Fabric Giveaway and a question or two...

I've been busying myself today putting together some new fabric bundles for the shop, which always gets me thinking. I know it isn't necessarily easy when buying fabric on-line, computer monitors don't always reflect true colours. Plus, it's not always easy to work out how large the fabric pattern is etc.....so how can it made easier?

... some gorgeous blues in these designs...

Some people, I know are brave enough to ask for samples... quite sensible if you're trying to match fabric with some that you already have or putting together a quilt. But is there anything else that might help given that we don't (yet) live in a Star Trek like world where samples can be 'beamed' across the airwaves in a nano second!

Does it help to see the fabric used in a completed project? I'm thinking particularly, of those designers who blog and produce sewing patterns using their own fabric lines, plus the multitude of other crafters who also blog. I know that sometimes that sends me off looking for paticular patterns and designs. Does this wealth of 'visual' information help you to have the confidence to mix and match fabrics for yourself? Would shopping on-line for fabric be more difficult without this?

What kind of information do you look for in fabric descriptions? I try to include a description of the colour but that of course is quite subjective. I'm going to resolve some of these issues with matching and contrasting some of the 'pink', 'roses' 'fuschia' and 'green' type colours in some of Amy Butler's fabrics by getting some of her 'solids' fabrics. But they've yet to arrive. I've also been wondering whether it's useful to include care information; details of washing and drying etc. ? At the moment I only supply this if I'm asked for it.

For now anyway, I'm holding on tightly to the belief that fabric bundles help. I get a great deal of pleasure in putting fabrics side by side and seeing the effect they have on each other, which is why I think that the bundles are helpful. (... did you think I was just being self-indulgent, tsk, tsk) Also I think that it gives you the opportunity to see the patterns side by side, you can see the sizes of the fabric prints in relation to one another and you can get an idea of how they interact and 'work' together.

These fabric bundles from the Daisy Chain range are based on Amy's own colour palettes. Look I even got a bit carried away and took a more 'draped' looking photograph to accompany them, just to show a little more of the fabric you understand.

But is that enough?

I should love to hear what you think about all this.

In the meantime I'm sticking to putting fabric bundles together.... it's fun, playing with the prints and the colours.... and I've all the Midwest Modern, Heather Bailey and Anna Maria Horner fabrics to work my way through....

So, how about a giveaway ? I haven't had one for a while. How about this?

and of course it's more drapey partner.

All you have to do is respond to this post by leaving a comment and I'll use the 'random number generator thingy' to randomly select a number.... and that person will be the winner of some lovely fat quarters.... all this excitement will take place on the 23rd September which is a Wednesday.

Speak soon

Comments

[Diane]

I agree with you, but most fabrics are absolutely lucious, especially Amy Butler fabs. Thank you for a fun giveaway. Glad I found your site.

[Caroline]

Gorgeous fabrics! I really struggle to buy online for a lot of the reasons listed. The biggie for me is being able to get a grip on what size the pattern is - I tend to make small fabric items and obviously a big print more suitable for clothes or upholstry is going to be a no. So whilst I love the fabric bundles I think it would also be good to show a standard sized square - eg 10x10cm, or perhaps a photo of the bolt - so you can compare and contrast. Cath Kidston's site is quite good at this, for example. I do like to see made-up items as well but appreciate that's a lot of work!

As regards care information, I would state it if it wasn't a simple "wash 40oC" - it's incredibly irritating to find out something is special care *after* you've bought it!

[Susie Bacon]

I like the idea of the bundles. Too often I buy a few fabric pieces and then later have a difficult time finding just the right ones to make my project. This way it is easier to visualize a finished project and I am prompted to buy the majority of the fabric at once. I don't think care instructions are necessary unless the fabric is something other than 100% cotton which I would not expect it would be. I am not particularily crazy about the draped look though.

[Amanda]

I love fabric bundles as I am relatively new to patchwork/quilting and still getting the hang of putting stuff together. I love the colours in these fabrics.

[Nova]

Blue and green are my favourite colours for fabric!

[Andrea]

Hi Julia,
I like the bundle photos that you use. It depends how much time you have and how wide your fabric range is but a sample card of maybe your most frequent fabric or just new ranges. This could be charged at maybe £2.00 or so to cover time/costs with the view to customers having the card at home and selecting from the card.(sample card would need to have a good lifespan ie a year?) Sample cards could be made in limited batches with maybe the fabric being only a couple of centimetres square. Pre-print a template whereby the fabric names could be changed by the click of a button and printed off quickly and samples stuck down with pritt. I sent off for one like this with felt on it. It is the staple stock which is always available but with fabric might just be the new fabric in.
Hope that makes sense could always send an email picture of the example I have here.
xx

[gill]

hi julia
agree with kate plus how about a tape measure/ruler to give some idea of pattern size?
love that colourway of ab fabrics
gill

[Nancy]

I do struggle buying fabrics online, because of how differnt they can look based on me screen, or the lighting in the picture, or the color of the page they are listed on. But I don't have a lot of options, because my LQS don't suffice. So yeah, I do like fabric bundles. Thanks for the great giveaway!

