What started out as one post about fabric to go with the top 5 tools list has morphed into 3, maybe even 4 posts because I cannot seem to stop chatting it up about all things fabric. This is the first post in a series on fabric.
Fabric is a luxurious tool. Along with paint, it possesses power that is almost superhero like. Properly place some fabric on a bare window and you can instantly transform the feeling in a room. Mix patterns to fill and personalize a room. Use textures to add interest and depth. Keep to solid colors for a clean cozy feel without interrupting the overall feel of a room.
1. Finding Fabric in Your Town
Yes, Jo-Ann, Hancock, Hobby Lobby and other craft/sewing/hobby shops do sell a little fabric. I've purchased fabric from all three of those shops and you can find some nice things at good prices. But if you never step foot in any other kind of fabric store, you are really, really missing out.
You could start by simply googling your city and the words fabric store.
Here's what came up for Charlotte. You've got your Hancock and Calico {if you are not familiar with Calico Corners stop right now and order their catalog: completely inspiring} Midas {large chain in the Carolina's} and then Boone {no website but one of my favorite shops} Hobby Lobby, Robyn's--what? I've never heard of that!, Front Door {local and small but good remnants} and other stuff. I usually lean toward the local shops.
Right now the best place for me to find fabric at a good price is a little strip mall place called Tony's fabrics. It's big, it's bright and all the fabric is $6.99 a yard. How did I find it? I drove there even though it was a long drive from my house when we first moved here. It was worth it to scope out my new city and see what was kind of fabric cornucopia they offered. Why isn't it on the list? Here's the thing, the two best fabric stops in my city, aren't actually in my city. Make sure you google surrounding towns as well.
Besides googling or pulling your phonebook out of 1986, another way to find the best stores is to ask your friends who sew. These days there are special stores for quilters, hobby fabric stores and more decorator friendly stores. Most likely, if you are mistreating a window, you want to visit decorator fabric stores.
2. Finding Fabric Online
What? Shopping for fabric online? Isn't that harder than convincing your Mother in Law that you can actually paint brick. {No real mother in laws were hurt in this analogy, mine was totally supportive of our brick painting}. Here's how I shop for fabric online. Start in the stores. Shop around, find what you like, get a swatch and a manufacturer name {sometimes found on the edge of the fabric, or on a tag on the bolt, or ask the fabriteer (my name for people who work in the fabric store)}. Each fabric design has it's own name and if there are different colors in the same pattern, a color as well, try to get that too. Most fabriteers will amaze you with their ability to remember a fabric maker and name from even years back.
Once you have the fabric maker and name start looking online. For example. Say you want a P. Kaufmann Central Park Toile. First, just google it. There are lots of places you can find it, right? So, why not start with two online fabric stores and compare. Let's look at, Fabric.com--which I've talked about before. They tend to have great sales and seem quite customer service oriented. Here's what they have--you can click on the photo to enlarge it:
16.98 per yard plus shipping
One more thing, did you notice the color difference for these fabrics? This is why it's hard to blindly shop online. Most likely they are the exact same color.
More to come in way of fabric shopping well talk about what to buy, pricing, tips and coordinating fabric.
Are there good stores in your area? Feel free to leave a shout out with your town and favorite fabric store.
89 comments:
i'm lucky to be just outside of ATLANTA and we have two wonderful stores (and huge) Lewis and Sharon Textile Co and Forsyth Fabrics.
These two are unbelievable! AND both have a "sale room" where you can find many bolts at half the price!
AMEN to everything you've said! One of my favs in Houston is High Fashion Home in Downtown Houston. It's 4 stories of fabric yumminess. Plus 1/2 a floor of trims, fringes, etc... Totally inspiring!
I predict that a marketing person at Calico Corners is FREAKING out right now. They're getting 8,935 requests for their catalogue. The most they ever had in one day was 7.
