Think about it. Wouldn't you want a fabric draped on you or your children to be breathable like your skin, void of synthetics and chemicals. And have that same fabric allow for a fashionable look and feel as well. Is there any question why this would be on my Top 10 List? Cool.
5. Spandex
Spandex was invented in 1959 by Du Pont, and when it hit the fashion market in the 80’s, it hit with a storm. An elastic type fiber that could be stretched many times its length and then spring back to its original length without losing its shape. A material that could hold you in in all the right places, and is more resistant to washing, perspiration and heat than latex. This was the miracle material for full figured women & athletes abound. And it’s still used and sought after today. It is one of the main materials used in foundation garments and hosiery as well.
6. Wool
Wool is a natural material, which is always appealing to me, and can vary from a thick and nappy texture to a soft and lightweight one. Wool will not only return to its original position after being stretched or creased, it will absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp. Its unique properties allow shaping and tailoring, making wool the most popular fabric for tailoring fine garments. It is also dirt resistant, flame resistant, and in many weaves, resists wear and tearing. I love the idea of being able to use what mother nature gave us, to create garments and goods to garnish our bodies and homes. View our wool fabrics.
Where can you find a fabric that tells a story or holds such symbolism as with African printed fabrics. Whether it be on mudcloth, ashoke, kente, kuba cloth or cotton, the uniqueness and creativity is the same. Often times the fabrics were woven & designed by hand, using natural materials. Through ancient tradition, the color, technique and art surrounding the creation and inspiration of the fabrics had a purpose and meaning. Naturally occuring fibers & dyes are often used, offering a harmonious union between flesh and fabric. History continues into the present, and culture continues to be expressed this way. Colorful and lively patterns and prints are not only found in traditional attire, but also on high fashion runways, specialty boutiques and garnishing home interiors furnishings as well.
8. Dorlastan
Dorlastan is the spandex fiber produced by Bayer Inc. It is lightweight and soft, but stronger and more durable than rubber. Dorlastan can be stretched over 500% repeatedly without breaking, and still recover its original length. It provides lightweight freedom of movement in mens, womens and childrens apparel. It’s used in athletic apparel, bathing suits, foundation garments, tights, surgical hose and slacks.
This is a fairly new but widely used material. It’s really cool because it can stretch to such a degree and just bounce back to its original size while still offering a comfortable fit and feel. As a designer and seamstress, this characteristic is appealing when selecting fabric to make one-size fits-all garments and accessories.
Suede cloth is a synthetic made from 100% polyester. It is very resilient, quick drying, resistant to biological damage such as mold and mildew, easy to wash, and able to hold forms well. Suede cloth is a great imitation fabric. It’s also a fun fabric to play with when designing because it allows you to create garments and accessories that have the look and feel of suede, without the animal bi-products.
Like suede cloth, textured vinyl fabric is also a synthetic material. It is pliable, durable and easy to maintain. It is a great imitation fabric that has the look and feel of leather without the animal bi-product. This is another fun fabric to play with when designing garments and accessories for those who are looking for a modern or traditional leathered look. I listed this as one of my top 10 coolest fabrics simply because of the ingenuity of the designer to create a material that mimics actual leather asthetically so well.
So there you have it. My Top 10 Coolest Fabric Inventions. I am sure once you take a look at all we have to offer here at J&O, you'll have a list of your own that is twice as long. With new textiles created everyday, J&O will be your one stop fabric shop for all the latest materials into the next century.
This question may seem like, duh!!!, But you wouldn't believe how many people come into our store in New Jersey and ask for leather, but mean vinyl.
Leather
Leather can be used to make anything from coats, boots, expensive pocketbooks, and even to upholster furniture. Leather is used in many of the same arenas as fabric and is a very popular clothing material. On the contrary, leather is not a fabric, it isn't woven, knitted, wefted or piled in any way. Leather is made up of what you would call, aaaah, skin cells.
Leather is a skin that is sold by the skin and isn't cut into yard increments. Some leather goods stores may have leftover scraps for sale, but please do not walk into a fabric store and ask for a yard of leather.
The term vinyl is used interchangeably with many products such as music records, electronics, floor coverings and even siding for a house. When fabric weight vinyl was first introduced it has been called everything from Naugahyde, Pleather (plastic leather), to faux leather.
J&O's vinyl is a synthetic made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) but we won't go into the scientific defintions of vinyl types and all that it's made of. We'll leave that to someone who really cares. The vinyl we sell here at J&O Fabrics can be used in a variety of household items and is available in a variety of weights. Vinyl can be used for placemats, shower curtains, tablecloths etc.
The vinyl we sell at J&O is heavy-weight and can be used to upholster. Vinyl's smooth surface and water resistent properties make it easy to clean with warm water and soap. Starting at $8.00 a yard, J&O strives to keep our prices competitive. We carry several types including Marine Grade, Felt Back, Expanding Back, and Textured to replicate various animal skins such as snake or alligator. If you want to know more about our different types of vinyls, visit the Vinyl Section of our website. We even have a few Paisley Vinyls, in addition to an array of Solid Colors and Clear Plastic.
New to our vinyl collection is our HOTTEST SELLING High Gloss Patent Leather (vinyl of course). If you're interested in purchasing vinyl, you have to check it out!
Overall, the vinyl at J&O can be used interchangeably wherever leather is traditonally used. Take advantage of the new leaps made in technology over the years. Leather is an excellent material. . . but so is vinyl; it's a lot less expensive and an animal is still alive because of it.
J & O Fabrics is a leader in online fabric stores with hundreds of discount fabrics including: upholstery, quilt, quilting, drapery fabric, fleece, decorator, felt, retro, upholstery fabrics and more!
For many of us, our cars are not only our modes of transportation, they are also our ‘babies’ our ‘tried & true’s’, and our ‘can’t do with outs’. So it’s no surprise when we get calls from customers interested in doing customed reupholstering on their Hummers, Beamers, Cady’s and even RV’s. From sunburst yellow vinyl’s to pretty in pink faux furs, the creative juices behind the showcased vehicles is something of an inspiration for interior designers and auto trim professionals alike.
orld of silver ‘bling-bling’. If you are in the mood for something cool, we can supply you with enough material to create an ocean of blue within the four doors of your 2008 Chevy Impala to make it feel like you are cruising in a deep sea oasis….without the fish. 
1. Linen Blends 
