Tag Archives: fleece

Fabric and Home Decor: Valentine’s Day Fabrics

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Let’s start the month off with love.  It is not too late to add a hint or two of Valentine’s Day to your home decor.  Here are just a few ideas that might result in some flowers and candy from those special people in your home:

  • Can’t say it enough times….pillows, pillows, pillows.  They are the quickest and easiest way to change out your decor for seasons, holidays etc.  A simple felt heart appliqued to a pillow can really get your heart pumping!  Make your own or purchase one like this from the pineapple catz on Etsy.

  • A cuddly throw in holiday patterns is sure to be welcomed on the chilly February nights.  After all, Valentine’s Day is all about cuddling.  Fleece, flanneland chenille are warm fabrics available in holiday solids like red, pink and cream as well as “loving” patterns like plaid and toile.

    pink plaid flannel

  • Be creative with your fabrics.  For example, wrap a bright red knit around an old vase to create a pretty holder for all those beautiful roses you are sure to receive.  A tutorial for a sweater knit vase can be found here.
  • Add a pretty tablecloth in fun red and white checked gingham or, for a romantic dinner for two, consider a satin or lace table topper.

These colorful ideas will brighten up your winter home and send a message to your family and friends that says “I love you”.  How do you decorate your home for Valentine’s Day?

 

Home decor: cozy winter decorating ideas

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We all knew winter would arrive sooner or later.  And while the unseasonally warm temperatures at the beginning of winter were a nice surprise, it is now here in full force.  Time to curl up by the fire, spend some time indoors and turn your home into a cozy and warm retreat.

A roaring fire just spells cozy.  But you can’t have a fire without logs (unless you have one of those fancy fake fireplaces).  Turn your log storage into a decorative accent:

Looks like a year’s supply stacked next to the fireplace in this photo by Elle Decor.

source

How about a pair of knit throw pillows on the floor?  (courtesy of elements of style blog)  You can make these yourself out of recycled sweaters and afghans or knit them yourself.  (tutorial here)Either way, they certainly provide a nice spot to while away the cold winter nights.

And don’t overlook simple ideas like plenty of comfortable throws and lots of cozy fabrics like fleece and chenille or the tried and true flannel sheets placed on everyone’s bed; cover up cold tile or wood floors with shaggy throw rugs or add drapery panels in warm fabrics and colors to your windows.  What a great way to frame the beautiful wintry view outside.

photo courtesy of pottery barn

Hot cocoa anyone?

 

Fabric: shhhhh, the baby is sleeping

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Since I recently became a first time grandmother to a delicious baby girl I have become somewhat obsessed with everything”baby”.  Has anyone else noticed how addictive buying baby clothes can be?  Maybe we should start a 12-step program for this! 

Here at onlinefabricstore.net we offer many different fabrics that are just right for baby.  They are all cozy, cuddly, comforting and colorful.

Boho chic:  The boho chic baby might enjoy P. Kaufmann’s Gypsy, a colorful paisley in cheerful shades of pink or a turquoise and coral combination that is right on trend with the new color of the year, tangerine tango.  For a real decorator look, add some burlap to a bedskirt, window treatments or accessories.

Toile:  Toile fabric has long been a favorite for a sweet french country or traditional nursery.  While it is available in the more common color combination of cream with black, green or red, newer versions provide a more modern selection that features lime green, pink and primary shades of red, green and blue.  This pretty fabric can be used for a boy or a girl and coordinates beautifully with complimentary checks and stripes.

Felt, fleece and chenille :  These soft and cuddly fabrics can quiet a crying baby and add pretty color to their blankets, clothing and accessories at the same time.  Choose from a bright red fleece covered with frolicking monkeys, a sports themed blue or a pretty pink fleece that features friendly lambs and daisies.  And remember how cozy your grandmother’s chenille bathrobe always felt?  Wrap your baby in that same comfort with chenille blankets and quilts.

Gypsy by P. Kaufmann in watermelon

What is your favorite “baby” fabric?  Would also love to hear about your grandkids.

 

On the 3rd day of fabric Christmas….fuzzy fleece

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On the third day of fabric Christmas my true love gave to me three yards of fuzzy fleece to sew (or have someone who knows how to sew, make for me) cozy blankets for my family to cuddle up with.

