Tu Tu Tutorials For Pretty Witches Costume

Whilst looking for no sew tu tu skirts I discovered a huge array of wonderful witches. All bespoke and easy to make on your own. This style of witches outfit is a magical mix up of Gothic Halloween witch meets fairy tale princess. Full skirts are created by multi layers of sheer fabric like organza, cotton rubia and tulle in classic colours.There are so many You Tube videos online to help you, I picked three to guide you , click on to see more…

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Glitter Display Fabric – The Large Glitter Collection

If your into glitter in a big way, you probably know about glitter fabric already. If you haven’t, then here’s what it’s all about. Imagine the glitter you get in pots in a fabric form, now imagine that high sparkle glitter as a thick sheet of fabric you can create with. Amazing right? Solid yet flexible sheets of glitter you can use on all sorts of projects. Read on and be dazzled….

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Tactile Fabric For Loose Parts Play.

Tactile fabric for loose parts play is not a familiar fabric ask, but when it was kindly explained, it all became clear. And very familiar.

Tactile Fabriv – In Touch With Reality

Loose parts play is a contemporary movement for children’s play that incorporates an age old truth. Children have incredible imaginations. They can and will incorporate anything that fascinates them into playtime.

The teacher in question needed many different samples of fabric with all sorts of different textures to cut up. Including small loose parts play and some larger weatherproof pieces for outside play.

With the lure of the screen taking over from such a young age, this teaching methodology is essential for stepping into the “real world”. The teaching of loose parts play has proven to ignite a creative spark in children.Especially those who were reluctant to get involved, at first.

Garden Mesh
Quilted Waterproof
Faux Fur
Laminated Hessian

Tactile Fabric Teaching

The teacher explained that in addition to the multitude of items used for loose parts play she needed “interesting fabric”. “So you mean unusual and tactile fabric” I said and began to describe the wealth of verities we have here at at Fabric UK. This was exactly what she needed. The fabric that initially triggered her interest for including it in loose parts play was Laminated Hessian, which she came across for another purpose. She quickly realised that a mixture of pieces of fabric with vastly varied textures would be a valuable addition to Loose Parts Play.

Learning Through Touch

Using fabric and materials to aid the integration of small children is a great way to ease the way into a world that probably seems quite scary at times. Imaging the constant shock and surprise of everything you touch around you! Teaching babies and toddlers the vast differences of the physical world helps them grow into their surrounding comfortably. It links the physical feeling to the questioning and creative part of the brain as they work out answers for themselves.

Glossy Kiss Laminate
Rough Sparkly Glitter

This need to work out what something is, how it works, and why it feels that way keeps going through through early toddler years, infant school to primary and on and on….

Keep Feeling Fascination

Fascination in unusual textures isn’t just a childhood throwback. For the average human, It is true that as we get older, the more that we learn, less is new to us. We absorb everything around us at a phenomenal rate and quickly become used to new textures and experiences. This is because we become used to the rate of change around us. For the creative mind though, the curiosity we have of the physical world around us keeps running full steam.

Dior 2020 Pleats. Both visually stunning and pleasingly tactile.

The inquisitive minds use the imagination they honed since childhood to to create new fabric through technology or ancient technique. The creative minds then use the fabric in incredible and imaginative ways for fashion, artwork, interior design and visual merchandising. Proving how integral it is to keep the spark of fascination alive throughout our whole life.

Its the desire to research, experiment, create and produce that keeps new things happening!

Check out our website to find the perfect fabric


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Festival Fire Retardant Fabric

Fabric Safety Standards

Most public events need to use fire retardant fabric by law. We stock a huge range of fabric which meets British fire safety standards. From standard necessities like marquee lining and synthetic fire retardant fabric and to decorative fabric like our fire retardant display lining in 26 colours! We have 47 different collections of fire retardant fabric. On top of that we hold a large range of leatherette vinyls which are also fire retardant. Here’s a list of the most popular fabrics for festivals and events, just click on the pics to take you to our website….

Create stunning designs with fire retardant display fabric
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Metallic Lurex – Glam Gold or Silver Sparkle

Made from shiny polyester, Metallic Lurex has a larger structure than average lurex . This larger weave creates a chainmail effect, great for costumes and cosplay. Both the silver and gold use black as an extra element in the weave and this produces a gorgeous two tone effect in the fabric which changes  with the light and movement. The silver has more of a pewter look due to the two tone black and the gold is a deep rich tone.

The fabric itself is a sheer, semi translucent lurex. For example, when you hold in front of an item you would be able to partly see through to it. This is fine if you want to use the fabric for display or flat against a wall, but not if you want to hide anything. For dressmaking and costumes there are so many uses for this sparkle fabric.

