Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade…A Countdown to Project Completion.

 

This November 22nd will mark the 94th anniversary of the Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. A tradition started back in 1924, this highly publicized ensemble of larger than life balloons featuring popular movie characters, magnificent floats, and entertaining performers from around the nation draws over 22 million television viewers and a sea of brave onlookers straddling the often cold parade route thru the streets of Manhattan with child-like anticipation of the final hallmarked Snoopy balloon at the processions end. An unofficial segue into the Christmas holiday season, not only is it a festive occasion and a parade of fabulous fabrics, but a reminder to quilters, artisans and craftsmen that the countdown to completion (or maybe the start) of their projects has now begun.

Fabulous Home Deco Samples Turned Funky D.I.Y. Crafts

After years of providing custom upholstering, elegant window treatments and beautiful home interior makeovers for customers, it’s easy for in-house fabric and design centers to accumulated their share of fabulous deco samples. From long-standing yet timeless home textile mills like Duralee, Robert Kaufman and Covington, to newer yet popular home deco designers like Vern Yip, Regal and Michael Miller, the array of fibers, colors, prints and designs that remain on hand long after the work orders are completed seem endless. And while these samples still serve as on-hand textiles to assist home project shoppers in bringing their vision into a more tangible reality, often times the patterns selected are discontinued by the mills and therefore remain on our shelves as appealing yet useless eye candy… seemingly. But to the creative seamstress, artisan or DIY craft connoisseur, these sample pieces ranging in size from 15″-20″ squares offer the perfect inspiration behind some seriously stylish and often funky D.I.Y craft creations.

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.