New Rhinestone Buckle and Flatback Styles!
I am really excited about these new styles. Click here to see the rhinestone buckles, newest products first. And here to see embellishments other than buckles, newest products first. The rhinestone peace sign and rhinestone fleur-de-lis are available with and without a buckle on the back, for tying or for attaching with glue.

As a less-expensive option, there are a couple of styles with glass rather than czech crystal stones. The type of stone is important and I am careful to accurately describe the stone as czech crystal (the best -- which the vast majority of our products are), glass or acrylic. These glass-stoned buckles are excellent quality - very sparkly and clear, not cloudy like acrylic or plastic.

In the photo at left, the 1" buckle is glass and the 7/8" one is czech crystal. As you can see they both look great but crystal has richer color.

Crystal is always the preferred material but I am always experimenting to see what works best for our customers.

Check out the new embellishments for floral decorations and other crafts (see pics above). Right now these are in limited quantities but if customer reaction is positive, we will bring more in -- your feedback is welcome!

These new items include beaded wire, rhinestone floral pins and sprays, and more.

Please note the following times when there will be no shipments going out:

We will be will be closed August 11-15. Orders placed by 2PM CDT on Tuesday, August 10 will go out, then shipping resumes on Monday, August 16.

We will also be closed September 13-September 22. Orders received before 2PM CDT on Friday, September 10 will go out, then shipments will resume Thursday, September 23.

New local phone number... moving almost done!
And I have a new local phone number! The 866 number might have a glitch in the next few days as it gets re-routed to the new number. So if you can't get through on one, please try the other. I do check emails more often anyway.

Til midnight, June 1, you can still get 30% off your fabric order of $100 or more. There is still some fabric but it's in pre-cut pieces and small rolls - the new place doesn't have a cutting table. But everything is marked down at least 25% if not much more. Plus there is still free shipping in the continental USA for orders over $75.

You can still find some of your favorites like stretch knit lining assortments, skull knit fabric assortments, and even some rayon jersey fabric.

Your favorite trims including 6" wide stretch lace are still here, as well as eyelet tape, bra straps, elastics and lots of metal and rhinestone trims. So be sure to keep us in mind for your trimming needs, as new things are being added all the time!

Like trendy cinch belt buckles... now in 3 sizes.

More new stuff is coming soon! If you have not already subscribed to the email newsletter or joined our Facebook page, that is the best way to find out what is new (more info on our "contact" page).

I am really looking forward to getting back to a more normal routine in the new place, starting Tuesday after the holiday. It's right in the middle of all the action in Van Alstyne, a quaint little town North of McKinney. Visitors are encouraged and welcome - Loretta the Official Greeter loves company,

Since it's within walking distance of homemade pie, and many other great restaurants, my husband pointed out how fortunate it is that there is a nutritionist in the same building. So that she can tell me that my problem is: "You eat too much pie. And fried pickles is not a vegetable."

Almost everything -- all fabric anyway -- must go....
After six years of selling fabric and trim, I am eliminating the fabric part of the business in order to free up more time for other things. Therefore, all fabric and most notions are on sale.

Although I have enjoyed sourcing and sharing a unique selection of knit fabrics over the years, fabric is very labor and space-intensive.  I am moving into a nicer space, focusing on my ever-growing internet marketing clients while maintaining a focused e-commerce store focused on trims.

What's changing:

• We will no longer carry fabric or fabric-related notions.
• Part of our trim business is expanding, particularly in the rhinestone category. Watch for an all new shopping experience in a couple of months!
• Most by-the-yard trims (other than rhinestones) will be discontinued.
• Local phone number and address - coming soon.

What's not changing:

• For the time being our email address, website and toll-free number.
• The service excellence you have come to expect.
• Most by-the-piece and by-the-roll trims are staying in the product line.
• Free shipping.

All sale items are in the SALE category but now that it's so large, you might just want to browse the regular categories you are interested in.

As we close out fabrics, please understand that we cannot supply swatches or do fractional yards. All fabric sales are final, except in cases of damage or wrong item shipped.

Also, if there is anything you would like in bulk (10 yards or more per style for fabric, 25 yards or more per style/color for trims) if there is not already a bulk discount on the website please feel free to contact me for special pricing.