Click on for ideas….

close up detail of gold lurex fabric
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Present Wrapping With Fabric : Furoshiki For Our Future

OK I’m sure we can all agree the rows and rows of shining wrapping paper that greet us invitingly in shops each Christmas looks beautiful. Choosing from the multitude of designs can take longer than choosing a present! Glitter adorned, metallic or matt. Classic or contemporary.  Wrapping is serious business. The money made from these pretty pieces of paper alone is huge. Let alone the abundance of gifts swept from the shelves into our baskets.

rainbow organza Furoshiki wrap

As great as it looks, buying new wrapping paper every year just to throw it instantly away isn’t very good for our pockets.  It will surely take an age for people to change their minds about paper wrapping paper. But until then, here’s you chance to get creative and make your gift really stand out. Time to look back into history for a bit of forward thinking….

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Pantomime and Props : Showstopping Fabric to Show Off!

Perfect Panto Picks

Preparation for pantomime’s, school plays and festive performances are underway throughout the country. Over the past month or so we have had loads of orders for theatres big and small. Shiny backdrops to transform school halls, bright faux animal fur, and even a visit from a professional pantomime dame (oh yes we did!)

Pantomimes are traditionally outlandish, colourful and totally over the top. We found a great deal of our fabrics fit the bill for shows and pantomimes. Click on for our top fabrics picks for your panto… Continue reading “Pantomime and Props : Showstopping Fabric to Show Off!”


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Fleece and Sherpa : Double Sided For Double the Comfort

Sherpa and Fleece are the perfect duo for keeping snug and warm this winter.  Thick Sherpa fleece make an ideal lining for jackets and coats. Fleece feels soft to the touch.  These two are used so often together for top layer and lining it made sense to merge them as one fabric, so we did! Fabric UK present to you,  Double Sided Bonded Sherpa Fleece….

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Waterproof Curtains : Splash Proof With a Splash of Colour!

Waterproof curtains, we all need them at some point. Decorative and functional, you can set the key look of a room with the right style. Or if you are not fussed to much about decor, simply use them to keep a draft at bay or to keep light out. But what if you need to keep water out? Well, waterproof curtains are the answer. Of course we are familiar with shower curtains, but there are many other situations where you may need a bit of splash proofing and our 4oz waterproof fabric is just the job…..

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Poppy Appeal : Make Your Own Remembrance Poppy

Poppy – Make Then Donate

It’s that time of year when the little red flowers start to pop up on winter coat lapels all over the country. Poppies can be found on shop counters and British Legion charity helpers on the streets. You can still get the traditional paper made poppies or the newer enamelled broaches to show your support for remembrance day. Why not make your own though?

 

The classic red and black poppy is such a traditional symbol of that you could make your own and it would still be clear that you are giving support to the Appeal. You can still donate in charity boxes or even online, whilst wearing your own  poppy with a bit more visual appeal.

What Colour And Why

Red is the most well known commemorative poppy colour, chosen because of the millions of red poppies which covered Flanders Fields where so many bodies lay. There are also white poppies available and purple poppies too, with different meanings. There is no reason at all why you cant wear all three poppies together. Some people like me, may have had family members fight in wars but also support the idea of peace, no guns no bombs at all.   Here’s one I made earlier using red and white fabric. You could add a purple layer too for the animals.

Red-Support and Remembrance for British Armed Forces members who fought and died. 

White –To support ALL victims of ALL wars and to promote peace rather than armed fighting.

Purple-To commemorate and support animals who have died and are suffering because of war. Including financial support for retired Cavalry Horses.

Poppy Shape and Size

You can create your poppy in various shapes from the simplistic shape of the classic paper poppies to a multi petal layered kind. I followed a few different templates online that I printed out . But feel free to get creative with your poppies. Go big or even huge if you want. Make poppies to go on cars, front doors, walls and even trees like in Birmingham centre. For little touches, you can turn your poppies into hair clips, earrings , facinators, even rings.  

What Kind Of Fabric? 

The best kind of fabric to go for is something a bit stiffer and more heavyweight. This will ensure thew petals will stay upright and in shape. Here are some examples I created to give you an idea what fabrics you could use. 

Fine Glitter Fabric Poppy

Felt Fabric Poppy

Glitter Gloss Poppy

Large Glitter Poppy

Poppy Production

Once you have cut out all the parts of your poppy you can glue these together using fabric glue, PVA glue or a little stronger. Do not use super glue! it will make the fabric brittle, plus it’s just too unpredictable. Have you ever stuck you fingers together, it’s not pleasant. 

You can buy blank hair clips, key-rings, and hairbands to transform your poppies into wearable accessories. Stick on Velcro will be useful too. Stick your larger poppies to walls, bags and even jumpers!


For help and advice please call us on Tel: 0121 359 2349