Fleece is an easy to care for and affordable fabric that can be used to make personalized blankets for every member of the family from those adorable grandbabies who like to snuggle up in your lap to the grumpiest of scrooges who secretly enjoy the holidays.  All the colors of the rainbow along with fun prints and even sports logos are available.

The Pack is back this football season and this fleece blanket could be used at the tailgate party or even, dare I say it, a Superbowl party.

Don’t forget the four legged members of the family.  They need a special blanket for themselves and this pink Diva blanket says it all.

I think these blankets would make perfect Christmas gifts for all your family members…what do you think?

On the first day of fabric Christmas…or how to recover a chair seat

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On the first day of fabric Christmas my true love gave to me one yard of fabric that I used to recover a chair cushion.  This is a simple project that can be done in less than an hour. 

Materials needed

  1.  one yard (or less) of fabric
  2. new foam or batting if necessary
  3.  a staple gun
  4.  a screwdriver
  5.  and a pair of scissors.

Remove the old chair cushion.  This is done by turning the chair upside down and unscrewing the cushion.  The old fabric can be pulled off and discarded.

If the stuffing, foam or batting is reusable, leave it intact.  If not, cut your new batting to fit the shape of the chair seat, using the old pad as a template.  Now is the time to cut your fabric as well, using the same template.  Be sure to allow enough fabric to fold around the sides of the chair and wrap underneath. (usually 2-4 inches)

Place the fabric on top of the batting and flip the chair seat over so the bottom is facing up.  Pull the fabric tightly over the edges and adhere with the staple gun.  Keep your staples evenly spaced.  Repeat this process around all four sides, skipping the corners for now.

Once the fabric is stapled, it is time to staple the corners.  Gather the fabric into a neatly folded pleat and staple several times to keep the fabric in place.  Trim all excess fabric for a clean look.

Replace the cushion on the chair and screw back in to the existing holes and Voila! you have a new seat cushion.

This project is simple enough that you can choose seasonal fabric and then replace it once the holidays are over.  Just imagine a beautiful and luxurious red velvet seat cushion greeting your guests in the entry way or a sophisticated gold brocade in the formal dining room set for Christmas dinner.   Bring a bit of the holidays into the kid’s rooms by recovering a desk chair in a fun seasonal print.

This is a much better gift than a partridge, don’t you agree?

Fabric: Settle in for a long winter’s nap with cozy fabrics

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It’s that time of year…time to wrap yourself in your favorite fleece throw and settle in for a long winter’s nap.

When it is cold and damp outside there is nothing better than walking into a room warmed by a fire and made cozy through the use of inviting and comforting fabrics such as velvet, suede, fleece etc.  Here is a quick recipe for a cozy room:

combine 1 part comfortable seating upholstered in a plush suede or microfiber

add two parts colorful accent pillows in the colors of the season

a dash of warm and cozy throws to wrap yourself up in and

top if all off with a roaring fire

photo courtesy of pottery barn

Now dash away all and let me get some rest….it’s cold outside! And, by the way, this recipe will have you sleeping like a baby.

Fabric: the ABC’s of fall fabrics

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Ladies know that when the temperature begins to drop and the days get shorter we immediately think of our wardrobes.  It is time for chunky cable knit sweaters, leather boots and plaid skirts.  Well the same idea holds true when it comes time to change the “wardrobe” in our homes.  Summery florals, sheer draperies and sunny colors are replaced with warm and inviting fabrics that invite us to sit down with a cup of tea, a good book or maybe a loved one and enjoy some quiet time spent at home.  Let’s take a look at some of the cozy fall fabrics that are available.

We will skip A and B and go right to C since I dont really know any fall fabrics that begin with those letters.  But there are lots of C’s!

     Chenille is a soft fabric that looks and feels like pipe cleaners used for crafts.  It means “caterpillar” in french, which is an appropriate name for it.  The yarns give it the look and feel of velvet without the nap.  It is durable and easy to care for and available in many different colors.  Chenille is a favorite for upholstering sofas, chairs and benches.

     Corduroy is most often associated with clothing but it can be used in home decor projects as well.  Consider using it to upholster a headboard in a young boy’s bedroom or an ottoman coffee table that receives lots of use.  It is durable and comfortable so use it to sew floor cushions or bean bag chairs for the kids or casual throw pillows on sofas and chairs. The ribbed pattern gives it that casual look.  A smaller wale results in a smooth, almost velvet like feel while the wide wales result in a more visible ribbed pattern.

