It’s that time of year when sale notifications are coming thick and fast to our inboxes and you’re either a seasoned sale shopper relishing the chance to grab a bargain or you dread the overwhelming pressure to shop, while also fearing missing out on a fabulous bargain.
If you are a fabric lover, sales can be even more overwhelming because of the huge choice of fabrics, any of which could be perfect for a future make. To help keep you sane at sale time, follow our 6 simple steps for how to shop a fabric sale so that you come away with fabulous fabrics which won’t sit in your stash for long.
Step 1: Sort through your Fabric stash
Yes, you know the jumble of fabric which sits in the corner of your sewing room making you feel guilty about all the projects you thought you would start and haven’t yet. Quickly divide the fabrics by season and colour to see what you have already. It’s easy to be attracted to fabrics you already know and love, (you bouclé fiends know who you are) rather than focus on what you might be missing.
Step 2: Consider your makes over the last year
Make a list of what you made over the last year, what you were most pleased with or got the most wear out of, and whether you would like to replicate those makes in the future, perhaps in different fabrics or colours.
Step 3: Look in your wardrobe and your home
Which of your makes do you get the most wear from and why? Experienced dressmaker @holly_dennett loves sewing with viscose for the drape and versatility.
Do you favour flannel over fleece or crepe over cotton? Interior influencer @interior.maria loves using bouclé to create a cosy interior vibe. Which fabrics do you love and why?
Step 4: Make a list of fabrics and colours you will definitely use
Whether you sew with seersucker in summer or wool in winter and love leopard but loathe lilac, a list will help focus your sale shopping strategy and stop you getting distracted by shiny new fabrics.
Step 5: Check out new patterns for this season and next
If you’re inspired by a new pattern, it makes fabric shopping so much easier as you’ll be able to visualise the fabric type and colour which will work for the pattern. You’ll also know exactly how much fabric to buy, which avoids unnecessary waste. Check out new patterns at The Foldline for ideas and inspiration.
Step 6: Use the sales to stock up on basics
Sales are a really useful time to stock up on basics you will always need: like interfacing, linings and calico, neutrals like white cotton, and plains like cotton poplin which you can use for linings or quilt backings.
You’re Ready to Hit the Fabric sales!
At Fabrics Galore, we will be offering site wide deals and fabric discounts throughout the sale period. Did you know you can filter the sale collection by print, colour and fabric type? You can also view best-sellers to see what others have loved, as well as arrange fabrics by the biggest discounts or lowest price so you can see the best bargains first. Keep an eye on our sale and remnant collections all year round so you don’t miss out.
