How to make a ribbon backdrop

Check out this ribbon backdrop tutorial from Wedding Chicks. It is not only the perfect background for your bridal party’s big photo shoot, but would also look great at birthday parties, as curtains or even as a little girl’s bedroom door. 

You’ll need:

Approx. 36.5m of ribbon in various colours
30 twist ties
A wooden dowel approx. 1.5m in length

Instructions:

Cut ribbon in to four foot strips and fold 5cm of ribbon over the dowel. Pinch the ribbon and secure with a twist tie. Flatten the twist tie so ribbon is as flat as possible. Repeat until your dowel is full.

For playful ribbons visit our haberdashery. You’ll find a variety of sizes and colours, as well as a collection of other needful things.

Don’t forget that you can always give us a call on our GOLDEN NUMBER (0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX) or send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and stay up to date with our latest news and specials.

Up the ante when you refashion an old tee

Looking to spice up an old Tee? Go from plain Jane to Glee’s Emma Pillsbury with this great T-Shirt refashion from the gals at iCandy handmade. Simply click here for the tutorial. 

So, you’ve got an old tee, but not enough thread. Come raid our haberdashery and stock up on everything from needles and tread to ribbons and lace. Just Give us a call on our GOLDEN NUMBER (0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX) to find out more. You can also send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news and specials.

Comfort: A new collection by Home Fabrics

The new Comfort range from Home Fabrics is soft and luxurious in feel and character and oozes a sense of calm and relaxation. This elegant quality embodies casual chic living with its vintage charm and nuances of colour and texture.

The 40 colours in the collection make for a great selection of the ever-popular natural and earth tones as well as some classic shades. The stormy blues like Abyss, Arctic and Navy look gently worn, whilst the red colour ways Ribbon, Vino and Strawberry, ignite the colour palette. The fresh shades of Bamboo and Sunflower add an effervescent quality to the collection and rich charcoals like Meteorite add depth and drama.

This quality is woven from 100% polyester fibres and its durability is proven with its 25 000 Martindale rubs. It passes a host of flame retardancy specifications and is also fully washable. Its 'green' credentials are also backed up by the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification.

Why pay those hefty showroom prices when you can get designer fabrics at wholesale prices? Take a trip to the designer’s showroom, make your selection & give us a call - we’ll get you a great price, guaranteed! Our GOLDEN NUMBER is 0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX. You can also send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news and specials.

A little bleach goes a long way – the DIY galaxy scarf

Enter the realm of intergalactic fashion with this stellar tutorial from Anna Evers of Plan B. 

You’ll need:

• Cotton or viscose fabric of 100 cm x 100 cm in a dark colour (black, blue, green or purple)
• Bleach
• Spritz sprayer
• Fabric paint (white or silver)
• Brush
• Needle and thread or a sewing machine
• Iron

Instructions:

Spread the fabric out on a flat surface and spray with bleach. Spray using a spritzer bottle filled with bleach to create a hazy effect. To recreate larger stars, drop small amounts of bleach from a height of about 50cm above the fabric.

After you have all the patches you want, wash the piece and let dry.

Use the fabric paint to make little stars in the form of crosses. No need to stay perfect.

To neaten up the scarf, make a small hem on the edges and sew. Iron entire piece on the reverse side (This will also helps to set the paint).

 We’ve got some great fabrics available that are just perfect for this project. Give us a call on our GOLDEN NUMBER (0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX) to find out more. You can also send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news and specials.

DIY Fabric Tape

Looking for a quick, simple way to make your own fabric tape? We’re happy to say that your search is over! Simply click here and find yourself informed by Vanessa of Nifty Thrify Things. She’ll show you just how easy it is to make endless supplies of tape in the fabric of your choice. 

We’ve got a host of fabrics available in vibrant patterns, dynamic designs and a kaleidoscope of colours that are just perfect for this project. Just give us a call on our GOLDEN NUMBER (0861 322 839 | 0861 FABTEX) to find out more. You can also send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news and specials.

From fish to sushi: the making of a plushie

This has got to be one of the most popular and fun tutorials you’ll find on Cut Out& Keep. It involves the creation of a fish plushie (a small felt toy) that can be turned in on itself to form a sushi roll. If you think that sounds entertaining then you’re certainly not wrong.

 

Click here for the tutorial.  

