Tag Archives: canvas

Fabric: Swingin’ ez in a hammock

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Is there anything more relaxing than swinging away in a hammock?  The way it cradles your body, the back and forth movement that lulls you to sleep amidst the sounds and smells of summer….aaaaahhhhh!

Can you smell the ocean and hear the birds? I can..(photo courtesy of Veranda)
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How about this hammock tied to the trees?  This is probably how most of us enjoy relaxing in a hammock.

photo courtesy of House Beautiful
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Hammocks are not just for the outdoors.  Replace your teen’s bed with a swinging hammock and they will think you are the coolest mom ever!  And it will end the nagging “make your bed” comments every morning.

This hammock is large enough to sleep two from mygardenhammock.com
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It’s not difficult to make your own fabric hammock by following these simple instructions.  In fact, probably the hardest thing about it is deciding which fabric to use.  You may want to choose something that coordinates with the rest of your outdoor furnishings or just something summery and fun.  Be sure to choose a sturdy fabric such as canvas or indoor/outdoor acrylics.  Tie it to a post or beam or, best of all, between two trees.  Happy Swinging!

Simplicity Craft Patterns on Sale

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For a limited time, all Simplicity craft patterns are on sale for $5. Check out these cute stuffed animals. I love the horse.

How about these great stadium ponchos for the entire family. Complete with a pillow which has a pocket for the poncho, this pattern would be great in fleece.

These handy bags for walkers, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters can be made with twill, tapestry, denim, or canvas.

There are hundreds of Simplicity craft patterns on sale. Grab some and some OFS fabric and start crafting.

Making your own Jeans

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Jeans are an item we don’t generally think about making for ourselves, but it can be done if you have had a little practice making slacks. Use sturdy cotton or cotton/polyester thread, a size 16 or 18 sewing machine needle and set your stitch length at 2.5 mm or a little longer.

Even if you have recently taken your measurements, you’ll want to measure again before you decide what size pattern to use. Remember, regular denim and canvas used for jeans don’t stretch, so the measurements must be exact.

Flat-felled seams are sturdy and give a professional look to home-sewn jeans. Use a twin-sewing machine needle to produce neat double top-stitching.

ABC’s of Decorating: “N” is for numbers

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Have you noticed all the home decor accessories and fabrics that are featuring numbers and letters lately?  It seems to be everywhere from numbered canisters for your kitchen counters to toss pillows for your bedroom.  This is an easy and affordable trend that you can use in many areas of your home.

  • Cover a set of numbers in fabric of your choice to hang on a child’s bedroom or playroom wall.  Very cute and educational at the same time.
  • Embroider a favorite or meaningful number onto canvas, add some trim and you have a personalized and special pillow for someone in your life.
  • Stencil numbers onto glass jars to create a fun and graphic storage idea for your pantry.
  • One bold number on a lampshade is an unusual idea for any casual room.
  • A lap quilt featuring squares of numbers provides a cozy blanket to curl up in while watching Sesame Street and children can match the numbers to what they see on television.  Love this idea!!
  • A set of numbered pillows on the family room couch eliminates the fight over who gets what pillow during tv watching time.  The graphic pattern also adds a contemporary punch to the room.
  • There are small spheres and vase fillers of marbles with numbers painted on them.  These can be gathered and placed in a large bowl for an interesting conversation piece on the coffee table.
  • Add your favorite number to a gallery wall.  It will add interest to all the frames and photos you are displaying.

Many of these ideas are DIY projects that you and the family can do together.  It is a fun trend that does not take a lot of thought or money to implement into your decorating plans.

Fabrics: Welcome Bowser & Boots inside with pet friendly fabrics

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Many of us have four legged friends that are simply part of the family.  We invite them to sit on our sofas and chairs and some of you even invite them into bed with you  (and you know who you are!)  But these furry family members can wreak havoc on your furniture.  While you can always cover the areas with a throw or blanket, that does not look very pretty and usually needs to be removed when company comes.  A better way to protect your furniture is to upholster it in the appropriate fabric to begin with. 

