Affordable Fabric Sources

The cost of high quality fabric can be crippling for many budgets. At $50+ per yard (not to mention minimum yardage requirements), a relatively insignificant project can become an expensive one. While I'm a pretty strong advocate for spending extra for the good stuff because it typically looks/wears much better, I understand that there are places where it just doesn't make sense. For instance, I don't often use premium textiles in kids rooms and nurseries or for accents like shower curtains or dog beds. But when sourcing fabric for a major element like a living room ottoman, then I definitely stick with textiles that are truly upholstery-weight because the cost of adding backing to a cheaper fabric often defeats the purpose.

So if you're on the hunt for well priced fabric options for a small budget project, then check out Pink Chalk Fabrics. They have a section of home decor weight fabrics that includes lots of fun prints like these...

Anna Maria Horner Field Study Linen Parenthetical Porpourri - Trenna Travis Bekko Billow Kiwi

Fab Mod Dot - Trenna Travis Bekko Tatami Slate

Trenna Travis Bekko Swell Navy - Amy Butler Alchemy Fairy Tale Sky LAMINATED

Trenna Travis Bekko Thin Stripe Kiwi - Trenna Travis Bekko Swirl Aqua

Lotta Jansdotter Glimma Kulla Slate - Trenna Travis Bekko Parquet Coral

Another good source is City Craft, which is local for me here in Dallas. Thanks to the super talented and hip owner Callie, they have an awesome selection of modern styles including neons, metallic linens, and graphic prints. Check out their Home Decor fabric if you're looking for sturdier weights for small upholstery projects. Here is a tiny sampling of what CC offers:

Ikat - Cherry Fuchsia Pink

Artemis Chartreuse - Beaded Chain Cornflower - ZigZag Coral

I love Bear Hike print or Penguins Blue for a boy's room

I hope that's helpful for some of you. If anyone out there has other recommendations, please share! I store most of my favorites fabrics on this Pinterest board and I usually put bargain options that are suited for kid spaces on this one.

Fabric Sourcing: Don't Forget About Spoonflower

I'm constantly scouting fabrics and sometimes I forget about off-the-beaten path resources like Spoonflower. I wrote about the wonderful, design-your-own-fabric site a while back and since then I haven't been back for many visits. Well, a lot has changed since then in terms of the sophistication of some of the designs that the Spoonflower community has created. It's similar to Etsy in that it's a very mixed bag, however, there are some amazing colors and patterns and all are available for purchase.

The best part about Spoonflower is that you get to choose a fabric type for any design and the options include quilting weight, organic cotton sateen, organic cotton knit, upholstery-weight twill, linen-cotton canvas, silk crepe de chine, and cotton voile - all are priced between $18-38 per yard so it's pretty affordable. Plus, you can get any amount of yardage including 8" square sample cuts and fat quarters, which is really nice.

I cruised the site and started flagging my my favorite designs, some of which are included below...

Turquoise Dots + Points French Navy
Lantern Poppyseed + Connect The Blocks Fuschia

Zig to Your Zag + White Anemones
Nature's Damask Blue Gray + Doodles

Summer Mums + Square Moldings French Navy
Green Lattice + Bambootoo Cherry Blossom

Sidestep + Poppy
Lampions + Orange Chevron

What do you think of the designs? Many on the site are particularly perfect for nurseries and kids' rooms so be sure to take a look if you're a decorating momma.

Have you ever bought fabric from Spoonflower? If so, how is the quality?

Fresh, Affordable Fabric à la City Craft

City Craft is not only the best place in Dallas to take sewing classes, it's also one of my favorite local sources for affordable fabric. Lucky for all of you, City Craft sells their unique fabrics online via The Shop on their fab website (also be sure to check out the CC blog).

With popular designers like Ty Pennington, Joel Dewberry, and Amy Butler, plus to hard-to-find Japanese lines like Hookoh, the selection is amazing and the prices are hard to beat. For instance, the chic blue print shown in the #1 slot below is a home decor weight fabric called Palazzo C and is only $7.50 per half yard! Believe it or not, the rest of the ones shown below are under $15 per yard too...

What do you think? Any standouts?

If you're like me and love all or some of the above, be sure to add City Craft to your resource list! Their fabric stock is especially fantastic for nurseries and kids rooms. CC also has fabulous ribbon and trim...I couldn't pull it up on their site, so if you're local be sure to stop by and check that out. The store is located in Inwood Village off of Inwood and Lovers.