Let’s skip D and E and head on over to the letter F.  Nothing says fall like a flannel shirt.  You can introduce this same feel to your home decor with flannel sheets on the bed, flannel throws on the couch or colorful flannel upholstery on a footstool, seat cushions or bench. 

     Fleece just sounds warm and cozy and it is.  Fleece blankets and quilts will warm you up on a chilly evening.  Have several handy for everyone to use on family movie night or when the power goes out.  It is available in a rainbow of colors as well as juvenile patterns, spicy plaids and even your favorite sports team so you can really personalize those blankets.

What is your favorite fall fabric?

5 home decor projects to cure the end of summer blues

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Do you have the end of summer blues?  Have your relaxing days by the pool sipping a cool drink turned into days spent shopping for school supplies?  Not to mention the constant reminder that summer is ending with stores now stocked with fall fashions and even some Christmas decorations! Well we can’t stop it so we might as well embrace it with some home decor projects that will help us welcome a new season—FALL!

Fireplace design from Strictly simple style blog
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These quick and easy projects will have you longing for an evening by the fire:

  1. Burlap is such a trend right now and can be used in so many ways.  Start by sewing a new runner for your table or mantel in richly colored burlap.  If you are really crafty, stencil or monogram it.
  2. Add some candles scented with pumpkin, spice, apple and other yummy smells that embrace the fall season.  Place them in areas where you will enjoy them such as the mud room, kitchen, entry and bedroom.  And be sure to light them…no since having candles if you can’t enjoy the wonderful smell AND the glow.  (even battery operated candles are available in scents so check those out if safety is a concern)
  3. Sew your own or purchase some new throw pillows that feature colors and motifs of the fall season.  Consider using plaids or embroidered designs and include fabrics like corduroy, suede, velvet and fleece.
  4. Chilly fall evenings can be warmed up with a lap throw or quilt.  Keep them handy by tossing them across the back of a sofa or chair.  An added bonus is the instant pop of color and pattern they add to a space.
  5. Bring in natural elements such as bowls full of acorns and pinecones picked up on a hike; sunflower centerpieces on the kitchen table; dried berries and twigs gathered in a basket by the fireplace…mother nature knows how to decorate for every season.

Embrace the new season for it has a lot to offer—-cozy evenings spent indoors, wonderful smells of change and the anticipation of upcoming holidays!

Fleece for Lounge Wear

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While its still too warm to consider wearing fleece, it is not too early to start planning future fleece projects.

Fleece isn’t merely an outer wear fabric. It can make great garments for lounging around the house. Fleece is easy to sew it. It needs no edge finishing and can be quickly fashioned into lovely lounging garments.

Kwik Sew 3264 is a lovely pattern for a robe and slippers which can be made in fleece. This pattern would look great in print or solid fleece. If you like a sporty looking robe with a zipper Kwik Sew 3209 makes up wonderfully in fleece.

Valentine’s Day fabrics from Online Fabric Store

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Do you remember the excitement of Valentine’s Day when you were in grade school?  You worked feverishly the night before addressing all of your cards, saving those “special” ones for the teacher and maybe that one little boy or girl you had your eye on.  You decorated a shoebox, set it on your desk and watched with excitement as all your classmates dropped their little cards into the box.  The class probably had a party that included punch and pretty cupcakes and cookies and everyone wore some shade of pink or red on that day.  Fast forward several years and maybe you got engaged on Valentine’s Day or received that special delivery of roses at the office. Fast forward again, the kids are grown ( or not having classroom parties any more), you’ ve been married a long time and those roses have somehow turned into a hastily purchased bunch of daisies from the local grocery store.  There are so many pretty fabrics available that I say, make your own celebration.  Sew some lap blankets for the kids at the local hospoital or for the senior citizens in your church group.  Your own kids will appreciate a pretty gift wrapped in festive fabric or toss a few pillows on your favorite chair that add an air of romance to your room.  Maybe “he” will get the hint and surprise you once again with some real roses.  Check out these fun fabrics…it’s not too early to start thinking about a valentine surprise!

A fun fleece for a lap blanket or warm jammies.
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This Amy Butler rose patterned fabric is almost as pretty as the real thing
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Add a hem to your bath towels with this pretty tea stained rose pattern from Covington
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This romantic toile pattern by Robert Allen is pretty in a master bedroom

This graphic fleece is sure to put a smile on the grumpiest of teenagers
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