Kimba
Thank you so much for sharing this info. I was just at joanns and was wondering, "where does the nester get her gorgeous fabric?!" I am need of a new stash and this info was very helpful! :)
Apparently, the place to go around here is OHCO fabrics, which sells remnants. I'd forgotten all about it until you posted this, and googled like you mentioned.
I'd been wondering where you picked up all your great fabric - 'cause as much as I {heart} Hobby Lobby, the ones around here just don't have great fabric.
Okay, so I just requested the CC catalog. hahahaha Man, what else could you make me do if you just said to do it?
I've always been scared of Calico Corners and have never been in the store here. I remember going in with my mom with a kid and she was all, "Don't touch anything!!" and I think it scarred me. I think of it as expensive and untouchable, but glancing at their prices, it's anything but. That's for opening my eyes to that!
I have a local place that I love, love, love! It's not quite as cheap as your local place, but they have great sales - 50% off sometimes. They have more trims and home dec fabrics than you can shake a stick at, and I more often than not find exactly what I'm looking for.
Above, Dianne mentioned one in Houston. I'm going down there in a few weeks, and I may have to check it out, too!
You must have written this post for me b/c all I would have been able to tell you would be JoAnn or Hancock. I'll have to start looking. :)
Hi Nester! Long-time lurker, first-time poster here. I have recently discovered Tony's. Though it's a drive (I live in Mint Hill), it is SO worth it. I recently bought two different fabrics there -- one for sofa pillows (which I recently made) and another for my family room drapes (yet to be made).
I also like to buy my pompom fringe at Hobby Lobby. Thanks to you, I bought my first hot glue gun about three weeks ago and customized a couple imperfectly beautiful lamp shades!
Keep on doing what you do...
Joy
Graet tips. I am a bit of a fabric addict. (My husband will attest.) ;)
*tricia
Is the place in Houston discount prices? (we currently live in H-town)
But having lived elsewhere let me tell you what I know.
Frederick, MD or anywhere nearby and North (even South PA), there is a great place called Discount Fabrics in Thurmont, MD--website below. http://www.discountfabricsusacorp.com/
In Huntsville, MD or nearby and north. There is an even better place called Sir's fabrics in Franklin, TN. They are incredible!!! Great selection and discount prices. they even have trims, upholstery fabric, notions, you name it in two huge store fronts!
Oh and I can't not mention the fabric stores of all fabric stores, the QUEEN of fabric stores, the Dark horse of fabric stores that is anything but snooty or over priced: Mary Jo's in Gastonia, NC--people literally drive for hours to shop there!
Thanks for the post Nester. Thanks to your first commenter who is not far from me I have found two new stores to check out. Hurray!! Can you believe I have to drive at least 40 minutes before I can hit at least one fabric store? I am happy to find some new places. Now I just need a friend to help me pick something out.
Jenn
For online fabrics I also like www.moodfabrics.com...and then if you find yourself in San Francisco, you can't miss a trip to Britex! It will break your bank but soooooo much fun to look! Janell
Lucky you to have access to lots of fabric stores! We only have the "big box" fabric stores available to us and even they don't carry much. There are a couple of quilt stores that go in and out of business frequently. I really should try buying fabric online but how can you tell what the true color and texture is like before ordering? I don't want 20 yards of some fabric if it turns out to be exactly what I don't want.
I leave the fabric store talk to you, but I can't believe how much great fabric I have found at yard sales. People who are TRUE seamstresses collect it...love it...oogle it, but don't use it and we benefit. Of course, you can't pick and choose colors, but I have gotten yards here and there that were marked $69.99/yard and it's a perfect amount for redoing a chair. Such fun. :)
(Same Joy that talked about Tony's)Nester - Agreed about Mary Jo's. It is huge and has a great selection. I just wish I could find a way to go in there and not feel so overwhelmed.
I welcome any tips for maxmizing one's trip to MJ's!
