Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is the best time of year to remember anything and everyone for which/whom we are grateful, and that includes our customers!  It's so much fun to make new customers and to see our loyal customers from the DC area!  Thank you and we hope you have a very good turkey day!

Meanwhile, our website is still growing.  Thanks to you for your inquiries, which help us to prioritize.  The search function is very functional, and we can even see what the most frequent search terms are so that helps us to know what people are looking for.  Just type in the term for the item you are seeking in the box at the upper right corner.

For example:  "lace trim" yields this result (click):  LACE TRIM.

As you know, there is still only fraction of our inventory online and this is a long-term project!

New silks, nice weather, good eats, and other reasons to enjoy Culpeper!

Greetings from Culpeper!  The past week was perfect weather for sewing, was it not?  Hope you enjoyed some relaxing and/or productive time inside!

Now that the weather is clearing, you might be craving some time out and about.  Along with our tweeds, cashmeres, and other fall fabrics, we've got a new shipment of silk prints. We sell silk prints all year round, in fact, Exquisite Fabrics is well known as a "destination" for fashion-forward fabrics. Only a fraction of our collection is shown online, and quantities of everything are limited, so hurry for the best selection!

Along with fabric shopping, October 14 through 20th is "Restaurant Week" in Culpeper.  From the "Visit Culpeper" website:

If you've been waiting for a special occasion to explore the robust and diverse mix of downtown Culpeper restaurants, you now have one: Culpeper Renaissance's 5th Annual Restaurant Week. Started by local restaurateurs in 2009, the event encourages diners to break out of typical work-week patterns and share a meal with family and friends. With specially priced menu options -- $25 per person includes a 3-course dinner of appetizer, entrée, and dessert -- it's a great excuse to revisit old favorites or try something new.

Fall is a beautiful time of year to take a break and re-harmonize with the beautiful countryside surrounding Culpeper.  The national parks are closed?  Visit an apple orchard (of which there are many including our favorite, Roy's in Sperryville) take in a traditional apple festival at Graves Mountain, or take a hike through one of the state of Virginia's beautiful parks:  Sky Meadows.  It's our go-to relaxation spot!

Online shopping is ready

Thanks for all the suggestions and requests for online shopping.  All put to good use on our new e-commerce site.  Of course this will be a work in progress, so keep checking back and please keep making requests for what you want to buy online, in case you can't come to our "live" store.

NEW THIS WEEK

...and here's a classic...a small version of a tartan to get you started on Fall sewing:

This one is a lightweight wool woven with just a touch of lycra for great comfort and fit!

The Parisian fashion week showed us classic tartans made up in the iconic Parisian jacket we all know and love.  You can make it subtle or bold!

September is National Sewing Month...happy sewing!

Most helpful comments on upcoming new e-commerce site

Thanks for all the knowledgeable comments from those of you who keep up with us and/or are looking for us to expand our online presence.  Since I was living "abroad" in Blacksburg for a few months and then spent the summer setting up our warehouse, moving our household, and a few other long-postponed projects, my goal was to start working on the new site by Sept. 1.  I'm a little ahead of schedule (but probably should not say that out loud).  For the past few months I've only had time to take things away from the existing site, no time to add anything!

A few of you took the time to let us know the ways in which you enjoy buying things online.  We appreciate it and I'm going to integrate as many useful features into the new site as possible.  I don't see many limitations with the new host.

SEARCH.
Yes, we will definitely have a search feature. I'm more of a "browser" myself, when it comes to clothing and textiles, but I appreciate the Amazon-like experience of being able to find specific things easily.

MORE FABRICS.
Yes.  We will be adding woolens first (because it's the season), but please feel free to request other things.  The squeaky wheel definitely gets attention.

MORE BUTTONS.
This will be my pet project.  More on that later.

SMALLER PICTURES ON THE PARENT PAGES.
Check.  I get it.  That gives a better overview.

FEWER CATEGORIES.
Well, there's no getting around it.  I'll do my best, but there are a lot of things waiting to "nest" under every category.  When you consider the search feature, it should be easier to find what you want.

SAMPLES.
I've got "clearance" to sample many fabrics, but not all!  I think samples are important for offsite color matching, but for many other attributes of fabric like drape, weight, texture, and overall appreciation, it's probably smarter to go with the minimum yardage.  We're lowering the minimum purchase to 1/8 yard on most but not all things.  Of course some things like panels cannot be sampled.

We will have a limited number of samples, when available, at a modest cost.

COMMENTS/ISSUES ABOUT ONLINE SHOPPING IN GENERAL WHICH DESERVE TO BE ADDRESSED.

