Stitched Blooms Tea Towel Tutorial

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This tea towel tutorial makes for a simple yet stunning Christmas gift. For those of you who  start Christmas gifts early you don't want to miss this one.

Thank you to Beth from Sew Mama Sew for this gorgeous tutorial . Click here to access it.

Check out our ONLINE CATALOGUE for more onour range of fabulous fabrics. While you’re at it why not send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook and FOLLOW US on Twitter. You can also FIND US on Pinterest.

A mixing of media: adding watercolours to your embroidery

We’ve introduced you to Urban Threads before, but we absolutely had to share this piece of creative genius with you. Inspired by their painterly style designs, this tutorial combines watercolours with embroidery. To get the effect you’ll need to combine your creative talents with your stitching skills and fabric paint collection.

Keen on seeing how it’s done? Then click here. Pay particular attention as to why it’s important to stop the bleeding process. You’ll be glad you did.

The folks at Urban Threads recommend using water absorbent, natural fibre fabric for this project. Give us a call on our GOLDEN NUMBER (0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX) to find out more about what fabrics are in stock and on special at your local store.

You can also check out our ONLINE CATALOGUE here. And don’t forget to send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or FOLLOW on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest news and specials. You can now also FIND US on Pinterest.

A no-sew way to a new look: the DIY hair comb

With just a touch of floss and a splash of colour you’re on your way to a new do. Just check out this terrific little tutorial from the very crafty blog Lemon Jitters. All it took to get the look was to wrap the floss in a V-shape pattern along the spine of the comb. You can just tuck the ends of each threat under that of the next colour and when it comes to the end, just tie it off. Easy peasy.

Hover over to our haberdashery and stock up on embellishments, threads and other odds and sods.

If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, like a roll of printed cotton, give us a call on our GOLDEN NUMBER (0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX) and we’ll share more about what’s in stock and on special with you. FYI it’s always a good idea to take a peek at our ONLINE CATALOGOUE before you give us a call. Hey, while you’re at it why not send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook and FOLLOW US on Twitter. You can also FIND US on Pinterest. 

Crayon tinting: a how-to-guide for embroiderers

Here’s a little guide to adding some extra “oomph to your stitcheries” from Lauren Brandy over at Pimp Stitch.

 You’ll need:

• design for stitching
• fabric (preferably a tight-weave cotton) larger than your image
• assorted coloured Crayola crayons (other brands may not work as well)
• extra fabric for padding
• iron
• embroidery floss
• needle
• embroidery hoop

Instructions:

• Pre-wash your fabric to remove sizing, plus the colour will adhere better to washed fabric. 
• Transfer your design to fabric, tracing with a pencil or using a transfer pen or carbon paper. Make sure your lines are well defined because they will determine the outlines for your colouring.  
• While some sites recommend fusing your fabric to a stabilizer or freezer paper to make colouring easier, Lauren chooses to add a few layers of fabric underneath as padding and puts them all in an embroidery hoop. The padding will also help to reduce any hard marks or streaks when it comes to colouring. She suggests that if you need a harder surface in order to colour, you could always put a solid object underneath and move it around to provide resistance as needed.
• Using gentle, one-way strokes, apply colour. Layer on colour until you are happy.
• When you're done colouring, take your fabric out of the hoop and sandwich it between two layers of paper, back side up. Iron with a warm iron. The paper will absorb the excess melted crayon, preventing your ironing board from getting all icky.  
• Once set and cool, put your coloured design back in the hoop and start stitching! It's recommended to hand wash embroideries with crayon tinting to keep the colours from fading. 

Helpful hints from the expert:

• When tracing your pattern onto the fabric, be sure to use a line that will be darker than your colouring so you'll be able to follow it when you're ready to stitch.
• Make sure to use crayons that have clean tips. You might, otherwise, end up with a splotch of green on a flesh-coloured leg.

While you’ll have to raid the kid’s school bag for some crayons, you sure to find all the fabric and thread you’ll need for this project and others at Fabric and Textile Warehouse. Give us a call on our Golden Number 0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX to find out more about what’s in stock and on special. You can also take a peep at our ONLINE CATALOGUE when you click here.

And don’t forget to send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook and FOLLOW US on Twitter to stay up to date with our latest news.

Easter garlands and embroidery floss eggs

Alissa of Crafty Endeavor put together a delicious Easter themed tutorial that we just had to share.

You’ll need:

1 Cup liquid starch

½ Cup flour

Embroidery Floss

Balloons

Instructions:

Blend together the liquid starch and flour. Coil your embroidery floss into a bowl of your starch/flour mix and gently press it into the “goo”

Blow up a couple of balloons to whatever size you desire and wrap the goo laden floss around it. Alissa says to make sure that you wipe off and excess goo and let it fall back into the bowl.

Leave to dry for several hours and, once dried, pop the balloon. If there is any crusty stuff in between the floss you can always just scrape it away using a pin like Alissa did. Thread the eggs onto a clean piece of floss to make your garland.

For more of Alissa’s creativity visit her blog here.

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.

Tutorial: Keep toes toasty in these superb sweater boots

Keep your toes warm and snug in an absolutely rocking pair of DIY sweater boots from the folks at Urban Threads. If you’re an embroidery fanatic make sure that you explore a little further. They have a fabulous imagination and some incredible designs available, but to get there you’re going to have to click here first. 

