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Halloween Card Crafts from J&O Fabric Store.

It’s Halloween, and the children are all dressed up in their hand-crafted, store bought or make-shift costumes waiting for the festivities of the day to begin. Perfect Peggy is practicing for the bobbing for apples contest that could win her first place and an extra bag of treats. Little Johnny is placing a ‘kick me’ sign on the back of loud mouthed Marvin’s cowboy vest in hopes to see some great responses from his classmates. And Simple Sally is all giggles as she juggles oranges in her Homey the Clown outfit.

Before the festivities begin, the teacher has all the children gather together to make holiday crafts. Today’s project is Halloween cards. A simple assignment involving poster board, glue, markers, crayons and an assortment of holiday fabric; these cards will make a great gift to bring home for family and friends.

To start, the teacher hands each student an 8½ x 11” sheet of manila poster board. This will be the foundation for the card. The poster board is folded in half to look like a blank card. In each card, the teacher has the student write their own personal message to their friend or loved one for the holiday.

Next, the teacher supplies the class with an assortment of colorfully printed Halloween and harvest fabrics to select for the cover of their cards. From funny monsters, haunted houses, and scary witches to flaming skulls, dancing ghouls and jak-o-lanterns, there is something for every kiddy bopper in the room. Big Betty finds a Betty Boop Halloween fabric that she says reminds her of herself, well, at least her name. While Gentle Jane nurtures her soft spot for cats with a black cat and pumpkin fabric.

With a good pair of children’s scissors and some Elmer’s Glue, the children cut and paste images from their fabric, and in some cases, the whole piece, right onto the poster board. The teacher encourages her students to let their imagination run wild as they combine different prints and designs into a collage fashion across the 8 x 5 ½” card cover. Some wrote “Happy Halloween” on the top half and placed their material on the bottom, while others cut out individual creatures of the night and created a spread of horror around their blank canvas to make unique works of art. At the end of the day, each child had a truly one-of-a-kind Halloween card masterpieces to bring home with them.

Check out our colorful harvest and nature fabric here!

Check out our selection of holiday fabrics here!

Phillies play the Brewers Today!: Game Time 3pm. Don't Forget your Phillies Fleece Blanket!

After winning the National League East Division title last Saturday night and beating out the Washington Nationals with a two-run home run by Lou Marson for a chance at the World Series Title, the Phillies pair up today with the Milwaukie Brewers in game one of the Division Series Playoffs. Both teams will try to end their respective droughts while the Dodgers and Cubs compete for the chance to move forward in the 3 out of 5 series. With a 3pm game time, ticket holders across the Tri-State region will be piling onto the highways and into Citizens Bank Park to show their support and “root-root-root” for their home team while co-workers and envious friends try to sneak a peak of the game and listen in on discreet work radios for the latest inning news. Whether you are one of the lucky ones or one of the ‘rest of them’ who will be cheering from in front of the tube, make sure you do it in style with the hottest Phillies fabric crafts. From warm throws and comfy seat cushions to fashionable outerwear and funky gloves, your FANtastic Phillies fabric is only a click away. Just stop by J&O fabrics and order yours today!

Check out our Phillies fleece fabric here!

Back To School with Fabric Book Cover Crafts.

With the lazy, hazy days of summer slowly coming to an end, and the colorful display of autumn only a few weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about school again. From shopping for school supplies to shopping for the latest fall fashions, the back-to-school ritual can be found in kindergarten classrooms and college dorms across America as students young and old stock up on the trendiest folders and backpacks, and the hottest jeans and sneakers.

Over the years, some things change while others stay the same. One of the most nostalgic age old traditions is the covering of the school books. Back in the day, it was done with paper bags. Then as manufacturers got more creative, they came up with funky waxed paper coverings, designer print wrappings and even stretchy textile shells for those thick science books and boring English journals.

To jump on the bandwagon, we at J&O decided to take the art of book covering to the next creative level with the implementation of fabric. Not only can you make great clothing , upholstered furnishings and home crafts; but what fun you will also have garmenting your boring evergreen lab books with hot pin up girls, fast race cars and cool retro prints. Add a little color here, a little design there, as your stack of much disliked studies turns into a much admired reflection of the many faces of you!

In just 10 simple steps, your cut novelty prints will turn into unique works of art that you will love. Not only will your professor approve, but your pockets will be happy too.

What you will need:

Brown paper bag or brown crafting paper

½ yard 45” fabric

Fabric spray adhesive, fabric glue or regular elmers glue

Scissors

Decorative trim (optional)

Fabric Book Cover Instructions:

Step one

Cut open your paper bag from top to bottom along one of the sides. Cut off the base so that you are left with a rectangular shaped paper that will serve as your shell.

Step two

Grab your book and place it in the center of the paper. Wrap the paper up across the bottom of the book and make a crease along the bottom cover. Do the same thing for the top of the book. Now take the book off the paper.

Step three

Fold the paper up at the bottom crease and down at the top crease. If you are using brown crafting paper, cut back the paper so that it extends no more than 3-4” from the top or bottom of the book.

Step four

Place the book back at the center of the paper and bring the left side of the paper shell/cover over the book and line it up with the right side of the paper cover. Fold the overlap around the front cover of the book and make a crease. Then insert the front cover of the book into the slot that is formed by the folded top and bottom sides of the shell. When your book slides all the way until it hits the crease, stop. Now do the same with the back cover.

Note: You really should not have more than 3” worth of shell covering around the perimeter of your book. If you do, then you might want to cut back some.

Step five

Once a firm fit has been established, take the book out of the shell and put it aside for the moment.

Step six

Take your shell and unfold the sides again.

Step seven

Now lay your piece of fabric flat and place the shell on top of it.

Cut the fabric out to fit the shell. Leave about 1” around the perimeter for give when folding.

Step nine

With your selected adhesive, affix the back of your fabric to the paper shell and allow to dry

Step ten

Once secured, fold the shell securely in the same manner as you did originally, and slide book into slots again.

