Funky Fabrix

News and Updates

Welcome to Funky Fabrix!
Australia's largest dedicated Organic and Vintage Fabric store!


Here you will find all the latest news from our online organic fabric store http://www.funkyfabrix.com.au

We have new stock arriving daily and will keep you updated on new goodies available, newest trends, fun competitions and bits and pieces from our lives.

If you would like to view our amazing vintage fabrics you can visit our Vintage Fabric store www.vintagefabriconline.com.

We love to see photos of your creations so don't forget to pop us a line and a photo if you would like to see your creation on your photo page on the website.
e-mail: shona@funkyfabrix.com.au

Shona and Jason

Our Vintage Fabric Website

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Fabric Heart Garland by Michelle Made Me

michellemademe.com
 Gorgeous fabric heart garland tutorial by www.michellemademe.com  Just in time for Valentine's!


Free Twirly Skirt Tutorial by House on Hill Road

houseonhillroad.com

Every girl loves a twirly skirt!  Even big girls!  
Here is a fabulous step by step tutorial by House on the Hill.
Click here to visit their website and tute! 

Hope you are enjoying this month of free tute links!  
Shona and Jason xx

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Crochet Coasters Free Tutorial and Pattern

Creajjton

Lovely crochet coasters for you to make from Creajjion!  Sigh......I really have to learn to crochet!
Pattern and instructions here!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Fabric - A Glossary of Terms

Handy Guide to Fabric Terms


ANTIQUE SATIN – a sateen or horizontal satin drapery fabric with horizontal (weft) slubs which imitate spun shantung silk. It is typically composed of approximately 60% rayon (the face yarn fiber) and 40% acetate (the back yarn fiber). Most fabrics are one color from a selection of thousands. Occasionally the warp and weft yarns are dyed different colors to give an iridescent effect. Antique satin may also be printed. It is also suitable for bedspread fabric as it can be quilted.

BATIK – a process also know as Tjap where areas are opaqued with wax before the fabric is dyed. For two or more colors each preceding wax layer is removed and reapplied in a different patterned layer. A crinkled pattern is achieved by crumpling the fabric and cracking the wax. Primitive or ethnic batik patterns from Indonesia and Africa are reproduced by mechanical silk screen or roller printing on contemporary fabrics.

BROCADE – a multi-use formal, Jacquard weave with supplemental warp or weft woven into the fabric to give an embroidered, often-colorful design. Background weave is often satin. Threads not tied-down are carried as "floaters" on the back of the fabric and indicate the supplemental set of threads.

BROCATELLE – medium weight Jacquard fabric utilizing four or more sets of thread (two warps and two wefts most often). Finely woven brocatelles are formal, refined and sophisticated. Surface has slight relief variation (high and low areas), according to the patterns, and may appear embroidered or puffy.

CALICO – cotton or cotton/polyester fabric similar to broadcloth and usually printed in small "country" all-over multi-colored floral patterns.

CANVAS – versatile medium to heavy weight cotton fabric in plain or twill weave. May be dyed any color, and has many uses.

CASEMENT – casual drapery fabric in loose or tight, open or closed, plain or novelty weave. Often given interesting texture, color and pattern through tyed complex-yarn arrangements and weave variations. Usually semi-sheer, translucent or opaque.

CASHMERE – from the Cashmere goat in Tibet, the Kashmir province in India. It is known for its softness.

CHAMBRAY – lightweight cotton or blend fabric in plain, balanced weave. Yarns are slightly slubbed in both directions. Warp is usually white with a solid colored weft.

CHEVRON – regular and repeated zigzag pattern, also called herringbone, formed by reversing the twill weave.

CREPE - a fine yarn which is twisted so tightly that it gives a pebbly or crinkled surface in woven fabrics. Crepe fabrics may be plain or satin weave and include the following types of crepes: Canton crepe (heavier with ribs), Chiffon crepe (soft finish), Crepe de Chine (sheer, limp), Crepon crepe (fine ribs), Flat crepe (smooth surface), and Plisse crepe (puckered or crinkled surface).

