Currency

Customer Catwalk

Welcome to our brand new feature: Fabworks Customer Catwalk - a place where you can share and view garments made using our fabrics.

Each month we will add a select few pieces to the Customer Catwalk. If your garment is selected we'll thank you in the form of Fabworks Online treats! The Customer Catwalk is a great place to show off your work, share ideas and incentivise others to enjoy sewing with beautiful fabrics!

Got a great make and think we need to see it? Send it now to customercatwalk@fabworksonline.co.uk and your garments might get featured on this page! You'd better make sure it's a cracking photo - poses, smiles and clear photos only, please.

Along with your photos, don't forget to include the garment name and pattern (if possible) along with a couple of sentences about it and any interesting details, such as; why you chose a particular fabric/style of garment, whether it turned out as you expected, how did the fabric sew, etc..

Let us know if you want us to tag your social media accounts and/or blog pages alongside your photos.

 

Thurs 25th May 2017:

Emma Johnston - Reading, UK

Instagram + website

Using the Wholesome Fruity Stripes - Blueberry & Oatmeal, a recent addition and very on-trend single jersey from Avoca, Emma has created this simple and stylish knotted long sleeve T-shirt. This soft, drapey and extra wide fabric is ideal for summer pieces such as T-shirts, dresses, skirts and lightweight garments that require that drape.

Emma says: "A casual tie front top that I adapted the Sewaholic Renfrew pattern to achieve. This jersey is exactly my sewing and fashion style. I enjoy the challenge of stripe matching the seams. Blue is my favourite colour and I wear stripes a lot. I bought 5 fabrics from you a few weeks ago and I'm pleased with them all. I've been impressed with the quality and how well they wash, press and sew. I've been tagging you on Instagram for all my makes including some much needed pyjamas and day-wear tops."

Use Emma's classic yet modern styling of T-shirt as inspiration and try it for yourself! Click here to view the Wholesome Fruity Stripe collection now! (There's a great range of colourways to choose from, not just the Blueberry!)

 

 

Fri 27th Jan 2017:

Amy Brownrigg - London, UK

Using the beautiful Nordic Voyage Jacquard (80% cashmere  20% nylon) in the Icy Blue colourway, a recent addition from Avoca in Ireland, Amy has fashioned this lovely cardigan/jacket. It's a superb quirky fabric and ideal for garments that'll take you through all four seasons. You can even match it with its colourway counterparts for a stunning bright combination!

Amy says: "This fabric was really easy to sew with, and is perfect for something like a waterfall cardigan/jacket where both sides of the fabric are exposed. I've left the outer edge unfinished and so far there hasn't been any fraying! Even though the colour is begging to be worn on an icy cold day, it is a relatively lightweight fabric more suited to spring."

Use Amy's cardigan as inspiration and try it for yourself! Click here to view the fabric now.

 

Thurs 15th Dec 2016:

Valerie Bull - Hook, UK

Instagram + Website

Valerie has only been a Fabworks customer a short time but has already created a host of exciting garments from our range of fabrics, sharing her sewing stories regularly via Instagram!

Using the Sunflower Chunky Knit Rib, we have this very autumnal and cosy long cardigan.

Valerie says: "I bought the Sunflower Chunky Knit Rib fabric because I love the colour and had been looking for a chunky knit fabric to work with. It's soft, chunky and very warm (100% wool) so perfect for a coatigan!
I used Butterick pattern 6251 with a few minor tweaks and followed Fabworks' tip by using the reverse side of the fabric for a contrast on the colour and cuffs. The fabric was a dream to work with and I'm very happy with the result. (The colour of the fabric is actually a slightly richer/darker colour than it appears in the photo)."

If you're feeling creative but not where to start - try this one! It's a fairly straightforward design that isn't limited to just one fabric type! Click here to view and buy this fabric now.

 

 

Weds 9th Nov 2016:

Nina Platts - Barnsley, UK

Nina is a regular customer to Fabworks and has been inspired by some Fabworks garment suggestions and created this gorgeous smocked little girls dress. Using the Hairline Stripe Polka Dot shirting cotton, just one out of hundreds of extremely soft, high thread count, lightweight cottons at Fabworks.

Nina says: "I always loved smocked dresses and when my daughter Helen was born, I taught myself to smock. For this dress, I used a Butterick Nantucket design pattern (No 4307) which I sent for from America when  my daughter was two  (she is now 35!) although I made up my own smocking design rather than using the one provided in the pattern.  I am very fortunate to have a Sally Stanley 24-row smocking pleater which saves hours of work gathering the pleats by hand, this fabric was the perfect weight to feed through the rollers. I have been visiting Fabworks for many years, buying beautiful fabrics which just aren't available elsewhere - definitely an Aladdin's cave for anyone interested in textiles and sewing!"

You can use just about any of our shirting cottons to make pieces similar to this. Be inspired and create your own! Click here to view and buy this fabric now.

 

 

Mon 7th Nov 2016:

Amanda Bowden - Suffolk, UK

Instagram + Website

Amanda, who runs Felixstowe Sewing School has sent us this great photo modelling her very own Butterick dress using a recent Fabworks favourite in the Wonderful Worsted Waffle Teal. A great light/medium weight suiting fabric with a twist. Originally woven with suits in mind, this designer fabric has a great crepe liked textured feel and has super drape qualities and it's just perfect for dresses like this!

