Glitter fabric is springing up all over the place , creating a sparkling sensation wherever it goes. The trend in using glitter fabric for visual merchandising and design has been snowballing fast the past few years. And quite right, too. OK so glitter fabric isn’t going to suit every project, but an awful lot of people now use glitter fabric when it hadn’t even occurred to them to use it a few years ago.
This could be down to reasons that go hand in hand. Popularity and awareness. You cannot deny the popularity of glitter fabric in the current visual merchandising and creative scene. In turn, the glitter fabric itself has been seen by more and more members of the public and business owners. People who may have never seen such a fabric before, now have to have it for their homes, their business and events.
New fire retardant fabric just in! pure white with a soft finish. The texture of this pure white fabric is not easy to explain. That’s why we have FREE SAMPLES ready to send to you at a moments notice. Its really best you get a feel of this tactile fabric for yourself! Read on for more info…
When a customer called me yesterday from an infant school asking for relevant fabric for loose parts play, I have to say I was baffled. Loose parts play is not a phrase I’m familiar with, but when it was kindly explained, it all became clear. And very familiar.
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. This is basically how I played growing up, its how all children played (back then). Yes I had toys, but I would involve all sorts of items I found around me when making up stories and scenarios.
The teacher in question needed many different samples of fabric with all sorts of different textures to cut up and include in small loose parts play and some larger weatherproof pieces for outside play. I explained we have thousands of fabrics and I would send lots of links to her for the most interesting and tactile options. She could then order lots of 50p samples and as out our sample are quite large at an average 5 to 9 inches square (or rectangle!) they could be cut up and shared among the children.
I wasn’t aware that there was an actual teaching method or movement to get children more interested in the physical world around them. I’ts good to know there is. 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 even in children who were reluctant to get involved, at first. I’m glad to know there are are still kids who are still into everything around them, not just on a screen in front of them.
Garden Mesh
Quilted Waterproof
Faux Fur
Laminated Hessian
Tactile 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!
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
The sun is officially out, so we want to get out. Celebrations from gardens to fields, forests to village greens start popping up everywhere. And with that, comes the classic quintessential all rounder of decorations. Bunting. Whether your at the village fate, a woodland rave, a wedding reception, or a book fare bunting is the go to celebration decoration.
Read on for a bit of history and see how the simple idea of re using and recycling inspired two very different styles of decorating with bunting..
If you are looking for a plain upholstery fabric with a natural woven style then Charles Rose Linen Look is a very popular choice. Bases on the raised texture of woven linen, Charles Rose uses 100% refined polyester to create a soft, yet hard – wearing fabric for upholstery use. Here we take a look at the traditional look shades available.
If you were lucky enough to be handed one of these handmade Mystery Cards cards by Myself at the Visual Merchandising and Display Show then you would have had chance to have a feel of the fabrics and ponder over their origins. Well, wonder no more. All the information you need to match up the fabric on the Mystery card is right here to scroll through. Each fabric has a little write up and if you want to buy, get samples or look at the colour choices, just click on the picture and it will magically take you to the website.
The Fabric UK Mystery Card!
These 12 fabric samples are just the tip of the iceberg, a taster of what we have in store for you ( pun intended). Our Birmingham store is piled to the rafters with fabric, as well as our huge warehouse directly next door. We deal with a lot of bulk orders, so we think it’s better to have the rolls on hand and ready to go.
The 12 fabric samples I chose represent the diversity of fabric we have here. The Mystery Card is aimed at visual merchandising teams who work with varied fabrics. Each new job brings new ideas and new fabric to work with.
So, on with the introductions, get your cards out and match up the fabrics!
Stingray Look Textured Vinyl Leatherette in Red
All the look and feel of the smiley seawater creatures, without any harm coming to the stingrays (or humans) in the process. Our Stingray Textured Leatherette Vinyl is created to replicate the bobbled texture of it’s underbelly. The vinyl is available in 11 shades, 9 of which are printed to give a two tone effect. The vinyl is produced with a base colour and embossed to give a realistic look and feel of a stingray. A separate metallic shade is then layered over the top of the vinyl so it just catches on the top of the raised texture. This clever trich really brings out the 3D embossing and makes it stand out even more. You can see here in the image it has a deep orange/gold look. The base colour is in fact red and the top part is printed with gold so the shade is simply called Red. Click the pic to take you to the Stingray page….
Self Adhesive Felt in Royal Blue
Yes, this is the same stuff used for classic Fuzzy Felt fun, just on a much larger scale! We stock two types of felt, one classic non sticky variety and one with a very sticky backing. The backing itself is protected with thick waxed paper which you peel away when you are absolutely ready to stick it, and not before. I stress this point because the fabric really does its job well. It’s extremely sticky, so make sure you have everything decided and prepared before you go for the stick! There are 21 colours to choose from in the range, including some terrific brights like this Royal Blue. Prices start at £7.99 a metre and the felt is 145 cm in width. Click the pic to see more….