Pet Friendly Fabrics

Believe it or not, it is possible to have a lovely home and pets at the same time.  When choosing upholstery fabric consider these options:

  • Denim–this durable fabric is perfect for a casual setting and can be applied as upholstery or made into easy to care for slipcovers.  There are many colors and even patterns available in this family friendly fabric.
  • Canvas–The best way to use this fabric might be for slipcovers that can be removed to expose lovely upholstery underneath.  The tight weave is impervious to any sharp claws and can be thrown in the wash if your pets track in some unwanted dirt.
  • Leather & Vinyl–Regardless of whether you choose leather, a faux “pleather” or vinyl, this fabric will provide a warm and inviting look to any room in your home and it is pretty much indestructible. 
  • Any fabric with a tight weave and high abrasion rub rating will stand up to any abuse your pets can give.  Look for faux suedes, microfibers, polyester/cotton blends etc.  Tip:  a pattern will hide dirt and stains better than a solid will.

Fabrics to avoid

There are some fabrics that should not be used on furniture that is enjoyed by your pets.  For obvious reasons these would include:

  • Silk–Silk is a very delicate fabric that is easily stained and expensive to clean.  Avoid throw pillows and window treatments that might entice your kitty.
  • Embroidery–Embroidered fabrics are beautiful but the loose threads and delicate details will not survive a playful puppy or kitten.  Save these fabrics for areas that are not open to your pets; perhaps a guest room or formal dining room.
  • Velvet–while the thickness of velvet gives it the appearance of a durable fabric, it is, in fact, delicate and expensive.  If you like the rich look of velvet seek out a faux fabric or use it in areas that cannot be reached by curious pets.
  • Any loose weave fabric, including chenille, can be damaged by claws so it is best to avoid them.

As you can see there are many pet friendly fabric choices which make it possible to have a lovely home that your family and your pets can enjoy.

What fabrics are good for tote bags?

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A simple tote I made, decorated with a crocheted flower pin.
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A floral tote I made out of a canvas print.
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Tote bags are a fun project. Choose a quick, simple pattern and make different totes for different uses.

Sturdy fabrics such canvas, denim, drapery, upholstery are best for tote bags. Since tote bags seldom require cleaning, novelty drapery and upholstery fabrics can be fun choices. Try a fun summer print with sandals tropical fish , or sail boats . Want a western or country look; how about a paisley bandana print in denim for your next tote bag? A paisley reminiscent of the orient would make another fabulous bag.

Choose your interfacing based on the bag fabric and style. A lightweight fabric needs a stiffer interfacing than a heavier fabric. Some styles may do well with the stiff, craft interfacings now available.

Cotton fabrics are a perfect choice for a tote bag lining. Choose a sturdy, all purpose muslin or an attractive cotton print.

Home Decor Fabric: Canvas

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Canvas is a thick and durable cotton fabric that has many uses when it comes to decorating.

  1. Many of you have lovely outdoor living areas that can benefit from curtains to protect you from the wind, light rain or just for appearance.  Canvas can withstand the elements and still be attractive.  Place the curtains around a cabana, patio; even a front porch. 
  2. If you are really creative, paint a canvas floor cloth for your kitchen, laundry room or sunroom.  Be sure to add a rug pad underneath to keep the rug in place.
  3. Awnings and window coverings for boats and rv’s are often made of canvas.  Choose a color that coordinates with your interior for a pulled together look.
  4. Canvas slipcovers create the quintessential beach look and are so simple to care for.  What could be easier than throwing your couch into the washer?  No more worries about muddy dog feet or sticky suntan lotion ruining your upholstery.
  5. Small items like tote bags, book covers, aprons, even lampshades can be made from canvas and customized with paint or embellishments.

Online fabric store offers both natural and organic canvas in colors and patterns to suit any decor.

Fabric Glossary to Help you with your Upholstery Project

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Along with color and pattern it is equally important to choose  fabric with the proper weight, weave and durability for your home decor project.  This list offers a brief description of  some popular fabrics that will help you make an informed decision.

