What matters to me at Christmas

Hi everyone, before I pop off for a few weeks break I wanted to say a Merry Christmas to all. I hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow. I will be spending it with family at my home. 

As usual there will be lots of laughs and chatter. The way it is meant to be. 

I will also be sparing a thought to all those who have lost loved ones this year. 

May they find strength to go forward......somehow.

As to me what matters most about Christmas is not the presents under my tree but having the presence of my loved ones close by.

Thanks everyone for your love and support in 2012.

See you in 2013.

Simone

xx

photo: tasmania winter 2012

Project Day: Fabric Christmas Tree

 

Create a wonderful Fabric Christmas Tree.

What you need:

• A selection of Christmas themed fabric. We used Metro Fresh Markets Tomarto's on Chartreuse $18.99/m , Chevron Zig Zaz Red $21.99/m, Stripe Thin Chartreuse and White Ticking $21.99/m, Suzani in Red Indoor/Outdoor $27.99/m, Girls World Vibe Carrie Grass by Jennifer Paganelli $19.99/m.
• Red Ric Rac 15mm wide.
• A canvas, or backing.
• Glue gun and scissors.

Cut your fabric into small rectangles approx 6cm x 4cm (size may depend on the size of your canvas).

Start placing your fabric in curved lines. Start from the bottom, working your way to the top until you have the shape of a tree. When you are happy with the placement, glue each piece down with the hot glue gun.

We used a piece of brown fabric for the trunk and cut out a floral motif for the top of our tree.

Frame your tree by gluing the Ric Rac around the edge.

Have a great weekend.



20% OFF Storewide

Home Decor Fabrics Arriving Today.

Amsterdam In Yellow Cotton Slub $21.99/m

Abigail In Grey $21.99/m



Amsterdam In Navy $21.99/m

Dandelion In Yellow Cotton Slub $21.99/m


We are expecting these beautiful new Home Decor Fabrics today. They are all 100% cotton.

Happy Monday

 



Project Day: Hanging Pine Cones.

 

 

Pine cones always make great Christmas decorations. This weeks project is both simple and lovely.

 

What you need:

 

• Pine Cones.
• Christmas Ribbon. We used our Gingham Ribbon in Green $1.10/m.
• Scissors and a glue gun.

 

Cut the ribbon into strips approx 40cm long. The quantity you cut will depend on how many pine cones you have. Attach one end of each piece of ribbon to a pine cone with your hot glue gun.

 

Cut an additional length of ribbon for each pine cone approx 6cm long. Trim the ends diagonally and tie a knot in the centre to create a rustic bow. Glue this to the base of the pine cone to finish off your decoration.

 

Have a great weekend.

 

 

Staying Out Of The Sun.

 

We stumbled across this fantastic beach shade cloth on Pinterest. What a great way to use some of our Indoor/Outdoor or Oilcloth Fabrics.

 

Happy Monday

 

 

 



Project Day; Ikat Table Setting.



This week we decided to create a fresh approach to a Christmas Table Setting.

What you need:

• Several metres (this will depend on the length of your table) of Ikat Green Indoor/Outdoor Fabric $27.99/m.
• Mexican Oilcloth Laminated Fabric in Hibiscus Red $12.99/m.
• Scissors and a pen.

Cut the Ikat Green fabric to the length and width required to make your tablecloth. You can hem it if you like however we left ours to create a rustic effect.

We made our place mats with Hibiscus Oilcloth by simply tracing around a plate and cutting the circle out. There is no need to sew the edge as Oilcloth won't fray.

To finish off our Table Setting we added some bright bowls and a splash of green from the garden.

Have a great weekend.



Busting At The Seams.

This week we have received over 100 rolls of fabric, many of these are brand new styles of Indoor/Outdoors and Cottons.
 

Here are a few of our beautiful new prints.
 

From left to right.
 

Ikat Summer Sky Indoor/Outdoor Fabric $27.99/m

Ikat Green Indoor/Outdoor Fabric $27.99/m

A Parterre Indigo Sun N Shade Outdoor Fabric $29.99/m

A Parteere Grass Sun N Shade Outdoor Fabric $29.99/m

 

Happy Monday
 





Project Day: Fabric Wreath

 

 

This weeks project features a very easy way to make a beautiful Christmas Wreath.