These simple handcrafted book covers are not only easy to make, but are also inexpensive too. With just a little bit of money and a half a yard of fabric, your classmates will know you're a fan of Scooby Doo and football in no time.From young to old, fabric book covers are a unique and great way to personalize and protect your cherished, or not so cherished literary works.

Check out our great novelty fabric here!
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Posts by J&O Fabrics Store

J&O Fabrics Walks the Red Carpet at the 2008 Emmy Awards!

Sunday night, The Emmy’s celebrated their 60^th year with their annual Prime Time Awards Ceremony on ABC television. Presented in recognition of excellence in American prime time television programming, the Emmy’s were established as part of an image-building and public relations opportunity that soon became not only a highly anticipated and time honored event, but also a gossip and fashion columnists heaven, as the who’s who of evening tube viewing stepped onto the red carpet in colors that popped, cuts that dropped, and styles that rocked.

This year’s awards Ceremony was no different. Actresses still modeled the latest fashion designer originals, while actors donned custom fitted suits and off beat ensembles to the delight of fans everywhere.

The color this year….Canary Yellow!

The fabric…..Charmeuse!

The style….HOT!

Not only did the sun shine brightly upon these already talented muses of art, but add to the spotlight a splash of yellow, and you got yourself a nominee destined for the winged statuette and a place among the stars.

From beautiful one-shouldered gowns draped sensually on the frames of both Marishka and Anastasia, to the elegant haltered cut and layered ruffles that played flirtatiously on Saffron and Teri, yellow never looked or felt so good!

Check out our vast selection of dress fabric here!

Check out our handsome selection of suiting fabric here!

Angelina Ballerina Pirouettes Over to J&O!

After countless calls from loyal customers searching for the ever more popular Angelina Ballerina fabric, we are pleased to say….WE HAVE IT! Not only do we now stock the requested novelty cotton fabric for the hotter months, but we also have America’s favorite mouseling in fleece and flannel, just in time for the cooler months. Create fun summer pjs and loungewear and warm winter bedding sets and throws for your little girl. It’s never too early to plan for Christmas gifts either. Even little Hannah’s ballet classes will be a bit more exciting with an Angelina Ballerina slipper bag or trimmed tutu.

The highly watched daily PBS television program is based on the very popular book series written by Katherine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig. Based on the authors own experiences as a mother and educator, each episode seems to find Angelina in sticky and challenging situations reflective of those most children experience along their journey. But no matter the obstacle, Angelina finds a solution to the problem and in a comical and creative way, sets things right again.

Within Angelina’s community, lie friends, mentors, guardians and even adversaries that play a role in her life. From her hero and mentor Ms. Lily, who teaches Angelina how to live life to its fullest, to Mrs. Hodgepodge, who is so unhappy with her own life, that she can’t stand to see others enjoying theirs; Angelina learns valuable lessons and most of all, how to be true to herself along the way.

Check out our vast array of children's fabric here!

Check out our assortment of novelty fleece fabric here!

Check out our assorted selection of novelty children's flannel fabric her

Trick-or-Treat Halloween Tote Bags. Fun Fabric For All!

When we think about Halloween, thoughts of ghouls and goblins, witches and warlords, and trick-or-treaters often come to mind. This is the one night in October where all the freaks come out to grab some candy, frighten old ladies, and put enough fear in the hearts of the young and old to last a lifetime. In preparation for the festivities of the night, many gather together in a frenzy of orange and black to bob for apples, feed their faces with every sweet treat under the sun, and parade around town in fashionable hand-made Dora and Spiderman outfits in hopes to win 1^st place in the Kindergarten Costume contest. By sundown, these little kiddy boppers are wired up and ready to do some damage in their neighborhoods as they travel door to door in search of more goodies to fill their sugar craving vessels.

To help assist our little addicts with the packaging of all their treats, we put our creative minds together and came up with a simple craft project that is both festive and functional. It’s the Trick-or-Treater’s Halloween Tote Bag, and it is adorned with some of the best Halloween novelty fabric this side of the sun. Our cute little bag is a softer and more concealing one than the old school plastic hollow pumpkin containers used by those from my generation many moons ago. In fact, the Trick-or-Treater’s Halloween Tote Bag offers two sturdy straps (as opposed to the black plastic one from the day), a wide canvas pouch, and the freedom to customize its exterior to fit your child’s personal taste.

From haunted villages and flaming skulls, to funny monsters and creepy crawly’s, just the right print and design will give your child’s Trick-or Treat Halloween Tote bag a unique one-of-a-kind look that will surely stand out under the scary moon lit sky.

To start your Trick-or-Treater’s Halloween Tote Bag, the easiest way is to purchase a plain manila tote bag from your local craft store, dollar store, or online site. This first step is better suited for those who are either too busy to create a bag from scratch, don’t want to work that hard, or novices at the sewing game. Since we support the idea of the
least-amount-of-work-with-good-results-anyway idea, we encourage this method. The totes usually range in price from $1-$5 depending on the merchant. The size can range from small to large, so you might have to guestamate how generous your neighbors are with the treats to determine what size will be best for your little goblin or princess.

Next, select your special fright night fabric. Mix and match prints if you feel creative. The imagination is endless .A half a yard of 45” cotton fabric is all you should need to complete your project. If you want to be on the safe side to allow room for error, purchase a full yard. Whatever is left over, can surely be put to use in creative ways for the holiday festivities. Some of the best Halloween novelty prints can be found at J&O Fabric store. Pick from scary creatures to animated characters. They sky is the limit.

Cut two separate pieces of fabric to fit each side of the bag and glue or tape into place. Follow the directions on the labels for dry time and proper application. You can cover the whole side, cut out the images and glue them sporadically around, or just cut enough fabric to create a festive border on your tote. Use of a good pair of seamstress scissors or pinking sheers will allow for ease in cutting whichever design you decide on. Keep the handles bare or add ribbons and trim for thrills. If you want to get really creative, add gemstones or other Halloween notions where applicable to make your Trick-or-Treat Halloween bag truly
unique.

Check out our scary selection of Halloween fabric here!

