Christine, I get my fabrics the same way! People don't want them to end up in a dump. Also, when they come attached to those heavy-duty cardboards, I use those too.When I finish a large tote, I measure the bottom created by the boxed corners. I cut a piece of the cardboard just slightly smaller, wrap it in lightweight batting, and make a sleeve for it out of the lining material. It is so strong that it keeps the shape of the tote, does not add much weight, and can actually support 2 or 3 wine bottles. Yay rescue!!
You’re such a nice lady, I do so enjoy your channel. Both you and Chris seem so down to earth, so refreshing, especially at the moment with the world seemingly in such dire straits. Looking forward to more videos from you both to brighten the days!
Loved your video and chat,I am like you,can’t get to go and asked people for things even if they are throwing it away.Love your channel and what you stand for ,stopping things gong to landfill,I follow Chris as well and love how he repairs and cleans things up to resell. Thanks again for your bags and ideas.
Love your videos, you are so upbeat that makes it so nice to listen to. Even the videos that I don't think apply to me give me ideas of things to make or different materials to use. You inspire me.
Really enjoyed seeing all the colours in these samples. I look forward to seeing what projects you come up with Christine😃. Have a good weekend, hoping its not too cold for you.🤗🇬🇧
Christine You are amazing. I bet you do a little happy dance 💃 every time you pick up the fabric. I’d be the same. I have to give myself pep talks too. What a brilliant stash. 👍👍👍
Beautiful pieces! Looking forward to seeing how you combine them to make your bags. In the meantime, all the best to you as you de-tag them all! Thank you for sharing your ideas, sources, and talents with us ❤🌴 !!
Just stumbled upon your channel. I live near a store that sells upholstery fabric and they sell the scraps and samples from books by the pound. They throw them in a barrel and about once a year I sit and go through the barrel and basically sort it out. I’ve gotten some beautiful pieces that I’ve used for making wallets for my vending business. Each one is unique and sometimes I have a happy surprise at how the pattern lines up when it is finished and folded over. Some of them were so beautiful, I just had to keep them for myself.
Thank you Christine, great video and yes I have wanted to get out there and start asking businesses if they have fabric that they do not want and to keep it out of the landfill. I am a little scared to ask and be rejected, but after watching your video I think ready to try again. I will let you know how I do.
Such great information. I sometimes have a hard time asking for things but, in the long run, it works out well. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful skills and all that you do. Love watching your videos. Blessings always 😊
Thanks Christine for the ideas where so source some free fabric the town I live in we have nothing like that here anymore so I will go the the bigger town and find out my neighbour works for a furniture company so I will ask her
Your neighbour might be able to source all you'll need Pamela. Once you get one supplier, I'm sure it'll be more than you can handle. It's certainly got that way with mine. Good luck!🤣
Thanks Christine, great to see all your new fabrics. I managed to get some, a curtain shop had some samples in a basket outside the store for free. So I took a few but left a lot for others..
Dunelm in UK have curtain samples galore. I recently found some of these samples for sale, out of season fabrics. Sometimes just about 20" by 46". But a few full size 46" by 54". I've got some beautiful velour fabrics, particularly with animals on. They are all fully lined in blackout linings. So enough lining for all bags I make.
When I worked in an assembly house, they had me removing glue (from parts on computer boards) with a spray that freezes anything that it is sprayed on. After I sprayed the glue, I used a pair of small sharp cutters to cut into the glue. The glue would break into many small pieces that were easy to remove with tweezers. Most of the parts were undamaged and could be reused again.
I have an upholstery shop near home that charges $10.00 to fill a giant trash bag with remnants. I bought one two years ago and I'm still making bags with that stash.
I have lots of friends and friends of friends who give me more fabric than I can keep up with using since I don't sell my bags, just make for charities. How do you store it all? I see many of your books have hangers. That's convenient. I just don't have a lot of room and I have learned that being organized usually takes more room than throwing it in the corner!
I don’t have a heat press, other than my iron, so I soak my fabric samples in water and scrape off the paper with a serrated knife. It works surprisingly well.
I had the courage to ask someone that works for a furniture manufacturer but it was the corporate office so I didn’t expect anything. But they did have samples that they got rid of periodically from the research department and got some beautiful big pieces of vinyl, leather and fabric. Still going through it.
