Fabric Giveaway and a question or two…
I’ve been busying myself today putting together some new fabric bundles for the shop, which always gets me thinking. I know it isn’t necessarily easy when buying fabric on-line, computer monitors don’t always reflect true colours. Plus, it’s not always easy to work out how large the fabric pattern is etc…..so how can it made easier?
Fabric from Amy butler's Aquatic colour palette
Some people, I know are brave enough to ask for samples… quite sensible if you’re trying to match fabric with some that you already have or putting together a quilt. But is there anything else that might help given that we don’t (yet) live in a Star Trek like world where samples can be ‘beamed’ across the airwaves in a nano second!
Does it help to see the fabric used in a completed project? I’m thinking particularly, of those designers who blog and produce sewing patterns using their own fabric lines, plus the multitude of other crafters who also blog. I know that sometimes that sends me off looking for paticular patterns and designs. Does this wealth of ‘visual’ information help you to have the confidence to mix and match fabrics for yourself? Would shopping on-line for fabric be more difficult without this?
What kind of information do you look for in fabric descriptions? I try to include a description of the colour but that of course is quite subjective. I’m going to resolve some of these issues with matching and contrasting some of the ‘pink’, ‘roses’ ‘fuschia’ and ‘green’ type colours in some of Amy Butler’s fabrics by getting some of her ‘solids’ fabrics. But they’ve yet to arrive. I’ve also been wondering whether it’s useful to include care information; details of washing and drying etc. ? At the moment I only supply this if I’m asked for it.
Fabrics from Amy Butler's Daisy Chain - Basil palette
For now anyway, I’m holding on tightly to the belief that fabric bundles help. I get a great deal of pleasure in putting fabrics side by side and seeing the effect they have on each other, which is why I think that the bundles are helpful. (… did you think I was just being self-indulgent, tsk, tsk) Also I think that it gives you the opportunity to see the patterns side by side, you can see the sizes of the fabric prints in relation to one another and you can get an idea of how they interact and ‘work’ together.
These fabric bundles from the Daisy Chain range are based on Amy’s own colour palettes. Look I even got a bit carried away and took a more ‘draped’ looking photograph to accompany them, just to show a little more of the fabric you understand.
The more 'draped' photograph
But is that enough?
I should love to hear what you think about all this.
In the meantime I’m sticking to putting fabric bundles together…. it’s fun, playing with the prints and the colours…. and I’ve all the Midwest Modern, Heather Bailey and Anna Maria Horner fabrics to work my way through….
Working out some bundles from Pop Garden - Heather Bailey
So, how about a giveaway ? I haven’t had one for a while. How about this?
Another bundle of fabrics from Daisy Chain - also from the aquatic palette
and of course it’s more drapey partner.
The 'draped' photograph...
All you have to do is respond to this post by leaving a comment and I’ll use the ‘random number generator thingy’ to randomly select a number…. and that person will be the winner of some lovely fat quarters…. all this excitement will take place on the 23rd September which is a Wednesday.
Speak soon
1Rosie Wilkinson
wrote on 16 September 2009 at 10:05
Hi, I think these fabrics look great. Personally I like to see different fabrics used in a project, for me they really help to spark the imagination.
Best wishes Rosie
2Kate
wrote on 16 September 2009 at 10:42
I just love these fabrics – have used some of the Daisy Chain designs to make a dress for my wee one.
The bundle photos really help – (the standard pictures rather than the draped ones I think work best…..but maybe that’s just me!).
I also really like being able to get details of fabric composition (cotton/blend etc), washing instructions, and pattern repeat sizes when buying fabric.
You’ve got my sewing fingers twitching!
3Joanne
wrote on 16 September 2009 at 12:57
The fabrics look amazing! You have a great eye.
4gill
wrote on 16 September 2009 at 17:37
hi julia
agree with kate plus how about a tape measure/ruler to give some idea of pattern size?
love that colourway of ab fabrics
gill
5Nancy
wrote on 16 September 2009 at 17:38
I do struggle buying fabrics online, because of how differnt they can look based on me screen, or the lighting in the picture, or the color of the page they are listed on. But I don’t have a lot of options, because my LQS don’t suffice. So yeah, I do like fabric bundles. Thanks for the great giveaway!
6Sue Cahill
wrote on 16 September 2009 at 18:12
I usually check out the fabrics online that I am interested in using my husband’s Mac, the colors are much truer. I love to see projects made in different fabrics, it helps me to imagine the possiblities. Some of the quilt magazines do this and I really apppreciate having the additional options.