It's been a blessing and a pleasure working with so many great and creative sewers over the years. I hope that you all will continue to utilize us for your trim needs.

May 15: Join us in person for a community yard sale and our Spring Clearance sale!
It is that time again for Westminster to have a community yard sale on the "square."  I am going to take the opportunity to open up the shop and do some serious Spring Cleaning.

There will be $1 and $2 fabrics and lots of interesting odds and ends. Virtually everything in the store will be on sale.

So, whether you want to check out the "Junque" being sold by many of our neighbors, get some great deals on fabric, trim and notions or just see the fabric in person while enjoying a nice drive, please come by!  Since my husband is going to get fussy pretty quick, I expect to be open only til 1PM or so, depending on the traffic.

Bring the hubby and park him at Big Slick's across the street for a beer & burger while you shop! If it is a nice day, there will be a gorgeous selection of Harleys parked outside.


COMMUNITY YARD SALE and Lucysfabrics Spring Clearance Sale!


WHEN: Saturday, May 15 from 8 AM til 1 PM (maybe later depending on the traffic)

If there is inclement weather, the yard sale will probably not happen but we will be selling INSIDE.

We are in "downtown" Westminster, easily accessible from 5 or 121.  Follow the signs to Westminster, in far North Collin County (on the Grayson County border). That's 1 hour north of Dallas, and 15 min. NE of McKinney. GPS navigation is accurate to the shop.

Lucysfabrics.com
103 S. College St.
Anna, Texas 75409

Read on for more directions.

All lining fabric is 30% off!


It's hard to find good knit /stretch lining fabric. I am happy to say that we have three kinds:


1) 70D or 70 denier polyester lining. This is your most basic lining, best suited for fashion knits, when you need some modesty. It's great under lace tops, or even under non-stretch fabrics such as with a chiffon or crepe skirt. Manufacturers usually just serge the hem since it does not fray. There is a little mechanical stretch, mostly along the width. It's *not* stretchy like 4-way stretch tricot, swim or dance fabric. This is used in RTW all the time because it's inexpensive and durable. I have a knit dress from Max Studio that has slighly poofy sleeves -- they only lined the sleeves with this to give the sleeves more body. Pretty clever.  People in warm climates may find it hot, however. 


2) Helenca / Helanca Nylon lining.  Helenca Lining for swimsuits, dance, activewear, or to line stretch tops.  My friend who makes hot Yoga wear clued me in on this. It's very stretchy, soft and breatheable, and has a meshy texture. It's not slick. My friend doubles it in the mens' yoga shorts, for obvious reasons. It's very light, so it won't drag down the garment.  The downside is that it can be delicate and hard to handle.


3) Whisper Nylon-Lycra 4-way stretch lining. This is a lovely, silky and cool fabric that is good for lining for or the self of bras, panties and slips. For a lining, this is heavier than it feels (it's 6 oz. per square yard) so use it only for very lightweight fabrics or the entire garment will be too heavy and it will bag. The downside is the cost and weight (because it has lycra).  Now we have dyed-to-match 5 7/8" stretch lace to match in Ivory and Nude, in addition to several other wide lace and narrow lace trim in black and white.


Hopefully this will encourage everyone to go ahead and try a new lining or two. Enjoy and let me know how it goes!

Save 30% on things that make sewing with knits easier and more fun!
The entire "notions" category is on sale for 30% off. You don't have to enter a coupon code - the discount will apply automatically when placed in your cart. The new price will be visible and the original price will be crossed out.

This sale includes YLI Wooly nylon thread, elastic, knit cuffs and bands, interfacing and more! Our notions selection is geared especially for the knit fabric enthusiast. Most products were suggested by customers just like you.  Supplies are very limited and the sale will go on only until Friday, May 1 midnight CST.

Limited to stock on-hand and not on special orders, and cannot be applied retroactively.

Also: Our Spring Clearance sale continues with all fleece on sale, including recycled cotton eco-fleece and all Thermal knit fabric.  The fleece sale has been extremely popular but a couple of pieces were hiding out, so there is still time to get in on it.


Check our our new bulk trims section.  Customers wanted an easy way to buy the things they use the most at a discount, so you will find wide lace by the roll, 100-pair bags of bra straps and much more.