Most faric addicts love that place, and rightfully so. Tony's is a happy medium to me, because it offers more of a selection than say, a Hancocks, but small enough to not feel overwhelemd as I do in MJ's.
Gotta say if you're in Atlanta, you must visit Forsyth Fabrics and Lewis-Sheron Fabrics. They're only a few minutes away from each other, so you can easily hit both of them.
And if you're near Knoxville, TN, check out Short Sheet Fabrics in Crossville. Their sister store in Knoxville is Affordable Fabrics & Interiors.
Nester,
I was in Mary Jos yesterday and I became so overwhelmed! I bought some for a decorators table and mistreatments however I'm afraid it does not look good. :( I don't mean it doesn't just MATCH, I don't think it even GOES together. My sofas are burgandy and silly me bought a green, yellow and RED plaid. UM red and burgandy? What was I thinking!?
So, making another trip today....thankfully I am a local and hopefully I can find another sale fabric so the loss won't be too great.
Looking forward to more tips because I have to say I get a little stumped when it comes to fabric.
Oh I could spend hours in a fabric store, just browsing and dreaming and creating. My favorite is one that just sells closeouts, seconds and overruns. It's in an old grocery store and is huge with rolls and rolls of fabric from $1 yd to $14.99 yd. Great fun. Hugs, Marty
We suffer from a lack of good fabric stores here. There are a couple of mom and pop places, but their prices are outrageous and the selection just does nothing for me.
I miss living in a bigger city:(
Thanks for all the great tips! I have to say, I'm in love with one of the fabrics you showed in your first photo, the blue floral that's 3rd from the top. Any idea who makes it (or where you took that photo)?
Hilary
hnrice@hotmail.com
There is a fabric store right around the corner from my house. They have a great selection. I have bought fat quarters and have nothing to sew. So the fabric store can be dangerous for me.
Wouldn't it be fun to set up a day and meet at Mary Jo's and then all go to lunch together?
hmmm...
As a long-time fabri-holic, my favorite online spot for getting my fix is Fabricguru.com -- fantastic selections, and amazing prices (especially on sales) plus very cheap shipping!
And they send generous sample swatches for $1 each, no shipping charge. I have STACKS of samples -- I should make a crazy quilt.
I am sewing the curtains for our master bedroom in a GP&J Baker toile that I got for less than $4 a yard. First quality.
Thanks for the other links and tips!
Cass
I was surprised that you didn't mention Mary Jo's! I've only been there a handful of times and it's quite overwhelming to me. I should look into Tony's but I live south of Charlotte and don't make it past uptown very often. Unless it's an IKEA run! Woot!
There used to be a fabric store called Fabric World that had a large selection with most of their fabric $7.99/yd but the one near my office in Whitehall Center closed in the last few months. There used to be one off of WT Harris (I think?) but I'm thinking that Fabric World is gone for good. :(
Thanks for this post! and thank you Dianne from Houston too. I live just north of Houston and have heard about a huge fabric store but no one seems to remember the name. I just discovered a great store in the area called Interior Fabrics. Great seclection and great prices!
When I lived in Baton Rouge, there was an awesome store called Fabric Warehouse on Florida Blvd that I used to go to all the time. The prices were reasonable (although I wouldn't say frugal) but the selection was huge. I just bought from the remnants section. ;o)
Sir's Fabric is located at 110 Elk Avenue North in FAYETTEVILLE, TN, not Franklin.
It's way off the beaten path but well worth the drive...they have name brand bolt fabric, upholstery fabric, but their big draw is tables and tables of remnants.
You always see decorators from Nashville, Huntsville and Birmingham with their notebooks, paint samples and fabric swatches filling their carts.