Sue Cahill (sbonetsue at yahoo dot com)
7Jennifer
wrote on 16 September 2009 at 18:35
I’ve only just begun to make garments to wear – all my other textile things have been ‘crafty’. I didn’t have the courage to buy online for my first project and so waited until I was able to see the fabrics in a shop before buying. However, I think your website is by far the best out there – the colours really are a good likeness and I know I’ll buy my next fabric from you. I think I would probably like to see more garments made up in various fabrics, even if it’s just a simple skirt, as this really does help put things into perspective.
8Diane
wrote on 16 September 2009 at 18:58
I agree with you, but most fabrics are absolutely lucious, especially Amy Butler fabs. Thank you for a fun giveaway. Glad I found your site.
9Caroline
wrote on 16 September 2009 at 20:20
Gorgeous fabrics! I really struggle to buy online for a lot of the reasons listed. The biggie for me is being able to get a grip on what size the pattern is – I tend to make small fabric items and obviously a big print more suitable for clothes or upholstry is going to be a no. So whilst I love the fabric bundles I think it would also be good to show a standard sized square – eg 10x10cm, or perhaps a photo of the bolt – so you can compare and contrast. Cath Kidston’s site is quite good at this, for example. I do like to see made-up items as well but appreciate that’s a lot of work!
As regards care information, I would state it if it wasn’t a simple “wash 40oC” – it’s incredibly irritating to find out something is special care *after* you’ve bought it!
10Susie Bacon
wrote on 16 September 2009 at 20:22
I like the idea of the bundles. Too often I buy a few fabric pieces and then later have a difficult time finding just the right ones to make my project. This way it is easier to visualize a finished project and I am prompted to buy the majority of the fabric at once. I don’t think care instructions are necessary unless the fabric is something other than 100% cotton which I would not expect it would be. I am not particularily crazy about the draped look though.
11Amanda
wrote on 16 September 2009 at 21:34
I love fabric bundles as I am relatively new to patchwork/quilting and still getting the hang of putting stuff together. I love the colours in these fabrics.
12Nova
wrote on 16 September 2009 at 21:57
Blue and green are my favourite colours for fabric!
13Andrea
wrote on 16 September 2009 at 23:30
Hi Julia,
I like the bundle photos that you use. It depends how much time you have and how wide your fabric range is but a sample card of maybe your most frequent fabric or just new ranges. This could be charged at maybe £2.00 or so to cover time/costs with the view to customers having the card at home and selecting from the card.(sample card would need to have a good lifespan ie a year?) Sample cards could be made in limited batches with maybe the fabric being only a couple of centimetres square. Pre-print a template whereby the fabric names could be changed by the click of a button and printed off quickly and samples stuck down with pritt. I sent off for one like this with felt on it. It is the staple stock which is always available but with fabric might just be the new fabric in.
Hope that makes sense could always send an email picture of the example I have here.
xx
14dottycookie
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 6:55
I have really enjoyed the bundles I’ve received from you – it’s a joy to have someone else do the matching up sometimes!
My main problem with buying electronically is that sometimes the patterns in real life are sized very differently from the way I have imagined them. I think a made up project might help here, but that would be an incredible amount of work! Sample cards are a good idea but I’m not sure how straightforward that would be for you. I have a feeling I haven’t helped much!
15Juanita
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 7:15
Funnily, these fabrics look different when draped. But draping them gives us some kind of “visual movement” of the fabric.
When it comes to info. about fabric… I would look out for the material and “weight”, I suppose.
I LOVE those fabric quarters you’re giving away right now. Hope to win!!!
16Judith
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 9:43
The fabric bundles are very helpful. I would be very happy to pay for a collection of small sample pieces when you got a new fabric collection in.
17Rej
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 11:37
I think the draped photograph gives a much better idea of pattern obviously, but sometimes the other photos give a better idea of colour – both together are a good idea
18Penny
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 12:11
I love the fabric bundles, either draped or not as they give a good idea of what goes with what. A post you did a couple of months ago showcasing Heather Bailey fabrics was very useful, I ordered 3 and was not disappointed and I have found the colours in your photos to be fairly accurate. ( I use a Mac) My main problem is with pattern size, a ruler or tape measure placed along the bottom of the photo would help to give some idea of scale. Another site I use places a 2cm button on the fabric when photographing and this also works well. Showing made up samples would be good but time consuming for you.
