tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post4656615916501556289..comments2024-03-27T22:07:57.614-04:00Comments on Diary of a Sewing Fanatic: Buying Fabric Online - Part 1Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-88782051385242355022015-01-21T00:02:13.324-05:002015-01-21T00:02:13.324-05:00I am just learning to sew and have been wondering ...I am just learning to sew and have been wondering how to get good deals on fabric. So far I have only been to local fabric stores so that I can really understand what each type of material look and feels like. I do like your advice to know and understand each fabric before making a purchase online. <a href="http://www.ruthsstitchery.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.ruthsstitchery.com</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11187528162066829215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-60641705270307339652009-07-03T10:37:46.122-04:002009-07-03T10:37:46.122-04:00Great advice, Carolyn!!Great advice, Carolyn!!Tanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01073735708031525696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-28291994243804134892009-06-23T14:34:16.278-04:002009-06-23T14:34:16.278-04:00Great post! I agree with most all of the above co...Great post! I agree with most all of the above comments. Staying tuned for Part 2, 3 and 4.Linda Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12655695696943452993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-84164741730449376702009-06-23T09:45:06.731-04:002009-06-23T09:45:06.731-04:00Thanks so much for this information! It's been...Thanks so much for this information! It's been so incredibly helpful!!<br /><br />I'm just curious, I know that you are an experienced sewer, do you draft your own patterns or do you have some favorite ones you use?Stacy's Paper Craftshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13396896067628001114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-28344943981243632862009-06-22T10:53:14.130-04:002009-06-22T10:53:14.130-04:00Great post, and I think you hit all the important ...Great post, and I think you hit all the important points. I love online shopping, but it takes time to develop a sense of a particular vendor and what you can expect. Still, if there is no local fabric source, the internet is a great resource.<br /><br />I am just looking forward to being able to get into NYC again.Mardelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04850551308931710502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-59667781240718367352009-06-22T10:06:24.032-04:002009-06-22T10:06:24.032-04:00At your recommendation I have ordered from Fabric ...At your recommendation I have ordered from Fabric Mart, and I joined their swatch club for $29 per year with a $15 coupon. With the swatches and description, it's a snap! And their prices are fabulous -- $8 per yard for silk and $5 for cotton; can't complain.San Antonio Suenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-84466556060913000802009-06-22T06:51:25.408-04:002009-06-22T06:51:25.408-04:00Terrific advice, Carolyn!
Also...it's comfort...Terrific advice, Carolyn!<br /><br />Also...it's comforting to buy fabric (or interfacing ~wink~) online from vendors who actually know how to sew, and who have lots of experience behind them.<br /><br />I answer several emails and calls every day consulting with customers about what interfacing to use with their fabrics and why...and often also talk about construction techniques with them too. It's one of the most enjoyable parts of the best "job" I've ever had! :)<br /><br /><a href="http://off-the-cuff-style.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Vintage shirt progress continues...</a>Pam Ernyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18364147606316729502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-72741966566123895182009-06-21T18:45:27.622-04:002009-06-21T18:45:27.622-04:00My dh and I are both wearing yellow tops this afte...My dh and I are both wearing yellow tops this afternoon. <br />I can understand how you'd buy so much fabric on line instead of in NYC. After all you work in the city and fabric shopping can take hours so not much time after work or that much time at lunch. Buying on line is so much easier! Some of your points are exactly how I shop on line. I also like pictures that show the drape of a fabric. I read those descriptions very carefully too. Right off the bat you know what this fabric is suitable for.Nancy Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02235347323004026695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-69807504143170948542009-06-21T17:39:26.885-04:002009-06-21T17:39:26.885-04:00There used to be a locally owned fabric store and ...There used to be a locally owned fabric store and a Hancock fabric in addition to the "craft store" you got that bordered yellow fabric from here; we're down to the "craft store". It's so sad. I've not bought much fabric online, but some day I'll be brave...Marjiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14950085029835332900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-38214130053182608452009-06-21T10:06:27.169-04:002009-06-21T10:06:27.169-04:00Thanks for the post. I am always a little worried ...Thanks for the post. I am always a little worried about online shopping, because it is hard for me to imagine how the fabric will be which only the written description. But I love online stores, as you are just one click away from any of them and don't have to drive around to different fabric stores. I really like the idea with the swatch index cards. My question is: What do you experience with shipping cost? Most online stores are cheaper than the "physical" ones, but does the shipping often times balance that out?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10931199887239985004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-187609358956888132009-06-21T09:40:27.223-04:002009-06-21T09:40:27.223-04:00Great topic. I love buying fabric online and openi...Great topic. I love buying fabric online and opening up the bags and boxes when I get home from work. The color yellow- was added to the stash because I needed it for church and your inspiration. Listening to recommendations is a great thing.Towandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05634494345166387524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-44847380771358294362009-06-21T09:39:42.049-04:002009-06-21T09:39:42.049-04:00I order a lot of fabric online, but I tend to buy ...I order a lot of fabric online, but I tend to buy just things I am interested in and not for particular projects, so trying to match fabrics using the images on the screen isn't much of an issue for me.<br /><br />One rule I do use when buying fabrics online is the same one I use when purchasing on ebay or on craigslist: "Never spend more than you can afford to lose."<br /><br />As for being hesitant to buy fabrics because I don't know the exact color, or the drape, or the hand...I have no problems buying actual clothing online lacking that exact information, so I don't really see that as a handicap. <br /><br />If worst comes to worst, I'll either return it, or it will become muslin fabric.