Once you’ve made one, you’re sure to want a whole shoal. Visit your local store and stock up on some fabulous felt and colourful thread before you start stitching. Give us a call on our GOLDEN NUMBER (0861 322 839 | 0861 FABTEX) to find out more about what’s in stock. You can also send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news and specials.

How to print on fabric

This extremely useful tutorial comes to your from Polishing the Stars, a funky blog filled with great geeky DIY projects for you and your home. 

You’ll need:

• Spray adhesive
• Fabric
• Card stock

Instructions:

Start with some spray adhesive. Spray it onto a piece of cardstock and place your fabric on top, being sure to get out as many bubbles as possible.

Then cut down the fabric so that it is the exact same size as your cardstock.

Place it in your printer with the fabric facing whichever side gets the ink.

Just peel the fabric off of the cardstock.

And now you are ready to use your new printed fabric!

Looking for something specific for this project or the next? Give us a call on our Golden Number(0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX) and we’ll help you find what you need. While you are at it, send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news and specials.

Time to ruffle things up

If you’re looking for the perfect ruffle to trim your shirt or skirt, look no further than See Kate Sew. Here you’ll find 7 great ways to make a ruffle. Just click here to find yourself there. 

If you’re looking to find out what fab fabrics we have in stock, then just call us on our GOLDEN NUMBER (0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX). You can also send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news and specials.

Yesterday's News - Tomorrow's Promise: A quilt exhibition with a difference

“Yesterday's News - Tomorrow's Promise” is not your average quilt exhibition. Artists and crafters were challenged by the Midlands Arts and Crafts Society (MACS) challenged to create a 'quilt' with a difference. The exhibition required that they all enter A4 size 'quilts' made from unusual materials along the same theme: Yesterday's News - Tomorrow's Promise. Artists were asked to ignore the traditional “pretty” fabrics associated with quilting and to use anything from paper to metal. The result is a vibrant exhibition of unusual 'mini quilts' created from a wide variety of materials.

For more information about the exhibition contact the Tatham Art Gallery  on 033 392 2800 or brendan.bell@msunduzi.gov.za. You can also visit their website by clicking here. 

Adapted from the Tatham Art Gallery Press Release. 

Helping you out with your big day: a DIY birdcage veil

Is this your summer of love? If you’re heading down the aisle this year you’ll know just how costly planning a wedding can be. That’s why DIY projects like this Birdcage Veil from Wedding Chicks are such gems. They help you to create something exquisite for less.

You’ll need:

• Flower Cardboard Cut-outs
• Scissors
• Needle & Thread
• Cotton Fabric
• Ribbon
• 9″ (approx. 23 cm) Veiling Material
• Metal Comb
• Alligator Clip

Instructions:

• To make the flower:  

  

  Make flower shaped cut-outs from scrap cardboard pieces. Lay cardboard cut-outs onto cotton fabric and trace the flower shapes. Cut out flower shapes.

  

  Stack the flower shaped cut-outs from biggest on bottom to smallest on top.

  

  Fold stack of flowers in half. Fold in half two more times. Holding the base of the flower, use your other hand to gently peel the petals outward to make it “bloom”.

  

  Continue holding the base of the flower and stitch the base together (going back and forth several times), then tie a knot to secure it in place.

• To make the bandeau birdcage:   

  

  Cut out a 12″ (approx. 30 cm) piece of 9″ veiling material. Thread a needle and tie the loose end of the thread onto one end of netting, forming a knot. Stitch in and out, going through every four gaps.

  

  Gently gather that end of veiling together, stitch the gathered part together, then tie a knot to secure it in place.

  

  Place a 3″ (approx. 7.5 cm) piece of ribbon at gathered end of veiling. Fold both sides of ribbon toward the middle of the ribbon itself and stitch together. Repeat these steps again on the other end of the veiling.

  

  Cut out a small piece of cotton fabric and place inside an alligator clip.

  

  Place one side of the gathered veiling on top of the alligator clip and sew it tightly to the small piece of cotton fabric (the top of the alligator clip is in the middle of these two pieces). Sew the flower to the side with the alligator clip. 

  

  Sew a metal comb to the ribbon on the other end of the veiling.

Planning a wedding on budget can be a chore. That is why we’re happy to be able to supply you with high quality bridal statins, chiffons and more at amazingly low prices. Give us a call on our GOLDEN NUMBER (0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX) and we’ll see what we can do to make your big day the stuff of dreams. You can also send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news and specials.