DIY Money-Saving Tips for Kitchen Updates

Festive table runner made with discount fabricFixing up an outdated kitchen can be an expensive project, which is why so many people opt to do the work themselves.  With a few easy tricks using discount fabric, your kitchen can look great and reflect your personal taste in no time, without breaking the bank!


Crafty Kitchen Redecorating Tips

  1. Use color in unconventional ways. Colorful appliances are making a comeback; fake the look with an inexpensive homemade table runner over a center island.  Bold hand towels are a creative way to brighten up your oven door, and a tack board wrapped in brilliantly colored fabric and attached to the side of your fridge adds color and convenience to any kitchen.

I Heart Fabric Blogs

Old book repurposed into a sewing box for fabric craftsFrom scrapbooking to novelty fabric coasters, there’s a fabric blog to suit every type of crafter. We’ve rounded up some of the more creative blogs showcasing do-it-yourself craft projects.

 
HowAboutOrange

Meet Jessica Jones, a graphic and textile designer. When she’s not designing, she’s blogging on HowAboutOrange. Her blog, which is chock-full of useful DIY tutorials and projects, recently featured a cool craft project that combines fabric with Jessica’s love of books.

If you have an old encyclopedia, this repurposed book project is just the thing for you. This post features 33 items crafted from books. Our personal favorite: how to make a sewing box from a book.

Beach-Inspired Craft Ideas

Summer Fabric Craft Ideas from J&O FabricsBeach-themed fabric crafts are so simple, you don’t need to know much about sewing to make them. Just choose a few fun summer fabric selections like J&O’s Flowery Flip Flops or Beach Stripes fabrics and you’ll be having a ball crafting summery accessories in no time!

Fabric Beach Balls

Fabric beach balls are popular crafts for babies and toddlers, and while their softness is perfect for tender hands and feet, teen girls can have some fun kicking around a fabric ball too. With this option, a little fun in the sun doesn’t have to ruin a perfect pedicure.

Retro Fashion Never Dies

Novelty Fabric - Retro Fabric RunwayThe television, music and fashion industries influenced 1970s fashion with starlets like Farrah Fawcett, Diana Ross and Janice Dickinson.  While the era’s icons have left the spotlight, their influence lives on in the fashions we see today.  We love playing with the novelty fabrics that were so popular in the 1970s.  Here’s a peek at fashion trends that mimic that retro look and feel.

1970s Retro Revival

There’s no better way to make a fashion-forward statement than by going back in time, and the fashion industry has taken note.  From New York to Milan, the spring trend continues with vintage flair. Brilliant colors, mod shapes and bold, contrasting colors were reported on the fall 2011 runways.

Fall Fabric Preview: Tips for Working with Suede Fabric

Suede Fabric ShoesIf you’re of a certain age, when someone mentions “blue suede” you will mostly likely think of Blue Suede Shoes, the song made famous by Elvis Presley. Most of us would find the prospect of making shoes out of suede fabric daunting. But because of its pliant quality, this popular leather can be used for any number of sewing projects.

1) Suede Fabric Gloves

The term comes from the French “gants de Suède”, which means “gloves of Sweden.” If you’ve ever worn a pair of soft leather gloves made of suede fabric, you know how special they feel.

Camouflage Fabric – The New Cool

When I was about 10 or 12 years old, the biggest summer thrill was camping out in the backyard. My family never actually went camping, so we didn’t have anything remotely resembling a canvas or nylon tent. We made do with blankets slung over the clothesline. I know. Lame, right?

So, how cool would it be to construct your own camouflage fabric tent!

It’s easier than you think. All you’ll need is

  • Three yards of cotton fabric (upholstery weight is best)
  • 20 half-inch finishing screws
  • Power drill
  • Four two- to three-inch wood screws

FAN-atics Gear Up for Pre-season

NFL Fabric Projects Based on an expert poll, a network of NFL correspondents is certain there will be an NFL season, but the majority believe at least some of training camp will be lost to the labor dispute. Other journalists disagree.

We say, “Pshawww,” go ahead and make your NFL fabric-inspired fan flags. You can gear up for Game Day whether there’s a full season or not and from the comfort of your own couch. We carry numerous NFL-licensed fabrics to match your enthusiasm all-year round.

For the Indoor FAN-atic

Making Your No-Sew Fleece Fabric Blanket

When I was in high school, Opening Day was the equivalent to Senior Skip Day. Anyone who could finagle a ride and tickets would attend the first baseball game of the season. Of course, those in the north shivered through the innings because Spring doesn’t officially start until after that last freezing rain or snow storm.

Even though the official Opening Day has passed, we chose the perfect baseball game accompaniment for those chilly days and nights — our fabulous selection of Major League Baseball fleece fabric. How about pairing a warm blanket in your favorite team colors with a hot chocolate and dog?

The Timeless Quality of Retro Upholstery Fabric

The word “retro” is commonly associated with fashion and design suggesting an outmoded style from the post modern past. It generally implies a vintage of at least 15 or 20 years. Despite these definitions, retro upholstery fabric seems to have taken on a “timeless” quality.

Recreate Any Era in the Bedroom

Your bedroom is a perfect place to recreate a mood. Replicate a scene from That 70s Show with the “mod” flowers and bold geometrics or give your room a more vintage appeal with retro barkcloth popularized by textile designers of the 50s.

Here are a few suggestions to get started:

Summer Fashion & Craft Camp

School is out for the summer. No more reading or arithmetic. Is mom ready to pull her hair out yet? Here’s an idea that will be fun and educational: organize a day camp centered on using fabulous novelty fabric.

Whether your child is a budding fashionista or a closet Rembrandt, novelty fabrics can be used to craft just about anything. Gather several lifestyle, craft and fashion magazines for inspiration, and let the 8-12 year olds have free rein.

  • From scraps they could create a beautiful fabric mosaic to place in a picture frame or have professionally mounted for larger creations.