Boo!

*Disclaimer: This post is not intended for those with heart conditions, back problems, those who are pregnant, children or anyone with eyeballs.*

In the spirit of Halloween, I present to you the Most Frightening Fabrics Ever Created!

Ok, a little back story. Being that we have been in business for over 40 years, we have amassed a large variety of fabrics. Many are simply beautiful yet others, being from the time they are from, are slightly disturbing.

The Seventies was an interesting time. If the fabrics created then are any indicator, I don't know how anyone got out alive. It's "The Poltergeist", "The Shining" and most of the 70's all wrapped up in one. (You know, the part of the 70's your parents never talked about and still refuse to talk about except as death bed confessions.)

Take this for example,


A perfectly good Italian wool fleece that is warm and would make great throws or jackets. The kitties and fish are sweet, I get it but WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON WITH THE SUN FACE THINGIE?!?!! The scary thing is that I was eating lunch right next to this thing and I had no idea. Spooky. It's like a prop from "Silence of the Lambs". I can imagine it draped over Buffalo Bills couch, something he snuggles into after a hard day of moth propagation and mayhem.

Furthermore,


It isn't the pattern of this fabric per say although green on green sort of makes me seasick but it's the fact that it's DOUBLE KNIT! Argh DOUBLE KNIT! Ooooohhh! This is something that the ghost of "Maude" would wear.

Then there are those fabrics that come straight out of the Eighties. It seems the Seventies had sort of a "Harvest Gold" patina over life. Sort of sweet and only slightly scary but then there were the Eighties where life was NEON.


Oy. This could be cute but unfortunately I'm over the age of 6 so this panel frightens me. You are looking at a fabric that you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. Only because you will walk out of said alley covered in Lisa Frank stickers, your hair dyed rainbow, humming "Girls Just Want to Have Fun".

THEN this unfortunate vista...


Yeesh. From the neon green Volkswagen Beetles to the brown Navajo print and the neon women sorting what I think are coffee beans (I hope.) and the parrots this fabric looks like it should be in a David Lynch movie. (After he had a couple of strong Mai Tais.)

Granted, these fabrics are utterly frightening but they are sort of like a car crash. You can't help but look. Alas, they all have this certain charm, of high quality materials and made by the best textile mills in the world. Like I always say, "one persons blinding nightmares is anothers' blinding treasure." In other words, don't take my word for it. I'll only demand that I see what you create from these fabrics and I promise I won't laugh!

If you just love these fabrics (and we even have more! Eek.) check out our Etsy site for more Frightening Fabrics!

Times, they are a changin'...

There has been so much going on here, we've forgotten to post!

1. We recently just launched our new website just brimming of great information and the ability to shop securely online. We are very excited about this new site. It has options to sign up for our newsletter, contains coupons and has a Yardage Helper to help you decide how much fabric you need for your project. Most importantly it will soon contain fabrics and notions not found in our store or Etsy shop!


2. We have been getting in new and exciting fabric and notions. We now carry all the things you crave like vinyl, muslin, batting, machine needles, thread in every color of the rainbow, elastics and we are pulling some amazing vintage fabric that is to die for. For example, below is a gorgeous, vintage embroidered velvet. We aren't through yet either! So stay tuned!



3. The store is more organized and easy to shop than ever. If you've ever been in our store, you know that we are filled to the rafters with fabrics but now the store is set up to make is easier to find what you need fast while retaining that treasure hunt feel when you have time to take in all the fabrics. As always our knowledgeable and helpful staff is always on hand to help you with whatever you need. From advice on a sewing machine to how much fabric you need for your curtains, we are there. You can always call us and email us.



So as you can see, we are a changin'! Please sign up for our email list on our website for news on our ever changing store. We look forward to seeing you!

Patterns Galore!

Yes, we have tons of fabric and yes, we have tons of buttons but there is another thing we have tons of...and that's sewing patterns!

Most of them are out-of-print and from 1990-1999. I have seen some from the 1980's as well. Some are considered vintage and others are more modern. What's great about our patterns are prices! Being that I am new sewer I am a pattern junkie but when I go and try to buy patterns they are always over $12!! So I try to stick to ours because why spend so much to create something. That's my motto in life Create for Cheap!