Why getting Jerseylicious is a good thing for American fashion.
Jerseylicious, the new Style Network reality-TV show, is sending this Texas fashionista back to school.

I thought Texas women ruled the art of of big hair, bling and animal prints. Ladies of Houston, Dallas and Paris (Texas), we have officially lost the pink rhinestone-encrusted crown.  And I am addicted -- the unapologetically gaudy gals at this New Jersey salon are inspiring me, and they can inspire you too.

I have been buying textiles since 2003, and animal prints have never gone out of fashion for home or apparel. I guess they just make folks happy, even more so in blue or hot pink. There is nothing better for shoes, bags and scarves (though probably not all at the same time).

Cinch belts are one of the best accessory trends to come along in a while -- they can polish up a shapeless knit dress or boring skirt and top. I won't be wearing mine to the feed store, but since it hits the smallest part of my waist, it's slimming, which surprised me. You never know until you try one and see.

Along with the cinch belt, these ladies can work a knit dress. I can't tell you how many women have told me that once they left their 30's, they left knits behind as well. This is so not necessary, especially if you sew for yourself. The key to knits, such as matte jersey, is to skim, not hug the body, and to use gathers, ruching and empire waists to skip over hips and tummy. My biggest, loudest patterns are my best sellers because, as counterintuitive as it may seem, they are the most flattering.

I am past the age where it's a good idea to visit the tanning salon, so bronzer is my friend. Being Texan, it's difficult for me to use in moderation, but I do my best.

Jerseylicious, as well as RuPaul's Drag Race, and Be Good Johnny Weir, are inspiring because the stars use fashion to express themselves, holding nothing back.  The ladies at the Gatsby salon don't apologize for being curvy, for having hair that cannot be moved, or for their regional style.

I think far worse fashion crimes are committed by women who dress to hide their bodies (example: mom jeans and vests) than by women who are really out there.  We think our style is constrained by our size, age and budget. Not true. We are limited only by our insecurities and imaginations.

Contest Time! Win a Lucysfabrics.com gift certificate!
Patternreview.com is running the contest and we are providing the prize - a $50 or $25 gift certificate! But hurry - you have til March 15 to submit your entry.

Between March 1st and March 15th cut, sew and review a handbag of your choice and enter it in the contest.

1st Place -- determined by reader votes . $50 Gift Certificate from lucysfabrics.com
Random drawing -- from all eligible entries excluding 1st place winner $25 Gift certificate from lucysfabrics.com

Here are the rules as drafted by the Patternreview.com community:

1. A commercial pattern or self drafted pattern may be used. A pattern you've used previously may also be used, however the entry for this contest should be a different and new bag.
2. A lining is required
3. A closure of some sort is required ( snaps, magnetic snaps, flap with snaps, zippers, button and loop closure )
4. Use of interfacing to make it a structured bag is required. It can be a slouchy bag also, but interfacing is still required.
5. Purchased handles are allowed but purchased straps are not allowed.
6. Use of hardware is optional but is encouraged.
7. Grocery bags are not included in this contest.

There are more rules and guidelines -- read them all here.

Enter the contest now.

FTC says: Call Bamboo "Rayon," stop antimicrobial and eco-friendly manufacturing claims
The Federal Trade Commission of the United States has slapped several companies with product claims concerning bamboo-based textiles (read the press release here).

I am a fan of bamboo knit fabric, and buy it when I can find it at a reasonable price. Like most rayon knit fabrics, it's hand and drape gives a garment a higher-end look than cotton and it breathes better than polyester or nylon. From a crop standpoint, bamboo certainly has a sustainability advantage over other fibers because it grows quickly, without harsh chemicals.

However, according to the FTC, the soft and drapey bamboo textiles we are seeing in the stores should be called "rayon made from bamboo:"

The Federal Trade Commission has charged four sellers of clothing and other textile products with deceptively labeling and advertising these items as made of bamboo fiber, when they are made of rayon. The complaints also charge the companies with making false and unsubstantiated “green” claims that their clothing and textile products are manufactured using an environmentally friendly process, that they retain the natural antimicrobial properties of the bamboo plant, and that they are biodegradable....The proposed orders do allow the companies to describe their products as "rayon made from bamboo," as long as this is true and can be substantiated.

