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Earlier in my life I made a lot of my own clothes and I'm going to start doing that again. Back then I was on a mailing list where small fabric swatches were mailed regularly. Anyone know of a place that does that? In searching, I'm not finding anything. The fabrics were always so gorgeous, a good collection of maybe 2" x 2" swatches.
I remember those swatch mailings! As a matter of fact, I got them, too. It was Fashion Fabrics Club, I think. They don't do the monthly mailings anymore, though.
Oh, is that the problem with fabric.com? I used to love them, now they have zero customer service and high prices and - well, you get the idea.
Emma One Sock is an online fabric place with a small but eclectic assortment and they send free swatches - not a lot, just the ones you request - and sale notifications and they are lovely to deal with. I wish I had more money because I'd love to make things out of some of the beautiful fabrics and I keep hoping they'll still have them if a block of cash falls out of a tree and hits me in the head (seems just as likely as getting hired at my age).
When I saw the thread title, I was half hoping you wanted to start a fabric swap club.
What would you plan to do with the tiny swatches? Just curious.
I have some 10" x 14" swatches from decorator stores that I have had for years. I go into them every time I want to make a gift bag for somebody, or some such. I used to make tons of bags for the Cancer Society, also pillows for post-cancer surgery patients - don't do that anymore because we've moved away from the place where I did it.
I don't know if decorator stores still give away those books of swatches. (they were a pain to get out of the book)
Most all quilt shops have very nice 'charm squares' in various sizes per pack. I like the 10" or 12" packs from Moda. There are several quilt fabric sites online too. You can also buy 'jelly rolls' which are 2.5" x about 30" long and cut those up into some shorter shapes. (I hear you about taking those drapery fabric swatch packages apart! If they are big enough pieces though, just cut them off near the heavy binding at the top. For the ones with the rings, ditto. Just take a square quilt ruler and cut 'em off.
Go to quilt shows, they always have the above items for sale. Good fabric is not el cheapo, however. If you want to make something nice, you really do have to pay the prices and make sure you get the coupons and track the sales at JoAnn's etc.
I use alot of scrap fabric, from cutting up old clothes, for the stuff I make. But what I make is small stuff, doll and stuffed animal clothing. I'll buy clothes at the thrift store, wash them, cut them up.
Also, when I cleaned out my mother's attic, there were old world war two kaki shirts and pants from my dad. It was really good fabric for the dolls. Good color also for flesh tone. Plus some sentimental value.
(I hear you about taking those drapery fabric swatch packages apart! If they are big enough pieces though, just cut them off near the heavy binding at the top. For the ones with the rings, ditto. Just take a square quilt ruler and cut 'em off.
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Yep, I did that sometimes, but usually wanted every single inch to make the bag big enough! Tried everything, soaking them to get the glue off (didn't work), rubbing with scrubbie (too time consuming), and sometimes just left the labels on and put them in the bottom seam of the bag. That actually worked best and made the bottoms kind of tougher.
I want the samples to choose fabric to make clothes.
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