With Halloween fast approaching I have pulled the best costume patterns we have and plunked them on our Etsy shop, as well as, our eBay store. What's great though is that most of those patterns can be used for so much more than just costumes. For example, this pattern here. McCall's 2798 - Misses' Elizabethan Costume. (Click the link to purchase from our Etsy shop!)


Not only would this be great for Halloween, this would be excellent for theme weddings, Renaissance Faires and cos-play! Both dresses are amazing, I like the second green dress, but I mean the options are endless and these patterns are always simple and easy to create. Can you imagine this fabric as part of the dress?


Amazing! Another thing to note about patterns is that the sizes are not set in stone. I see a lot of people in store stress about the proper sizing for patterns but I find that patterns are the perfect opportunity to alter the pattern to fit you. I am a size 22/24 top and a 14/16 bottom. (I know, I'm weird.) Granted, on top, I couldn't get a pattern that is a size 2,4 but I can get a pattern that is 18,20 and add panels or add to the pattern to make a proper fit. It isn't that difficult and if you are someone who sews, you already have all the skills to alter patterns.

There are a ton of books on the subject but here are 2 of my favorites.

The Sewing Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask by Barbara Weiland Talbert. This is an indispensable guide to all things sewing. Shows you not only how to alter patterns but to make your own. Find it here on Amazon.


Complete Photo Guide to Sewing - Revised + Expanded Edition: 1200 Full-Color How-To Photos by Singer (The Sewing Machine People!) This another great book that gives one detailed instructions to alter patterns to you. Covers topics from letting out for a large waist to small hips (Me!) and everything in between. Find it here on Amazon.

So, my little fabric junkies get out there and sew. Check out our Etsy shop as well as our eBay store for some great patterns for great prices. Halloween is upon us so get started on your costumes! Remember, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask us! We are always here to help you out with your project.

Halloween Fun - Lady Gaga Red Lace Hat

You know I'm in my thirties and you would think that I might be long in the tooth for bright red lace. Alas, it is Halloween and if there isn't a holiday where your normal, everyday lady can wear bright red lace then I'm done with holidays.



Anyway, here is the tute.

Supplies -

- 1/2 yard of lace. Could be bright red or even black. Whatever your little heart desires. White would be very cool. I used a piece of lace with a scalloped edge along the selvage. You don't have to.
- 3 pieces of 8 1/2 x 11 light card stock to match your lace.
- Scotch Tape
- Tack 2000 or 3M 77 spray glue
- Scissors
- Binder clips
- Bobby pins
- Needle and thread to match. (Optional)



What to do -

- Place 2 pieces of the card stock length wise. Tape the center.

- Cut the other piece in half lengthwise and tape on top of other card stock length wise. Take this time to fit the card stock to your head. I have a giant mutant head so the length was perfect. If it's too big cut it accordingly.



- Place your fabric on top and cut the fabric to fit the card stock leaving an inch or so overlapping.



- Take your card stock and fabric outside and spray the glue allover the paper. Spray the hell out of it and let sit for a minute.

- Place the fabric carefully over the paper and press down, leaving part of the fabric overlapping.

- Wrap the paper in a circle and spray enough glue for your overlap. Place the overlap on the glue and clip.

- You can then hand-stitch the seam for stability. I didn't, I'm lazy but I will probably do that later.



- Let dry for 1 hour.

- After dry, cut points into top of hat. Go crazy! I was more subdued because I only had a little lace.

Now here's the fun part -

- If you have a scalloped edge, place hat on first then take the scalloped edge on the brim of hat and secure on the back of your head with bobby pins. If there is no scalloped edge, place excess fabric across the face and secure on the back of your head and then put on the hat, hiding the edge.

Well, there you are. How scary is the top photo!?

Have fun with it. If you have any questions or tips, please let me know!

Halloween Fun - Toga, Toga, Toga!

We have a vintage mannequin in store that we call Midge. Midge is usally kicking around in a sequin tube dress (Which we sell by the way.) but since Halloween is coming up, I thought it would be nice to help her get into the spirit and dress her up accordingly.
The other day she was in the mood for toga. She was feeling very Helen of Troy so we decided to deck her out in the best of Roman finery and it couldn't have been easier.
Here is what I did....

