Creating and adapting in the time of Covid

For many of us, the new work-life means staying at home, or in a less "congested" workplace. It means rethinking how we are going to choose to engage with the public and how accessible we should be.

It means following health guidelines for the foreseeable future. 

It's a paradigm shift for many of us who are accustomed to working behind a counter, window dressing, draping fabric around our customers, and keeping the shelves stocked.

* * *

But for us at Exquisite Fabrics, it's just a continuum. We were adapting to online selling starting in 2006. WOW. That's 15 years ago! 

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One community of sewing enthusiasts that remains optimistic and active, despite everything, is the costuming community. Normally there are "events" and conferences throughout the year that feed the community with new inspiration. 

One of the last festivals to take place was at the beginning of the pandemic, surrounding Mardi Gras. The aftermath of "Carnevale" in Venice proved to be catastrophic, despite warnings from health specialists to cancel or stay away. The SARSCOV2 virus traveled back to the United States with some of the revelers, landing in New York. Things have never been the same, and most "Carnival" and Mardi Gras events for this year have been put on hold.

* * *

However, innovation is what fuels creative people. Many people have taken this at-home time to learn. It is possible to add new skills and carry those to your own projects, looking forward to the future. That means online classes in creative arts are growing at an exponential rate! 

One of these creatives is Kristen Darville Foggie, owner of Black Orchid Atelier, an online purveyor via Etsy and Facebook. Kristen offers Custom Historical Costumes, Accessories & Patterns, made to order or ready-made. 

Kristen has gathered some of her industry contacts into a new online learning experience called Costume Skills Institute. With a low monthly fee, you can learn skills that may be new to you, but have been carefully preserved by this community of experts. If you join her Patreon project at the highest level, 

Check it out! 

In addition, Kristen runs a "de-stashing" page on Facebook, where other costumers get to join in the fun of de-acquiring/re-acquiring no-longer-needed fabric yardages, trims, and even spec costumes and antique textile goodies.

Kristen's "trunk show" page is filled with costumes that anyone can envy! 

Springtime sewing

Springtime means sewing, cleaning, organizing! Make it work with a new sewing basket.

Have you ever treated yourself to a new sewing basket? It's amazing how being organized helps to get the sewing underway! Find those marking tools, pins, scissors, seam rippers in record time.

Or, if you're a one-project-at-a-time sewing genius (oh, how I've tried that), use the basket to store your pattern, instructions, and cut-out pieces until you have time to work on sewing...it's like having a mini sewing room. Tidy is good for the soul!

A basket like this also makes a great gift for mom, a housewarming gift, or an off-to-college gift for a student. (Students who sew make "friends" fast!)

Stop by the store or order via our website while supplies last. 

Happy sewing!

Silly me, I've forgotten all about Blogger, Google+, etc.

I've built our store website about six times...I'm kind of obsessed with the different builds that are possible. Now I've settled on one, and I'm full steam ahead!

To start with, there's a NOTIONS SALE going on through the weekend (ok, maybe until the snow ends). Use the coupon code VAL and get 40% off on a variety of things from metallic thread, to sewing pins, to rhinestone studs. gold eye needles, and jean buttons.

If you feel like venturing out of your house, tomorrow is the last day of our full-blown
WINTER SALE.

Our spring fabrics are just arriving too fast!

Meanwhile, for your blog enjoyment, here's a post from the blog that's attached to our website.



HAUTE COUTURE LESSON 13


All I learned about couture methods (not much) was from Madam Simone and Madam Therese Andree.

I think my next teacher, when I decide to learn in earnest about couture, will be Claire Shaeffer. But I haven't much time to decide, because the last of her famous Sewfari workshop/classes are filling up.

So, in the meantime, I found her on Facebook and viewed a video she had posted from the Chanel website.

If you have time to watch it, notice a few things.

You can get lessons on "French jackets" (which are cleverly not referred to as "Chanel"for trademark reasons), but many times the result seems overworked. Not that 130 hours or so on a jacket isn't a lot of work! It is a matter of experience and a certain light touch to be able to make a jacket that looks as casual and yet perfectly fitted as the real thing.