Check out our colorful selection of harvest fabric here!

Check out our vast selection of other holiday fabric here!

Posts by J&O Fabrics Store

Philadelphia Eagles Fabric vs Dallas Cowboys Fabric Tonight! Monday Night Football!

Pro football fans will be watching from the stands, bar seats and living rooms as the Philadelphia Eagles take on the defending NFC East division –champion Dallas Cowboys in Dallas tonight, in their first real test of the season. And what better way to view this showdown than sitting pretty upon a hand crafted Eagle’s printed seat cushion under the warm setting sun at Texas Stadium, or nestled snuggly beneath a jumbo sized Cowboy’s fleece throw side by side with your trusty TiVo in the comfort of your air conditioned abode. Whichever way you catch the boys of the NFL, make J&O your one stop shop for all your pro football league material. From the Giants to the Redskins, from duck cloth to tailgate vinyl, from fleece outerwear to cotton skullies, great NFL fabric for your crafting pleasure is just a click away.We have just what you’re looking for to show your #1 team how much you love them!

Check out our great selection of NFL fabric here!

Check out our big selection of NBA fabric here!

Kick Off the 2008 NFL Season With J&O! NFL Fabric for all Football Fans!

September 4, 2008 marked the beginning of yet another NFL football season with the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants defeating the Washington Redskins 16-7 in the NFL Kickoff game at Giants Stadium. While fans from both teams packed the house in a sea of burgundy, gold, red, white and blue, crafters across America started placing their orders for cotton, duck cloth and fleece materials repping the names and logos of some of the country’s most loved teams in hopes to score big on a thriving market of football fanatics as they ride the wave all the way to Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Florida next February.

With so many prints and fabrics to choose from, fans should have no trouble finding just the right material for their beer and burger tailgate party spread. Lightweight polar fleeces adorned with Indian heads, ravens, bears or horseshoes make warm and cozy throws and outerwear for those brisk night games under the stars. Skull caps, baby quilts, seat cushions and even head rest covers crafted with the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders cotton fabrics are just a few of the items ‘true fans’ rock all year round in support of their #1 team. Then there are the unique, one-of-a-kind creations worn tightly against the body or loosely draped around game room windows that earn their designers a place on top of their team’s MVP (most valuable person) list.

However you choose to express yourself, whatever way it is released, “Believe in the Now” and have a little fun with the help of J&O. With yards and yards of your favorite team’s trademarked logo’s and prints at your fingertips, no gift is too small, no project to large . Just click the highlighted links to start your own road to glory right now!

Click here for all our NFL polar fleece fabric!

Click here for our full selection assorted college team fabric!

In Ode to Johnny Gruelle. Raggedy Ann and Andy Fabric.

For most, the brother and sister team of Raggedy Ann & Andy remain nostalgic memories of the innocence of American youth; two peach colored rag dolls with old fashioned patriotic colored outfits and a head full of red yarned hair. For some, images of Raggedy Ann & Andy remind them of the many adventures, mysteries and beautiful places that were found in between the pages of their famous books penned by Raggedy Ann creator himself Johnny Gruelle. And for some, Raggedy Ann alone stands out as a symbolic representation of the anti-vaccination movement in America during the late 1800’s.

History has it that writer Johnny Gruelle created his fictional Raggedy Ann character in 1915 when his daughter, Marcella, brought him an old hand-made rag doll that he drew a face on. He came up with the name for this crafted doll from a combination of book titles by poet James Whitcomb Riley and soon after, introduced his red yarn haired doll to the public as Raggedy Ann in the 1918 book ‘Raggedy Ann Stories’. Tragically, Johnny’s daughter died at the tender age of 13 following a non-consented school vaccination for smallpox. Gruelle became an opponent of the vaccination, and the Raggedy Ann doll was soon adopted as a symbol of the anti-vaccination movement as a result. Til this day, the battle between vaccination supporters and opponents continues as increased awareness of the risk factors surrounding immunizations comes to light.

Now, when you stumble across an antique Raggedy Ann or Andy doll, read one of Johnny Gruelle’s timeless Raggedy Ann adventure books or purchase a yard or two of Raggedy Ann & Andy novelty fabric, maybe it won’t just be nostalgic memories and an affinity for red heads that speaks to your heart. Maybe, just maybe it will be a reminder of children like little Marcella and the quest for more holistic way of living for all of us.

Check out our selection of children's fabric here!

Raggedy Ann Meets J&O Fabric Store!

I remember as a child, having a Raggedy Ann doll. I don’t quite remember where she came from, but she was about a foot or so tall, wore a red, white and blue girlie dress with a light white lace trim, and rocked that infamous mane of red yarned hair that she is still famous for today. She was soft and durable and quite the contortionist. Often times I would take her out of my wooden toy box only to stuff her quite snuggly in my old fish bowl that was two sizes too small just to see if her face would look bigger behind the glass. Other times, my sister and I would play tug-of-war with her to test her endurance and strength under extreme conditions. Despite my tough love approach, Raggedy Ann always kept an upbeat smile on her face and soon earned by respect for her tenacity and devotion to me….until Saturday April 28th, 1979.

It was a dark and dreary spring day and I was nervously watching my line up of horror shows, when one came on featuring a doll quite like mine. This doll had an owner about my age as well, who trusted and loved her doll with all her heart. But it seemed the sweet smile that this Raggedy Ann carried, was just a front. In fact, the Raggedy Ann in this movie was possessed by some evil spirit and would move at will without the hands of her owner controlling her. The idea that my lovable rag doll could fall suspect to that same demonic notion as I slept innocently in the night was simply uncomfortable to say the least. So without further adieu, I quickly picked up my cloth friend and handed her over to my mother for immediate deportation to the island of Goodwill. I don’t know how my Raggedy Ann finally met her demise, but hopefully she stayed out of trouble and went out like the trooper that she projected herself to be.

