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.
Nigerian face mask fashion
Armored up and blinged out true Nollywood style!
As health officials and government leaders around the globe have been taking precautionary measures to ‘flatten the curve’, fashionistas world-wide have started to fall in line in their own creative way.
What started out as a safety measure, in a seemingly short time, became yet another way to express ones self while aiding in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. And although mostly a trending safety protocol for now, we have a feeling it’s an accessory that’s here to stay awhile. As such, we thought it would be fun to virtually travel around the world for a little inspiration capturing. After all, if it’s going to become part of our daily ensemble, we might as well make it the creative tool of individual expression and fashion it can certainly be.
I remember holidays full of turkey, stuffing and apple pie. Generations around the table partaking in good food, tasty sweets and infectious laughter. Handmade napkins printed in holly dressed grandmama’s table that was draped in green poly crepe. In the room surrounding us, lights bounced off inanimate objects casting golden shadows on beige striped and cran-apple suede cushioned wing chairs while tie-backs in holiday splendor dangled on vanilla drapes. Assorted prints and textures added warmth and richness. And under the tree, Christmas gifts wrapped in traditional furoshiki styled fabrics of red tissue lame and festive plaid check.
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
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 Collection @ J&O Fabrics
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.
With an exciting 2014 NFL football season already well underway (Go Eagles!!) quilters, crafters and die hard fans are buying up NFL fabric stock to make everything from quick-n-easy no-sew-fleece-throws to customized gifts rep’n the teams they (and others) love with visions of Superbowl 2015 wins dancing in their heads or if nothing less, some great games and stories along the way.
So what does all this mean for manufacturers and distributors like J&O Fabrics alike?
Demand! Demand! Demand! :O
With the summer quickly moving along and temperatures running high, naturally anti-bacterial and odor resistant organic bamboo fabric which is breathable even in the hottest weather, is also one of the coolest summer fabrics in town and we have Mother Nature to thank for that!
Traditionally used in China and Japan to make hats and shoes, and in the South Pacific for housing and utensils, bamboo has undergone many processes to create the fiberous form found in modern day wear. Whether you’re decorating your summer home, designing a collection, or simply making a few pieces for yourself, be beckoned by bamboo and keep your cool at the same time.
When this past winter’s weather dragged on well into the spring, thoughts of warm sandy beaches and the hot sun shining down on us melting the chill away stayed on the minds and wish lists of many. Now that the blazing rays of summer are here, longings for cooler days and the festivities of the winter season fill our imaginings in such a delightful way we can hardly wait for the season to come back around. Enter Christmas in July!