CREWELEMBROIDERY – basket weave base cloth of cotton, linen or wool, with hand or machine embroidery of worsted wool. Patterns are meandering vine and floral motifs based on the East Indian tree-of-life designs and their English interpretations.

DAMASK – formal satin base Jacquard fabric with reversible pattern, historically a large floral or Renaissance pattern. Contemporary damasks are medium weight in a variety of designs. Used in nearly any decorative fabric situation.

DENIM – cotton or cotton/polyester left-hand twill weave cloth which is practical and sturdy. Navy colored denim is Jeans fabric, cream or white denim is Drill.

EMBROIDERY – a thread or set of threads sewn onto a fabric for surface ornamentation. Embroidery may be done as piece work or one-of-a-kind embroidered cloths. Hand-guided machine embroidery is the method generally used for crewel embroidery. Machine embroidery for mass production is called Schiffli embroidery.

FLANNEL – any fabric that is woven then brushed to achieve a soft nap. Types include cotton, flannelette, outing (for outerwear), French (finely twilled), melton (cotton and/or wool dense weave), and suede top-sided nap trimmed and pressed).

FLOCK – the material obtained by reducing textile fibers to fragments by cutting or grinding. There are two main types precision cut flock, where all fiber lengths are approximately equal, and random cut flock, where the fibers are ground or chopped to produce a broad range of lengths.

FLOCKING – a method of cloth ornamentation in which adhesive is printed or coated on a fabric, and finely chopped fibers are applied all over by means of dusting, air-blasting or electrostatic attraction. In flock printing, the fibers adhere only to the printed areas and are removed from the unprinted areas by mechanical action.

FRIEZE OR FRISE’ – upholstery weight looped pile fabric often of nylon, which is very sturdy. May be Jacquard woven to achieve a sculptural or ribbed effect.

HERRINGBONE – a novelty or complex twill which has a regular zigzag pattern. Woven or printed on light, medium, and heavy weight fabrics.

HOUNDSTOOTH – medium to heavy weight fabric with woven twill pattern that resembles squares with projecting "tooth-like" corners.

LISSERIE – a fine Jacquard woven stripe imitating silk and embroidery. The figuring and color in the pattern comes from the warp.

MATELESSE’ – a heavy upholstery-weight textile in Jacquard weave with two sets of warps and wefts. Surface appears puffy or cushioned. Also called double cloth.

MOHAIR – fiber from the Angora goat.

MOIRE’ – formal ribbed faille fabric embossed with a watermark pattern. A highly versatile fabric. Has many interior applications.

OTTOMAN – natural or man-made fibers woven in a medium to heavy weight fabric with broad, round weft threads that produce a horizontal rib. Fine warp threads obscure the large, even or alternate size filling yarns.
PEAU DE SOIE – a French term, meaning literally "skin of silk" applied originally to a fine silk fabric in a modified satin weave that had a ribbed or grained appearance.

PILE FABRIC – fabric with a third element; an extra warp or weft set, woven or knitted into the fabric to produce a deep surface texture. Examples include velvet, terry cloth, frieze or corduroy.

PLAID – woven or printed design consisting of stripes in both warp and weft directions which cross at intervals to form different colors in square or rectangular patterns. May be light, medium or heavy weight, depending on the yarn. Plaids may be plain or twill weave. Types include: tartans (Scottish clan plaids) and plaid-back (reversible plaid).

PLISSE’ – a sheer, thin or lightweight fabric given a blistered or puckered surface through chemical treatments.

REP, REPP – a ribbed fabric (horizontal or vertical ribs) between poplin and ottoman fabric in both rib size and weight. Durable medium to heavy fabric. Many applications. High quality reps are often woven of wool.