19Shannon F.
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 14:20
I’ve seen fabrics pictured next to an item that we all know the color of, such as a red Solo cup. The viewer can compare easily when it is contrasted with a color that is more than likely in your home (ie the orange of a Tide bottle, etc.). What a great giveaway! Thanks!
20abby
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 17:26
Beautiful fabric choices!
21Helen
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 17:42
The bundles are really good and the finished projects – they give an idea of how patterns and colours look together
22gtlady (Jane Platts)
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 17:57
I think as some others have suggested, having a ruler alongside the prints, and interspersing them with the plains, and I would include washing instructions, you could say on your home page all washed at 40 degrees unless stated…
p.s how do you do any work, i’d just play with matching up differnt colours/patterns all day!
23Sondra
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 18:10
The fabric bundles help a lot. And I like both on the bolt and draped photos. Seeing the material in a project really helps. Also seeing the fabric both from a distance surround by other fabrics and close up would be a big bonus for me. Seeing them at a distance helps me put the color and design in perspective. I agree with the other readers that like to fabric composition such as washing instructions and pattern repeat. Using a tape measure or a standard item for pattern size comparison would help a lot.
24Rachel
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 18:33
usually if i’m trying to match fabric i don’t buy it online. when i buy bundles i just rely on the grouping from the seller. if i don’t like it then OH WELL i still have beautiful fabrics. i definitely like the stacked look better than the draped look for your photos. and the end bundle is great, i’m just not quite sure if it’s as brownish as my computer screen makes the first one on the left look.
25Tia Webb
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 19:43
I have to say, having purchased from your shop B4, that I love the option of fabric bundles! For a start I’m new to this quilting malarky and also a bit OCD so having someone else choose what goes together gets rid of one hell of a headache for me.
The only downside is I end up not being able to make up my mind and buying more than I intended (my fabric stash is getting dangerously out of control! Note to self…..buy less, make more!) which lets face it as a purveyor of fine fabrics can only be good for your business!!!!
Thanks for the giveaway!!
Txxx
26Talia
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 19:54
Ooooh, pretty, pretty fabric! Love it!
I always find your pictures more than adequate for judging colours, although pattern is always more important to me than colour I find. And as for washing information and suchlike, I never even think of things like that when buying fabric! If I needed it, I think I’d ask for it!
27Nic
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 20:43
I love those fabrics!! I prefer the look of them all tidy but the draped look does show the pattern better I guess
28Gemma
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 20:50
Your bundles are really pretty and very useful for people to spark imagination. As for judging colours I usually ask for samples if its really important but usually a couple of shades different to how it looks on my screen doesn’t really matter. Washing info could be useful if its not what you’d expect. Pics of the fabric in use would be useful for inspiration and to see pattern size but its a lot of extra work for you. Maybe you could get customers to send you pics of how they used your fabric.
29Glamglass
wrote on 17 September 2009 at 21:40
I love the bundle pictures and think that the draped just doesn’t look right. I would love to see a completed project using some or all of the fabric, though this may be quite awkward and time consuming for you.
You generally put together great colour/pattern combos!
30Darcy B
wrote on 18 September 2009 at 4:11
I love the bundles idea–I hate having a fabric I love then not being able to find something that works with it—I keep bits for years sometimes before I find the right project. I have also purchased fabric online–and then when it arrived it looked nothing like i expected–funny though it wasn’t the color so much that was wrong—one print I loved online was a closeup–that when the print arrived –it was son tiny it was completely washed out–the other was the opposite –loved the print online when i got it it was so huge that you couldn’t see the print—it looked like abstract shapes.
31Sara
wrote on 18 September 2009 at 10:03
Trying to pluck up the courage to buy fabric on-line as I’ve never done so before. Those bundles look so tempting. I love the look of the stacked bundles rather than the draped ones. I think I would be more tempted to buy fabric if I saw a completed project. I’m not too worried about washing instructions but some indication of the weight of the fabric would help to make up my mind. Thanks!
32Jessica
wrote on 18 September 2009 at 12:18
I like seeing the fabirc in action so to speak, maybe highlight photos in the flickr group which uses fabric brought from the shop?
Other than that you give alot more info than other online stores, some dont even bother putting the width of fabric or if its heavyweight or light etc
33Jackie
wrote on 18 September 2009 at 12:41
The bundles are really useful & the draped photos look good as you say. Completed projects are always inspirational & give a good impression of the fabric. You already give a good indication of the fabrics & your photos are superior to many shops online.