My love for her over the years always remained, and often times I thought about my red headed friend. Many early stories of her and her sidekick brother Andy told of adventures in magical places and the meeting of strange new faces. They even had an animated television series that ran from 1988-92 to mark their resurgence since her original debut in the 1918 book ‘Raggedy Ann Stories’ by creator Johnny Gruelle. Images and captions of the two have even been reprinted on fabric for die hard Raggedy Ann & Andy fans alike. From ‘Raggedy Ann & Andy with Toys’ to ‘Raggedy Ann & Andy with Puppies’, the cotton prints found at J&O Fabrics are the perfect novelty item for the young at heart.

P.S., If by chance anyone reading this has seen a cute little red headed doll with a ‘P.O.W’ tattoo on her arm and a broken left leg, that means my Raggedy is still alive. Take good care of her and tell her I said “HI!”


Check out our full selection of Raggedy Ann & Andy fabric here!

Check out our collection of children's fabric here!

Check out our fabulous novelty fabric here!

Halloween In Style With J&O Fabric Store!

Halloween for some is nothing more than a night of inconvenience as little snot nosed children from far and wide seem to flock to your door at the setting of the sun and beg for their fix of red 40, high fructose corn syrup , and of course, that powdered white stuff the FDA calls ‘sugar’. You know, the stuff that makes children’s heads spin and their mouths to run a mile in a minute flat. It’s the stuff that a junkies high is made of, and an addicts low craves for.

For others, Halloween is the night of frights where you are guaranteed a front row seat at a double feature showing of Michael Myers in Halloween, and then an all night viewing on your favorite sofa of Jason the comeback kid in Friday the 13^th Parts 1-10. For these individuals, Halloween goes hand in hand with devil worship, haunted houses and of course, heinous acts of terror.

For the rest of us, Halloween is all about the wildest, most creative and of course, most fashionable costumes! Out of all the “secular” holidays we Americans celebrate, this one gives us permission to dress as scandalous ladies of the night , impersonate police officers, and cast spells on arch enemies with the stroke of our magic wands, all without punishment or apology. And if we are lucky, the perfect hand made costume incorporating fabulous Halloween material from our local fabric store, can win us a few extra bucks in our pockets and the title of “Queen of the Costumes” for the night.

Maybe the ancient Gaels from the Celtic culture were on to something in their beliefs that on October 31^st, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead became dangerous for the living. Even then, it was a practice to wear masks and costumes in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them. Interesting. Maybe the religious festivities born out of various European Pagan traditions better known as All Saint’s Day, brought just the right amount of spiritual undertone and mystery to conjure up the battle between good and evil that Halloween has been notoriously known for. Or maybe, just maybe the imagery and hype surrounding Halloween is just an amalgamation of nearly a century of work from the American filmmakers and the FDA to create a demand in the consumer’s minds for the dark, the mysterious and all that CANDY!

Whatever the motivation to embrace this wickedly wild and spiritually festive event, one thing is for sure; it must be done in style. If you’re a trick or treater, carry the best bag to hold your goodies. If you are attending a costume party, make sure yours wins. And if you are joining the angels at the All Saint’s Day parade, wear the most colorful and festive outfit you can find. Hey, the freaks only come out once a year, why not join them!

Check out some of the coolest Halloween fabric on line right here!

Check out the hottest skull & cross bone fabric here!

Check out some colorful harvest fabric here!

Waffle Weaves & Lettuce Leaves.

Waffle weave fabric is a woven fabric with a recessed square pattern. The weave was given this name due to the raised edges around the recessed squares that give the fabric a breakfast waffle look. Waffle weave fabric is available in different weights from very fine to medium to coarse. The light weight waffle weave is often times used to make dish cloths, while the coarser waffle weave material makes plush towels and bathrobes. But for this article we are going to talk briefly about organic waffle weave cotton and the benefits of this fabric as it pertains to food preservation.

Did you know that organic cotton waffle weave is a great all-natural material that can be used for keeping greens fresh and wilt-free? It’s true. Keep your salad greens crisper longer without wilting, browning or sliminess by wrapping your freshly bought produce in this highly absorbent yet soft fabric for perfect salads each time. The organic waffle weave fabric is made from 100% cotton fibers that are chemical and fragrance free. That means no pesticides, no dyes, and no artificial treatments or finishings. Make sure to wash the weave one or two times before the initial use to ensure that the fibers are softened enough so that they will have increased absorbency. Then just wash your greens thoroughly, wrap in your waffle weave fabric and place in the refrigerator. It’s just that easy. Your organic waffle weave fabric is also perfect for straining fruits, berries and beans too. Make sure to keep your organic waffle weave slightly damp so that it doesn’t suck all the moisture from your greens and clean your material every so often to keep it in good condition.

Now that you have yet another use for your waffle weave cotton, share it with others. Fresh organic salads in the summer never tasted better!

"Hey Boo-Boo!" Cartoon Fabric is To much Fun.

What do The Honeymooners, baseball star Yogi Berra and Yellowstone National Park have in common? If you guessed a large number of fans, you’re only half way right. The actual answer is Hanna-Barbera’s animated cartoon, ‘The Yogi Bear Show’. Created in 1958 as a supporting character in The Huckleberry Hound Show and given his own show in 1961, the personality and mannerisms of this fictional anthropomorphic bear with brown fur and a permanent hat & tie attire were crafted by the popular aforementioned names. The character of Ed Norton from the Honeymooners was said to be Yogi’s inspiration. Yogi’s name was given as an ode to famed Yogi Berra, and the fictional park that the episodes were centered around was named Jellystone Park, a takeoff on the famous Yellowstone.

Each half-hour episode was full of catchphrases, rhymes, and overestimated cleverness on Yogi’s part as this funny yet somewhat foolish bear teamed up with sidekick Boo Boo to outsmart ranger Smith for yet another episode of mischievous shenanigans. From Yogi Bear’s Big Break to the 3-part finally Yogi’s Birthday Party, the silly antics and comedic writing of partners William Hanna and Joseph Barbera kept us staying tuned for more.