SATIN – a basic type of weave where warp threads float over up to eight weft threads, then are tied down with one weft thread. Fine threads yield a smooth, slick, lustrous surface. Light to medium weight. Types of satin include: antique (with horizontal slubs to imitate shantung), lining satin (lightweight drapery lining), ribbed satin (resembles faille, or calendered into satin moire’), satin damask (background satin with jacquard pattern-in lighter weight is known as ticking satin), and upholstery satin (heavier weight satins).

SCRIM - Sheer open weave cotton fabric used for draperies and window decorating.

SHABBY CHIC – a look reflecting casual and relaxed lifestyles. Emphasis is on a soft touch, neutral colors and often a puckered, washed or unfinished look.

SEERSUCKER –crinkled surface in all-over or spaced stripes, permanently woven into a cotton or blend fabric, or induced through chemical treatments. Puckers tend to be more durable than plisse’ when chemically treated. Permanent puckers are woven in by loosening or relaxing some warp threads. Light to medium weight.

SHANTUNG DUPIONI – originally a spun silk fabric with slubs that formed interesting textures. Shantung today may be of many natural or synthetic fibers. Fabrics which imitate shantung are antique satin and antique taffeta.

SUEDECLOTH – a light to medium weight synthetic knit or woven textile with brushed nap which imitates genuine suede.

TAPESTRY – a plain weave technique used to produce complex, hand-woven European pictorial designs. These are now, most often, Jacquard woven with multiple warps and wefts.

TICKING – originally a twill blue and cream vertical, woven striped fabric used to make "ticks" or mattress and pillow casings. Historically used on walls, also for draperies and other interior uses. Mattress ticking may also be satin damask ticking, or ticking damask.

TISSUE PICK- Term which describes supplementary filling yarn or yarns which "float"along the back of fabric in bands, and are brought up in selected areas for added color detail on the face of a fabric.

TOILE – a fabric of cotton or linen similar to muslin or percale in plain or sometimes twill weave. It is an unglazed chintz. Types include: toile de Touy (historic French scenes, Federal toile (American Federal Buildings and eagles), country toile (Contemporary Provincial floral) and toiles de Indy (Historic East Indian printed designs). Chinese toiles (Oriental designs and scenes), Rococo toiles (large-scale contemporary Rococo prints).

TOILE DE JOUY – Toile fabrics printed in one color (traditionally navy, cranberry or black) in rural country French scenes and of people from the 18th and 19th centuries.

TUFTED FABRIC – a pile fabric which is formed by tufting a yarn into a woven background. Early American tufted bedspreads are one example. Some upholstery fabrics and all tufted carpets utilize this method. The fabric may be tufted with a small hand-held tufting gun, or on a large machine utilizing multiple needles to tuft entire sections in rapid sequence.

TWEED – upholstery weight textile in plain balanced or variation weave, (originally) twill weave or variation. Plain and twill weaves may be combined in some novelty tweeds. Made first of wool in Scotland. Today’s tweeds may be of wool, nylon or a combination of natural and man-made fibers in solid colors, also heathered effect or plaid.

VELOUR – a pile fabric with a soft, velvet-like texture including some velvet, and all plush-pile surface cloths.

VELVET – Woven pile fabric with a soft yet sturdy face. May be of one or more fibers, including nearly all-natural and man-made fibers. Types include: antique velvet ("streaks" pressed or woven in; slubs on woven back), brocade (etch printed or burnout patterns, often exposing the woven background), chiffon (thin, soft velvet); crushed (varies from light to very heavy crushing of pile), electrostatic (flocked, rather than woven pile, usually bold color and pattern), embossed (bas relief roller calendering to produced "pressed in" pattern), moquette (exposed ground with floral historic patterns of cut and uncut looped pile in jacquard weave), panne’ (flat pile, pressed in one direction), plush (deeper pile, sometimes sparse and crushed), upholstery (deep thick pile and sturdy back), velveteen (short, cotton-faced pile and back), printed velveteen (roller or screen printed, typically in floral or geometric patterns).