Hype and green-washing in the textile industry? Well, consider my bubble burst!

Modal is another rayon fabric that has some hype issues. I have been offered "modal" fabric from wholesalers (nice, but no better than regular rayon knit), and have seen "modal rayon" fabric being sold online for half of what I know the price should be. I buy genuine Modal knit fabric (a fiber licensed from Lenzing) directly from a domestic mill -- a mill a friend of mine has toured personally. And it's expensive for a reason. I have rolled out 40 yards of this fabric without finding a single flaw -- rare for knits, where sometimes I am lucky to get 8-10 continuous perfect yards.

When we first started carrying Modal fabric a couple of years ago, Lenzing's printed marketing materials and website focused on "green" -- "Modal is sustainable because it is made from beech wood and uses fewer harsh chemicals." When I went to update our website with our new Modal stock, I noticed that Lenzing now emphasizes softness and color fastness and no green claims are to be found (even the color palette has changed from green to tan).  I therefore no longer include Modal under the eco-friendly fabric category in our store. This is such a huge shift that I suspect that Lenzing was asked by the EU or USA to remove the green claims from their marketing materials.

Unless I buy a fabric directly from a mill, as with our Modal and recycled cotton knits, or has a tag from a mill on it, I am wary about green or brand name claims.

Some textile salesman make used car salesman look like Mary Poppins.

Do you have a Facebook Page for your business?
Please let me know! I will add your page to the Lucysfabrics.com Facebook Page "Favorites" list, and hope that you will do the same.

You may be wondering, "What the heck is a Facebook Page?"  Since so many of our customers are also business owners, I like to share the occasional nerdy tip. So here it is:

A "Page" is like a profile, but on Facebook, "Profiles" are for People only! Pages are for businesses, TV shows, bands, artists, etc. Through your business Page, you can share photos, videos, tips, resources, and special offers with customers who are "Fans" of your business on Facebook. Fans may use the Page to share photos and other information with the business and with other fans.  Setting up a Page is free.

Pages can show support for other Pages. Example:  I want to add ApronCity to Lucysfabrics.com's "Favorite Pages."

(at left) I click on "Add to my Page's Favorites." Since I manage more than one, it will ask me which Page I want to add it to. I select Lucysfabrics.com from the list then.....
Ta-daa! ApronCity appears on Lucysfabrics.com's list of "Favorite Pages." (at right)

So if your business or organization has a Page on Facebook, let me know and I will add it to this list. Then our Fans, who may have similar interests, will see your page when they visit ours. If you add Lucysfabrics.com to your Favorite Pages, you'll have to let me know so I can reciprocate, because Facebook doesn't notify Page owners when this happens.

Speaking of Fans.... you may be wondering how individual's "Profiles" interact with Pages? Simple: People become "Fans" of Pages.   So, if you (an individual, not a business) are not a fan already, when you go to a Page that you like, you will see the "Become a Fan" button (see below). Click on the "Fan" button: (please note: as of April, 2010, Facebook has changed the "Fan" terminology to "Like," which is very confusing.... more edits coming later....)
What happens when you are a Fan?  As a Fan of Lucysfabrics.com, you will get occasional stories in your news feed. Don't worry, I don't post about my dogs' upset tummies (I save that for my Profile!). But, I do try to share information that home sewers and independent designers will find useful.

Being a Fan of a Page is not the same as being a Friend of an individual. There is a privacy wall. If a Page has enough Fans for it to be anonymous, Page owners see aggregated demographic data.  However,  I can't see Fans' profiles, friends, photos, etc. (unless the owner has made this public - read about Facebook's privacy settings here). And, Fans can't see mine, because my personal Profile is set to allow only Friends to see my personal information. I can post to the Lucysfabrics.com Page as "Laura" and everyone can read it, but I can also post as "Lucysfabrics.com".

One final tip about Pages:   For some reason Facebook neither provides a way for Fans to message the page owner, nor does it notify the owner when a question or comment has been posted to the Page's Wall. So, I put our e-mail address and toll-free number on our Page. Facebook really needs to enable two-way messaging, since those who use personal Profiles are accustomed to this.