 

What you need:

• A selection of different fabrics that either blend or contrast well together. We used three of Amy Butlers gorgeous fabrics: Love Bali Gate Lime Twill $29.99/m, Love Paisley Blush $19.99/m and Soul Blossoms Cherry $18.99/m.
• A fairly thick piece of wire approx a metre long (this will depend on how large you want your wreath).
• Scissors and masking tape.

Cut your fabric into strips about 3.5cm wide and 25cm in length. Don't be exact with your cutting and let the fabric fray as it adds to the rustic effect of the wreath.

Make a circle with the wire, joining the ends firmly together with some masking tape.

Tie your strips of fabric to the wire circle using a half knot. Alternate the designs as you go. Once you get to the end simply fluff all of the fabric in place.

 

Have a great Weekend.
 

 

 



What A Day.

 

 Yesterday the weather was picture perfect and certainly too good to work. We took a break from cutting and packing fabric to enjoy the bay and couldn't resist sharing this shot with you. 

 

Happy Monday

 



Project Day: Fabric Jar Covers

 

 

This weeks project features a simple yet beautiful way to package home baked (or store bought) Christmas gifts.

 

What you need:

 

• Festive fabric. We used Metro Fresh Markets Falling Watermelon in White $18.99/m and Metro Markets Falling Watermelon in Chartruese $18.99/m
• Elastic Trim. We used Shimmer Ruffle Trim Elastic Edge Red $2.99/m.
• Mason jar or glass canister with a lid.
• Scissors and a needle & thread.

 

Cut your fabric into a square about 6cm larger than the diameter of the jar.

Stretch your elastic trim around the top of the jar. Make sure it is firm then sew the ends together.

Place your fabric square over the jar and use the Ruffle Trim to hold it in place.

Have a great weekend.










Behind The Scenes.

Last week we updated our Fabric Traders homepage. This is a behind the scenes shot of Simone doing what she does best, styling and photographing the fantastic picture.

 

Take a look at the final product. We love it.

 

Happy Monday.

 





Project Day: Fabric Christmas Bauble.

 

 

Running with our Christmas theme, this weeks project features a lovely hanging ornament.

 

What you need:

• Fabric with a Christmas feel. We used A Honey Child Geometric Pale Blue and Greens by Jennifer Paganelli $19.99/m.
• Ribbon. We used Grosgrain Ribbon Polka Dots Light Blue $1.15/m.
• A button. We used a Decorative Wooden Button Blue Florals 23mm $0.59 each.
• A Styrofoam ball or an old Christmas ball.
• Glue gun and scissors.



Cut your fabric into a square large enough to cover the ball you have chosen. Simply wrap the fabric around the ball and bunch it at the top. Tie your ribbon in a bow to hold it in place then trim off the excess fabric.

 

Next attach some ribbon to the top. If you have used an old ornament you may be lucky enough to have a loop to tie it to. If not just use your glue gun.

 

We finished our ball off by gluing on one of our beautiful buttons.

 

Have a great weekend.

 

 

 

 

 



Caribbean, By The Pool.

 

Take a look at some of our stunning new arrivals in our Indoor/Outdoor range.

 

These fabrics can take hundreds of hours of direct sunlight without fading and are mildew and stain resistant.

 

Clockwise from the top:

Caribbean Breeze in Tangerine $27.99/m, Golden Trellis in Yellow $29.99/m, A Ripple Effect in Tangerine $27.99/m, By The Pool in Lime $23.99/m

 

Happy Monday

 

 





Project Day: Ruffle Christmas Tree

 

 

It's that time of the year again. This weeks project features a gorgeous Christmas tree alternative.

 

What you need:

•  A polystyrene cone.
• Fabric that will ruffle easily. We used Veranda Paisley Strawberry by Verna Mosquera $18.99/m and Sunburst Pink Stripe by Dear Stella $19.99/m.
• A white piece of pipe or dowel.
• A small pot.
• Sewing machine.
• Glue gun.
• Pinking scissors.
• White rocks.

Cut your fabric into strips approx 4cm wide using the pinking scissors on the outer edge. Use your sewing machine (set to a long stitch) to gather the inner edge to create the ruffle.

  

Glue each gathered strip of fabric alternately up the tree.

 

Insert the piece of dowel or pipe into the bottom of the Styrofoam cone then glue in place. We used white stones to hold our tree upright in the pot.

 

Finish off with your favourite Christmas decoration.

 

Have a great weekend.

 



A Shabby Offcut Bespoke Lampshade $69.95

 

 We are selling this beautiful one off, handmade lampshade using fabric offcuts for $69.95.