VINYL – extruded polyvinyl chloride synthetic fabric flowed onto a woven, knitted, or non-woven base cloth. Medium to heavy weight upholstery fabric which imitates leather.

VOILE – sheer transparent fabric in plain weave with tightly twisted yarns. Often has a stiff finish. May have novelty effects such as pique stripes, printed patterns and stripes, or woven with nubby yarns for novelty voile


Easter Rabbit Free Pattern and Tutorial

Bunny by Martha Stewart





Perfect for Easter!  Love this bunny.  Click here for tutorial and pattern by Martha Stewart! 


Sunday, January 27, 2013

Free Pattern Toy Elephant!

StitchCraftCreate


Gorgeous free pattern and tutorial to make these adorable elephants.  Just click here! 

Friday, January 25, 2013

Free PDF Sis Boom Pattern - Frayed Rosettes


Gorgeous Free Pattern on our website!  



Free Flower Pattern!


You will find this fantastic free tutorial on our website! 

Click here to download! 

Thursday, January 24, 2013

New Organic!


New Daisy Janie Organic Fabric range arriving next week!  


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Free Tutorial Zippered Pouch

n Stitches Design Blog




A super easy, quick way to make a zippered pouch by N Stitches Designs!  Click here for the tutorial

10 Things I Love About You Valentines Jar by Creme de la Craft


Ten Things I Love About You Jar Free Tutorial by Cremedelacraft.com
Click on the link to visit this lovely site and for full instructions! 


Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Valentine's Day Gift Books Via Design Sponge

Via Design Sponge

A fantastic was to cover books for gift giving on Valentines or any day of the year! 
Full instructions via Design Sponge 






Monday, January 21, 2013

Free Tutorial Revoluzzzionary Bunny Pattern

Revoluzzzionary Bunny Pattern
Ok this is just too cute!  Here is a fantastic free tutorial by Revoluzzzionary Blog to make one of your very own!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Bugs & Fishes Free Tute Butterfly Mobile



I love sewing and creating with felt, it is so easy to use and handle.  This butterfly mobile tutorial by Bugs and Fishes is just adorable.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Funky Fabrix Who Are We - Post #1


Who are we?  We thought we would do a series about us - The Funky Fabrix Family!

There are 6 of us to be precise, 2 big Funky Fabrix people and 4 little ones (well some of them are not so little any more).

Our youngest member of the "team" is Hadley.  Hadley is almost 8 (although he will tell you almost 9 as 8 is apparently his unlucky number).  Hadley has been on the team since he was born.  In the early years he was often found crawling on the store floor or playing out the back.  In fact, Fabric was one of his very first words!

Our beautiful Hadley is now home schooled so sometimes still pops into the store and is often along side me as I answer emails and work on the website.  Some of you may have read the post I made not long after our boy was diagnosed with Aspergers (Autism Spectrum Disorder).   Well things have certainly changed since then.

Aspergers is not who Hadley is, it does not define him, but it is a part of him.  It does mean I get to home school him and spend almost every waking minute with him - and for that I am grateful!  He is a very funny, witty and intelligent little man.  He makes us all smile and laugh, every day and his brings so much immense love and joy in the FF family, that our hearts sing.  He has the most amazing memory, and it astounds us all, just how many facts are stored in his little brain - he teaches us all something new every day.  He does tell me he doesn't like to be so smart, because he does not want to be a Scientist when the grows up, he wants to be a singer!  He is a pure joy to teach, his thirst for knowledge is relentless.  He is also an old soul.  He enjoys listening to JJJ with his big sister, but also loves the oldies - Puff the Magic Dragon being a favorite.  He is also partial to a bit of Cat Stevens!  He loves history and used to say Rome was his favorite City in the World, that was til he went to London!

He adores Pandas, so whenever you see Panda fabric on the website, you will know who chose those!

This one is his current favorite and chosen by Hadley!  Here is the link if you like this one too!