Still have questions? If you think a Page might be right for your business, read the help file on Facebook.

And by the way, the design division of Lucysfabrics is Sheep Boutique Internet Marketing. If you or someone you know needs help with a web presence, check us out.

How can I recycle textile products?
Since we sell recycled cotton fabric (made from cutting waste), twice in the last week people have called the office asking if we knew how regular folks could recycle garments too shabby to donate.

Some cities are adding textile products alongside paper, plastic and glass to curbside or drop-off recycling programs. So, my first suggestion is to contact City Hall. If your city does not offer textile recycling, contact your city council person -- chances are, citizens have simply never asked for it. The California Waste Management Board website says that in some communities, textile recycling has reduced collection costs up to 15-20%, yet only about 15% of textile materials are removed from the waste stream.

Since the larger national charities such as Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and St. Jude’s already have a process for selling their excess materials by weight to textile recyclers, the California Waste Management Board suggests that communities work with charities to collect and recycle textiles. Individuals, too can contact their local charities to see if they accept clothing that cannot be sold for recycling.

Other options: Natural fibers (i.e., 100% cotton, wool, flax, silk, linen) can be put into the compost bin. Many of my customers use their sewing talents to reconstruct old garments into new, trendy clothes and bags. And of course, we can always recycle like our grandmothers and use scraps for quilts or doll clothes.




Happy Thanksgiving to all of our wonderful customers!
It has been a blessing working with each and every one of you over the years! Have a safe and joyous Thanksgiving!

I wanted to share some information on holiday shipping with you.  If you have deadlines (whether shopping with us or elsewhere) for your business or for gift-giving bear in mind that the holidays cause delivery delays. UPS even suspends their Ground delivery guarantee from Dec. 11-Dec. 24 -- it's not unusual for our incoming deliveries to take some unexpected detours enroute to Texas during this time. International packages may take an unusually long time to clear customs. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
 Holiday Shipping & Delivery Schedule for 2009:

• UPS is not delivering Friday, Nov. 27. All packages will take an extra day of transit time.
• Dec. 24: UPS is delivering but no UPS Ground packages will go out. USPS packages will go out. All packages will take at least an extra day of transit time.
• Dec. 25: We will be Closed. Neither UPS or USPS delivers.
• Dec. 31: No UPS Ground pickups or deliveries. UPS packages will take at least 2 extra days and USPS will take at least 1 extra day.
• Jan 1: We will be Closed. Neither UPS or USPS delivers.

This is such a challenging time of year for our Postal Carriers and UPS drivers. I am very thankful for Shannon and Brad, without whom we would not be able to provide exceptional service to our customers.

Three Kinds of Polartec: Three Kinds of Cozy Goodness!
Our Polartec Power Stretch has been popular with customers who are "in the know" about this high-performance fabric. So, I wanted to explain how the three types of Polartec we offer are typically used and how to tell them apart. All three styles are the genuine article from Malden Mills, and are all available in black which is hard to find.

NEW: Lightweight Polartec. This is not Powerstretch -- it's fuzzy on both sides and has moderate stretch along the width only. This is great if you are hot-natured or live in a climate where the regular weight Polartec is just too hot. Lightweight Polartec is also great for base-layer, layering pieces, lightweight tops and pants, sleepwear and warm-ups. It weighs less than 5 oz. per square yard. This fabric was used in Patagonia's line.

Next is "regular-weight" Polartec Powerstretch. It has a knitted side and a fuzzy side, and keeps you warm without being bulky or heavy. The knit side is normally worn on the outside.  It has 4-way stretch and is often used for warm-up jackets and pants. It weighs 6 oz. per square yard.

Finally, our Heavyweight Polartec Powerstretch has been very popular for ice skating warmups and for people who live in colder climates. People are making garments for a fraction of what they would cost in the stores. Heavyweight Powerstretch also has a knitted side and a fuzzy side and the fuzzy side has a more of a nap. This style is a bit thicker and heavier than the 6 oz. Power Stretch style but it actually has more stretch. It weighs 7 oz. per square yard.

Polartec garments make great Holiday gifts for those hard-to-buy-for teens and men!