Two more comments that experienced "fabric engineers" probably already know but may be useful for those beginning: 1. I want the sharpest corner possible (especially with many layers of fabric), so when I come to the corner I drop the needle and put in one or two diagonal stitches before turning 90 degrees and continuing. This provides me with some wiggle room and cannot be seen as anyting except a shart 90 degree angle once turned. Of course, clip the corners to remove as much bulk as is safe. 2. When turning inside out, I have often distorted the corners. Easy fix: add a little steam, place fingers just below the corner and pull sideways in both directions. Tada! 90 degrees again.
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs thank you for responding! I ended up going down a rabbit hole watching your videos last night and found one where you explained how you broke it down! I love this so much. My son (9 y/o) has been asking me how to make money and I think I could teach him how to sew a simple zipper pouch with no lining to sell. Your channel is awesome.
Not sure I should answer that Joanie. This last lot is laid out on the bed in our guestroom. I have a large table with hundreds of samples in the same room. My old sewing room stores about the same, and then our table tennis/dance studio has a full set of shelves with fabric too. Oh, and then there is all the fabric you don't see on my sewing room shelves, as well as having rolls and shelves of fabric at the shop. I'd better stop there. You might think I'm a hoarder🤣
@@ChristinesHomeAffairsuse them for the expandable bags! I’ve been doing that and people are liking the feature. I think they could be used for a car waste bin, as well. Hugs from Nevada, Cathy❤
Wonderful new stock of fabric, if only my Chris would allow me to bring more fabric into the house !! cannot wait to this these beauties being created. happy sewing Christine.
Hi Christine, I know, I’ve been MIA for ages! Things look and sound like life is treating you guys well which is awesome 😊 I’m hoping you may have some ideas for me on how to find a particular kind of fabric. It’s called 3D air mesh fabric or sandwich mesh fabric. I have found some online but I’m hoping to find somewhere in Victoria that I can go to buy it 🤷♀️ As you know, I make a variety of things for dogs and sell them at markets. I’ve been asked a number of times if I make b**ch pants/britches, for female dogs in heat. Now I have a new addition to the family and she’s just been thru her first heat and I’ve trialed quite a few different types of pants 😅 I have found the ones both she and I prefer so decided these are the ones I want to make and sell, but I’m having trouble finding this type of fabric grrr! It looks and feels like a mesh fabric with a thin foam stuck to it, but found out that it’s actually made like that. I hope your girl is doing well too 💜🐾💜🐾
Hi Mel. I'm afraid I'm no help at all. I've never heard of that kind of fabric. You could try asking at Darn Cheap Fabrics. They seem to have everything. When we got Coco our little girl, I did a video for her when she came in heat. I think it was for Boxer pants or shorts as she's a Boxer. I used a pair of knickers to make a pattern😀
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs yeah, I watched it 😁 my newest girl is a little one, a frenchie X pug. I looked at Darn Cheap’s website and a few others, but no luck so far 😏 You’d think it’d be easier to find these days as it’s used in car seat and steering wheel covers, dog and cat harnesses, backpacks, pencil cases, toys etc🤷♀️ thanks anyway 😊
After so many derogatory comments on my videos, and your mum's constant threats not to watch, I'm surprised to see your return here Bill. As this video has only been up a short while, I hardly think your mum would be an expert so soon in determining that there is no free fabric available in your state. I suspect if she has tried, her failure is more likely due to her attitude toward other people. I'm about to do you, and myself a huge favour. In a few days I'll be blocking your ability to comment on all of my videos. This means that other viewers and also myself, will never again see the rude or negative comments you make on behalf of your mother. I'll leave this comment up for you to see for a few days, but after that, the only person that will ever see your comments will be you. Not even your mother will see what you write. Going forward, I do hope your life is filled with joy and positivity now that you no longer have an audience. 😎
Christine, I get my fabrics the same way! People don't want them to end up in a dump. Also, when they come attached to those heavy-duty cardboards, I use those too.When I finish a large tote, I measure the bottom created by the boxed corners. I cut a piece of the cardboard just slightly smaller, wrap it in lightweight batting, and make a sleeve for it out of the lining material. It is so strong that it keeps the shape of the tote, does not add much weight, and can actually support 2 or 3 wine bottles. Yay rescue!!
That's a great idea for the cardboard. I have several pieces from an old book that I'll use for bases. Thank you😁
You’re such a nice lady, I do so enjoy your channel. Both you and Chris seem so down to earth, so refreshing, especially at the moment with the world seemingly in such dire straits. Looking forward to more videos from you both to brighten the days!
