For years I avoided fabric stores. I didn’t own a sewing machine, so buying fabric felt pointless. Window shopping was fun, but I tried not to bring anything home I couldn’t use. My mother sewed for me from time to time, so I did get new fabrics for curtains and pillows when she helped. I also enjoyed choosing fabrics for clients. Then, this past Christmas, my mom gave each of my daughters a sewing machine.
SCORE! My own sewing machine!
Technically, neither machine belongs to me, but one of my daughters still lives at home when she isn’t at school, and her machine sits on her desk. That means I can pretend it’s mine and sew when I like. Having daughters has its perks—I can borrow their things! With a sewing machine now available at home, the world of fabrics has opened up and I’m genuinely excited.
If you follow me on Facebook, you might already know I’ve held on to some favorite fabrics for about 16 years. I’ll share how I used that fabric years ago, the original inspiration that led me to it, and how I plan to use it now. It’s thrilling to rediscover a fabric that still feels fresh—style that stands the test of time is always a joy. I’ll cover that in a future post.
Combining fabrics can shape the overall feel of a home. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find a mix that inspires you. Start with a small print, add a larger print, include stripes, checks, or polka dots, and balance light and colored backgrounds with solids. Try various combinations to see what feels right—things don’t need to match perfectly to look cohesive. Enjoy the process.
I’ve been browsing fabric stores online and saving swatches I like. I plan to create an inspiration board with those fabrics and choose a few to begin a couple of projects. I haven’t found every sample I want yet, but searching and dreaming is half the fun.
I’ll update this post later with sources for the fabric samples—sorry I didn’t include them originally. I’ll track down the details and add them when I can.
Do you enjoy playing with fabric and imagining all the beautiful combinations?
Fabrics in the top image inspiration board:
(I’m still locating a few of the original sources and will update them when I can.)
Lower left: Waverly Trellis
Lower right: Waverly Small Talk Mint Julep
Center: Richloom Cornwall
Left middle: Akamai Turquoise
Top left (red coral): Coral Cascade
Right (blue/brown/green stripe): Boat House Stripe