Although though new episodes of the ‘Yogi Bear Show’ are long gone, remnants of his impact linger on. Thanks to his fan following, a line of recreational camp/parks bearing his name are still in operation across the US, celebrities such as Drew Carry have given life to his pencil sketched form through impressive impersonations, and J&O Fabrics has picked up a line of novelty print fabrics in celebration of the bear that was ‘smarter than the average bear’.

Check out our selection of Yogi Bear fabric here!

Check out our collection of selected cartoon fabric here!

Check out our selection of childrens fabric here!

Meet George Jetson at J&O.

What family lives in an adjustable columned house in a futuristic utopia full of sophisticated labor saving devices and elaborate robotic contraptions? If you said the ‘Flinstones’, put down that peace pipe and think a little harder. The answer is none other than the Jetsons; the 1960’s animated television series by Hannah Barbara that ran in syndication well into the 80’s. This half-hour family sitcom projecting contemporary American culture and lifestyle from another time period was one of the few cartoons that got us fantasizing of full course minute made dinners from the palate of the imagination and instant communication with hologram images of friends in faraway places.

Each Saturday morning, young children with impressionable and curious minds gathered their bowls of Life and Honey Combs and plopped down on their colorful bean bags to travel into the exciting yet predictable future where lead character George Jetson was almost guaranteed to either be promoted, demoted, fired or rehired by his boss Mr. Spacely at Spaceley’s Space Sprockets. Young rocket scientists watched in laughter as another one of the child character Elroy’s whimsical invention went up in smoke after robot maid Rosie accidentally tried to turn it on. Parents lingered in the background wondering if the designers of such a cartoon were really predicting the future or just creating a story line full of fictitious ideas and silly imaginings.

Whether we were fans or foes of this labor-challenged and happy go lucky family, one thing is for sure; if any of us could order, change, create or eliminate an object or idea with the push of a button, most of us would gladly jump at the opportunity. In fact, with the modern technologies that exist today, most of us already do.

THE FABULOUS FABRICS OF LIFE

Since I was able to spell my name, I have been drawing. I would sketch for hours, just disappearing into myself. Consumed by the look and feel of fabric, I would sketch images of women in clothing of my designs, right down to the microscopic details of their trim. From the recesses of my imagination, would come creations inspired by the world around me. I would absorb beauty from the swaying trees and the still flowers. I would soak in ideas from the sun and the rain. The simplicity and perfection of my ideal perspective uplifted and inspired me over and over again till I had created my own little world of splendor around me. Fire, water, earth, air and most of all LOVE, were the elemental canvas from which I drew upon and nurtured into each piece of art that would become the portfolio of my intimate relationship with fabric, fashion and mother earth.

Today, as I look around at all the various bolts of material that surround me here in between the walls of J&O, I am touched by the unique characteristics that each textile possesses. From the raw and rough texture of burlap, to the soft and sensuous feel of suede cloth, these beautiful fabrics are symbolic reflections of life itself. To look upon the pictorial scene of a seashore tapestry or follow the intricate embroidery of a silk brocade and not appreciate the creative imagination at work is almost a sin.

So I will gladly take these inspirations and shape them into the masterpieces of my own making for all the world to see. I will express the uniqueness that is me, and smile quietly at my expressions made manifest for they are simply reflections of the most High herself. And I will graciously invite you to do the same.

Check out our beautiful selection of dress fabric here!

Check out our fun selection of novelty fabric here!

Check out our elegant selection of upholstery fabric here!

Check out our scenic selection of tapestry fabric here!

Check out our great selection of cultural fabric here!

Trim By Trim

This article is for all my penny pinching, frugal living, creatively resourceful yet sometimes lazy, financially challenged but can make lemonade out of lemons folks who are looking to add a little spice to those boring and out dated curtains, pillows and home accent pieces taking up residence in the comfort of your home.

Contrary to what you may have heard, in just a few simple steps, you can create great custom designed home furnishings without breaking bank or a sweat. All you need is a little imagination, a little patience and some trimmings and viola! pretty curtains, fun pillows, an elegant bedspread….all simply hand-crafted by you.

Here at J&O we carry a large selection of tassels, tie backs, rosettes, gimp braid, tassel fringes, onion fringes, and decorative cords in an assortment of colors and sizes to meet your crafting needs and give your interior accent pieces and window dressings the facelift you are looking for. Why spend almost $50 when with a little hot glue, needle and thread or adhesive spray, you can turn those plain purple pillows into exotic eastern inspired creations for just a few bucks. A 7/16” decorative cording in Midnight Meadow here, a 4” Tassel Fringe in Holiday Splendor there…Martha Stewart watch out! Here we come.

Whether you are revamping an item for yourself or someone else, it’s amazing how much difference the right trim can make in not only the look of the item, but its worth as well. That 1970’s set of old pale blue polyester drapes you got on sale from Gimbels can now be that set of beaded vintage drapes with a modern flair that have your children calling you ‘cool’ and interior design fashionistas wanting to know just ‘Where did you get those?!’

Whatever your personal style, whatever your personal taste, make your home your canvas in which to create works of art that are as unique and original as you; one trim at a time.

Easy Craft "Tee-Bag's" What to do with an old T-Shirt

Have you ever wondered what to do with all those t shirts found in storage chests, laundry baskets, in the bottom of dresser drawers or behind your children’s beds? I am talking about the ones that no longer fit right, look right, or feel right anymore. The ones too unattractive to keep for lounging around in, and too nice to shred up into dust rags for your Saturday house chores. They are the ones your father-in law brought home from his Domino Tournament last year as a souvenir of his triumphant win. They are those boring corporate shirts with fancy logo’s your boss gave you for Christmas instead of that long awaited raise….year after year. These are the tees that we could do without, until now.

Below is a step by step guide to creating wonderfully creative and useful bags out of recycled tee shirts. It’s a way to help save the planet, give back to mother earth, salvage sentimental clothing, and have fun while doing it. We call these crafty carriers ‘Tee-Bags’ and welcome you to try your hand at one of your own. All you will need is a few items to get started and a little bit of creativity & time to create your masterpiece. Customize one for yourself, your friends or your loved ones in just a few simple steps.