Do you have a sewing/craft blog? We would like to send you a $25 store credit.
I appreciate that lots of my customers are like me -- "sew nerdy" you keep a craft & sewing blog. Many of you have linked to lucysfabrics.com and I would like to thank you!   Problem is, I know you by your real name, not by your blog nom-de-plume, so I cannot tie the two together.

I am asking all of you bloggers who link to us -- please e-mail me with your real name & the email address you want to shop with (so I can issue you a $25 store credit), along with the URL that links to us. Send it to mail (-at-) lucysfabrics.com.

Your links will be listed here as well. 

Thanks!

So you need something to wear to a Halloween party?
...and I am not talking about costumes. Local fabric stores are full of costume fabrics right now, but what if you want to get into the spirit when a costume is not appropriate? If you are looking for inspiration, check out these new fabrics:

First, our luscious Pumpkin Modal. This modal-lycra fabric is super-soft and has gorgeous drape for sexy dresses and tops, tees and loungewear. If you want something warm to go with this spicy fall color, check out this recycled cotton fleece which has ginger and navy flecks on one side and solid navy on the other.

We have three knit fabrics with skull prints now. The black and white prints would make cute tees or corset tops. The pink and black skull print is a lightweight French Terry and would make a great hoodie.

For a dark yet fashionable look, try these two new rayon-lycra jerseys in purple and navy and teal and black. Not only do they feel great, but they have skinny lurex metallic stripes too!

You can add a little witchy touch to just about any design with some black mesh -- add mesh to a plain tee as sleeves, necklines and cut-outs, or sew it onto the bottom of a skirt. We have several kinds -- the fishnet kind has big open holes, power mesh has little holes and can be stretched tight, and glissenet has barely visible holes (like pantyhose). We have had a sudden uptick in sales of the neon lime green mesh, probably because it looks nifty with black and should glow under black light.

I hope that these suggestions have gotten you into the Halloween Spirit!



Pits and Fash fashion show and benefit in Sacramento!
It's a special occation when I can support both independent designers and Pit Bull dogs at the same time.  Lucy's Fabrics is a proud sponsor of the "Pits and Fash" Fashion and Trunk Show in Sacramento, CA. The fashion show features independent designers (of human clothing) and is aimed at raising money for the completion of "Beyond the Myth", an important documentary that looks into the truth behind Breed Specific Legislation.  The fashion show will also promote homeless pit bull dogs that are up for adoption through the Yolo SPCA.

The show is October 10th, 2009, at the RetroLodge at 1111 H Street, next to the Naked Lounge. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. I hope that my Sacramento-area customers can go and check it out  -- it looks like a blast!

I really wish I could go, but my beloved Lucy will be watching from the Bridge -- that is her picture on the goodie bag graphic. Here is an article about the event:
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=1263778

Notions make sewing with knit fabrics easier
I have met countless customers at shows who confess that sewing with knits scares them.  No doubt about it, sewing with knit fabrics is not the same as sewing with wovens.  If you mainly sew quilts or woven garments, you will need to add a few things to your toolbox before you get started.  Based on personal experience and customer recommendations, we've collected a nice assortment of notions that will make sewing with knit fabrics easier for newbies and experienced home sewers alike.


One of the problems with knits is that, although they don't ravel or fray, they can run or get needle holes. This problem is solved by using a new, sharp needle on each project and by using special pins for this purpose. Fortunately Schmetz makes a great line of needles specifically for stretch fabrics and Iris pins.

Another challenge with knit fabrics is that they can get away from you or sag. Design Plus Fusible Tape comes in white, black, bias, straight and double-sided versions and it is designed to solve this problem. My customers swear by it and it was featured in Threads Magazine. All you need is a steam iron - each package comes with detailed instructions. Use the straight version for hems, v-necks and straight seams and the bias version for curved necklines, armholes and curved seams.

You may have noticed some clear, rubbery stuff in the shoulder seam of your ready-to-wear knit tops and wondered where you can get it. That's clear elastic, and we carry it in 1/4" and 3/8" widths. It will keep seams from coming apart. You can also use it for ruching effects and crafts such as ponytail holders.