Shipping charges.  UPS has become just too expensive and the USPS is very reliable (with insurance) so we are making our default shipper the good ole USPS.  With their recent (like yesterday) changes to their priority mail service, insurance is included up to $50.00 value.  That means our shipping charges are going to be very modest (we are aiming for a default rate of $5.88), which makes all of us happy!  Another feature that I feel is very important is that the shipping charge shows as soon as you enter your zip code in the shopping cart--no signing in or any other silliness before you can see the shipping charge. (Free shipping on purchases $100 and up too!)

Partial orders.  Did you know that it is our policy not to ship partial orders?  Sometimes your project depends on the very thing the supplier is out of....and it is very annoying to get everything but (that happens to us too)...we are going to continue our policy of checking with our customer first if we are out of anything, before releasing the order.  This comes from a sewing person's point of view (mine).

Crooked cuts/short yardage.  If you've ever shopped with us "live" or online, you know that's never been an issue here.  We cut straight or tear, and on some fabrics pull a thread. Will continue this practice.

OTHER NEWS.
You may have heard that Google Checkout/Wallet is no longer going to be available to merchants who sell "real stuff" (only downloads and such).  This is one of the main reasons we are updating our e-commerce...we have to re-enter everything into a different database anyway, so it's one of those blessings in disguise.  You can still place orders on anything that remains on our existing site until November.

Finally, you might be interested in Amtrak's current southbound "Cardinal" schedule, which is timed right on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays to bring shoppers to Culpeper at noontime for an afternoon of shopping, dining, and maybe a glass of wine...departing at about 4:00 pm...and this makes me smile...we're having an "End of Summer Choo-Choo" promotion....all aboard!

Train-ing through the countryside to Culpeper!

Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at about noon, Amtrak's southbound "Cardinal" train pulls in to the Culpeper Depot, just in time for shopping and lunch!

Some of our customers are enjoying the train ride in order to spend the afternoon in one of American's "Top Ten Small Towns."  Davis Street, where our shop is located, is home to a number of upscale eateries and unique shops.

Come up Davis Street from the Depot about two blocks and we'll be on your left right before Main Street.
Enjoy your shopping and then head out to take in some of Culpeper's other pleasures before you catch your return train at about 4:00 pm.

Do you crave high tea?  Try Miss Minerva's!  Or a full lunch on Thursdays and Fridays, with locally sourced ingredients prepared by renowned chef Peter Stogbuchner, at the Hazel River Inn restaurant.  There are plenty of choices, from the local diner on the corner to an innovative coffee shop, wine shops, bakery, and cheese shop.  You won't leave Culpeper hungry!

If you're a chocoholic as well as a fabricholic, you'll go mad for the Frenchman's Corner, which carries Neuhaus chocolates as well as a variety of other treats of the season.

If you've never been to Culpeper, here's an extra enticement:  Now through September 6th, we have an "End of Summer Choo-Choo" promotion!  Click here for more info, and we'll see you soon!

A chat window for our page!

Try Relay: the free SMS and picture text app for iPhone.

This week, I'm trying out a chat window for our page (it's "live" above if I am signed in...simply sign in with a "guest" name of your choice.)

Fall is coming and I know a lot of us are getting ready for Fall sewing...I know the cover of InStyle magazine made me a little giddy because I had just prepped something from my own fabric stash for just such a jacket....if you are "missing" something to get your sewing season rolling, chat with us!

I know I need hair canvas, and buttons....why is it I never have interfacing, when I work in a fabric store??

Lots of new blazer buttons on the website, time to concentrate on FABRICS

Do you Pinterest?

A young cousin of mine clued me in to it some time ago when she was making quite a living at cake baking.  Boy, she should really do that for a profession, that is, after she gets her new life as a mama under control!

With everything I took on for this past year or so, I forgot about Pinterest, abandoned blogging, barely managed to update our website.  But, life is getting under control at last.  I re-discovered Pinterest, so I'll be updating as inspiration hits.  Today I was looking at an almost-current issue of InStyle magazine (I have a whole year's worth of them as well as most of a year's worth of the New Yorker to catch up on.).  InStyle does do a "Color Crash Course" in some issues, and July's color was coral.  I went looking for it online, but I can't find it (try to find it if you can, it made me happy).

What I DID find is a chic picture of a black and white leopard print blouse worn with white skirt in the streets of Paris (I am not big on red carpet photos, and that's the predominant mode of presenting fashion now it seems).  Here's our Pinterest page:

http://pinterest.com/exqfabricsinc/boards/

Meanwhile, the website is receiving inventory updates, especially buttons, because buttons are the most-requested.  Customers can now order securely using Google, PayPal, or credit cards (no PayPal account is required, payment can be processed as a "guest" through their process).  Here's just a peek:

Blazer buttons are very popular!

http://www.exqfabrics.com/BUTTONS.html

Second most requested:  Silk prints.  I have to get busy on them.  Really.  Fall is coming.

