Sewing Business Blog

New Coupon Clutch Designs Now Available

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We haven’t talked about the coupon clutch, a padded fabric covered 3-ring binders in awhile.   Now, while I call them a “coupon clutch” padded 3-ring binder, (and use mine to carry my coupons when shopping), we’ve heard from many people who use these padded fabric covered binders in various different ways.   One lady told us she uses her covered 3-ring binder to hold all her office paperwork, which works perfectly for her, keeping papers neat and in order.  Another student loves to use her covered 3-ring binder to keep school work in order and doesn’t have to fumble through a backpack to get the work for each class.  My granddaughter has her art papers and supplies in her covered 3-ring binder and LOVES how it keeps her things organized!

We have several new styles, such as the Aloha Rainbow print:

And don’t forget our all-time favorite, most popular print, the Green Paisley print:

These are completely handmade to order and there are many beautiful styles!!!  Check them out, and let us know how you like to use your padded fabric covered binder.

No Plus Size Patterns For Children Under Age 6??? Wait A Minute!!!

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httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM9y0-2pbWU

While doing some research for a video we’re doing regarding our Plus Size Children patterns and classes, we found some very disturbing information.  First of all, did you know that there are NO, I repeat NO, commercial patterns or clothing for plus size, overweight or obese children under the age of 6?  Are you also aware that 1 in 5 of all children under the age of 6 is overweight or obese?  WAIT A MINUTE!  Our Plus Size Children patterns DO cover that age range — you can see on PatternsThatFitYou.com and PlusSizeChildren.com that we DO have a size range of 2-4-6 as well as the size range 8-10-12 and 14-16 — and ALL of the size ranges are made from actual measurements of plus size/obese children.   We spent over a year, and on a continuing basis, collecting actual measurements of overweight and obese children from our customers to put into a database in order to construct patterns that would fit these “forgotten” children.  Look at the difference between an “average” size 10 and an “overweight” size 10 in the following picture:

The “overweight/obese” child size 10 measurements – if you could find a commercial pattern to fit them – would be a woman’s size 16-18 or perhaps larger — and how many of those garment styles would be suitable for a 10 year old?  If you have, or know, some overweight/obese children, you know that there isn’t much difference in the “height” of the obese child, the big difference is through the middle, and even in the commercial patterns that are designed for the “plus” size (16 Plus, etc), AREN’T for any child other than maybe a little overweight 16 year old, not the 6 or 8 or 10 year olds that are overweight.

We are in the process of putting together a series dedicated to helping those who have overweight/obese children, grandchildren, neices, etc to be able to alter a regular store bought pattern to fit them as well as how to use the overweight child’s own measurements to make garments that will fit perfectly.  You can get a head start right away by checking out the patterns, books and classes we have at PatternsThatFitYou.com and PlusSizeChildren.com.  AND, for those of you who have overweight girls in that totally “forgotten” “no patterns” age group under 6 years old, you can check out our Easy Pattern Making for Girls ages 2-6 and the two websites just mentioned.  You will FINALLY be able to get clothing to fit your child!

Have You Seen All The New Patterns?

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Patterns That Fit You has a new look now and TONS of new patterns and pattern making classes added.  If you haven’t visited the site in awhile you really need to check it out.  For those in the sewing and craft business, there are a lot of patterns for items that would make great craft fair items.

If you’re  in the alteration business, the “Animal pals” back packs and sleeping bags would be EXCELLENT items to add to your customer waiting area – those could be some great sellers, and later this fall you’ll probably be swamped with orders for making them for Christmas gifts.

It’s amazing how you can look through craft patterns and something just jumps out at you!  We have had super good luck with the childs’ portable playhouse.  As a matter of fact a few years back (before knee problems set in for me), we did a “circuit” of festivals and sold only the portable playhouses.  Kids absolutely love those, so even having one set up in your customer waiting area could bring extra sales to you.

So, be sure to check out Patterns That Fit You and see what you can find.  Oh, you might want to bookmark the site as we are constantly adding new patterns.

 

Website Review: Fabrics.net Your Complete Fabric Destination

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Fabrics.net has been online since August 1997 and they cater to a targeted niche that includes sewing enthusiasts, small and large fabric stores, small and large manufacturers, and hobbyists and students doing research.  The goal of the site is to be a complete fabric destination so Fabrics.net has been compiling information about fabrics, trims, care, embroidery, knitting, vintage fabric and quilting for more than a decade.

In addition to the wide variety of wonderful fabrics available to purchase from Fabrics.net, there is also a directory of other sources for fabrics, accessories, notions, patterns, sewing professionals, publications, trade organizations and much more.  Additionally, you can enter your company information if you’d like for your business to be listed as a source.  The first listing is free and there are minimal fees for additional listings or services.

One of the neatest things about Fabrics.net is their free posting service that allows you to put your fabric requests out on the Internet.  The site has many agents who pay a small subscription fee to see the listings, and the contact information from the fabric requests is only viewable by subscribers.  That means that if you need say 25 yards of faux fur to create a new line of stuffed animals, you can post your fabric request for free, and any stores that carry the fabric will contact you directly.  You don’t have to worry about spammers getting your contact information, and you get to compare prices and offers without having to run all over town or scour the Internet for a source.

So if you’re looking for a special fabric, large amounts of fabric, or just need some information on identifying or caring for fabric, be sure to check out the abundance of information and sources available at Fabrics.net!