Yes. Ditto
That's lovely Julie. Thank you so much!😊
Thanks Cyn😊
Wow! It’s kind of lottery for fabric lovers 🎉❤ thanks 🙏
It sure is.😁
Love the fabric BUT most of all I love your excitement about the fabric!!!
haha, I'm easily excited Deby😁
A clean carport and free fabric. Someone is living the dream!
hahaha, only half a clean carport. Might need another car to get the rest of it cleaned out😁
What a fantastic haul. We love seeing your fabrics and listening to you. I can’t wait to see what you make with these lovely fabrics.
Thanks Debbie. I've manages 6 bags from one fabric today. I have a long way to go😁
I'm in the US and I'm going to ask around! This is a great idea 💡 and I make pet beds for animal shelters
That's a great idea Betty. Good luck!😁
I always enjoy you videos & love hearing your Australia accent. So, talk all you want. ❤
haha, thanks DeeJ😀
We love you telling us about your world of sewing and how you've found sources of fabric. Thanks for being here for us. Trish in Alaska
Thank you so much Trish😁
Loved your video and chat,I am like you,can’t get to go and asked people for things even if they are throwing it away.Love your channel and what you stand for ,stopping things gong to landfill,I follow Chris as well and love how he repairs and cleans things up to resell. Thanks again for your bags and ideas.
Thanks Eve. That first try was the hardest. Now I'm quite shameless, though I do like to be a bit cheeky😁
Love your videos, you are so upbeat that makes it so nice to listen to. Even the videos that I don't think apply to me give me ideas of things to make or different materials to use. You inspire me.
Thank you so much Joyce😁
Lovely fabrics! Bless you for saving it all from landfill. Love it!😍
Thank you so much😁
I can honestly say I’m as excited about your free fabric as you are - wish I was there to caress it with you lol. Have fun dreaming of designs x
haha, I did actually dream of stuff to make with it Susan.
Really enjoyed seeing all the colours in these samples. I look forward to seeing what projects you come up with Christine😃. Have a good weekend, hoping its not too cold for you.🤗🇬🇧
Thanks so much! I can't wait to get into them. I believe it's going to be very icy this weekend.😊
You are right about plucking up our courage. Thanks for sharing
My pleasure Cynthia. I find I'm getting more brave as I age and care less😁
Sew many possibilities!!! I am excited for you! 👏❤ 🇨🇦
Thanks Barbara. I'm excited too😁
Some wonderful fabrics there.
And yes, great that it isn’t in landfill.
Thanks Christine. It amazes me how much ends up in landfill😊
I am kinda jealous of your free fabric. I havent been as lucky.
It can take a while to find a source Pam, but once you do, you'll never want for fabric again😁
Christine You are amazing. I bet you do a little happy dance 💃 every time you pick up the fabric. I’d be the same. I have to give myself pep talks too. What a brilliant stash. 👍👍👍
I do Christine. It's always so exciting😁
Thank you for sharing your fabric journey. I'll try some of my local stores. ❤
Good luck Dianne. I hope you have success😊
Beautiful pieces! Looking forward to seeing how you combine them to make your bags. In the meantime, all the best to you as you de-tag them all! Thank you for sharing your ideas, sources, and talents with us ❤🌴 !!
Thank you. I'm really going to have to find an easier way to remove that paper😁
Just stumbled upon your channel. I live near a store that sells upholstery fabric and they sell the scraps and samples from books by the pound. They throw them in a barrel and about once a year I sit and go through the barrel and basically sort it out. I’ve gotten some beautiful pieces that I’ve used for making wallets for my vending business. Each one is unique and sometimes I have a happy surprise at how the pattern lines up when it is finished and folded over. Some of them were so beautiful, I just had to keep them for myself.
That sounds so exciting Jo. I'd be like a kid in a candy store😁
Thank you Christine, great video and yes I have wanted to get out there and start asking businesses if they have fabric that they do not want and to keep it out of the landfill. I am a little scared to ask and be rejected, but after watching your video I think ready to try again. I will let you know how I do.
Good luck Barb. That first step is the hardest😀
Can’t wait to see what you’re going to make with all that great stock! Soooo jealous! I need to make some phone calls or visits to my nearby stores. 🤗
I hope you manage to find some. They're great to work with😁
Such great information. I sometimes have a hard time asking for things but, in the long run, it works out well. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful skills and all that you do. Love watching your videos. Blessings always 😊
Thanks so much Anita.😁
I am always happy when you get fabric! You are the best!