Most of these fabrics are still available from our fabulous range including the pink pom pom trim.

Happy Monday




Project Day: Green Theme Table Scape

This weeks project features a beautiful yet simple way to decorate a table for any occasion.

What you need:

• Glass jars big enough to fit a tealight candle through.
• Ribbon. We used Bias Binding Tape in Polka Dot Lime $2.25/m.
• Fabric for tablecloth. We used Gingham in Apple Green 100% cotton $9.99/m.
• Fresh flowers (the size of these will depend on the size of your jar).
• Tealight candles.

Make your gingham tablecloth by either hemming or pinking the edges.

Tie the ribbon around your jar.

Place your flowers behind the bow and insert your tealight.

 

Have a great weekend

 

 

Now that's a lot of colour....

 

 

A fantastic range of new cotton designer prints have just arrived on our door step.

 

From top to bottom

 

Road Well Travelled in Paisley by Marcus Fabrics

Road Well Travelled in Mustard by Marcus Fabrics

Freshcut Graphic Mums by Heather Bailey 

Freshcut Cabbage Rose by Heather Bailey

Lark Heirloom in Jade Green by Amy Butler 

Lark Heirloom in Blue by Amy Butler

Lark Gypsy by Amy Butler

Lark Chinese Lanterns by Amy Butler

all only $19.99/m

 

Happy Monday

 

 

 

 



Project Day: Fabric Embriodery Hoops as Wall Art

 This weeks project features a beautiful yet simple way to decorate any wall.

 

What you need:

• A selection of your favourite fabrics. Thinner fabrics like cottons work best for this project...we used Jardin de Fleurs  Red $18.99/m, Jardin de Fleurs Cream $18.99/m and Picnic Bouquet Lagoon by Heather Bailey $18.99/m.
• Embroidery Hoops in different sizes.

Stretch your fabric over the inner ring of the hoop then secure it in place with the outer ring. Pull the edges lightly to make sure your fabric is firm.

 

Once you have it in place tighten the screws, trim the excess fabric and your Hoops are ready to hang on the wall.

 

Odd numbers always work best when grouping things together, we used three hoops in different sizes however you could add as many as you like.

 

Have a great Weekend

 

~ Magazine Feature ~

We are delighted to have some of our gorgeous fabrics featured in the latest edition of Australian Country Magazine (Nov/Dec issue).

I can tell you I spent hours making that tablecloth! I used bits and pieces from both our indoor & outdoor range in patchwork style.

A big thank-you to Tahn Scoon from Tahn Scoon Living.

Coming Home

Even on the most fabulous holidays it's still nice to come home don't you think?

We have been away on a break last week but are back and ready to share some fabulous new fabrics and craft ideas over the coming months.

Happy Monday.

PS: 2nd photo is us on Hamilton Island last week, Whitsundays, Australia

Project Day; Fabulous Easy Curtains

This week we have created beautiful inexpensive curtains using our Shirting Fabric and Mini Pom Pom Trim.

 

What you need:

• Shirting Fabric (we used Poly Cotton Shirting Easy Iron in Mint Aqua and White Stripe $4.99/m)
•  Pom Pom Trim (we used Mini Pom Pom Trim in Royal Blue $1.99/m)
• Matching cotton

Cut the Shirting to the length of your window allowing an extra 25cm for the hemming. Sew the side seams first then sew the Pom Pom Trim down one seam. Create a rod pocket at the top to allow for your curtain rod. Then hem the bottom. You will need an extra metre of the trim to use as your cord.

 

You can make these fabulous curtains for under $25 a drop.

 

 

Have a great Weekend.

 

We love Amy Butler....

We carry a great selection of Amy Butler's beautiful fabrics.
Try a selection of co-ordinating colours or mix it up a little....

From left to right
A Midwest Modern Ripple Stripe in Orange $19.99/m
Love Paisley Blush $19.99/m
Love Bali Gate Lime Twill $29.99/m


Happy Monday

 

Project Day; French Style T-Shirt

 

For this Project you need a plain white t-shirt, our 15mm Red Ric Rac 1.60/m and a french style ribbon (we used our Gingham Ribbon in Black $1.10/m).

Firstly cut your Ric Rac into 4 x 16cm lengths (this will alter depending on the t-shirt size). Once you have them in place simply sew them on.
Tie your bow and attach the same way.

This is a simple but very effective way to decorate a plain
t-shirt.
 

Have a great Weekend.....