- Take 2-3 yards of opaque fabric with a nice drape. I used a heavy ribbed taffeta. Reminds me of a big version of grosgrain ribbon. All opaque fabric with a drape would work for this. Slinky fabrics like rayon might just be too slinky and will slide.
- Place over shoulder of your choice and let the fabric hang even at the bottom front and back.

- Take the front part of the hanging fabric and put it around your waist and use a safety pin to secure it at the base of you back. Let the back part drape. You can then take some more safety pins and secure it down the back or over your tush. If you know how to sew, pin down the back and make a simple seam.
- Adjust the front fabric over your bust. Might be a good idea to wear a bathing suit or leotard underneath.

- If you wish you can stitch the bottom hem and the back drape with your machine or by hand. I used a blind stitch.

- Take a a cool piece of trim or belt and tie around your waist. The trim I used was white with a silver Roman Key design.

- Make sure all raw edges are folded into the drapes.

- Accessorize with your favorite gladiator sandals, earrings or even a laurel wreath and you are done!

So simple and so much fun. Such a better quality then the stuff you can buy at stores. Also, it doesn't have to be just a toga. You can use this costume to be Cleopatra or even add a corset for a witch's costume and so on.
Here are some other looks Midge tried on! The first photo features a vintage bugle bead, embroidered belt I call the "Lady Gaga Belt". Makes it feel sort of Egyptian. The second photo has a more elaborate vintage belt that has a velcro back perfect for the look. Both belts sell at $10 at our store!


So if you are interested in any of the fabric, trim or belts featured here in this post, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone, store or our Etsy shop. Those belts are just too cool and you can not beat the price!

So have fun and stay tuned for more easy to make Halloween costumes. :)

September is National Sewing Month!

September is just around the corner and I'm so excited! It's National Sewing Month!

When I first started working here at Sew What's New I didn't know how to sew...at all. My mother was a sewer so I dusted off her old machine and started learning. I am so glad I did. I love having control over what I wear especially because I am on odd fit. Even though I am still a novice, I am able to make my clothes fit me better and make clothes just for me.

There is so much fear when it comes to sewing machines and sewing but I can attest, as someone that has an attention span of a gnat, it is really easy, fun and you get instant returns. I made my first pair of pants in an hour! See above for my pajama capris!

So to get us in the spirit, here are some things I picked up while learning on my machine...

- If you have an old machine with no manual, simply contact the company who created the machine and they may be able to send you a manual. My machine is over 40 years old and I emailed customer service. They sent me a PDF of the manual for my machine! If they do not have the manual, try searching the net. There are many sewing machine websites that might have what you need.

- Tune-up your machine! Look in the phone book for sewing machine repair shops or search the net. I am sure there is a place in you town. For under $100 you can have your machine repaired, oiled and tuned up good as new.

- Don't have a machine? There are machines for every budget. I bought a new one for under $80 but have seen them go as much as $8,000! So shop around and get the machine that is right for you.

- Hit the books. One of my favorites is a children's book by Winky Cherry. My First Sewing Machine Book is a great starter but I think the best thing is to hit the library. Pick up all the books you can. Even if you don't understand everything in the books you are still immersing yourself in the topic. When you are ready to learn that skill you didn't understand before, you will learn it faster because you have some previous experience with it.

- Surf the web. There are ton of websites that can help you on your way. Craftster is my personal favorite because of all the information they have but there are a ton more as well.

- Take a class. Check out sewing stores for classes. Even chain stores like A.C. Moore have classes. We will soon be offering classes as well!

- When you are ready for patterns choose "Simple" or "Simple to Make".

I think that is all I have for now. So help us celebrate National Sewing Month by sewing something!

If you have any other tips, leave a comment! We would love to see them.

Follow Us Sale! 20% off your next order!

We've been busy here at the store getting everything ready for Halloween and with Halloween comes Thanksgiving and then Christmas and Chanukah. We have everything you need to make those holidays shine and we are hoping that you will try us out for all your crafting needs so we are offering an awesome sale on our Etsy site and in store!

Until September 3, 2010, become a follower on our blog, our Twitter or Facebook and get a coupon code for 20% of your next order! Simple send us a message on the site you joined for your code!

http://sewwhatsnewfabrics.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/swnfabrics

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nyack-NY/Sew-Whats-New-Fabric-Center

See how easy is it to get some cash off on some amazing fabrics and buttons? So get going and follow us!