Thanks Debbie. I'm always happy too. Then feel overwhelmed because i have way too much. Said no girl ever!!😁
Thanks Christine for the ideas where so source some free fabric the town I live in we have nothing like that here anymore so I will go the the bigger town and find out my neighbour works for a furniture company so I will ask her
Your neighbour might be able to source all you'll need Pamela. Once you get one supplier, I'm sure it'll be more than you can handle. It's certainly got that way with mine. Good luck!🤣
Wow you're so lucky!
Thank you. I certainly have been😊
Love all the fabric 😊 happy sewing
Thanks Erica. I'm going to have fun😁
Let’s see some cute projects with the vinyl! Even some raw edge ones.
I'm keen to make a start on them Cherie.😁
Thanks Christine, great to see all your new fabrics. I managed to get some, a curtain shop had some samples in a basket outside the store for free. So I took a few but left a lot for others..
That's awesome Janet. They'll be fabulous to sew up😁
Thank you for sharing your experience. Isn't there a saying "if you don't ask, you don't get" ❤
There sure is Melahat, and so true😁
Dunelm in UK have curtain samples galore. I recently found some of these samples for sale, out of season fabrics. Sometimes just about 20" by 46". But a few full size 46" by 54". I've got some beautiful velour fabrics, particularly with animals on. They are all fully lined in blackout linings. So enough lining for all bags I make.
They sound wonderful Jill😁
Thank you
You're welcome Patricia😁
When I worked in an assembly house, they had me removing glue (from parts on computer boards) with a spray that freezes anything that it is sprayed on. After I sprayed the glue, I used a pair of small sharp cutters to cut into the glue. The glue would break into many small pieces that were easy to remove with tweezers. Most of the parts were undamaged and could be reused again.
What an interesting product Arvetta. I've never heard of anything like it😁
I’ve learned so much from you ❤
That's wonderful Melody. Thank you😁
I absolutely love the printed fabric on the swatch board
Me too. I can't wait to use them😁
I have an upholstery shop near home that charges $10.00 to fill a giant trash bag with remnants. I bought one two years ago and I'm still making bags with that stash.
That's a really great price Susan😁
I have lots of friends and friends of friends who give me more fabric than I can keep up with using since I don't sell my bags, just make for charities. How do you store it all? I see many of your books have hangers. That's convenient. I just don't have a lot of room and I have learned that being organized usually takes more room than throwing it in the corner!
I have fabric everywhere Linda, and I mean everywhere!! I try to have a small cull whenever I get something new, but I'm not very good at that😊
I don’t have a heat press, other than my iron, so I soak my fabric samples in water and scrape off the paper with a serrated knife. It works surprisingly well.
I've tried that too Marianne. It's good for small batches, but I'm too impatient to let it dry😁
I had the courage to ask someone that works for a furniture manufacturer but it was the corporate office so I didn’t expect anything. But they did have samples that they got rid of periodically from the research department and got some beautiful big pieces of vinyl, leather and fabric. Still going through it.
That's so exciting Melanie, and they last for ages😁
Two more comments that experienced "fabric engineers" probably already know but may be useful for those beginning: 1. I want the sharpest corner possible (especially with many layers of fabric), so when I come to the corner I drop the needle and put in one or two diagonal stitches before turning 90 degrees and continuing. This provides me with some wiggle room and cannot be seen as anyting except a shart 90 degree angle once turned. Of course, clip the corners to remove as much bulk as is safe. 2. When turning inside out, I have often distorted the corners. Easy fix: add a little steam, place fingers just below the corner and pull sideways in both directions. Tada! 90 degrees again.
Thanks so much for the tips😀
I use double sided prequilted fabric to make duffel bags, no lining, just bind the seams.
I have some quilted fabric to use Lori. Duffel bags would be great😀
Please do a video on where you source your industrial sewing thread, I can't seem to find any that ship to Australia.
I've been looking into this a little lately. I haven't ordered it yet, but will when I find some I want to use😁
What a great idea! Do you have a video that shows how you break down those sample books? Do you just trim the fabric off with scissors?
Thanks Sarah. I have a couple of videos in my free fabric playlist somewhere. I usually use a very hot iron, but some I have to cut😀
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs thank you for responding! I ended up going down a rabbit hole watching your videos last night and found one where you explained how you broke it down! I love this so much. My son (9 y/o) has been asking me how to make money and I think I could teach him how to sew a simple zipper pouch with no lining to sell. Your channel is awesome.
