Evenings and Mornings – You Need Awnings

Even though temperatures are falling, it is never too early to start thinking about the warmer days ahead and turn our thoughts to awnings. Not only do they provide shade to decks or patios, they can also be used for a number of ways outside the home as well as on the High Street.

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Great Christmas Ideas Using Fabrics

Just in case it had slipped your attention, Christmas is less than a month away, but there is still plenty of time to create some fabulous gifts with an individual touch and surprisingly in a quick and inexpensive way. Here are some ideas to inspire you using a range of fabrics.

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Non Iron Fabric

Who hasn’t dreamed of being able to grab their clothes out of the wardrobe wrinkle free and pop them on, without the drudgery of ironing? The invention of non iron shirts meant that ironing became a thing of the past, especially since ironing can sometimes cause clothes more harm than good. Regular shirts can be notoriously difficult to iron and many people have ended up with brand new creases after attempting to iron a shirt – very frustrating! The idea of crease-free or wrinkle-resistant cotton strikes a chord with those who hate ironing those shirts all the time. After all, if cotton shirts can be made to resist those unwanted creases and wrinkles then why even bother with regular cotton? This is the very idea that early researchers and garment manufacturers were toying with when synthetic fabrics such as nylon were beginning to replace cotton.

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Fabrics May Soon be Smarter than You

When you find out more about smart fabrics, they may start to sound like something out of a sci-fi movie. As technology develops we will be able to use smart fabrics sooner than you might think. Although the academics who have pioneered it claim that they won’t be available commercially for at least twenty years yet the technology behind smart fabrics could be developed tomorrow if a company thinks there is a market for it.

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Cotton Duck Fabric

Cotton Duck Fabric

Origins

Cotton duck is a plain-woven fabric, which may also be referred to as canvas.

“Duck” comes from the Dutch word “doek,” meaning linen cloth. Cotton duck distinguishes the fabric from other types of ducks, most notably the traditional linen. It can also be made from other materials, such as flax. However, cotton duck is not related to the bird of the same name. Continue reading “Cotton Duck Fabric”


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Calico Fabric History

Calico Fabric

Calico Fabric hails from India, specifically the city of Calicut, Kerala, India, after which the fabric is named. It is one of the oldest cottons in the world and is recognized for its durability.

calico fabric

Origins

Calico dates back to India, as far back as before the Common Era. As early as 1630, cotton calico prints were being exported to England where they were praised for their beautiful patterns. Originally dubbed as “calicuts,” the name calico evolved as first referring to Indian cottons with an equal weft and warp, then to any plain-weave cotton. Continue reading “Calico Fabric History”


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What to Think About When Buying Fabrics

Ordering fabrics can be a confusing process for those who aren’t quite sure where to begin. Here’s a guide to ordering the right fabrics and getting the best prices, regardless of whether you need a single metre or thousands of metres. Continue reading “What to Think About When Buying Fabrics”


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Olfa Rotary Cutting Tools

Olfa Rotary Cutting Tools

Olfa Rotary Cutting Tools, made in Osaka, Japan, land of the Samurai…where they know about the blade! OLFA manufacture the finest in hand-held cutting technology and replacement blades, Introduced by OLFA in 1979, the Olfa rotary cutter has changed the quilting and sewing industry. 45mm Cutter is the most popular size available, this cutter features a blade safety cover and handle is designed to reduce hand fatigue.

Olfa Cutters - Replacement Blades - Arts & Craft Cutters - industrial Tools - Self Healing Mats
Olfa Cutters – Replacement Blades – Arts & Craft Cutters – industrial Tools – Self Healing Mats

The cutter has a rolling razor blade used to cut fabrics into shapes, strips and pieces for sewing, quilting and craft projects. Olfa Rotary Cutters Accommodate both right and left handed users and can cut through multiple layers of fabric at one time. Continue reading “Olfa Rotary Cutting Tools”


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Fabric Basics: Woven Fabrics

Woven fabrics are composed of fibers that are hung on a loom and then interlaced with other fibers, both vertically (known as the warp) and horizontally (known as the weft), to form a textile. A helpful mnemonic device to remember the different directions is, “Weft goes right and left.” Continue reading “Fabric Basics: Woven Fabrics”


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