Adding a bit of peplum to your skirt – A DIY guide

Sometimes a little goes a long way. Update a classic pencil skirt by adding a little peplum (see how below) and you’ll accentuate your curves by creating the illusion of a smaller waist and wider hips.

The cut at the back of circle is there because the zipper was there, you can cut it at one side if your zipper is there.

Starting from the center pin the circle on the skirt. Make sure the open side goes close to the zipper so you can still use it. When everything is ok sew the peplum onto the skirt.

This tutorial is the brainchild of A Matter of Style, a blog brimming with DIY guides and stylish ideas for fashionistas everywhere.

Looking for some specific fabric 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.

 

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

Be your own decorator!

There are few things more intimidating than redecorating your home. You so want your lounge to look like it has fallen out of the pages of a magazine, but you doubt that you can ever get that level of elegance without hiring a professional and that costs more than you can afford. Well, we’re here to tell you that you can create that stylish coordinated look by yourself for less.

At Fabric and Textile Warehouse you’ll find a wide range of double-sided jacquard curtaining. The beauty of these fabrics is that they allow you to instill a sense harmony in your design. Use one side of the fabric for the curtaining and the other to create coordinated scatter cushions or to upholster an ottoman. This wide-width fabric is available in an incredible range of colours, textures and designs and allows for you to become your own decorator.

If you’d like to find out more about our curtaining and upholstery then give us a call on our Golden Number 0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX.

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

Set the mood with this Festive Fabric Wreath.

With the Festive Season just around the corner it’s time for you crafty gift givers to get cracking. In an effort to help spread the joy, we've put together a few Christmas themed tutorials for you to enjoy.

To start you off here is a DIY fabric wreath from the geniuses behind Quilt Inspirations. Why geniuses you ask? Well, they’ve put together an easy to follow pattern that won’t have to tying fabric strips for days or leave you with blisters on your fingers. Now if that isn't a great gift this Christmas, then we don’t know what is.

You’ll need:

• One 30.5cm floral styro-foam wreath (if you choose to go with another thickness remember to adjust you measurements accordingly)
• Dark green fabric for backbone strips (approx. 1 fat quarter)
• Fabric or ribbon for bow (we used a 26cm x 54cm piece from 1 fat quarter)
• Assorted fabrics for cross-strips approx. 1.6 to 1.8 meters (7-8 fat quarters)
• Rotary cutter and cutting mat; 15 x 61cm (6" x 24") quilting ruler
• T-pins to attach the strips to the wreath 

Instructions

Backbone strips: Cut the dark green fat quarter into 4cm (1.5") wide strips. You will need 9 -10 strips that are approx. 54cm (21") long.

Cross-strips: Cut the assorted fabrics into 4cm (1.5") wide strips, then cross-cut so the strips are 9cm (3.5") long. To save time, you can cut a stack of 3-4 fabrics as long as your rotary blade is sharp. We first cut the 4cm wide strips without separating them, then simply rotated the cutting mat and made a second set of cuts every 9cm.

Stitch the cross strips to the backbones: Place one dark green backbone strip in the sewing machine and take a few stitches down the middle of the strip to hold it in place (see second photo below). Start adding cross strips as follows: fold one cross-strip in half lengthwise to make a 2cm (3/4") wide strip and pinch it in the middle. Then layer another cross-strip on top and fold it in half lengthwise. We found it easiest to fold and stack the strips flat on the table and then pinch them together as shown above.

Center the stacked cross strips on the backbone and take a few stitches down the middle.

Continue folding and adding cross-strips to the backbone strip, one right after another, as shown in the photos above. You should not need to raise and lower the presser foot as long as you take only a few stitches before you add the next set of strips.

You can use chain piecing if you wish by starting on the next backbone without lifting the needle. Each backbone will hold about 26 stacked cross strips. It will take a little time to sew the strips - but not days! It goes fairly quickly, and soon you will have a tantalizing collection of fluffy strips.

Make the bow: Before you finish stitching all the strips, attach the bow "strings" and bow to one of the backbone strips, about 15cm (6") from the end. First, cut the bow fabric into one 20 x 54cm (8" x 21") strip and one 5 x 54cm (2" x 21") strip. Fold the 20cm (8") wide strip in fourths, lengthwise, making an accordion fold as shown above (first fold the strip in half lengthwise with right sides together; then fold back the raw edges.) This will become the "strings" for the bow.

Then fold the 5cm (2") wide strip to make a flat bow. We've provided a free bow template in a pdf file (download here).

Attach the bow "strings" and bow to one of the backbone strips, about 15cm (6") from the end. First, center the bow strings on the backbone and then layer the flat bow on top of the strings and stitch down the middle, stitching through all layers. When you are done stitching the bow, continue stitching cross pieces onto the backbone.