Select an jersey tee shirt from your pile that is in good condition. Small, Medium, or XXL will do. Whatever size works for you.

Step 2

With a pair of sharp fabric scissors, cut off the sleeves. You can use the arm seams as a guide. These will become your handles. Now cut out the collar. By doing this, you will create a wider opening in what will soon be the opening of your tee-bag. If you want or require a larger opening then cut the neckline a little wider.

Step 3

Step 4

While your Tee-Bag is still turned inside out, hem the cut out arm holes (now handles) and neckline (now bag opening). This is an extra step, but by doing so, you create a more refined and ravel-free bag.

Step 5

If you have a design, logo or print on your Tee-Bag already, then all you might want to do is press it to give it a new look. If you are creating from a solid color tee, then this is your opportunity to customize it for that special someone or create a work of art just for yourself. Use colorful trims, notions, beads, patches, fabric paint, ribbons or whatever else inspires you. Just make it your own.

Mod Squad Funky Retro Blue VW Van. Groovy Fabric Makeover!

What is it about a 1960’s series Volkswagen bus that makes thoughts of ‘love, peace and happiness’ come to mind? Why do we secretly search for some all telling bumper sticker to reveal whether the driver has ‘been there’ and celebrated along with thousands of others, the infamous Summer of 69’event that reshaped music and society forever? And where, oh where did the long haired man behind the wheel of that royal blue baby get those awesome retro window dressings?

Questions like these are likely to bear a multitude of responses and conjure up a plethora more of nostalgic memories and stories that take us back to an era where we were our brothers keepers, liberation was the key and love was the new revolution. This baby boomer generation had something to say and found healing in the release. From their creative mouths came meaningful songs of unity and freedom. From the deep recesses of their idealistic minds came powerful written works, and from their crafty hands came unimaginable ART.

When one of our customers sent us an email showcasing makeover pics of his treasured good as new 1960’s VW caravan on wheels, the first thing that came to our mind was…”cool”! Cool as in creative, cool as in crafty, cool as in Mod-squad-funky-retro-psychedelic-how-can-I-get-some-for-the-interior upholstery-of-my-1969-yellow-VW-Baja-Bug-cool. When I found out that he searched online and found it on our very own website http://www.jofabrics.com/ , I had to go into our vast warehouse of fabrics and check it out for myself. I was delighted to not only find this abstract swirl of heaven, but yards and yards of fun, eclectic and colorful novelty cottons, decorative prints, and fashionable upholstery just waiting to bring some love & life back into this little car of mine.

Now I’m not saying that everybody who lived and survived the 1960’s era chooses willingly or unwillingly to carry a lifelong ‘hippy’ membership card and the desire to create as they please, but if they could all hold on to the beautiful piece of free-love-expression that was found there, then maybe the world would be a better place. And maybe we would see more cool looking crafty cars like the one J&O Fabrics helped to decorate…..with LOVE!

From 'Railroad' to 'Repeat'. The Real Way to Figure out How Many Yards of Fabric You Need.

For most professionals who have been in the fabric and upholstery business for a number of years, the terms ‘railroaded’ and ‘repeat’ are as common as a materials’ ‘look’ and ‘feel’. But for the novice, these words can have us frantically searching our fabric dictionaries and web resources looking for a quick description that could save our pockets from unnecessary spending and the purchase of excess yardage.

The term ‘railroaded’ is in reference to the layout of a fabric on a piece of furniture in relation to the way it is woven at the fabric mill. It also refers to the direction of the pattern or the nap of the fabric. All fabric is either railroaded or not railroaded if it has a nap or pattern. Normally the pattern or nap on the fabric goes from side to side of the roll rather than up it. This allows you to upholster a sofa or piece of furniture in one piece instead of risking the prospect of creating a seam along the span. Sometimes it is more efficient to cut fabric that is railroaded even if you don’t have a large span because the pattern may be difficult to match. Design and repeat will have to be considered as well.

With most solids and velors you don’t have to worry about whether or not it is railroaded because they don’t have a pattern or print. With geometrics and retro’s you can have it situated regular or railroaded. With stripes, if you want to create consistency and balance, special attention needs to be paid to the direction they are going in. When stripes have different widths, they are considered to be either balanced or unbalanced. A balanced stripe is a stripe with the same type of stripe on each side. If you cut the fabric across the stripe, it would line up with the other end. An unbalanced stripe is a stripe that does not have the same stripe on each side. When cutting across this kind of stripe, the only way it will line up is if it is put back at the point at which it was cut. When working with chenille’s and velvets, you will find that a lot of them already come railroaded, making it easier for upholstery projects.

Another very important term to learn and understand is the ‘repeat’ of a fabric. The fabric repeat refers to the distance between one image or pattern and its repeated image or pattern. Most prints carry a vertical and horizontal repeat, but it is the vertical repeat that is most consistent across the length of the fabric. For this reason, it is the most important measurement when planning an upholstery, window treatment, or garment project. Repeats usually come in increments of 3” (3”, 6”, 9”, 12” etc). For smaller projects like ties and children’s clothing, a smaller repeat is recommended so that the images can be seen in full. Larger repeats are best suited for larger upholstery and bedding projects.

Having a basic understanding of these two common fabrication terms will save you a lot of time, money and aggravation on your next shopping trip. And in case this article was a little too long winded for you, here are two easy tips that will help you remember each one.

RAILROADED= print stands UPRIGHT across LENGTH of fabric like on SOFAS

NON-RAILROADED= print stands UPRIGHT across WIDTH of fabric like on DRAPES

VERTICAL repeat = runs LENGTH of fabric

HORIZONTAL repeat = runs from SALVAGE to SALVAGE

Check out our upholstery fabric here!

Check out our tapestry fabric here!

Check out our selection of decorative fabric here!

The Art of Seduction! Bringing Sexy Fabric Back!