[Sue Cahill]

I usually check out the fabrics online that I am interested in using my husband's Mac, the colors are much truer. I love to see projects made in different fabrics, it helps me to imagine the possiblities. Some of the quilt magazines do this and I really apppreciate having the additional options.

Sue Cahill (sbonetsue at yahoo dot com)

[Jennifer]

I've only just begun to make garments to wear - all my other textile things have been 'crafty'. I didn't have the courage to buy online for my first project and so waited until I was able to see the fabrics in a shop before buying. However, I think your website is by far the best out there - the colours really are a good likeness and I know I'll buy my next fabric from you. I think I would probably like to see more garments made up in various fabrics, even if it's just a simple skirt, as this really does help put things into perspective.

[Rosie Wilkinson]

Hi, I think these fabrics look great. Personally I like to see different fabrics used in a project, for me they really help to spark the imagination.

Best wishes Rosie

[Kate]

I just love these fabrics - have used some of the Daisy Chain designs to make a dress for my wee one.
The bundle photos really help - (the standard pictures rather than the draped ones I think work best.....but maybe that's just me!).
I also really like being able to get details of fabric composition (cotton/blend etc), washing instructions, and pattern repeat sizes when buying fabric.
You've got my sewing fingers twitching!

[Joanne]

The fabrics look amazing! You have a great eye.

[Sondra]

The fabric bundles help a lot. And I like both on the bolt and draped photos. Seeing the material in a project really helps. Also seeing the fabric both from a distance surround by other fabrics and close up would be a big bonus for me. Seeing them at a distance helps me put the color and design in perspective. I agree with the other readers that like to fabric composition such as washing instructions and pattern repeat. Using a tape measure or a standard item for pattern size comparison would help a lot.

[dottycookie]

I have really enjoyed the bundles I've received from you - it's a joy to have someone else do the matching up sometimes!

My main problem with buying electronically is that sometimes the patterns in real life are sized very differently from the way I have imagined them. I think a made up project might help here, but that would be an incredible amount of work! Sample cards are a good idea but I'm not sure how straightforward that would be for you. I have a feeling I haven't helped much!

[Juanita]

Funnily, these fabrics look different when draped. But draping them gives us some kind of "visual movement" of the fabric.
When it comes to info. about fabric... I would look out for the material and "weight", I suppose.
I LOVE those fabric quarters you're giving away right now. Hope to win!!! :)

[Rej]

I think the draped photograph gives a much better idea of pattern obviously, but sometimes the other photos give a better idea of colour - both together are a good idea :)

[Penny]

I love the fabric bundles, either draped or not as they give a good idea of what goes with what. A post you did a couple of months ago showcasing Heather Bailey fabrics was very useful, I ordered 3 and was not disappointed and I have found the colours in your photos to be fairly accurate. ( I use a Mac) My main problem is with pattern size, a ruler or tape measure placed along the bottom of the photo would help to give some idea of scale. Another site I use places a 2cm button on the fabric when photographing and this also works well. Showing made up samples would be good but time consuming for you.

[Shannon F.]

I've seen fabrics pictured next to an item that we all know the color of, such as a red Solo cup. The viewer can compare easily when it is contrasted with a color that is more than likely in your home (ie the orange of a Tide bottle, etc.). What a great giveaway! Thanks!

[abby]

Beautiful fabric choices!

[Helen]

The bundles are really good and the finished projects - they give an idea of how patterns and colours look together

[gtlady (Jane Platts)]

I think as some others have suggested, having a ruler alongside the prints, and interspersing them with the plains, and I would include washing instructions, you could say on your home page all washed at 40 degrees unless stated...
p.s how do you do any work, i'd just play with matching up differnt colours/patterns all day!

[Rachel]

usually if i'm trying to match fabric i don't buy it online. when i buy bundles i just rely on the grouping from the seller. if i don't like it then OH WELL i still have beautiful fabrics. i definitely like the stacked look better than the draped look for your photos. and the end bundle is great, i'm just not quite sure if it's as brownish as my computer screen makes the first one on the left look.

[Judith]

The fabric bundles are very helpful. I would be very happy to pay for a collection of small sample pieces when you got a new fabric collection in.

[Glamglass]

I love the bundle pictures and think that the draped just doesn't look right. I would love to see a completed project using some or all of the fabric, though this may be quite awkward and time consuming for you.
You generally put together great colour/pattern combos!