Ditto on what Nester said about buying online. It's better to see the fabric in person before you commit to buying( I have a pile of fabric I don't know what to do with to prove it). But you get familiar with the different brands and their quality and it gets easier. I found a great online source for fabric a few years back. The website is: Fabricguru.com I have purchased bolts of fabric from him for under $35, what's on a bolt, like 15 yards?? And this was Waverly toiles.. Worth checking out ladies.. And he ships any amount of fabric for $4.99! Happy shopping.... Viva la Nester! ;0}
I love Mary Jo's - my aunt, a retired teacher, works there and people flock there from everywhere. It's worth a drive! Luckily, I live close by but I live closer to Tony's. I do not get so overwhelmed in there! Great places for different reasons.
If your hubby loves BBQ - convince him to drive you to Gastonia. He can get BBQ and you can get fabric!
A Mary Jos trip and lunch would be great! There is a McAllisters in the same shopping center now that would be a good place.
Don't forget that there are colorways of designer fabrics, too -- so the same fabric name may be in a different colorway or shade. Usually a pic will show that, but if you're on ebay you may want to double-check.
I had great success buying my Covington fabric on ebay -- 50% off for both the main fabric and the coordinating plaid. But if you do it, be sure you know exactly what they're charging -- is it per yard, per half-yard, etc? Always double-check!!
Nthing the love for Lewis and Sharon and Forsyth and everything else on Atlanta's westside!!!
great advice! We've only got a JoAnns in our city so I am always wondering where else... Thanks!
fabric stores are like candy to me! I almost hyper-ventillate when I step into one. We have a great one here in Houston called Interior Fabrics- the prices are great! they are a chain- here is the website: http://www.fabricresource.com/
You already know about the fabric stores here in the boro, but I am happy to report that my hubbie and I are going to NYC this weekend and I told him I needed to go to Mood (the store they use on Project Runway to get fabric.) Already I am thinking about what kind of fabric I would like to buy, and if I can't find it, I'm gonna buy a t-shirt if they sell them. I am so excited.
I'm certainly up for a Mary Jo shopping lunch extravaganza...
The Fabric Shack in Waynesville, Ohio. The town is also full of cute antique stores....so fun!
Mary Jo's, Mary Jo's, Mary Jo's - what a wonderful destination! Count me in for a shopping excursion & lunch - always looking for a reason to drive up to MJ's - by far the best fabric store I've ever been in! Love it!!!
I love this. I was hanging on every word. I've really been struggling to find some good fabric stores lately, so I think I'll have to take myself on a little adenture to see what's out there.
In Marietta, GA you have Tiny Stitches and for THE sweetest ladies around on Atlanta's southside you have Quilts 'n Fixins in Jonesboro.
I have a place I like to go to as well that is a bit of a drive for me called The Fabric Annex, but what I like about them is they sell "scraps", which is sometimes enough for a pillow or valance at a great price and trims that they bag up and mark with the yardage. Also, sometimes an amount good enough for pillows.
I've made some nice pillows from this store's stuff, sometimes being creative by using a silky fabric in the middle and a patterned fabric on the ends and trimmed with bits of tassel fringe.
http://www.maryjos.com/
If you live near Charlotte, NC; Greenville/Spartanburg, SC you must make the trip to this store in Gastonia. It is a Walmart size fabric store. I entered it the first time and felt like I was in Disney world and someone handed me the magic wand for the day.
onlinefabricstore.net has AMAZINGLY cheap shipping! I got 10 yards and only paid $7.50 for shipping! Very happy with them!
I'm waiting to stop drooling over that brown and blue toile. Okay, I think I have it under control. My favorite place is a little bitty fabric store that's about 25 to 30 minutes from my house. I found it by doing that very thing you did...google fabric in my area. They don't have a website, but they were in an area that I was going to be in one day, so I thought I'd pop in. Man, I'm glad I did, because they were having a sale like I'd never seen. Every bolt of fabric...the toiles, the sheers, the florals...every one was...get this...$3 a yard! You can bet I've gone back since. They also have a great selection of fringe that is on sale every time I've been. Love it!