Neoprene in New Yellow
Neoprene is the sort of fabric that is so popular, it goes under the radar. There are so many uses for Neoprene its hard to keep count. This relatively modern fabric is mostly known for its use in outdoor water activities but there is more to this spongy fabric. There is probably Neoprene somewhere near you now in some form or another, to name a few uses, car seats, hospital braces, gym belts, mobile phone holders, baby bibs, changing mats, booties, toys, laptop bags, bags, shoes, fashionwear, and of course sportswear. The middle section of Neoprene boasts a thick foam created by jet infusing minute air bubbles into polyurethane. This produces a material that is designed to insulate and protect. Neoprene is not 100% waterproof as some believe. The fabric is water resistant to a high degree and can hold off water coming all the way through for some time. It is used more so for outdoor water sports because of its excellent ability to insulate against the cold water. Our Neoprene is available in 20 different colours including fluorescent shades and priced at £12.99 per metre. For more info we have a Neoprene blog to scroll through…or click the pic to Fabric UK.
High Gloss Glitter Vinyl in Teal
Cant decide between glitter or gloss? You don’t have to! We have a vinyl in store which is packed with fine glitter yet boasts a super smooth glossy surface. How? The vinyl leatherette is made with either a block colour glitter or a blend of two shades to give a two tone effect. Its then coated in a perfectly clear thick PU coating which creates a mirror like gloss finish. Utterly smooth to the touch. The colour in the picture below is Teal which uses green and blue glitter on a teal leatherette to create the finished look. Priced at £22.99 per metre and 140 cm wide, we have 11 colours for you to look at. Just click on the image to see the rest of the collection….
Polysilk Habotai in Cerise
The secret weapon of dressmakers, theatre costume designers and Film and TV set creators. Polysilk Habotai looks truly stunning and always gives an impression of opulence and decadence. The twist is, its just £3.99 a metre! The beautiful two tone qualities are produced using a shot method. Two different coloured yarns are used in the weave. This magically creates a multitude of shade variances which shine out of the fabric depending on light and movement. When choosing a shade make sure you get samples first. The multi shade qualities mean it can differ between our lighting and photography and your computer screens and reality. Either way, this lightweight polyester is sure to wow you. Click on the image below to see the other colours….
Techno Look in Metal Ripple
The Techno Look Collection consists of 10 different styles and patterns all in variations of metallic silver and black. All the variations are priced at £22.99 a metre and 140 cm in width. From metallic Prince of Wales check to mesh look, each pattern is embossed onto thick leatherette vinyl. The sample used in the mystery card is our Metal Ripple style of Techno Look. The pattern is deeply embossed to create a very tactile and visually pleasing leatherette, finished in a soft and subtle pewter silver. A click on the picture below will take you to the Metal Ripple page, but if you want to scroll through the others in the Techno Look range click here….
Large Display Glitter Fabric in Purple
Full on fabulous glitter! This large glitter fabric is the go to fabric if you want to get noticed. Used in visual merchandising and display, interior design for the home and for all sorts of shops and stores from ice cream parlours to beauticians. We keep a range of 14 exiting colours in store but it doesn’t stop there. We can create bespoke shades, holographic and iridescent mixes too. So if you need to match company colours or to fit a colour scheme just let us know. For bespoke orders a leadway way of about three weeks is needed from colour matching to delivery so if you have plans, get on the phone to us!
Fluorescent Neon Vinyl Leatherette in Green
We had been getting a lot of call for neon leatherette from some of our regular clients, so we put out a search for the best and brightest. Safe to say everyone was very pleased with the choice and the range is proving very popular indeed. This has been used in clubs and bars, safety features, festivals, golfing accessories, and sports displays. We have 4 ultra bright fluorescent colours to create a stunning designs to stop people in their tracks. Choose from pink, yellow, orange and green, priced at £24.99 a metre and 150 cm wide.
High Gloss Vinyl Leatherette in Stone
Our High Gloss Vinyl range consists of 11 bold shades, all with a mirror like shine. However 3 of these shades differ slightly. The chocolate , silver and stone shades all have a soft metallic look, which is still covered with the shiny gloss finish, as you can see in the image below. The stone shade is a smooth pale beige colour, perfect for neutral inspired designs.
Kiss Laminate in Red
Another relatively new collection, Kiss laminate appeared on our shelves about a year ago 15 stunning block colours,and 7 accompanying shades of white , cream and grey, soft silver and gold and jet black. For those who don’t know how this material works, there’s a surprise inside. You have to unpeel to reveal. Kiss Laminate es ultra glossy, but its hidden inside the double layers. When you receive a sample or a length of Kiss Laminate you have to first find a corner and carefully pull apart each side. This reveals a vivid block colour so glossy you can actually see yourself in. The material is thin enough to get creative with and strong enough to withstand use in displays indoor and out. Of course the PVC used to make this glossy fabric is entirely waterproof, so you can create designs for festivals and events that can be left in the rain. If this Kiss laminate has sparked any creative ideas, get In touch and tell us about it! We’ll send you out some FREE samples to get to grips with.