We have a new shipment in of knit cuffs for sweatshirts and coats. The Dritz ones are a little smaller and softer. The Lyle's cuffs are heavier-duty and come in more colors - these are good for men and boys too. We also have Lyle's matching banding for the bottom of a coat or for the waistband of pants.

I hope that these items will make sewing with knit fabrics easier and more fun! If you have a favorite time-saving notion for knit fabrics, please send it to me and I will do my best to stock it.

New way for International Customers to save shipping $$
I love our International customers, but the US Postal Service apparently doesn't love Lucy because they have raised international rates many times over the last two years.

In order to help our customers save money, Lucy's Fabrics has partnered with Bongo International, a freight forwarding service.  How it works:  1) You sign up a for a US address with Bongo - once you have it, you can use it with virtually any US retailer. 


2) We ship to Bongo's warehouse in the USA (FREE for orders over $75!) and Bongo ships to you.  That means that for orders over $75 you only pay Bongo's rates, plus duties assessed in your home country.

This is a great option for heavy, high value and time-sensitive shipments.  For your lighter-weight orders where time is not an issue, continuing to select USPS First Class or USPS Priority is probably your best option. However, Bongo offers more tracking -- we ship UPS to them and they ship DHL to you, while with the US Postal Service tracking is available only on the most expensive shipping method.

Our checkout system for international customers has not changed -- once you have the address from Bongo just plug that in as your shipping address. Or you can still choose USPS and ship directly.

I know it can be difficult to find good apparel fabric, so I hope that our customers find this useful.

Visit our international shipping page to read more and sign up with Bongo International. 

Huge Summer Sale! Cute knit prints for under $5
Fall has arrived in North Texas and everyone is giddy with excitement. So, lots of cute Summer cotton knit prints and swim fabric are now on sale -- supplies are very limited. Check out all sale items here.
I am thinking resort and cruisewear... enjoy!



Fall is here! Some favorite fabrics...
A nice chill is in the air here in North Texas, which is something we always look forward to. Here are some fun things for Fall.

I usually don't get faux fur because it's kind of a pain to handle, but this short-pile leopard is cute and versatile. The print is small enough to use for cuffs and collars, or for kids or dog clothes.

It goes with this chocolate brown solid fleece. I don't usually do fleece either because it's not fashionable, but this has a more high-end feel and would make a great little jacket.

People who have visited the shop have responded very well to these new matte jersey / microfiber prints - great for tops.


And now, orders over $100 get a free puppy! OK, just kidding. I just wanted to share this sweet picture of our little foster puppies. They are 12 week-old American Pit Bull Terriers and are from a massive cruelty bust. The county actually gave the Pit Bulls a chance, which is unusual. So, these two little girls are up for adoption! They have great personalities - their mama did a fine job. Nooooooooo we are not keeping them.

So you want to start a blog?

I have been doing websites since 1996, and each summer I challenge myself to learn something new. Summer is website time for me because it's too hot in Texas to go outside.

In March, I re-launched Lucysfabrics.com with a brand new e-commerce platform (the fourth, counting the old eBay store). At the time I didn't focus much on the graphics so I re-did them this week. I wish I got paid to download free fonts and brushes, because that is pretty much all I did in my spare time this month!

Then I decided to take on upgrading Texoma Bully Breed Outreach and re-doing those graphics also. Whoa! I have fallen head over heels in love with WordPress 2.8 and a new theme. I can't wait to apply what I learned on my personal site.

You don't have to go theme, font, and Photoshop brush crazy like I do to have a blog. The blog you are reading now uses Blogger, a Google product. This is by far the easiest to use. You never have to worry about upgrading software, and the set up process is basically just point and click. If you can use Microsoft Word, Blogger should be a snap. An advantage for business users is that your posts should begin showing up in Google search results almost immediately.

Blogger is free and is adequate for a personal or basic blog. I don't care for the image-handling or the design control Blogger offers, however. Another option is the free version of WordPress hosted by WP. I believe this will eliminate the need to upgrade but I can't speak to how much flexibility the free version has. My fully-featured WP software is included with my website hosting package, so it was essentially free but has no limitations.

If you want to have multiple authors, WordPress is a must. The free version allows up to 35 authors/editors. You can set different permission levels for individuals, and set posts and pages to draft or password protected. Your team members can edit the blog without messing up the code or design.