Don't take our word for it, read below about what Amanda has to say.

Amanda says: "I made this dress using Butterick 6380 Pattern by Gertie which is a 1940's inspired day dress. The waffle teal wool  I used was light enough to drape beautifully across the bodice but sturdy enough, with lining, to sit well on the midriff and fall away for the skirt.  I had a particularly lovely 1930's clipped belt buckle I wanted to use and was thrilled with the colour matching.  I made the belt using banrol to stiffen it and tram line stitched down the length to hold the fabric in place.  I am so thrilled with the fabric, colour and service.  I have washed this dress and it has retained it's waffle texture.  My next project is making a bolero to match to turn the outfit into a two piece."

Although the teal colourway has now sold out there are other colours in this gorgeous fabric still available.

Click here to view and buy this fabric now.

 

 

Mon 5th Sept 2016:

Linda Lencovic - Sussex, UK

Instagram + Website

Linda aka Kettle Yarn Co is big into knitting and also sewing with Fabworks linens by the looks of it! On display here is a sumptuous dress which is actually a hack of Merchant and Mills Bantom top and Factory Dress bottom. We think it's a great look - wear on warm summer days or as a smart dress for occasions!

Linda says: "I used two metres of the softly crisp and gorgeous Holiday Blue Check linen for this dress. The design is quite bold so split the skirt back for pattern matching the way I wanted the larger checks on bottom. Added 2.5 inches from fold for the skirt and back, gathering the front on both sides and leaving the middle front flat. I gathered the back in the middle. I also made a sash for days I want to wear it cinched. It's super comfy to wear!"

Fancy trying this garment for yourself and want to use the same fabric?

Click here to view and buy this fabric now.

You can also see some of Linda's other fabulous creations using Fabworks linen here.

 

 

Fri 2nd Sept 2016:

Jade Earley - Sussex, UK

Instagram

If you watched the Sewing Bee this year you'd have seen the very talented Jade competing with other sewers to win the exciting weekly challenges. Jade is another loyal Fabworks customer and has created this brilliant jumpsuit using the Rose and Carnation scuba.

Jade says: "I absolutely love working with scuba so I decided to make this jumpsuit. I had to adapt the pattern a little as I wanted a slimmer leg look. Scuba fabric is amazing to work with, it's so easy to sew and you don't need to overlock - it feels great on. Fabworks have been brilliant, the customer service is second to none and they have given me lots of support throughout my journey."

Fancy trying this garment for yourself? The pattern is a Simplicity Project Runway 1158. Want to use the same fabric?

Click here to view and buy it now.

If you like Jade's style you'll be able to see more of her scuba creations as some of these will feature in her upcoming column in the Love Sewing magazine. 

 

 

Thursday 1st Sept 2016:

Sarah Webb - Chippenham, UK

Instagram

One of our regular Fabworks Online customer Sarah Webb has made this great autumn ensemble using Ikat Watercolour and the very new to Fabworks - Wonderful Waffle Worsted - Teal. A great transitional combination with the deep colours with a little extra warmth than light summer garments.

Sarah says: "The tunic top (Watercolour Ikat) is Butterick 6135, the fabric was a dream to work with - no curling edges at all and just enough stretch. The trousers are Vogue 8588 - I LOVE this fabric! Drapes well and interesting texture too. The Fabworks service is brilliant and I can't wait to see what other lovely fabrics that they  have in the pipeline."

Like this style? Why not have a go yourself and share your creations with us!

 

 

Wed 10th August 2016:

Nicole Mehr - Germany

Instagram + Facebook

Nicole used the beautiful Pretty Kitsch scuba fabric to make this  fab extended cardigan style jacket! A high fashion garment that you can wear loose and casual in the summer or tie with a belt in winter to keep out the cold!

Nicole says: "I really love the fabric, it's really great to sew with and super comfy to wear and so smooth!
I actually made my husband some Seamwork Harrington Shorts with the rest of the fabric I had, and he loves them, too. I really love your fabric selection and you guys are always so fast with shipping."
If you too love this fabric then you can make this garment yourself. You'll have plenty with 2 metres. The pattern is called the Opal Cardigan by Paprika Patterns.
You can find the fabric hereTry it for yourself!

 

 

 Tuesday 9th August 2016:

Ruth Forrester - Belfast, Northern Ireland

Ruth's blog

Ruth was one of the first to snap up some of the lovely Avoca jersey when it was released in July and has made a super wrap dress using Aeolian Ripples - a flowing pattern of rich berry and autumnal tones.

Ruth says: "I know Avoca: I live in Northern Ireland and this Irish shop is very well renowned for their quality, stylish fashions and boho chic interiors. What an absolute delight to discover that I can now buy their unique and exclusive fabrics - thanks Fabworks! The colours are perfect for transition pieces between seasons. A two-way stretch that you can choose where the direction the ripples lie, vertical or across your body."

If you'd like to have a go at making this wrap dress yourself, the pattern is Style Arc Lea Wrap Dress.