Tag Archives: fleece

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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Snow, snow, snow…add warmth to your home with cozy fabrics

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You don’t have to live in the northeast to know about the blizzard of 2010.  All mode of transportation have been cancelled and all people want to do is get home before the holidays are over.  There truly is no place like home especially when it is full of cozy and comfortable fabrics.  While we have talked about these fabrics before, now is the time to revisit them.

Snow day in NY City photo courtesy of Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images
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  • Flannel is a soft brushed cotton that comes in many different colors and patterns.  Is there anything cozier than donning a pair of flannel pajamas and curling up under a nice warm blanket?  Only climbing into a bed made with flannel sheets can compare.
  • A fleece blanket will warm you up pretty quickly and the soft hand feels so inviting.  Kids will love a special blanket or quilt made from fun fleece patterns.
  • Wool is the king of all warm fabrics and cashmere is the queen.  These luxurious fabrics can be used to sew clothing and blankets for warmth and style.
  • Thermal linings added to your draperies will help you maintain a warm and cozy home.  While this lining should have been added at the time the drapes were sewn you might want to consider hanging panels behind your current drapes for added warmth and energy savings.

All that is needed now is a roaring fire in the fireplace and a hot beverage in your hand and you are ready to welcome in the new year all warm and toasty.

On the third day of Christmas…..three down pillow forms.

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My true love knew what he was doing when he gave me three down pillow forms on the third day of Christmas.  These pillow forms are so comfortable and so versatile and are available in several different sizes.  Here are some fun ideas on ways to use these pillow inserts for holiday and year round decorating.

  • Use the jumbo 36×36 size to make comfortable floor pillows for those nights gathered around the tree watching “A Christmas Story” or my personal favorite, “White Christmas”.  Cover them in festive and cozy fabrics like flannel, fleece or even an old cable knit sweater.  All you need to add is the hot chocolate and the night is complete!
  • Arrange a selection of pillows on a window seat or sofa in lots of different holiday patterns and colors.  Be sure to add fluffy trim and braid for a designer look.  Nothing is more festive than red pom pom trim.
  • Personalize a small pillow and give it as a gift to a young child, newlywed couple or college bound student.  These are great to use on an airplane or to add a touch of “home” to a lonely dorm room.
  • Use inexpensive muslin to make pillow covers that the kids can stamp, paint and stencil on.  These are sure to become family heirlooms to be treasured year after year.  And what a great “snow day” craft idea!

So don’t be disappointed when your true love gives you down pillow forms.  There are lots of fun and functional ways to use them.

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.

ABC’s of Decorating: W is for winter decorating

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Winter is such a special time what with holidays, vacations, family gatherings and snow days!  It can also be a fun time to decorate your home and create a cozy, warm and inviting space for family and friends.  Here are some elements of winter decorating you do not want to overlook:

  • Cozy fabrics:  Fleece, flannel, suede, wool, microfiber…all of these fabrics will add both visual and physical warmth to your home.  Use them to sew comfy throws for nights on the sofa or add plush throw pillows made from these huggable fabrics to your chairs.
  • You can’t ignore the weather so might as well celebrate it.  Replace your artwork with those that depict wonderful wintry scenes; frame family photos of ski trips; display your snowmen until winter is over.
  • Add some velvet drapery panels to your bedroom for a romantic and cozy look during the winter.  Who knows what might happen?!
  • Wooden floors are beautiful but in the wintertime they can be awfully cold on the feet!  Scatter rugs throughout your home to keep your toes warm.  Good winter choices are thick rugs to sink your feet into like sheepskin, shag and faux fur. 
  • Add bright colors wherever you can.  This will surely help chase away the winter doldrums.  A vase of fresh flowers reminds you that spring is just around the corner.  Even a basket of colorful mittens and scarves will add color and pattern to an entryway or mudroom and is functional as well.

And on those snow days when everyone is trapped inside and your winter decorating is all done, keep the kids busy by allowing them to create their very own snowflake to share with their friends and family.

Time for Fleece

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As the weather cools it is time once more to think of making cozy fleece garments. Online Fabric Store has increased its stock of fleece prints and now offers many novelty prints.

