So, you’ve got an exciting new sewing project to start and you need some great fabric. Choosing fabric online opens up a whole world of choice and a much wider range than what might be available to you in local stores. Online shopping also saves you travel time and expense and you don’t even have to get out of bed to order something! Here are some handy hints to get the most out of online fabric shopping:
1) Use search categories
It’s very easy to lose lots of time scrolling through vast ranges of beautiful fabric. It’s lovely to look at but it’s not what you need for your project. Before you start looking, think about what you need, and type this into the search bar on each site. Maybe you want to search by colour, by pattern, by fabric or by brand. This way you’ll find just what you’re looking for in a much shorter time. For an impressive range of Cotton Fabric, visit www.higgsandhiggs.com/fabrics/cotton-poplin-fabric-112cm.html.
2) Use swatches
Surely the benefit of visiting a physical store is that you can touch the fabric and get an idea of the feel, texture, drape, and quality. Colours can often look different in reality than they do on your screen. However, if you don’t have a nearby fabric store, you can have peace of mind in that online stores will send you samples. A lot of online stores will gladly send a few swatches of fabric free of charge or for a small postage fee.
3) Measure the width
Before filling your virtual basket and checking out, check the width of the roll you’re buying so you know you have enough for your project. Double check whether you’re dealing with metric or imperial too.
4) Create an inspiration board
If you see something you love but don’t need right now, keep a board on Pinterest so you don’t forget about it for a future project. This is also helpful for the next time you need to shop for fabric, as you can start with your favourites on the board rather than starting from scratch.
5) Contact customer care
You might think that ordering online is a faceless, digital process but behind every website is a company looking to help. If you have a question about a specific fabric and whether it is suitable for your project, fill out their query form or send them an email and they will most likely be more than happy to respond with helpful, professional advice.