An interesting mix of customers today!  As always, great people-watching!

Fabric raid!

One thing I love to do, but rarely ever had time to do until this point, is to go through the storage rooms, re-organize them, and, sometimes, raid them!  After my long semester in Blacksburg, last week was a good start to summer.  I got a good start on organizing, did a a lot of weeding, and today I treated myself to a raid session at the store.  I got out a couple of dozen  mostly summery silk prints, with short yardage left.  These silks are priced at $29.98 to $39.00 per yard, and include designer prints, charmeuse prints, some georgette prints, ethnic and batik type prints, and now they are listed here at only $9.50 a yard!

$9.50/yd SILK RAID specials!

Here's one--it's a coral and pink floral pure silk print with a very subtle shantung texture.  

Our web site is secure for e-commerce (see the green padlock symbol in your browser's address bar along with the "https://" prefix...this is your assurance of secure payment encryption).  You  may also phone in your order or email us your order (for your protection please don't send your credit card info through email, however--we'll call you for that after we have a total).

Finally, enjoy browsing!  We're happy to take requests, because our customer requests serve more than one purpose--first of all it makes them happy sewers--but in addition it helps us decide what to put online in order to expand our e-commerce offerings.

So, go ahead, egg me on to do more raids!

Hints for our website

You might have noticed that if you have saved links to our website, they will still work, even though our website is being updated.  You will still be able to order by Google Checkout until the page is updated, at which point if the merchandise is still available online, you will be able to order either by Google Checkout or Paypal.  If you "lose" a link, or if you find a broken link on our new pages, please let us know!  Our email is admin@exqfabrics.com.

We've carefully crafted our shipping rates to be as advantageous to our customers as possible.  The minimum purchase on our website is $6.00.  Your shopping cart will read "error" until the total reaches $6.00, at which point shipping will be added (after you enter your zip code).  If you notice that the shipping charge seems excessive (compared to other online shopping you have done), please let us know.  We can easily adjust any anomalies.  But first, add in the special promo code SHIP15 to receive 15% off the shipping charge. For your protection all orders are sent insured.  We use USPS to the 50 US states.  Orders from abroad may be handled on an individual basis.

To browse items you might not expect to see on our site, use the sitemap.

And, don't forget to let us know what you want to order from us!

So far we have received the most requests for buttons, summer fabrics, and laces.

DON'T FORGET THE SHIPPING PROMO CODE:  SHIP15

LET'S GO SHOPPING!

Nautical buttons

http://www.exqfabrics.com/BUTTONS-NAUTICAL.html

To order please click above!

Loads of buttons, in response to our customer requests, are being added to our website daily.

For your summer pleasure, how about these nautical 4-hole buttons?  Use the white ones on navy, red, striped or colorblocked garments.  The black ones are perfect for use over white or striped black/white, for shirts, blouses, dresses, jackets.  Use a contrast-y thread on the white ones for a classic, fun, nautical effect (yellow or royal blue are fun).

One of those OMG boxes

There are vintage French lace trims which were never put on display in any of our previous locations!  Yummmmmm.  Some are partly silk.

I have the best summer job in the entire fabric universe.

Update:  Now these rare beauties are listed on a special section of our e-commerce site.
Please CLICK HERE.

You are helping to build our e-commerce store!

This silver lace was requested by a customer.
 I have a soft spot for silver since my own wedding dress was a muted silver color.  (Sigh).
You may order this lace, while it lasts, here.

Due to customer response, we've got the first few pages of our website up and running, with a new and improved way to order (your choice of secure Google checkout as before, or secure Visa/Mastercard/Discover/American Express--just click on the Paypal logo but you DO NOT need a Paypal account--if you already have one you may also pay with Paypal, and can even choose "Bill me later" through Paypal (their restrictions apply)).

Your requests and orders are much appreciated and they help us to prioritize--this could be an overwhelming task to say the least...there are still boxes that have not been opened since our move from Georgetown!

Summer chiffons...ready for your beachwear, honeymoon, or cruise!

Easiest sewing project ever...make a large rectangle (approx. 40 by 60 inches) and finish the edges,

look up "how to tie a pareo" online, and you are good to go! Perfect summer project for a newbie!

Each of the fabrics shown are 60"width, priced at $9.00 per yard.  

