All lining fabric is 30% off!

The entire linings 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 Helenca lining, 70D lining and Whisper 4-way stretch lining, and lasts only til Friday, May 7 midnight CST.

Also just put on sale for the first time ever: Red, Hot Pink, Candy Pink, Purple, Tiffany Blue and Lime Green Eyelet tape while supplies last...

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.

I spent my twenties taking myself much too seriously and feeling fat (shopping at Talbot's at 23 -- what the Hell was I thinking?), so while I would like to see more sisterhood and less backstabbing (this is reality TV after all), I enjoy seeing the girls have a good time with fashion. Even the salon owner, with her age and career-appropriate style, takes Jerseyliciousness beyond the twenty-something set.

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.