  • Batik is a cotton cloth that has been dyed using the batik methof of creating wax designs, dipping the fabric into a vegetable dye and removing the wax to expose the pattern.  Offers a very bohemian or ethnic look to a room and good for use in throw pillows, bedding and window treatments.
  • Brocade is a heavy woven fabric featuring a raised pattern that resembles embroidery.  This fabric offers a more formal look to a room and is suitable for use in upholstery and draperies and cornices.
  • Canvas is a tightly woven, heavy cotton fabric that is commonly found in solid colors.  It is similar in feel to twill or duck and is very durable and easy to maintain.  A nice choice for upholstery that receives a lot of use, boat awnings, outdoor furniture etc.
  • Cashmere is a luxurious wool fabric that comes from the cashmere goats found in Tibet (hence the name).  Due to the expense it is not often used in upholstery projects but would certainly be suitable for a wonderful throw on the back of the sofa or at the foot of the bed.
  • Crepe is a very soft  and sheer fabric with a crinkly appearance and can be made from silk, wool or cotton.  This ethereal fabric makes lovely window treatments, table coverings or even as an overlay to a bedskirt.
  • Damask is a medium weight fabric that is often found in linen, silk or wool and is a popular choice for formal draperies or upholstery.
  • Denim is a heavy cotton fabric that we are all familiar with when it comes to clothing.  However, it’s durability makes it a good choice for casual seating, youthful window treatments, table linens etc.
  • Shantung (dupioni) is a silk fabric that can have a matte finish.  What makes this fabric unique are the “slubs” that add texture to the fabric.  Makes exquisite draperies, tablecloths or bedding.
  • Suede- real suede is a brushed leather product.  Faux suede looks and feels like the real thing but is often lighter in weight and more affordable.  This is a durable product that can be used in most home decor projects.
  • Tapestry is a heavy weight woven fabric that is most often used in wall hangings but can also be used to upholster a side chair, cover cornice boxes or create accent pillows.
  • Wool comes from the wool of a sheep and is a very durable fabric used in the making of clothing, carpeting and upholstery.  Different blends produce different levels of durablity and softeness.

Fabrics like nylon, polyester, vinyl and rayon are made from synthetic fibers that usually result in a durable, easy to care for material.  A fabric that is a blend of a natural and a synthetic fiber is often the best choice for color and durability.

Learning to Sew–What interfacing should I use?

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The first thing to remember when purchasing interfacing is to buy a type that will be compatible with your garment fabric.  A rule of thumb is that the interfacing should be a lighter color and a lighter weight than the fabric it is going to support.  Color is generally never a problem, because most material sold specifically for interfacing is white.

For very lightweight fabrics you can use batiste or organza as interfacing, rather than a fabric made specifically for interfacing.  These sheer fabrics will give the finished garment a soft effect and must be sewn-in.  Organdy can be used if you want a crisp effect and other lightweight sew-in or fusible interfacing may suitable, depending on your fabric type.  Remember very delicate fabrics will not stand the heat of fusing; sew-in interfacing should always be used for these fabrics.

Make sure you match the care types for your interfacing and fabric. A dry-clean only fabric requires an interfacing that will stand-up to dry-cleaning.  A washable fabric requires a washable interfacing.

Medium weight fabrics like poplin, denim, linen, flannel, gabardine, satin, chino, velour, double knit, and stretch terrycloth require a medium weight interfacing for a soft effect and lightweight canvas interfacing for a crisp effect.  Poplin, linen, gabardine, and linen can stand the heat required for fusible interfacing.  On velour, knit, satin, and terrycloth use sew-in interfacing.

Medium weight fusible or sew-in interfacing is a good choice for heavy weight fabrics like heavier gabardine, corduroy, tweed, and canvas if you want a soft effect.  For a crisp effect, chose medium or heavy canvas interfacing.

Some sewers preshrink their interfacing before using it by dunking in hot water and letting it air dry.  I have never done this with fusible interfacing and I don’t think it is really necessary.  However, if you are using a canvas interfacing or some fabric not specifically designed for interfacing it may be advisable to preshrink it.