If anyone has questions about blogging, please feel free to ask me. I love to talk about nerdy things!

30% off Sale Extended through Monday
30% off sale extended through Monday August 3!
The "Sale" and Bottom-Weight knit fabric categories are an additional 30% off. And as always there is free shipping on orders of $75 or more in the Continental USA, so now is a good time to stock up for Fall.

The sale price does not show up until you add the item to your shopping cart and view the cart. The old price is crossed out and the new price shows, along with a message confirming that you saved 30%.

This means for example that the Rayon blend double knit is is now $8.05/yd instead of $11.50/yd. Customers love this fabric because it is easy to work with, is wrinkle-resistant, and can be machine-washed.

For more casual garments, check out the brushed jersey knit in several colors, which is made from pre-consumer recycled cotton. If the pattern requires just a little give and not spandex, it is good for tops, hoodies and lounge pants - a little like fleece but lighter. It is a good price at $6.25/yd. and even better at $4.38/yd.

And if you have not checked out the recycled cotton knit fabrics, do! Several of my art-to-wear and custom clothier customers are using it.


Two Trends: Pretty in Pink and Inspired by Nature
It was wonderful meeting so many of you at the American Sewing Guild National Conference. The best thing about doing shows is talking to customers about current trends. Here are a couple of trends or motifs to think about....

Pretty in PINK!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pink is always a favorite for folks who are sewing either for themselves or for daughters or granddaughters. Several of my customers make dresses for little dogs, and the smaller prints are particularly good for this. The prints below all happen to be cotton knits, and can be found here.

Inspired by Nature
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some folks escape from troubled times by sewing or wearing happy pink princess prints. Others seek out the peace and serenity of nature. Fashion has responded to this desire by offering realistic prints inspired by nature. Feathers, animal prints, koi fish, and realistic florals are very popular. Most of the below are cotton knit prints as well.These colorways and patterns could not be more different, but they are two sides of the same coin.

Most people are surprised when I tell them that I sell apparel fabric: "Nobody sews clothes anymore, do they?" Off-the-rack clothing today is so inexpensive it is virtually disposable. Although home sewers can save relative to specialty stores, cost is not why most people sew. Sewers spend time and money on their craft because it makes them feel good! Home sewers enjoy the process and the self-esteem they get from achieving a certain look, color and fit that cannot be found in stores.

Whether you are a Pink Princess or a Natural Woman, I hope that you find something to inspire you today.




So you want to sew a maxi dress
My husband and I spent much of the weekend at Honkytonk Fest, a music festival near our home. For some reason this part of far Northeast Texas is an incubator of great musicians. One of the singers pointed out that the crowd looked like "Hillbilly Woodstock." Maybe he was thinking like I was: Maxi Dress! Lots of women of all ages were wearing them, not just because they are cute but because it was over 100 degrees out. So it really did look a lot like Woodstock.

Many of my customers are making maxi dresses - here are some recommendations gleaned from their experiences.

A customer in Hawaii used several print and solid rayon-lycra jerseys and adapted Simplicity 3882. Rayon-Lycra jersey is very breatheable and drapey - perfect for the hot and humid weather of her home state. However, check the fabric descriptions - you might want to stick to 6 oz. per square yards or less, or it will be too hot.

Another customer chose a lightweight 100% cotton knit print and Burda 515B. This fabric does not have much stretch, since it has no spandex, but for a loose-fitting garment it will be fine. In fact these low-stretch 100% cotton knit fabrics (read our descriptions) will probably be OK for wovens patterns too. Just be sure to pre-shrink, probably more than once. Some of these cotton knit prints are a little on the sheer side, but again, if the print is busy and the fit is loose it should not be revealing.

Here are some other suggestions: Simplicty 2622, Simplicity 3803. Expect to use about 3 yards of fabric.

You may want to line the bodice - I recommend Whisper II lining or 70D poly lining. The former has cooler feel but is more stretchy and slippery. The latter is your basic lining (most RTW garments use it) and has only mechanical stretch. Or just use a solid leftover cotton knit fabric in your stash.

I think a maxi dress and a good outdoor music festival can help make the summer heat a little easier to bear. If you have any maxi dress experiences please share them with me!