34Thahera
wrote on 18 September 2009 at 15:26
Hi Julia, what a great topic, its brought all sorts of crafty people out of the woodwork! I loved the sample card idea, and I would very happily pay for one too. As I dont have the option of a local fabric shop, I have to buy online and the thing that surprises me every time is the scale of the pattern and the rich colour of the the fabric, (usually I find the pattern huge, pleasantly so, but still a surprise). Also, I hate to go against the grain, but I dont go for fabric bundles, only because I like fabric from different designers and ranges in a project rather than just the one. An idea for all the bundle fans may be something I saw on AM Horners store are pallette piles. Its a huge bundle with fabric from all her ranges arranged in a rainbow . Its seriously gorgeous and will have all those bundle fans drooling!! Take Care.
35Nicole
wrote on 18 September 2009 at 15:32
Some gorgeous fabrics there and such great colour – I’m a big fan of teals and turquoises
36SewCalGal
wrote on 18 September 2009 at 15:56
I thnk these fabrics would be quite fun to make a project out of. Lovely colors & prints.
SewCalGAl
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
37Katrina
wrote on 18 September 2009 at 20:41
Beautiful fabrics! I agree that the bundle helps overcome monitor difficulties.
38Joanna Perry
wrote on 19 September 2009 at 1:49
You know all of the questions you just put into your blog for today are like some of the things I agonize over when I plan a project. Are these colors okay, are the patterns okay, is that color of yellow close enough to the yellow in the print, etc.? I think picturing the group together gives a good idea of the match. Hope I win.
39Minsiemom
wrote on 19 September 2009 at 3:01
I love your combinations. The bundles really showcase how the fabrics go together, but you are right, the “draped” compositions lets us see more of the fabric. Thanks for reading our opinions!
40Kaye Prince
wrote on 19 September 2009 at 4:37
Putting completed projects up in the fabrics may help some people, but when I’m buying fabric on-line I generally look up more pictures of it on the internet and just come up with a general feeling of the colours in my head. I don’t know if others do this, but frankly I think there’s no real way to know exactly what a fabric looks like unless you’ve seen it in person.
I would love to win some of this fabric; I love Amy Butler!
41Muckla
wrote on 19 September 2009 at 14:03
Oh – I would love to win! Such great colour combinations!
42Kristin @ www.whatthestitch.wordpress.com
wrote on 20 September 2009 at 1:17
I love the “draped” shots. This fabric is so beautiful!
When I shop online for fabric I usually just try to find photos of it in finished projects, which usually gives me a better idea of the scale of the print, etc. I had an experience once where I ordered willy-nilly and the print was much, MUCH bigger than what I was wanting…it was AB, so still gorgeous, but unexpected. I ended up using it differently than I originally planned!
43Joyce
wrote on 20 September 2009 at 2:56
Love the color combinations. Not sure what advice to give on the bundles. I love the idea of seeing them all together. Thanks for the chance
44GReg
wrote on 20 September 2009 at 3:06
Those are some nice fabrics. I can always find a current project to use them in, if not I’ll start another!!
45Jocelyn
wrote on 20 September 2009 at 3:32
Wow what a great giveaway. I have just recently ordered some fabric because I could not find what I wanted or needed locally. I do think bundling fabric collections makes a big difference when making selections. Your giveaway fabrics are very beautiful! They look great together. Thanks for entering me in your giveaway!
46Rosa Robichaud
wrote on 20 September 2009 at 4:12
As for print size, I find it ALWAYS helps when the person posts a measuring tape nearby.
Unfortunately, I rarely order on-line – shipping to Canada is INCREDIBLE!!!
Tks for putting my name in the proverbial “hat”… !!!
Rosa Robichaud
Saint John, New Brunswick
Canada
P.S. Yes, pictures of bundles of fabrics, side by side sure help! *grin*
47arlette
wrote on 20 September 2009 at 6:26
Love the bundles pictures, the fabric is gorgeous!
48Julie Beales
wrote on 20 September 2009 at 11:07
i think the close up picture helps me because of the detail and depth of colour is show when the pieces are all stacked together , but the photo of the fabrics helps also because i myself throw fabrics onto the bed to see how they would work together from a distance, and in multiple pieces of one print necessarily don’t work together , it helps to virtually step back and take a cyberspace look at the bigger picture. Although all the amy butler fabrics are fab so what you don’t use in one project you would certainly use in another if you made a mistake in your purchase.
