Need advice from those who sew

[Vishenka69]

What are some good websites to get fabric and do they do swatches? We ordered dinning room chairs that I want to reupholster but so far haven't found any fabric that matches the idea in my head. Same problem with placemats for new table, I don't think what I want actually exists, so I'm thinking of having them made.

Also how long would it take to make 8 2-sided placemats? When I shop around what would be a good price (most likely I'll be supplying the fabric)? I've also been shopping around for someone to make roman shades out of the material I have and the quotes have been around $100 per window. Is that reasonable?

[Ladybug]

fabric.com carries everything for lowest prices. Look under their home dec fabrics. I'm not sure if you can get swatches though. It's the downside of shopping online. Home decs are thicker and heavier than quilting weightfabrics and cost more. I love the fabrics at calico corner too, but they can get really pricey. Roman shades can cost $100 if you're looking at $30-40/yd fabrics. Is that just the cost they're charing you to make them (minus the fabric)? If you do find anything at Joann's that you like you can get 40-50% off of a single cut (total yardage needed) with a weekend coupon. I think most of their home decs are 30-50% off right now at Joann's.

I'll post some placemat patterns later this afternoon. I think I have two different patterns. They're easy rectangles to measure and cut. I think they have borders around them which if you're up for it gives a nice contrast.

Fun projects!

Also how long would it take to make 8 2-sided placemats? When I shop around what would be a good price (most likely I'll be supplying the fabric)? I've also been shopping around for someone to make roman shades out of the material I have and the quotes have been around $100 per window. Is that reasonable?

$100/window is very reasonable, IMO. Roman shades are a bugger to make (I don't sew much, but my MIL has made them for me in the past). You'd think it's just a big rectangle, but it has to be lined, all of the hooks/runners have to be attached (and lined up correctly) ... they're not as simple as they look. I've got 5 windows in my living room, and if I had someone willing to make them for $500, I'd pounce on it.

[Vishenka69]

Yes, $100 is with me providing the fabric, but them getting hooks and everything else plus labor. As for the placemats, I actually want oval or round ones. I've tried rectangular and they don't look right with my oval table.

I went to Joann's yesterday and there were some fabric that could work but nothing I was too crazy about.

Yes, $100 is with me providing the fabric, but them getting hooks and everything else plus labor. As for the placemats, I actually want oval or round ones. I've tried rectangular and they don't look right with my oval table.

You might try ordering 1/2 yards from fabric.com to see what you really like before making a big purchase. It's really hard to be sure of colors / density of pattern online. An upside of this is that after your first purchase they'll usually send a "10 or 20% off your next purchase" coupon, which you will use for your big purchase. Plus, they're on ebates, too.

I really do think $100 is a steal.

I wonder if I could get them to do mine ...

So here's my thoughts. You couldn't pay me $100 with fabric to do someone else's Roman shades. PTA. So, to me, that isn't too bad.

Fabric:

For high end home decor fabric I recommend Calico Corners. There is one in St. Louis and their fabrics are to die for. They are costly, but they are really professional. Also I think they'll do your window treatment for you. I'm sure it's pricy though.

http://www.calicocorners.com/

This site is quite popular due to the unusual fabric they have:

http://www.contemporarycloth.com/

I also like to check out Tonic Living for retro fabric. They carry lines others do not

http://tonicliving.com/index.asp

And another popular site for home decor looks boring, but they have good stuff:

http://www.denverfabrics.com/

Most/all of these places do swatches. If it doesn't say that they do, call and I'm sure you can get them to let you order some.

Oval placemants - buy them. You will have a horrible time getting them to come out even looking, not to mention hard to match up with the others. Curved sewing is for intermediate/advanced sewing. It takes a ton a practice, a good know how on fabric nap, and a ton of patience.

That's just my take though.

My current fav designers who have home decor weight fabric:

http://joeldewberry.com/

http://amybutlerdesign.com/products/

~ Most her fabric is quilting fabric but the new Love line has a nice selection of home decor. I did a duvet for Nellie out of the August Fields line and the solids in home decor weight fabric and found them to be of high quality.

$100 bucks is a steal!! To buy fabric, come to Portland Oregon! There is "Whole 9 yards", "Fabric Depot - country's largest fabric store" and "Mill End Store - vies for the title of country's largest fabric store.

Another online fabric store I have had good service from is Patternworks.

[DCJenn]

Don't forget that most online window treatment retailers also sell fabric by the yard- Smith and Noble do and I'm pretty sure that the other biggies do, too- I think Restoration Hardware and Country Curtains do, too. (country curtains is VERY country but they do have the occasional not from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie fabrics/window treatments)

Jenn

[Vishenka69]

Thanks for all those sites. Haven't had much time to troll the internet lately, but will definitely check them out.

Julie, I haven't seen oval placemats anywhere in retail. I was going to see if whoever ends up doing my windows would do them.

I have some oval placemats made out of that fabric they use in the summer and for outdoor placemats, feels grassy almost. I have no clue what the stuff is called. Otherwise, I've only seen them here and there. I'm sure someone will do them for you.