Monday, May 18, 2015

When Going To The Fabric Store NJ Shoppers Should Remember These Points

By Tammie Caldwell


Buying material for a sewing project can be confusing to those who have little experience navigating a fabric store. The vast selection of textiles and supplies may seem overwhelming, but the staff should be of assistance in this respect. Keeping these points in mind at the fabric store NJ shoppers in the Fairfield area can locate just the right materials.

Fabrics are shipped to stores on "bolts" which are either flat cardboard strips or tubular rolls the material is wound around. The type used depends on the manufacturer and on the particular type of textile. Quilting and craft fabrics usually come on a folded, flat bolt, whereas those used for making apparel or home decor projects may be on ether a rolled or folded bolt.

In most cases, the shop will be organized in such a way that its fabrics are grouped together by their primary use which is clearly marked by signs. However, some smaller stores may not be laid out like this, and it may be necessary to ask for help. There are also other shops which exclusively carry one particular type of material.

Before getting any fabric measured and cut, one must first check out its care and washing instructions and make sure its weight is appropriate for its intended use, salespeople are familiar with a wide range of textiles and can advise. There should also be some helpful information about the material printed on either the flat end of the bolt or if it comes on a roll, it may be on a hang-tag or printed sheet inside.

The wide selection of textiles with varying styles and textures makes it easy to find just the right design for sewing projects such as clothing, bed comforters or slipcovers, window treatments, and so many more. Fabrics used to make apparel are termed "fashion fabrics" and they include polyester, silk, wool, velvet, flannel, and denim amongst others. Other textiles may be classified as fleece, quilting, or home decor fabrics and can be used to make useful and decorative items.

Fabrics come in different widths, typically between 36 and 108 inches. It's necessary to know how much material will be needed for the project. Most sewing patterns indicate this amount, and for other types of projects estimating is required. Buying a bit more than needed is the safest way to go. A bolt can hold anywhere from 8 to 30 yards of material, and most stores will only sell 1/8 or 1/4 yard minimum. When a full bolt is needed, it may be ordered for an additional fee.

A salesperson takes the bolts which the customer has selected and rolls them out on a cutting table where they will be measured then cut. Sometimes they also sell "remnants" which are left over pieces from bolts, they are usually sold as is but are cheaper and can be a great find if the size is right. Some stores will also provide shoppers with sample swatches of material to take home for matching purposes.

Two bolts of seemingly identical fabric may actually, upon closer inspection not be the same; they may be from separate dye lots, resulting in variations in color tone and intensity. This can create a mismatched look in some projects, so it's best to buy materials which come from the same dye lot.




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