Best wishes Jools
49Sandi
wrote on 20 September 2009 at 19:19
Your bundles are a great way of showing how fabrics relate to one another, both in scale and color. Another way to show scale is to put a small ruler or coin in the photo, so we can see the actual size. The bundles help when you are buying two or more fabrics, but if we don’t already have one of the fabrics and are buying just one, the size is still relative. Thanks for putting so much thought into your offerings!
50Anna
wrote on 20 September 2009 at 20:03
I am not sure if there is a way to get the true color of fabric in a photograph but I am often surprised by how accurate the colors are on the computer- especially when gets a close up of them.
Your fabric selections are gorgeous and someone will indeed be fortunate to win the sumptious fat quarters.
Thanks for putting my name in for your giveaway.
Warmest regards,
Anna
51Clare
wrote on 21 September 2009 at 0:34
Hi Julia
I’ve only just started buying fabrics online, but your bundle pics are great. The other thing that would help me is maybe some pics of bundles with the different colours in the range placed together? Tanya Whelan’s Darla or Paula Prass’s Summer Soiree ranges have great contrasting colours which I use together in making childrens clothes, bags etc. The ruler / coin idea is good as well, as I have been surprised by the scale of the pattern before!! Thanks for thinking of us!
52Amy Lane
wrote on 21 September 2009 at 9:32
Hi Julia,
I love the way you put fabric bundles together and for someone like me who lacks confidence in matching fabrics, it is really helpful. I also think it is great to see finished projects as this makes me even more likely to buy fabric as I can actually see how it could end up looking and gives me inspiration. I think if you really need to make sure a fabric matches things you already have in your house then you do need to request a sample though. I also like to see an everyday object in a picture if the pattern has a print on it so I know roughly how large the pattern will be. Thanks for doing another giveaway – you are fab!
Amy x
53tanya
wrote on 21 September 2009 at 11:20
your site inspires me to mix fabrics I never would have thought went well together!
54mitmot
wrote on 21 September 2009 at 15:08
love the bundled packs, and also like a coin to give indication of pattern size – i have been caught out with this in the past. completed projects are also great to get ideas for mixing fabrics.
keep up the great work xx
55naomi
wrote on 21 September 2009 at 17:37
I LOVE the bundles – have just found you on the internet and put in my order today (had a sneaky peek at some of the fabrics in the ‘real life’ shops to see what they were ‘actually’ like at the weekend and was VERY pleasantly surprised at how good your images were). Unlike some commenters, I like the draped materials pictures in combination with the bundle pictures they give a good idea of the fabrics. I love Amy Butler fabrics, but I find them hard to put together sometimes as I am not very confident of my ability to match (and am very much a beginner!!).
Greedily, I would also ask for ideas on how to ‘extend’ the bundles by adding single fabrics from your selection if possible – e.g. if you need another fabric, X or Y are a good idea) – together with a coin for sizing.
Love the shop and hope to visit regularly to top up my fabric stash… Thank you so much
56Renee G
wrote on 21 September 2009 at 20:02
I have to say that I am more inclined to mix and match when I can see the fabric in a shop. However, I do love your fabric bundles and I even like kits, layer cakes, etc.
As to the size of the print, I would recommend always taking the picture at the same distance away from the fabric. That way we are comparing prints on screen, their size is relative.
57tubakk
wrote on 21 September 2009 at 22:15
Hello. Glad I found your site. If I order fabric online, I always try to buy all the fabric for a project one place. I know that the persons working there are experts, and will tell me if one of the fabrics does not fit in. Of course I must tell that it is for one special project.
I like when you put fabric together in a picture, and never order online the one-and-one fabrics, unless I know them in the first place. Good luck to you mixing fabrics.
58Antonia S-H
wrote on 23 September 2009 at 15:21
Oooh, what lovely fabrics! It’s my birthday today, so I definitely think I should win! I love fabric bundles – even if I put fabrics from one bundle into another bundle – and it’s really useful to know the size and scale of the prints. Hope I’m not too late for the draw….
59Kelly
wrote on 24 September 2009 at 14:03
think i might have missed the giveaway, but wanted to say that your photos for the fabric bundles really do help me get a better idea of colour & prints, & i also like the newly added ‘draped’ photos, x