Great post! I loooove fabric, but hate to pay ridiculous prices, so your tips will come in handy. If anyone is in Southern Ontario, Canada, they should check out the fabric/textile district in Hamilton, ON (Ottawa Street.) Tons of brand name fabrics, lots of stores, great prices.
my grandmother had a drapery shop when i was growing up with bolts of fabric under the huge measuring and ironing tables and fabric sample books hanging from peg board on the walls. i grew up surrounded by fabric. she was one of those who could remember a design and who made it from years back when a customer would call and wonder if she had some leftover.
Love this! Thank you. I know you're incredibly frugal (that's better than saying "cheap", right?) and so I love a glimpse into your process. Seriously!
I had a friend tell me about a "little" fabric store a while back where she found amazing fabric on clearance (www.fabricsoftulsa.com). I drove up to the store and from the outside it seriously looked like it had been closed for 10 years....but inside?...a mecca of gorgeous fabrics with many great deals. In fact I went there about a month ago and bought 3 yards of expensive ticking stripe fabric for about 50% off because it was a "remnant". LOVE remnants.
This is a little freaky but I have been looking for a small amount of the Waverly fabric (have to extend some curtains that shrunk in the wash) in your post...and now I've found it...thanks!
I just signed up for my Calico Corner's catalog! :o) This is such good timing. I just joined a quilt club in my town and getting more familiar with fabric.
Thanks so much Nester!!
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
I love My Needle and Thread! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6205975
K, so it's my Mom's shop, so I had to say something. She just started it not too long ago and is working really hard to build her business. And, since I love her and want to support her I thought I'd give her a shout out here!
Thanks for the tips. Will start searching now!!
Can I just say I'm the all time fabriholic. I have stashes and rolls and bolts I love using.
I'm in south Florida and we have some super fabric and discount fabric stores!
Founder: Craft For Health
Oh yeah...Interior Fabrics in Houston is also really good. They're definitely not as large, but have some great things there. Both Interior Fabrics and High Fashion Home are fairly reasonable price wise. IF also has a custom upholstery service that is very competitive.
I was wondering when I read your post why on earth you didn't mention Mary Jo's... So glad you didn't leave her out! When I moved west from the coast years ago and had a current Southern Living magazine subscription, I remember reading an article on Mary Jo's. And so the love affair began *smiles* The store is truly lengendary and I never hesitate to recommend it to anyone!
Count me in for a Mary Jo's/lunch trip...hopefully we can do it when I'm off work or I guess I'll just have to call in sick *smiles*
It's a shame Robert Allen closed their warehouse factory outlet in Gaffney last year. Talk about deals!
I buy a lot of fabrics and the majority is bought online. I get the best prices and I have only had a few instances when the print was different than what I was expecting.
I am a serious fabric addict! I am can be dangerous in a fabric store, for sure. When my 10 yo was in kindergarten, I decided her 100 days of kindergarten project should be a little quilt... because I KNEW I had *at least* a hundred different fabrics on hand from which to cut little swatches for the blocks!
I love Mary Jo's, too! My mom, a quilter in AZ, and her friends even order online from them. I am always up for a field trip, too! Thanks for the other recommendations. I have been seriously starved for fabric stores since getting to Charlotte. Blessings!
So, NC ladies - if I am in FRANKLIN, NC - is it worth the drive to Gastonia? How long would it take me? We go to Franklin regularly, & I'm wondering if I should check out Mary Jo's the next time we go.
Great tips on fabric! I too have the standards, but always looking for that unique out of the way fabric store. I have even found some cute fabrics for pillows and such at quilt fabric stores. Thank you again for your insightfulness!
Hugs to you,
~Victoria~
I hardly buy fabric because I don't have a sewing machine and can't make cool things LOL. But! Thanks for the tips because I want to someday make cool things like drapes and tablecloths. :)
All the best,
Allison
Sadly to say we only have 2 options for fabric where I live... Hobby Lobby and Hancock fabrics (well, and wal-mart for lesser quality fabrics but that doesn't count in my opinion). I'm in a city of over 100,000 too!! (wonder why there aren't any others??? and there aren't any closer than just over 100 miles away. =( Boo-hoo!