A few differences. All those buttons and all that braid can make a jacket look militaristic. One reason Chanel jackets look relaxed is that the braid is applied following the natural contour of the fabric. Since the fabrics are usually nubby, the braid does not look like it was applied to a piece of cardboard. If you can look carefully, the pockets are not mirror image perfect nor are they perfectly flat. Everything lies, relaxed, and has enough "give" in the application to allow the human body to wear the jacket, and not the jacket to wear the person.

That's why some of the real jackets have survived generations of women who have worn then first as suits, then donned them over chiffon dresses, and then at last with jeans. 

​All that being said, I can't explain how it's done. I just know it when I see it. 

Happy Holidays from Exquisite Fabrics!

We hope you've got your holiday plans under control. With one weekend left before Christmas and two before the New Year, we thought we'd mention all the great resources here in old town Culpeper.

After you stock up at Exquisite Fabrics on your fabrics and notions for your latest project, take a stroll down Davis Street!

For wine, there are a few stores that have tastings and that specialize in the great local selections. Check out Vinosity for Friday evening tastings! Culpeper Cheese Company has tastings sometimes too, and you can check out their fine selection of cheeses and other tasties including fresh baguettes. You won't leave empty handed!

For other tastings, check out the infused oils and vinegars at Taste. They carry a line of spices too! Your nose will thank you.

Then head back up to Davis Street and check out the largest free-standing Neuhaus chocolatier in the country, at the Frenchman's Corner.

If you'd rather sit and sip, consider a real "teatime" at Miss Minerva's, or a light lunch at Hazel River Inn or their new Rathskeller.

There's so much to do that even we haven't done it all yet!

Customers on the move!

It's been fun to learn that some of our customers are detaching from old work lives, the "inside the beltway" pace of life, and enjoying new and creative ways of working and living. There are so many alternatives to the hellish commute and "9 to 5" (which in most cases is really more like 8 to 7) routine that for many people it just no longer makes sense.

We've been hearing about customers who work from home at creative jobs, people who telecommute at their old jobs several times a week, and people who have just unplugged completely. Maybe that economic crash of 2008 gave everyone a great excuse to re-think and re-boot?

Of course for many people that frees time and energy for pursuits like gardening, catching up with family...and sewing!

Tell us how you're contemplating a change in your routine!

THE HOLIDAY SEASON IN CULPEPER WITH EXQUISITE FABRICS PART 2

There's lots to do in the next few weeks, so it's a great time to enjoy a day-trip from the DC area, Richmond, or Charlottesville.

Sunday November 23rd. We and other businesses in downtown Culpeper will be open special hours from noon to 5 for the annual Holiday Open House.  For all planned activities, click here.

Wednesday before Thanksgiving, November 26th, we'll be open at noon. Please call 202 507  9775 or 540 727 0396 so you can enjoy our November Sale!

Friday after Thanksgiving, we'll be open noon to six, our regular seasonal hours, November Sale in progress.

To make a day trip fun for the whole family, you might plan to take in a movie at the Library of Congress Packard Campus. Screenings are free but reservations are required.

There are lots of holiday programs in store at the State Theatre in downtown Culpeper. Some are free, including the following:

Thursday December at 7:30 pm:  It's a Wonderful Life
Thursday December at 7:30 pm:  White Christmas

Along with the dining, shopping, and entertainment, the "main street" atmosphere is very enjoyable to take in while strolling around.

Have fun!

THE HOLIDAY SEASON IN CULPEPER WITH EXQUISITE FABRICS

Nothing beats small town America during the holiday season. Share our delight on Sunday November 23rd, when Culpeper Downtown holds its annual open house. 

Many businesses (including Exquisite Fabrics) will be open from noon to 5 pm. Now that's special!  Get out of the mall and into a delightful, local shopping experience with our fellow merchants on Davis and Main Streets. If you act fast, you may be able to get seats on Amtrak's Cardinal train. Walk, dine, and shop!

In addition, we'll be open one more Sunday, on December 7th. As of this writing, Amtrak has seats from DC on the Cardinal train which departs Union Station at 11:05 am and departs Culpeper for the return trip at 4:11 pm. Reserve your seat very soon for the best prices (as little as $20.00 one way). 