Seeking something cute, but boyish to make a small boy’s jacket or blanket out of. Spike is a cute bulldog on a background of turquoise. He is sure to please your rough and tumble little guy. Royal Blue Dogs is another delightful dog print in fleece; it features cute dogs of different breeds on a background of royal blue
Want a little girl’s fleece jacket that will Wow! Stacy is is a pretty, bright floral print reminiscent of the 1960s and would make a great coat or jacket for a special little miss.

Plaid fleece makes neat coats and blankets as well. Try Pastel Chunky Plaid a cozy chunky plaid print in pink and blue on a white background.

And don’t forget to check out the great line of animal prints, sports prints, and others at Online Fabric Store.

Fall Style–2010

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Fall Styles

As usual, Pantone is letting us know what the top-fashion trends for fall will be. Skinny pants are in and so are oversized tops with dolman-sleeves. Dresses with dolman sleeves are also predicted to be popular. The bolero jacket remains a favorite, while leather and tweed jackets in classic shapes are also in style.

The sleeveless blazer will be the must have vest of the season. Classic, but new, this is an item which can spark up your outerwear wardrobe and should stay in style for awhile. Intermediate sewers can easily make a charming sleeveless blazer; choose wool, wool blends, or even denim , canvas, or fleece .

Silk-like flowing dresses in all lengths will be popular. Some designers are using chiffon , a surprising, but lovely fall choice. Crepe will also be popular; crepe is very easy to sew and even beginners can easily make a luscious crepe dress.

Fleece Animals

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Fleece in the summertime? Sewers who love fleece simply cannot get enough of it. Fleece can actually make delightful stuffed animals.

Simplicity has released a darling pattern featuring fleece giraffes, elephants, monkeys, and more. These little animals are actually surprising easy to make. How about a cuddly elephant in a pink floral fleece or a giraffe in a colorful mood.

One tip for making stuffed animals:

Always choose the best batting/stuffing you can find to stuff your little creatures. Modern batting is designated by degree of loft; many are especially recommended for stuffed animals and dolls. I mention this because I remember the old days, when my grandmother stuffed my doll with the foam chunks which were the only type of inexpensive, commercial stuffing then available. Those foam chunks soon wore a hole in the doll’s cheeks. The stuffing available today is so much better and easier to work with.
Fiberloft is a great product

Tips for sewing with fleece

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I love fleece.  It’s beautiful, soft, warm, lightweight, and best of all easy to sew.  It doesn’t ravel, so it needs no time consuming finishing and it is one of the easiest fabrics to cut.  A pair of sewing shears cuts smoothly through fleece and a rotary cutter works like a dream.  Fleece can be used for blankets, throws, pillows, ponchos, shawls, caps, scarves, jackets, baby and children’s clothes and a host of craft projects.  It comes in a wide array of colors and prints.  

 

Here are some tips for making sure your next fleece project comes out just right:

 

  • Be aware that there is a right side and a wrong side to fleece.  Both sides may look alike, but when fleece is cut, the cut edge will curl to the wrong side; however, the selvedge edge generally curls to the right side.  On some fleece fabrics you will notice the manufacturer’s name on the selvedge edge; this is the right side of this fabric.  Knowing the right and wrong side of fleece is important when you are making a garment; sewing the seams with the right sides together will make for a smoother fitting garment.  With craft projects, throws, blankets, and so on, the right and wrong side of the fabric do not matter as much.
  • Uses longer machine stitches (3mm or longer) when sewing fleece. Shorter stitches may cut the fabric and pull through.
  • A size 14 or 16 machine needle is a good choice for fleece.
  • Pick a loose fitting garment pattern for fleece.  Although it works wonderfully for a variety of garments, it is too bulky to use for a form fitting outfit.
  • Layout your pattern according to the nap layout.  This way you will avoid having a fleece garment with the pile running in two directions.
  • Standard straight pins are easy to lose track of in this plush fabric.  Use longer straight pins with bead heads so that they will be easy to see.
  • If you are using a rotary cutter on layers of fleece use a 45mm or 60 mm blade.  This will prevent the underneath layer from shifting as you cut. You may also consider cutting fleece as a single layer.

 

One the many items you can make with fleece.

One the many items you can make with fleece.