100% poly chiffon, washable and packable!

Order here

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY ONLY!

Summer deserves a fresh look! Sewing and websites

An expanded adventure in e-commerce is about to being for Exquisite Fabrics!  We've been using the very cool Google Checkout tool, but since it's being discontinued and since the website has been patiently awaiting a big update since our "semester abroad"...it's the perfect opportunity to expand our online presence and delight fabric and button lovers everywhere!

If you are already our customer and are now dealing with us from a distance, or if you have newly discovered us, please let us know what is "missing" from your online fabric shopping experiences.  Those of you who know us, know that we carry finest quality apparel fabrics in natural fibers and a few synthetics...mainly European imports.  Designer and couture fabrics are a specialty...along with an extensive array of buttons to match (oh, if you only knew how many buttons we really have...).

We also have a selection of accessories:  belts, buckles, bridal headpieces, as well as a selection of vintage lace collars, printed silk scarves, and cashmere scarves and wraps.  Any of them are candidates for your online shopping experience...so just let us know!

For a few days, our website will be downsized.  First selections are summer white Swiss and Italian cotton shirtings:  baby cord, mini herringbone, and silky sateen! Perfect starts to summer sewing!  Try a summer shirt like this one from Burda, pattern 7063.

Happy Sewing!

A little personal catch-up

The writer of this blog for Exquisite Fabrics (Brenda) had lived in Washington DC and Arlington VA since the age of 5, skipping the high school years, and again from age 17 on.  The college experience, therefore, was lacking something (a campus), except for those exceptional times using the Georgetown and Yale special libraries.  So, when Life presented her the opportunity to finish up a couple of long-postponed degrees in Blacksburg, she hopped right on it.  Perfect timing to take time off work, hunker down, and get 'er done.  An account:

I highly recommend Virginia Tech and the southwest Virginia region.  Almost everyone who ventures down there falls in love with it...and that includes many from the DC suburbs..one of my young classmates from the DC suburbs said it all..."everything, EVERYTHING...is better down here...I will NOT be leaving here after graduation!"  (after which a sympathizer told her she is just compounding the problem of "coming to Blacksburg and never leaving."  And for me, the area is reminiscent of my ancestral homeland (the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania).  And to think that "Life" never took me down there until last November...

It's not anything I can describe, other than anecdotes...it's not any one thing.  But people in Blacksburg are very, very kind, the scenery is spectacular, the water tastes good (almost as good as pristine New York City water), there is weird "mountain weather" that reminds you that you are alive, and there is, in general, a real "down to earth" quality of life that, if a Martian landed, he would want to appropriate for himself.  Less materialism.  Little to no vulgarity.  People who converse.  Natural smiles. Modesty.  Drivers who look for reasons to slow down and stop (35,000 students on campus and I never once heard a horn).

Do students get drunk on the weekends?  Sure.  Do young women text and drive?  Sure, but not often.  One of our customers warned me of the gray winters.  Yes, true, this past winter was overcast and even a little depressing...but the spring!  Yards in Blacksburg are planted with profuse crocus, daffodils, tulips, pansies, and poppies.  Typically, lawns aren't saturated with herbicides, so they don't resemble golf courses... there are patches of violets and wildflowers, and dandelions don't seem unwelcome.

Well, we accomplished what we set out to do, the husband and I.  We made it though what we called our "semester abroad"-- I was living 200 miles from him and doing a lot of driving back and forth, he was holding down the fort at work (and at home!).  I found back roads to avoid the current I-64 congestion, enjoyed drafting behind trailer truckloads of onions on I-81, braved pea-soup mountain fog (the same fog you might have heard about that caused dozens of cars to pile up farther south on I-77--have never seen anything like it EVER), carefully made my way through a few snow, slush, and ice storms on Christiansburg Mountain, and earned the right to later savor the redbuds, flowering quince, and dogwoods that laced the way through the hills and mountains. 

 

I learned to shop at Kroger, because there are no Safeways, Whole Foods, or Trader Joe's, much less any of the ethnic places we are used to for bread and tumeric and rice... (but there is a well-patronized farmer's market that starts up in May in downtown Blacksburg).  I let the sweet and melancholy sounds of fiddles, guitars, banjos, and mandolins remind me of the kind of music my Grandad played.  You can't buy a download of it.  Only your neighbor or your teacher or classmate will play it for you, after which someone else will tell a story, Cherokee-style.  He's from Crozet.  She's from Meadows of Dan.  Big Stone Gap, Madison, Abingdon.

Everyone should have a chance to re-boot, in a place where people are still real, or maybe real again. I am very fortunate.