Coloured Hessian in Green
No only one of our oldest fabrics in store, but one of the oldest fabrics known to mankind. This may sound rather dramatic but it’s true. Hessian, sometimes known as Jute (or burlap if you are American) is truly an ancient fabric. Made from very strong fibres of the Jute plant it was first created to aid day to day farming. It’s strength made it invaluable for storing and moving crops. Then quickly became integrated into everyday life. Hessian is still used for farming and food producing around the world. However, this humble fabric is also recognised for its aesthetic rustic qualities and is now sold in huge quantities for festivals, weddings, events, interior design and crafting. We stock several kinds of Hessian for all sorts of uses. Traditional untreated, wide width, pelmet, stiffened, self adhesive, laminated and fire retardant. This grass green offering is from our Hessian Fabric Coloured Jute Cloth collection priced at £4.99 a metre at 150 cm wide. Click on to look at more colours or click here for the full Hessian list.
Fine Glitter Fabric in Iridescent White
Not to be confused with, pearlescent, two tone or holographic. Iridescence is caused when a particular part of the spectrum is refracted or absorbed by microstructures that interfere with light. The effect is created on a miniscule level, and this is the same for glitter. Some is created to recognise the pale areas of the spectrum, these use pale shades or a transparent base to start with like insect wings or shells. Others are created in dark green and purple deep iridescent tones like peacock feathers and beetles. This iridescent fine glitter display fabric catches shades of pale violet, coral, pink and mint green. The overall look is ethereal. The colours move and dance around the fabric as the light moves. A really sparkly spectacle.
Mystery Solved
So now the answers to the Mystery card have been unlocked! I hope some of these awesome fabrics have sparked ideas for your upcoming projects. Thanks to everyone who found the time to talk to me at the Visual Merchandising and Design Show. If there is any information you need, or advice on your next creation, Give Fabric UK a ring and ask for Kat or message me on Fabric UK Facebook.
What We Do To Help
We are open to the public if you ever want to have a wander in. If not, grab a coffee and cave a wander through or Fabric UK website. If you don’t have time to scroll but you need fabric, just give us a call. If you know exactly what you want or if you only have a vague idea, we can talk through your project and find the right fabric for you. We will send you samples just to be 100% sure it’s what you need. After you have decided, you can call us to make an order over the phone, online on the website, paypal or we can send you a pro former and you can pay via BACS.
Part of the Lomond upholstery range, the Lomond stripe collection consists of seven shades of quality upholstery fabric. The colours are designed to mix and match with the plain and check Lomond version of the fabric. Subtle and subdued shades of grey, blue, teal and beige, ready to add to a colour scheme or blend with on trend neutral interiors.
Is your fabric fire retardant? Don’t assume. If your unsure for any reason, don’t chance it, we can test it for you. Our fire retardancy testing service ensures piece of mind so you can get on with the job at hand. We will test the fabric on various levels to find out its capability. If the fabric is to be used in public places such as hotels, coffee shops and restaurants, it needs to reach the British Safety Standards levels titled BS5852 BS5852 (1979).
Upholstery fabric for seating
There are many situations where fabric is ready to be used for a large project, but proof on its fire safety can’t always be found. Some choose to ignore this obvious warning to their detriment, leading to legal issues and unfortunately in the worst cases, fire.
What Happens Next?
Once your fabric is tested, if it passes the tests needed to reach British Safety Standards we will provide documentation on the tests and the all important official certification that your fabric is ready to go.
Get It Safe and Sorted
If your fabric fails the fire retardant testing, don’t worry. We are on hand to transform your fabric to one that will adhere to the British Safety Standards. Your fabric can be professionally coated with fire retardant solution so you can carry on using it safely. Prices for this service all depend on the amount of fabric you would like to be made fire retardant. We will endeavour produce the required amount, and have it ready for within a reasonable time frame. We accept any amount of fabric for conversion, from one metre one metre to one thousand (or more). So if you are a small independent upholsterer or a large manufacturer, we can have your fabric ready for work, so you don’t loose any credibility or any sales.
Other Fire Retardant Options
If you choose to change your mind completely and go for a new fire retardant fabric,we stock plenty. Our fire retardant fabric is produced to the highest quality and meets the relevant British Safety Standards. We stock a huge range of fire retardant fabric , from display to leatherette.
Have a look at our Fabric UK website and scroll through the choices…..
For a quote for fire testing or fire retardant conversion, just give us a call on 0121 359 2349.
Made from shiny polyester, this lurex fabric 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.