Assemble the wreath: Start with the strip that has the bow. Center the bow on the front of the wreath form and pin it in place temporarily with a t-pin.

Then start wrapping the strip around the wreath, pushing the bow and cross-strips to the left as you wrap the strip to the right. When have finished wrapping this strip, secure the end with a t-pin (you can tuck the t-pin underneath a cross strip so that it does not show). Also wrap and pin the left end of the strip behind the bow (once both ends are secured, you can remove the pin from the bow.) Keep pinning and wrapping strips around the wreath, one after another, until the entire form is covered. Hint: If you wrap slowly, an inch or two at a time, it will be easy to push aside the cross strips so they do not get caught underneath the strip you are wrapping. When you have gone all the way around the wreath cut off any extra strips. We used about 9.5 strips for our finished wreath. Fluff the wreath with your fingers, straightening out any crumpled strips.

This is a great project to use up all your leftovers and scraps. Don’t forget we also offer GREAT DEALS on off-cuts sold by weight! Just give us a call on our Golden Number 0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX for more info. 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.

Transform your Zippers into Rocking Accessories

One of the reasons we love Brit + Co so much is their talent for turning unconventional items into wearable accessories. Take this tutorial for instance, which shows you how to transform everyday zippers into awesome arm candy:

You’ll need:

• Zippers
• Quick hold contact adhesive
• Leather crimps and clasps
• Needle nose pliers
• Sharp scissors

Instructions

Zipper Bangles

Cut close to the zip so that there’s almost no fabric on the sides and measure around your wrist. Cut any excess zipper but make sure it can still zip! Attach cord ends so that you can add a clasp and loop.

Braided Cuff

For this one, you’ll want a zipper with some contrast. We chose a black zipper with gold teeth. Cut it in half and then unzip so you have four pieces. Discard one. Clamp three with a leather crimp and braid! Add a crimp to the other end, clasp, and done.

Blinged Out Cuff

Take a long zipper and cut it in half (Make sure it fits around your wrist twice!). Glue the two halves together. Add velcro or snap buttons on either end to fasten it around your wrist.

Now, get some more zippers (preferably the same color) and cut them down to the teeth. Using glue to attach them and start making a spiral design. Keep gluing along the way (use a toothpick to tidy up glue that squeezes out). Leave to dry and then accessorize!

Click here for some more great zipper accessories from Brit + Co.

Please Note: We know these bangles are awesome, but don’t go ripping up all your clothes just to get at their zips. We’ve got plenty available in our Haberdashery for you to choose from. 

Send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news and specials. You can also call us on our Golden Number 0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX.

Get 10% OFF from now until end December because EVERY DAY IS PENSIONER’S DAY!

Loyalty Card holders get great discounts & special offers!

The end of the year is fast approaching and we thought we’d kick start the party with the fabulous new special: Every day is Pensioner’s Day! Yup, you heard right, from now until the end of December every day is pensioner’s day. Pensioners who are loyalty card holders or join the loyalty programme get 10% off their purchase!

If you’re not a pensioner, but like to go shopping with one then bring them along and you too can get 10% OFF your purchase, provided that they have a loyalty card holder, or joins the loyalty programme with you of course.

Give us a call on 0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX to find out more about this and other offers on the go at the mo. 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.

SALE NOW ON! 100% Cotton Prints @ R 9.99/m.

100% Cotton Prints @ R 9.99/m!

Yes, you read it right, our awesome range of 100% cotton prints are on sale @ R9.99/m! Unbelievable we know, but we just can’t help ourselves - we love you guys so much.

Get the must-have fashion feature of the summer for less at Fabric and Textile Warehouse today! Why the rush? Because this offer ends this Sunday (18 November 2012), that’s why. See you soon.

Send us a FRIEND REQUEST on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news and specials. You can also call us on our Golden Number 0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX.

You won’t find variety like ours anywhere else in the country...

The sheer size of our new fashion range is awe-inspiring!

And that’s a fact!

#FabFabrics doesn’t even begin to describe what we have in store for you. There are over 1000 prints and styles in fashion fabrics alone. Gorgeous viscose, wonderful lycra, totally COOL ice knit and all at unbelievable prices. Printed cottons under R20/m - where else can you get such amazing value? Nowhere, that’s where!

Patterns for everyone from beginner to expert!

If you’re at a loss of what to do with all these fabulous fabrics, then why not look through our pattern section? There you find a host of designs perfect for some summer fun.

Looking for something specific? Then give us a call on our Golden Number: 0861 322 839 | 0861 FAB TEX and we’ll help you find what you need.

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