@@sarahta1984 that's a fabulous idea. I hope your son loves creating with you 😀
I find the sample books at my local thrift store. Where & how do you store all this fabric you get?
Not sure I should answer that Joanie.
This last lot is laid out on the bed in our guestroom. I have a large table with hundreds of samples in the same room. My old sewing room stores about the same, and then our table tennis/dance studio has a full set of shelves with fabric too. Oh, and then there is all the fabric you don't see on my sewing room shelves, as well as having rolls and shelves of fabric at the shop. I'd better stop there. You might think I'm a hoarder🤣
😆🤣🤣😆🤣the floor 😆🤣🤣😆
haha, my floor is a mess right now Joy. I've just closed the door and walked away😁
When working with apohlstry fabric what stitch length, machine settings do you use? Is there a different needle? Sorry newbie question 😂😂
Conlee, I'll often use 3 or 3.2 stitch length, and a size 110/18 or 120/20 needle. Though I have on many occasion used 90/14 as well😁
Thank you ❤ 😊 @@ChristinesHomeAffairs
Do you ever use the hangers pieces that the swatches come on?
I've been hanging on to those Nita in the hope that I'll think of a use for them some time😄
@@ChristinesHomeAffairsuse them for the expandable bags! I’ve been doing that and people are liking the feature.
I think they could be used for a car waste bin, as well.
Hugs from Nevada,
Cathy❤
Wonderful new stock of fabric, if only my Chris would allow me to bring more fabric into the house !! cannot wait to this these beauties being created. happy sewing Christine.
Hi Christine, I know, I’ve been MIA for ages! Things look and sound like life is treating you guys well which is awesome 😊
I’m hoping you may have some ideas for me on how to find a particular kind of fabric. It’s called 3D air mesh fabric or sandwich mesh fabric. I have found some online but I’m hoping to find somewhere in Victoria that I can go to buy it 🤷♀️ As you know, I make a variety of things for dogs and sell them at markets. I’ve been asked a number of times if I make b**ch pants/britches, for female dogs in heat. Now I have a new addition to the family and she’s just been thru her first heat and I’ve trialed quite a few different types of pants 😅 I have found the ones both she and I prefer so decided these are the ones I want to make and sell, but I’m having trouble finding this type of fabric grrr! It looks and feels like a mesh fabric with a thin foam stuck to it, but found out that it’s actually made like that.
I hope your girl is doing well too 💜🐾💜🐾
Hi Mel. I'm afraid I'm no help at all. I've never heard of that kind of fabric. You could try asking at Darn Cheap Fabrics. They seem to have everything.
When we got Coco our little girl, I did a video for her when she came in heat. I think it was for Boxer pants or shorts as she's a Boxer. I used a pair of knickers to make a pattern😀
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs yeah, I watched it 😁 my newest girl is a little one, a frenchie X pug.
I looked at Darn Cheap’s website and a few others, but no luck so far 😏
You’d think it’d be easier to find these days as it’s used in car seat and steering wheel covers, dog and cat harnesses, backpacks, pencil cases, toys etc🤷♀️ thanks anyway 😊
I ended up getting some from AliExpress, I couldn’t find it anywhere!
If you don’t ask, the answer is no. :)
Like Wayne Gretzky said (hockey player), you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
Exactly!!😁
I must tell myself this when I play table tennis😁
From my Mom: Nothing free in New Jersey, USA, so stop showing off.
After so many derogatory comments on my videos, and your mum's constant threats not to watch, I'm surprised to see your return here Bill.
As this video has only been up a short while, I hardly think your mum would be an expert so soon in determining that there is no free fabric available in your state. I suspect if she has tried, her failure is more likely due to her attitude toward other people.
I'm about to do you, and myself a huge favour.
In a few days I'll be blocking your ability to comment on all of my videos. This means that other viewers and also myself, will never again see the rude or negative comments you make on behalf of your mother. I'll leave this comment up for you to see for a few days, but after that, the only person that will ever see your comments will be you. Not even your mother will see what you write.
Going forward, I do hope your life is filled with joy and positivity now that you no longer have an audience. 😎
@@ChristinesHomeAffairsI’m in Nj and hoping I can find some free fabric! Thanks for your videos! Luv them! ❤
Thank you so much. I hope you have success too. We'd love to see what you find on our FB group😀