Ikat is a unique dyeing technique originating from Indonesia and used to pattern textiles that employ resist dyeing on the yarns prior to dyeing and weaving the fabric. Once used to symbolize wealth and prestige, the textile is now a popular textile fashion trend with celebrities and hipsters alike thanks to the work of traditional Indian artisans and inspired textile designers like Vision Textiles.
courtesy PhotoMix
For many designers, seamstresses and artisans alike, there is something reassuring to be found in shopping for fabric at brick-n-mortar shops where one can actually touch and feel the material. An experience often lost when buying fabric online, but one that textile companies and their marketing teams strive continuously to innovate and virtualize in order to mirror a similar hands-on experience. By capturing high res images of their fabrics, specific filters, consumer friendly navigational tools, and detailed textile information in their descriptions, many top online fabric stores have been able to offer just that. With such bases covered, along with the benefit of direct mail based promotions and FREE shipping oftentimes, fabric shoppers are discovering more and more confidence, comfort and convenience in the notion of online fabric shopping.
photo courtesy: andrea piacquadio
With everyone from corporate power players and university professors, to fashion stylists and customer service reps working from home, work place dress codes have taken a bit of a shift from their standard protocol, towards the more ‘comfortable’ casual wear. Who can blame us? We all know how comfortable casual velvet, brushed cottons, jersey knits and stretch fabrics can be in athletic wear, pj’s and yoga wear. Even Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour who once professed to never stoop so low as to wear sweats, deigned to be photographed for an article wearing just such a leisure habiliment. Could the professional script on the horizon now be flipped from ‘casual Friday’s’ to ‘casual everyday’? Will the standard ‘dress down’ be the new ‘dress up’? Only time will tell.
After 50 years in business, we’ve had the opportunity to introduce and share fabrics from almost every fabric mill under the sun. While some only print amazing fabrics, others have multiple services that grow like branches from their textile tree. Timeless Treasure is one of them. In the infancy of their cotton line, their design reputation was built on novelty collections. Pigs on motorcycles, rainbow-colored cats and Santa on a surfboard are just a few of the ideas that went from imagination to 100% cotton fabric. In the last 15 years, their collection has evolved and diversified based on their fan base’s needs. As such, we’re dedicating this blog to some of the creative Timeless Treasure craft tutorials they have put together for the DIY home maker, novice seamstress, expressive entrepreneur, and seasoned artisan. Not only are they cute, they’re FREE!
J&O DIY Cocktail Canopy: Floral Deco
For the J&O/ Summerdale Mills family, summer just isn’t summer without backyard BBQ’s, picnics, taking in seemingly endless sunsets in an outdoor living space of our very own, or simply sitting pretty by the seashore. But beyond the idea and aesthetics of it all, there is the nitty-gritty of uninvited guests to contend with that certainly can have a way of spoiling the fun. You know those party-crashers I’m speaking of. The eight-legged, winged and just plain annoying creepy crawlies seduced by the sights, sounds and scents of it all. We can’t blame them for wanting to get a taste of the good life I know, but we can make our presence in their domain more comfortable.
With my skill set primarily in drapery, one of the more intimidating projects I have yet to undertake is the making of knickers. Not the kind that can be mistaken for mens’ underwear because of their boxy, boyish cut, but truly form-fitting, feminine lingerie that make a woman look and FEEL sexy! I’m not sure which of my concerns surrounding such a seemingly simple feat is stronger…getting the cut just right or properly manipulating the stretchy knits required in the way needed to keep them from sagging. But with several ultra-feminine silk and floral poly rems to play with, this DiY video courtesy of Delia and Erika at Flo-Jo Boutique in Bristol, was just the inspiration I needed to boost my courage up a notch and at least try my hand at a pair or two.
With her cotton/polyester blend of fibers and water-repellent finish, Aruba Getaway II Stripes Outdoor is a versatile and colorful fabric that loves the great outdoors, being the center of attention, and showing off her many talents. Looking to add some spice to your life?
The perfect parent for this vibrant fabric has creative vision and plenty of patio cushions to cover. When you adopt-a-fabric like Aruba Getaway II Stripes Outdoor, it’s a win-win situation for both, for a little bit of love and a home of her own is all this happy fabric needs.
With Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approaching, the push for a more sustainable way of living trending in the news, and many gift-givers having to budget their money, however folks can reduce their costs and carbon footprints during the holiday season is information well used. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to reduce both in a creative way is by incorporating a little furoskiki into the mix. A great alternative to wrapping with store bought gift wrap, this traditional Japanese method of wrapping gifts throughout the year is one that even children can share in.
