J&O Fabrics 10 Important Sewing Fundamentals

sewing fundamentals

 

For many of us, the motivation to sew was born out of a basic need or want. We either NEEDED to make our own clothing out of necessity or we WANTED to make our own clothing out of desire to have something new, different, original etc. For many, there was a creative bug within us yearning to be set free and fabric was its modality. For others, it was a simple skill set we seemed to naturally posses, and so we took it to the next step. However we started taking a threaded needle to fabric or fabric to a sewing machine, there are 10 important sewing fundamentals that every seamstress needs to make sewing easier and gain more pleasure out of the process.

Decorate With Duralee at J&O Fabrics

duralee collection at jandofabrics

 

Returning from World War II to NYC, Lenny Silberman faced changing times. As a result, he found himself answering an ad in The New York Times promising “a HUGE opportunity” as a textile shipping clerk for $35 a week. He landed the job and went to night school to expand his industry knowledge and learn the fine art of selling. Together with his two partners and seven other hands-on employees, Silberman eventually launched Duralee Fabrics in 1952 from an office smaller than most modern-day walk-in closets.

When Green Is All There Is To Be…ADORN Yourself!

It’s not that easy bein’ green
Having to spend each day
The color of the leaves
When I think it could be nicer
Bein’ red or yellow or gold
Or something much more colorful like that

It’s not easy bein’ green
It seems you blend in
With so many other ordinary things
And people tend to pass you over
Cause you’re not standing out
Like flashy sparkles in the water
Or stars in the sky

But green’s the color of spring
And green can be cool and friendly like
And green can be big like a mountain
Or important like a river or tall like a tree

J&O Fabrics Top 10 Fabric Recycling Centers

Doing a bit of spring cleaning and finally ready to purge some of your unwanted fabric but don’t know where or how to start? No worries, we’ve searched out some organizations helping to play their part in saving Mother Earth from overcrowded textile landfills by providing fabric recycling centers in their communities and nationwide. Use them as a platform to get you out the starting block. While some places offer cash in exchange, others simply offer the satisfaction of knowing your undesirable textiles will stay out of landfills as they find a new home and purposeful work to fulfill.

 

J&O Fabrics Celebrates Earth Day Throughout April.

jandofabrics earth day

April 22 2018  marks the 48th birthday of  Earth Day, an annual cause celebrated worldwide where various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Numerous communities also celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on the environmental issues that the world faces as a whole. In recognition of a cause that affects us all, J&O fabrics will be dedicating our April blogs to sustainability and go-green efforts within the textile industry in an attempt to raise awareness, create conversation, and inspire us to each play our part.

Home Styling Tips from Vern Yip

Vern Yip Fabrics for J&O

 

Most known for his TLC show Trading Spaces and his various HGTV shows including HGTV Design Star, Deserving Design, HGTV Urban Oasis, and Live in Vern’s House, as well as his columns in both HGTV Magazine and The Washington Post; international architect and interior designer Vern Yip is a sought after designer who has no intentions of slowing down. Based out of Atlanta, Georgia where he runs his Vern Yip Designs Firm, Yip continues to provide invaluable insight into creating environments that are simultaneously beautiful and functional.

vern yip fabrics

Vern Yip Collection @ J&O Fabrics

Ruth Carter’s Wakanda Wonderland

When I went to see Marvel’s Black Panther  movie, I went with a mission…. to see and be inspired by Ruth Carter’s creative manifestation of  Marvel Studio’s  artistic concepts in all its masterful glory.  I was not disappointed. From the alluring grandiosity of Zulu-inspired headpieces worn by Wakanda’s queen mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett) and the eye-poppingly ornate armor adorned with chevron print worn by the all-female based warriors, to Nakia’s (Lupita Nyongo) sumptuously textured, kente cloth-inspired green gown that seemed to mold to her form, the creative collaboration of both visionaries left theater goers in awe and aspiring designers wanting more from Ruth.

Preserve Your Precious Pattern Pieces with Old Interfacing

Looking for a really great way to preserve your precious pattern pieces? Have a roll of old, lightweight, fusible interfacing just waiting to be put to use? Whether woven or non-woven, here’s a cool way to turn your less than impressive interfacing into pattern piece additions that strengthen and preserve at the same time!

Step 1:

To start, pull out a piece of non woven fusible interfacing and a piece of tissue pattern paper to test. Cut  your interfacing so that it is only slightly larger than your tissue paper piece, then iron together. Keep your iron on the STEAM OFF setting only.

Celebrating Black History Month Through African Fabric

As we celebrate Black History Month and the invaluable contributions of both African and African-Americans in areas of technology, entertainment, science, mathematics and the arts, we are reminded of their traditional roots in African textiles as well. From their colorful kente cloth from Ghana, bògòlanfini (mudcloth), and richly colored adire (indigo fabrics) from Mali, to their African lace of Nigeria, East African Kitenge and Egyptian cotton, African fabrics were hand-woven, painted, and dyed in tradition and meaning that sustains itself today. As well, we celebrate the symbolic Adinkra symbols of West Africa, storytelling wovens of Ghana, and abstract geometric shapes of the continent itself that can be found on printed cottons in many fabric stores and infused into the latest fashions.

Celebrating African Fabric Textile Contributions !

jandofabrics

 

As Americans celebrate the inventions and legacies of Africans / African-Americans throughout history this month, reflections of their art, history and cultural traditions can be found in almost every aspect of our society. In recognition of their traditional African fabric textile contributions,  the J&O Family would like to take a moment to highlight some of the beautiful waxed prints and metallics available for your crafting and quilting pleasure.