 

If you pop in the store from time to time be sure to say hi to Hadley!  He even has his own school desk in the basement of the store - where all the packing and cutting takes place!  I might have to teach him to address envelopes very soon!  

If you are in Brisbane and would like more information on home schooling or would like to connect with others in the South East Qld area, I have started a lovely social group on Facebook and you are most welcome to join.  Just click here! 

Free Crochet Cushions Tutorial by Easy Makes Me Happy!

Easy Makes Me Happy

Easy Makes Me Happy
I am on a crochet roll so to speak!  Now that I have lessons in sight, I am off to find some easy, but stunning free patterns and tutorials!  (Yes I like to put the horse before the cart!).

How stunning is this cushion by Easy Makes Me Happy?  Just click here to visit the blog for a free tutorial!

Valentine's Day Projects!

Felt So Good 
Life in the Thrifty Lane
Two Shades Of Pink 

Looking for some crafty ideas for Valentines Day?  Just click on the links above for free Tutorials for some lovely heart goodness!  Valentines Day is closer than you think.

If you would like to send flowers pop on over to Holly Rose Flowers as they are take flower orders now!
London Reid Blog 
My Sisters Suitcase Yarn Letters Tute

Beautiful Crochet





How beautiful are these crochet pieces?  Yes after talking about it for years, I still have not learnt to crochet!  It is certainly one of my goals for 2013, after taking up sketching again - so lets see how far I get this year!  All these beautiful images are via this blog.

If you know of any crochet classes being held in Brisbane please be sure to let me know in comments!

Friday, January 18, 2013

Free Kimberly Layton Felt Hearts PDF


 I love this!  How adorable and totally free!  Just pop on over to Everything Etsy, Kimberly Layton's blog to download!  

Free Owl Printables by Valentina Designs

Valentina Ramos 
Lovely free owl printables by Valentina Design.  Click here to download!


Thursday, January 17, 2013

A Happy Tunic Tutorial by Simple Simon and Company

Simple Simon and Company 

If you would like to view this Tunic Tutorial by Simple Simon and Co just lick here! download


Valentines Day Free Skirt Pattern/Tutorial


How adorable!  If only  had a little girl!  A fantastic free tutorial from the Barefoot Seamstress!  



Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Free Tutorial Tissue Paper Flowers


Fantastic Tutorial from Rust and Sunshine - Tissue Flowers!  Click here! 

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Free Tutorial How to Make Bunting by Yvestown


Great tutorial and template to make gorgeous bunting by Yvestown.  Just click here! 

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Free Get Well Printables

 

Free Get Well Printables from the Pretty Blog.  Your link is here! 

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Free Tutorial Valentines Day Heart Hoops by Lauren Makes

Make these stunning heart hoops for Valentines.  

Free tutorial by Lauren Makes here! 

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Free Printable Hearts!


Free printable hearts from Free Pretty Things for You.
Just click here!

Monday, January 7, 2013

Fabulous Flags Calendar! Free Tutorial.

Butterscotch and Beesting

Like to make this stunning calendar?  Tute and downloads here! 

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Little Fox Tutorial!


Like to make this little cutie?  Just click here!  

Friday, January 4, 2013

Christmas is over!

Well Christmas is over, so the Easter eggs are now in store!  Yes a mere 2 days after the Christmas goodies were put on sale, the eggs make a show!

Of ourse, my children love this!  They love Hot Crossed Buns, so love that these are now available for 3 or 4 months of the year now!  Also we snack on Cadbury eggs for a good few months too!  I am sadly allergic to the eggs, I have no idea why as I can eat block chocolate, but the eggs give me hives!  Do you think that deters me - I have take an antihistamine!

Before Easter though, is Valentines!  A huge day for Kitty being a florist, so we are going to pretty up the shop in all things hearts!  Kitty was busy making these pretty garlands today.


You can also find all things heart on our Pinterest board  i.heart.you here!

xxx
 

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