Oh, and you may try e-Quilter.com as well.
~Jennifer in Texas
Any Midwestern Nesters out there need to know about Mill End Textiles. Oh, how I miss that store!
I live in Roanoke VA and we have a few different "local" fabric shops. But my favorite is the French Thistle. Lots of inspiration there, a 75% off area, huge selection and really reasonable prices! And when I say Huge selection, I mean HUGE. Every aisle is a different color. I could shop there all day long!
Wow, you totally read my mind! I've been wondering for the past few weeks where everyone was getting their fabric!! I'm going to have to start looking around some more! You've given me some great places to start looking! Thank you!
If you are anywhere near DALLAS, Golden D'OR is the most amazing place I've ever been outside the garment district in New York. Check out their retail site here http://www.goldendor.com/retail_store.html. It is a costumer, designer, fabric junkies dream!
I'm really quite surprised you didn't mentioned MARY JO'S in GASTONIA!!!! Quite possibly the best fabric store in the entire country. LOVE THAT PLACE!
North of Atlanta near Marietta Fabric and Fringe is quite good with great prices on pillow inserts and trim! A bit further north is Decorator's Mart in Kennesaw and they run great specials. Happy sewing!
My guess was that the second place you were referring to outside of Charlotte was Mary Jo's. We found tons of great stuff for my wedding there. The day I find out I'm pregnant, that's the first place I'll head!
My favorite in the triad is 1502 in Winston-Salem. I also like Printer's Alley in Greensboro.
In Marietta, GA there is an awesome place called Fabric and Fringe. They carry a TON of great fabric and a few designer knock offs.
The best place in the world to find designer decorator fabric for CHEAP is Home Fabrics. There's one about 4 minutes from my house and I never go elsewhere. $2.99/yard for first quality Waverly? Why even bother shopping around? I think historically Home Fabrics has been a western US franchise, but I know there's now one in Missouri, so maybe it's moving west.
MARY JO's is 10 minutes from my house. I am not creative, but if I was I would be there everyday!
In the greater Detroit area...Habermans. Very expensive, BUT, great place to get wonderful ideas!
Thanks Nester for your site. I really enjoy your posts, they are fun and useful! Thanks too for the suggestion from the Narrator about Home Fabrics. I will have to try them out.
Is this Mary Jo's anywhere near Jacksonville? Because if I ever convince my husband to go there one summer with the kids to visit my aunt and the beach, I'm so going to check out that store if it's so awesome. Clearly it will be a road trip and I will pack light for everything I'm assuming I will buy in the great NC. I just KNOW you ahve better yard sales and antique and thirft stores back there than here.
I'll admit that I'm addicted to fabric (as if I could hide the bursting closet of fabric).
We moved to a small town two years ago and don't have any local options for fabrics other then quilting fabric. After reading your article I'm inspired to stop sulking about it and go online to find an online retailer to fill my fabric needs.
Thanks!
Ok, Ok, ya'll yes, the other place I was referring too was Mary Jo's!
Pros and cons:
Pros: LOTS of fabric, Good Prices, lots of employees ready to help
Cons: HORRIBLE lighting,weird hours, and you have to PAY for samples {this is really something that I personally have a HARD time dealing with and therefore try to go other places because, paying for samples really limits what I end up trying out and therefore limits what I might buy from MJ"s. I know it enables them to keep their prices lower but I always wonder as a business model if it actually makes them have less sales. I'd pay a dollar more per yard if I could get all the samples I wanted.
Just sayin'
But YES, Mary Jo's in Gastonia is still a treasure trove and worth the trip.
So I live in North Atlanta, and all this talk about MJ's is really getting to me. I would love to drive up and check it out. So....is there going to be a date planned soon? It would be fun to meet up!!!