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04873478695914665795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-16858552702519865132009-06-21T05:14:39.484-04:002009-06-21T05:14:39.484-04:00Thank you for this post. You have given some inter...Thank you for this post. You have given some interesting hints for purchasing online. Which I am shy to do. Right now I've found two brick'n mortar stores in my neighbourhood, and I enjoy seeing and touching the fabrics before buying. But who knows how long they'll be there? Anyway, I plan a trip to one next Wednesday, and I plan to be really supportive to their business :-)verobirdiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12968111905760607177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-3043110270404128832009-06-20T22:22:55.871-04:002009-06-20T22:22:55.871-04:00Great advice, I do buy fabric from an online store...Great advice, I do buy fabric from an online store but they send swatches each season to make it easy.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14698470851821519913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-24552214816535893132009-06-20T19:05:17.209-04:002009-06-20T19:05:17.209-04:00Great post, Carolyn..Thanks for sharing....Great post, Carolyn..Thanks for sharing....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-34521457883526924262009-06-20T18:04:45.207-04:002009-06-20T18:04:45.207-04:00Great post, Carolyn. I would add that sometimes yo...Great post, Carolyn. I would add that sometimes you just need to feel the fear and do it anyway. Start small and build your confidence level.<br /><br />There is also a book series out there about learning fabrics. It even comes with swatches. Dang if I can remember the titles, but I happen to have the one for cotton. Not inexpensive, but a great resource.NancyDaQhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00609215745927535353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-72686458039305157022009-06-20T18:04:24.868-04:002009-06-20T18:04:24.868-04:00Great post and interesting advice ... but touch, h...Great post and interesting advice ... but touch, have in hand, put on me close to my face, search for coordinating with a swatch in hand... is the most important and funnyest part of my fabric search and an important part of my sewing: a special moment when my idea become clear...<br />This can't be done online for the most part... comming back home with 3 or 4 pack in hands (imagine someone far away from a pictures parisian and closer to a donkey and you've got the pict ;-) is the worst part but... (yes I should by online, yes, I should go with a suitcase, just in case of... but in fact I never do this... and the donkey go back home with a lot of dream, to much plan and idea in the head and to much fabric in plastic bag to ;-)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18279001991409321327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-28657548496869015282009-06-20T15:50:49.489-04:002009-06-20T15:50:49.489-04:00Carolyn you would make a great sewing teacher! Gre...Carolyn you would make a great sewing teacher! Great job!<br />If I didn't already know what you were talking about I would probably print off your blog to keep as a reference! I'm sure that there are a lot of peope that just went.... WoW! <br />If you decide to write a book... I think that all your details would be a winner!Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11744073613012413496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-33219620271098129692009-06-20T15:36:25.005-04:002009-06-20T15:36:25.005-04:00I need to touch and feel fabric before i buy it, b...I need to touch and feel fabric before i buy it, but you are slowly changing my mind!<br /><br />Angie R.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-68096902369337625292009-06-20T14:19:28.978-04:002009-06-20T14:19:28.978-04:00Like Toby I started buying fabric online by swatc...Like Toby I started buying fabric online by swatches I received from fabricfashionclub. When I shop on online I have a pretty good ideal of what I'm getting. And like you said, you really need to know your fabrics. Of course there is nothing like buying fabric in a brick and mortar store; especially if it for something special.When buying online there is still a little bit of the unknown.KARIMAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15016716965565229162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-29786816143860071532009-06-20T14:13:17.928-04:002009-06-20T14:13:17.928-04:00Thanks for the online shopping info. I think I...Thanks for the online shopping info. I think I'll have to read part 2 before I feel confident ordering online. I like ordering for Vogue because I can see/feel the swatches first.Elarayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06487492651398001387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-74534858619586367822009-06-20T13:53:14.198-04:002009-06-20T13:53:14.198-04:00I got into buying fabric by mail through swatch so...I got into buying fabric by mail through swatch sources like Fashion Fabrics Club. Having those little bits of fabric to feel and look at really took the fear out of buying and once they went to an online store, I realized that it really was not an different - because their description style was basically the same and I knew I could trust it. Sometimes it takes a little 'trial and error' with a few online merchants to find folks that you feel a level of comfort with; they all seem to be trying very hard to develop that in us. The only other thing I can say is to make sure of how much you are going to need before you order; it's really annoying to have to call back for one more yard.Toby Wollinhttp://www.kitchencountereconomics.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-23802245272461103952009-06-20T13:31:50.547-04:002009-06-20T13:31:50.547-04:00Great advice - especially about listening to other...Great advice - especially about listening to others' recommendations. Do you know that I have hated the color yellow my entire life? And that I recently finished a yellow tunic and have bought more yellow fabric? And that there's a piece I'm coveting online? What are you doing to me, Carolyn? ;-)Gigihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07960046004728670898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-504063086690588362009-06-20T12:25:29.874-04:002009-06-20T12:25:29.874-04:00Great information and look forward to part two.Great information and look forward to part two.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-30613532024395775932009-06-20T11:37:07.550-04:002009-06-20T11:37:07.550-04:00Great post!
I've been very hesitant about sho...Great post!<br /><br />I've been very hesitant about shopping online for fabric. Adrienne tells me all the time, "once you buy online you'll be hooked" my response is always *deep sigh* "i just don't know" lol <br /><br /><br />I'm going to take the plunge one day :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com