 

Stock up on needles, thread and other necessities at your local Fabric and Textile Warehouse. Give us a call on our GOLDEN NUMBER (0861 322 839 | 0861 FABTEX) to find out what’s in stock and on special. You can also send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news from your favourite fabric warehouse.

A stitch in time… from an embroidery hoop to a clock

Trouble keeping track of the time? This DIY embroidery hoop wall clock is a must have for every sewing enthusiast.

You’ll need:

• scrap fabric about 2.5 cm wider on all sides than your embroidery hoop
• embroidery hoops  (the pink one is 17.8cm (7 inches) wide and the small wooden one is 7.7cm (3 inches) wide – it was a tight squeeze)
• foam core scrap
• craft knife
• rotary cutter or sharp scissors for trimming fabric
• writing instrument
• cutting mat
• spray adhesive
• clock kit
• chopstick

Instructions:

Begin by tracing the inner loop of your embroidery hoop on foam core. Trim circle with craft knife. Verify circle fits in inner hoop snuggly - a little loose is fine too.

Apply spray adhesive to the back of the scrap fabric and center the disc-shaped foam core on the sticky side.

Identify center point of foam core/fabric piece, poke hole with the scissors or knife - You will be inserting the clock pieces through this hole, so compare size of clock kit post with your hole, enlarge hole until the clock post easily goes through. The chopstick works very well to create a gradual increase in size so that you don’t offshoot your mark.

On the backside of the fabric/foam core piece, place the inner embroidery hoop and mark the circular edge from where you will trim the excess fabric (while manhandling, be considerate of your time pieces as they bend easily).

Load clock components as pictured on package and add the battery.

Trim fabric with a rotary cutter or scissors and tighten the embroidery hoop.

Hang and admire

Note: The clock components will protrude from the back of the embroidery hoop. Your clock will therefore hang from the clock kit, not the top of the embroidery hoop, so you should take care to line up the clock-kit when mounting to fabric.

Visit the Charm Stitch Blog and your local Fabric and Textile Warehouse for more for more creative craft ideas.

Send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news and specials.

A stitch in time… from an embroidery hoop to a clock

Trouble keeping track of the time? This DIY embroidery hoop wall clock is a must have for every sewing enthusiast.

You’ll need:

• scrap fabric about 2.5 cm wider on all sides than your embroidery hoop
• embroidery hoops  (the pink one is 17.8cm (7 inches) wide and the small wooden one is 7.7cm (3 inches) wide – it was a tight squeeze)
• foam core scrap
• craft knife
• rotary cutter or sharp scissors for trimming fabric
• writing instrument
• cutting mat
• spray adhesive
• clock kit
• chopstick

Instructions:

Begin by tracing the inner loop of your embroidery hoop on foam core. Trim circle with craft knife. Verify circle fits in inner hoop snuggly - a little loose is fine too.

Apply spray adhesive to the back of the scrap fabric and center the disc-shaped foam core on the sticky side.

Identify center point of foam core/fabric piece, poke hole with the scissors or knife - You will be inserting the clock pieces through this hole, so compare size of clock kit post with your hole, enlarge hole until the clock post easily goes through. The chopstick works very well to create a gradual increase in size so that you don’t offshoot your mark.

On the backside of the fabric/foam core piece, place the inner embroidery hoop and mark the circular edge from where you will trim the excess fabric (while manhandling, be considerate of your time pieces as they bend easily).

Load clock components as pictured on package and add the battery.

Trim fabric with a rotary cutter or scissors and tighten the embroidery hoop.

Hang and admire

Note: The clock components will protrude from the back of the embroidery hoop. Your clock will therefore hang from the clock kit, not the top of the embroidery hoop, so you should take care to line up the clock-kit when mounting to fabric.

Visit the Charm Stitch Blog and your local Fabric and Textile Warehouse for more for more creative craft ideas.

Send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news and specials.

Embroidered Gift Tags

Ideas has done it again. This embroidered gift tag is oh so creative and versatile – a gift tag and wall hanging all in one. To create your own start with the smallest wooden embroidery hoop you can find and fit some fabric into the frame. Cut out flowers from fabric remnants and tack in place to secure. Embellish by embroidering stems and leaves and don’t forget the recipient’s name! Finish off with a few pieces of ribbon and attach it to the gift.

Looking for more great ideas or fabulous fabrics? Contact us on our Golden Number 0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX and we’ll keep you up to date on what’s in stock and on sale at Fabric and Textile Warehouse. You can also add us as a friend on  Facebook  and “Follow us” on  Twitter. 

You had me at hello. Embroidering you own greeting cards.

And you thought embroidery was restricted to fabrics.

You will need:
• stiff, brightly coloured paper
• envelopes
• craft knife, cutting mat and metal ruler
• pencil and eraser
• pictures of animals, flowers or whatever
• embroidery needle
• contrasting coloured embroidery thread

To make:

1.       Use a craft knife and metal ruler to cut the paper to the correct size and fold it in half to form the cards. We used scrapbooking paper – it’s available in pretty colours and is thicker than ordinary paper, making it ideal for the cards.

2.       Photocopy the animal/flower pictures, cut them out and trace the outside lines with pencil onto the front of the cards.

3.       Use a contrasting coloured thread and a simple running stitch to embroider along the pencil lines of the animal shapes.

4.       Place each card in an attractive envelope.

For this and other crafty ideas visit Ideas.

Looking for something specific for your next fabric project? Give us a call on our Golden Number (0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX) and we’ll help you find what you need.