I'm learning of few places here in the area to check out by reading all the comments.
Thanks!
So I live in North Atlanta, and all this talk about MJ's is really getting to me. I would love to drive up and check it out. So....is there going to be a date planned soon? It would be fun to meet up!!!
I'm learning of few places here in the area to check out by reading all the comments.
Thanks!
Houston's High Fashion is the best!! There's one for sewing fabrics and Home for upholstery.
Side note - I searched high and low for new couches. Finally found one at Crate and Barrel I liked. Actually I loved the fabric more than the couch. Anyway decided the couch really didn't go with our house style-wise (and it was pricey!) so I was on the search for the herringbone microfiber they used. Well low and behold I see it on a couch at High Fashion Home. They didn't have the fabric on a bolt but they were able to call the manufacturer and get me the fabric so I could recover my couches.
One of the best places for fabric in the Charlotte area is Mary Jo's...they are in Gastonia, I believe, and they do have a website. They carry many top brands and have AMAZING prices. I live in Columbia, SC and we drove there to find a fabric I was searching for to create bedding for my son's nursery. Their website has a feature where you can email them and describe a fabric and they can tell you if they carry it or not. I love it!
Mary Jo's is my favorite. It does require a plan, my ideal one being:
1. No kids with me
2. preview, lust after, and daydream about the fabrics
3. then eat lunch
4. go back and actually buy what I want.
I've never gotten to do this, but a girl can dream, can't she?
It's doubly bad as I sew clothes too.
When we were building this house, I had a VERY SPECIFIC fabric I wanted to use for my curtains. I found the name and mfgr, and searched the Internet....for MONTHS.....and probably saved more than 70% on some yardage! My best deals actually came from Ebay!!
We used to have a Hancock Fabrics in Birmingham, but they have since shut down...***sigh****.
We do have a local Hobby Lobby now, but it's just not the same.
OHCO is great for remnants, but I don't know if they are a chain or if this is just a local store in my area. Also www.fashionfabricsclub.com is an awsesome website!! I found a ton of fabric on there for 6.95/yard that was 17 and 18$ on other websites!! LOVE THEM!
Great thoughts, Nester! I've also done very well on ebay. I found the name of the fabric I liked, and waited. My bargain: 8 yds. of Greeff linen for $26.00.
(Greeff is the upper end of Waverly/Schumacher - I think it is listed at over $100 a yard!)
I recently came across this sweet on-line fabric option:
http://www.spoonflower.com
http://blog.spoonflower.com/
custom design and print your own fabric!
Mary Jo's in Gastonia, NC http://www.maryjos.com/
Dear Nester, This is another great site. I like that you can order swatches for very little with FREE shipping. =) http://www.800fabrics.com/new_home.php
Just a tip for you fabric loving gals, if you're wanting a "sample" of a 45 inch wide cotton why not just buy 1/8 of a yard and use it to make a headband after you're done using it as a sample. I do this all the time and it's much easier than asking for a sample as some stores will not sample their cottons and only sample their home dec fabrics.
Nester,
I'm looking for some fabrics for Baby Girl's (poor thing doesn't yet have a name...) nursery. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm almost positive I'll know it when I see it. I'm going for a "Fruits of the Spirit" theme, so the fabrics need some lovely purply blues and reddish pinks. Something not too girly or cutesy, not too Americana, a little Southern, and perfectly classy. When you have a color scheme ever so specific in mind, what is the best way to go about searching for that dream fabric?
I am very, very excited to find out we have a Calico Corners here in our city. I also have another huge fabric store that I never knew about. I've only been going to Hobby Lobby and JoAnns.
Nester, I really really loved this post. Making my home home is high on my priority this year. I've been through a bit of personal crisis, with having major surgery for suspected cancer in February but I am cancer-free and now wanting to join the living again. Thanks again for such a great post, full of information. I can't wait to visit Calico Corners and the other great fabric stores in my city.
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