New To Buying Fabric?
I can still remember the first time I bought fabric.
I was like 12 years old and terrified. Jo Ann’s was a vast land of uncharted territory and I was dazed by the sparkling lame and terrified by the unfamiliar nature of fabric stores. I remember thinking “How do I buy fabric? Do I cut it myself? Do I carry it somewhere to be cut? This is confusing…”
If you’re buying fabric for the first time ever, these tips might help you avoid the cold sweat that fabric stores can sometimes cause!
1. Know your project: If you are buying fabric for a specific pattern or project, bring the materials list, or better yet, the pattern jacket , with you to the store. This way you can make sure you don’t miss anything or get the wrong type of fabric for what you are creating (if it says use cotton or linen and you end up with silk disappointment will ensue).
2. Grab the bolt, get to steppin’: Yes – you have to lug the bolt to the cutting table and let one of those old ladies cut it for you. Don’t bring your own scissors and try to do it yourself. Not that you would *cough* Sarah at 12 *cough* One exception: at High Fashion Home, ask a salesperson for assistance so you don’t crush yourself with one of the huge decorator bolts.
3. Don’t lose your slip! The cutting table lady will give you a slip with all of your cut fabric’s prices on it. Bring it with you to the register and hand it to the checkout lady – she’ll take it from there!
4. Don’t Forget Your Notions: Notions are a big part of many projects – so make sure to check your pattern jacket for what you will need. Nothing sucks more than getting home from the store and starting on your project, only to find out you need elastic and fusible interfacing (which you don’t have).
Once you get the first experience under your belt, you’ll be able to walk in there like you own the place and get your craft supply shopping on in style! Just think of all the possibilities that lie within each bolt of fabric…
*Photo by Decor8
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Comments
I just came across the Sew Crafty Houston website when I was searching for sewing classes in the area. I was scanning over the information in the blogs and came across this one titled ‘New to Buying Fabric?’. Can you suggest some good fabric stores in Houston. I love fun and colorful fabrics like the ones in the picture.
Thanks, Katie
By Katie Parker on Aug 17, 2008
Hi Katie!
First and foremost - Welcome to Houston!! It’s a great city and the heat will be gone soon (it’s almost October, almost… well… yeah.)
Second, High Fashion Fabrics and High Fashion Home are my two favorite - you can find a ton of apparel weight cotton fabrics in bright prints at High Fashion Fabrics! The Home store has more decor weight fabric, but some awesome prints as well. You could use those making tote bags!
I hope this helps - we will also be carrying some cool fabrics soon, so you might check us out later this fall as well!
Sarah
By Sarah on Aug 17, 2008