Pin-up girls are celebrities, fashion models, sex symbols or actresses who’s beauty, charm and sexual appeal capture the attention of society’s pop culture in such a way as to cause mouths to drool and eyes to pop at the mere sight of their perfectly posed bodies across laminated posters and magazine spreads. Gaining popularity in the 1930’s, each era has seen a handful of these iconic beauty’s come and go…and in some cases, mystically come back again in the forms of clones so identical in look and attitude that it’s almost scary. Like the 1950’s voluptuous sex siren movie star Marilyn Monroe and the 90’s troubled millionaire widow Anna Nicole Smith, who’s respective journey’s to stardom and fame were both filled with rumors of scandal, drugs, passion and pain. Even the petite dark haired 1950’s pin-up Bettie Page who carried her legacy on camera well into the 1990’s met with her younger reflection found in the doll like face of fellow newcomer Bernie Dexter.

There are countless other legendary pin-up gals like 1930’s flapper Josephine Baker, 1940’s songstress Lena Horne, and 1950's Betty Page. Then there are those unforgettable modern day women like 1960’s vixen Raquel Welch, “10” star Bo Derek , 1980’s Sports Illustrated model Kim Alexis, 1990’s burlesque performer Dita Von Teese and ‘Baywatch’ beauty Pamela Anderson who’s curves and sensuality have landed them a place in the hearts of men young and old. Last but not least, the icon Betty Grable. She was one of the most popular early pin-up girls of all time. With a girl-next-door innocence and devilish smile, she called for your attention. And she got it. During World War II, her poster was ubiquitous in the lockers of homesick G.I.’s overseas. For them, she symbolized the American dream and became a heroin to their long and lonely nights.

Mass produced photos of these vintage and modern day ‘cheesecakes’ can often be found in magazines, postcards, calendars and on novelty items. For these pretty ladies were definitely ...” better than cheesecake.”

By the 1960’s the classic ‘painted’ pin up started drowning in the sea of the adult film and publication industry that promoted sex, sex and more sex. Paintings of attractive women became more realistic and explicit. Photos of fem fatals in cute yellow polka dotted bikinis were replaced by artificially enhanced g-string wearing women leaving little to the imagination. The concept of ‘sexy’ became more of a ‘flesh’ thing than an attitude, and slowly this wonderful American art form faded away.

But everything comes full circle. The classic pin-up girls and pin-up art are being rediscovered and introduced to new generations of people around the world. With the help of our fresh pin up faces and such notable fabric mills as Timeless Treasure and Alexander Henry, we are seeing a revamp of the glamour girl and classic re-prints on cottons that take us back to the days of “Happy Birthday Mr. President”, drive in movies and ‘flappers’.

With a nostalgic selection of holiday, Harley and Hawaii Aloha pin-up girl fabric to choose from, this wonderful American art form is again receiving the attention and popularity reminiscent of its 1930-1950 heyday. Here at J&O we welcome you to come take your time and find your own sweet lady that’s ....better than cheesecake!

Pimp Your Ride with J&O Fabric Store!

For many of us, our cars are not only our modes of transportation, they are also our ‘babies’ our ‘tried & true’s’, and our ‘can’t do with outs’. So it’s no surprise when we get calls from customers interested in doing customed reupholstering on their Hummers, Beamers, Cady’s and even RV’s. From sunburst yellow vinyl’s to pretty in pink faux furs, the creative juices behind the showcased vehicles is something of an inspiration for interior designers and auto trim professionals alike.

So in ode to the 70 year old Detroit Sugar Daddy rollin’ in his 69’ Cadillac Eldorado, and the 25 year old California surfer turned detailer who has a fancy for convertibles of every make and model, we listed a few vital steps to take to help our novice customers in the reupholstering process.

Step One

Figure out your budget. A job like this can add up and dent your pockets pretty deep if you are not clear on your limits. Factor in costs such as fabric yardage, labor, poly foam cushioning and notions for a completed job.

Step Two

Decide who is going to do the reupholstering . Research car dealers, auto trimmers, detailers, and upholstery shops to see who has the most knowledge on the subject and the best pricing. If you are crafty enough, think about doing it yourself. It can save you time and money if you know what you are doing.

Step Three

Figure out what kind of material you want to use, which is best to use for your reupholstering project and most especially…how much you will need. 12 yards of vinyl that may work well as a covering for your seats will not always be the best for your headliner or flooring. For headliners, we carry a colorful assortment of lightweight suede cloths that adds a nice classy touch to any interior. Once you decide on the color and material, confirm with your upholsterer then check J&O Fabrics store for that perfect match.

Most fabric stores carry a selection of various prints, weights and textures to choose from. At J&O, we carry one of the largest in the world and can help you bring your dream car to life in the blink of an eye. If you are looking for glitz and glam, we have sparkling diamond jubilee vinyl. No Red Prada stiletto will go unnoticed when emerging from your metal framed world of silver ‘bling-bling’. If you are in the mood for something cool, we can supply you with enough material to create an ocean of blue within the four doors of your 2008 Chevy Impala to make it feel like you are cruising in a deep sea oasis….without the fish.

Whatever your fancy or fantasy, let J&O help bring them into fruition, one car at a time.

For some helpful do-it-yourself upholstery instructions, check out these informative sites:

For our selection of vinyl fabric click here!

For our assortment of upholstery fabric click here!

For our suede cloth fabric click here!

Remember the Days!

Remember the days of old when you could run into your local corner store and fill that little brown bag up with an array of colorfully assorted candies all for a quarter. When Swedish fish were found by the pound in your mouth instead of by the schools in their homeland lakes, and licorice shoe strings stayed wrapped around your tongue instead of around the laces in your favorite ‘bo-bo’ kicks. These were the days of hopscotch and jump rope, jacks and hide-and-go-seek; when little boys could catch cooties from little girls, and little girls could catch heartbreaks from kindergarten hunks. In the days of old, summers lasted forever and every summer rainstorm left a rainbow across the sky.

As we grew older we traded in our striped metal wheeled roller skates for car notes and our comfortable Osh-Kosh-B’gosh jeans for stiff overly expensive suits and round the clock work schedules. We let go of our dreams and held on to our fears, and somewhere along the way, we forgot how beautiful and fun life could be if we only just believed.