Perfecting your pants making skills

Have you ever made pants that were less than pleasing?  I have. Somehow the template used by the "Big Four" pattern companies doesn't work on me, and probably on a lot more women.  In my case, the back waist bags outward and rides much lower than a typical pair of hip huggers.  (I'm not bashing the Big Four, in general I have had a lot of success with all kinds of patterns, except for pants!)

I like the way Talbot's pants fit.  A visitor to our shop had been in charge of Talbot's sizing when the company modernized and updated sizing a few years back.  I don't recall how the subject came up, but she explained a little about how the adjustments were made for "real women."  I didn't have time to plot it out on paper at the time...

So a little while ago I started to look for "solutions."  I came upon Lekala, a Russian pattern company that sells semi-custom pattern blocks made to your measurements.  They are very inexpensive ($2.49 or so). You enter a set of measurements (do the basic measurements or for more precise fit enter more on their optional template). I ordered pattern #5003, a download.

Today I sewed a mock up from lining. It fit, so I went on to make a pair of nicely fitted pants. I used the mock up as the half lining for my pants.  I'm happy.  They fit like Talbot's, but this particular pair is cut higher in the waist.  I'd like it just a little lower.  Maybe next time I'll do it without the waistband, and just make a waist facing instead.  But this is a good, wearable pair of pants for fall.

This is the line drawing of Lekala #5003.  Lekala assumes some sewing knowledge, so their directions are pretty basic, and they need some work on their American English translation.  If anyone is interested in a tutorial, please let me know and I'll post one so you can begin your pants sewing adventure!

Throwback Thursday...and a contest

Here's a picture from a past Vogue magazine...in celebration of tweed.  In this case, a heavy tweed skirt is paired with a geometric print blouse, and it all looks up to date!

Now, here's the fun part....guess the issue's month and year, and you will win a one yard cut of this beautiful, imported wool boucle tweed to make a skirt of your very own!    First to correctly guess wins.   One guess per customer please. Fabric to be picked up in-store only*.  $49.00 value.  

*Exquisite Fabrics, Inc.  107A East Davis Street, Culpeper, VA  22701

It's not too early for "Pre-Fall"...and the looks are easy

Chloe showed a few Pre-Fall looks with a black and white cheetah print.  Looks fresh and not too animal print-y!  It's easy to get a look like this:

See the whole Chloe Pre-Fall collection on Style.com here.

Get some black geometric lace like this:

Black geometric guipure lace.

And some silk charmeuse with gorgeous cheetah print, like this  (coming soon).

Haute couture pure silk charmeuse, imported from Italy.




Make a classic princess seam shirt, and add long ties.  Then, make a skirt lined with black (or some other color)   Here's a Burda pattern for a floaty, layered hemline:

    

Happy pre-Fall planning!

Threads magazine shares instructions for easy-peasy lace top!

Cotton lace is a favorite for summer dress-ups.  It make a top to go with jeans, or it can go semi-formal as a breezy wedding dress.

Threads magazine has generously shared a set of directions for a "Quick-sew lace top."  It takes a yard and a half of lace fabric.  If your lace top has scalloped edges, even better. This one is perfect:

Ivory cotton lace #6576:  buy it here!

Then get the instructions here.

One cavaet:  The instructions seem to refer to the shoulder seam as a "vertical seam."  The point is that there is not a "seam" at the shoulder because you leave the pattern pieces joined instead of cutting out two separate pieces.  So don't let that one fool you, the instructions are good except for that~

Here's your finished top...enjoy!  

Color of the year and new arrivals!

We've all heard about it--Pantone's "Radiant Orchid"--and we've seen the color chips at Home Depot and the write ups about all kinds of lavenders, purples, and orchids in a whole spectrum of tints, shades, and hues.  But,where is the elusive "Radiant Orchid" in the world of fabric?

Well, good news--get out your pattern stack and get ready to sew, because we've gotten a good selection of silk prints (even a beaded one), a French cotton ottoman, and even a bridal satin in the much-ballyhooed shade of the season!  Sophisticated buttons, too!



Visit Exquisite Fabrics, Inc.'s profile on Pinterest.

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!