I have seen elders full of gray hair and wrinkles, licking away at mile high ice cream sundays on hot July afternoons with smiles as wide as the sea and eyes as sparkling as the stars. I have seen young adults in their 30’s with aged faces and worn out shoes, slaving over piles of bills in lifeless houses with frowns as deep as the ocean and eyes that have lost their shine. The only difference between the two is that one lost touch with the child inside, and the youthfulness that is life.

As we bear witness to the effects of a society obsessed with time and money, we are reminded how important it is to slow down and breathe; to jump and laugh and become like a child again for the preservation of ourselves and the undying spirits within.

Just for a moment go back to the age of innocence in your mind. Return to that corner store called LIFE and fill your own little brown bag up to the brim with all that is tasty and sweet, then savor each and every bite…..slowly.

At J&O Fabrics we have a great selection of candy and dessert that will have your mouth watering, all without the added calories! From sugar daddy’s and lollipops, to rich chocolate candies and sweet vanilla iced cupcakes, our fabrics are as tempting as they are tasty.

Route 66 Fabric: Celebrate the Romance and Freedom!

Some know it as ‘The Main Street of America’. Others refer to it affectionately as ‘The Mother Road’ or the ‘Wil Rogers Highway’. But what is it about this infamous Route 66 that has people knocking down the doors of J&O, scrambling for whatever yardage they can find, and jumping for joy once their package of cherished fabric has been received?

Tell me please.....what is it about this original federal U.S. route that inspired the 1946 song “Get your Kicks on Route 66”, which was written and composed by jazz performer Bobby Troup and later performed and made popular by a slue of musical artists such as Nat King Cole, Depeche Mode, Chuck Berry, Van Morrison and The Rolling Stones?

Maybe it’s the scenic views that inspired the nostalgic 1960’s TV show by the same name or the highway’s own mystical and romanticized reputation that has people singing its tune in the form of a sad country song and in between the pages of a good love novel. Even Kmart has a clothing brand in ode to the road.

Since the Dust Bowl of the 1930’s, Route 66 has served as a major transportation route for Americans traveling from the east to the west. Back then it was in the hopes of settling down, starting a trade and raising a family. In the 1950’s, it was the main highway for vacationers and tourists heading to LA. Today, it remains only partly intact as a symbol of the American-dreamer in all of us.

Originally spanning from Chicago through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California before ending up in Los Angeles, Route 66 ran for a total of 2,448 miles and passed through numerous small towns and beautiful landmarks such as the Painted Desert and the Grand Canyon. With the growing traffic on the highway, this slab of black gravel helped create the rise of mom & pop businesses like restaurants, service stations, teepee shaped motels, Indian curio shops and craft shacks alike. If a road could talk, one could only imagine the stories it would tell.

Although Route 66 was an easy number to remember, and pleasing to the ear as its originator had intended, it would become a treasured memory less than 30 years after the first bucket of tar had formed its borders. By 1956, with the signing of the Interstate Highway Act, President Dwight Eisenhower decommissioned the road and Interstate 40 took over the largest chunk.

While the original Route 66 may be gone, it is surely not forgotten. It can be found right here between the evergreen forests and sunny beaches of J&O. All you need is a bit of creativity, and this little piece of Americana can be your big piece of heaven.

Check out our route 66 fabric here!

Check out our route 66 tapestry fabric here!

Check out our full selection of novelty fabric here!

Make Your Summer a Lasting Memory with J&O!

With the lazy, hazy dayz of summer slowly approaching, thoughts of laid back days along exotic umbrella covered beaches, long Sunday drives in your drop top convertible, and majestic sunsets that never seem to end come to mind. But the one symbol of summer that has withstood the test of time as one of the most nostalgic memories of the season is the infamous back yard BBQ.

Whether you have been invited to one, hosted one or simply lived vicariously through someone else who has, visions of a quasi chef behind a veil of medium rare ribs and charcoal smoke, children dousing one another with mega water guns and infamous female clicks gossiping it up in their respective pockets around the yard are sure to transport you to Grandma Edna’s annual family gathering or Sammy Jr’s neighborhood block party and grill almost instantaneously.

From the fabulous beach side estates of Southern California to the graffiti filled roof tops of East Brooklyn, a BBQ is a BBQ. And while contests for the perfect rib sauce recipe will undoubtedly strike up debates across this competitive ego thriving country of ours, one thing is for certain, the ingredients for an awesome outdoor celebration of food and friends can be found between the various fabric filled pages of http://www.jofabrics.com/.

With just one yard, the designated cook for the day can step to the grill in style with a custom made apron carrying the perfect print with just enough pockets to hold their various cooking utensils. This first ingredient serves two purposes, as it not only looks good, but it protects the cook’s carefully selected BBQ attire from the inevitable grease and sauce stains that are sure to make their way to the closest fabric it can find. A vast selection of fun food prints and spirited novelty designs to fit an individuals unique taste are available right here at J&O.

Two yards of our cotton novelty print or vinyl fabric can be used to cover unsightly tabletops and wood rotted picnic tables while at the same time, providing a beautiful canvas for the splendid spread of food that will surely have partakers raving days later. From colorful floral designs and picturesque summer scenes to NFL and college team prints, nothing brings out the flavor of the season and creates a great conversation piece quite like a table dressing from J&O.

Finally, with just a few yards of our fabulous outdoor fabric, the perfect look & coverage for your outdated 1970’s patio furniture can be achieved. No more bright florescent flowers or yellow and black bumble bee stripes for you. With outdoor designer prints from John Wolf and Chris Stone, you will not only be the talk of the town for your incredible feast, but the envy of your neighbors, as you chill out poolside in fashionable style and flair.

Good food, good friends and good fabric, what more can one ask for . Make your summer BBQ a lasting memory for years to come with a little help from J&O!

Check out J&O's great novelty fabric here!

Check out our fabulous outdoor fabric here!