HIA Show - New Products for 2000
By Judith, Fabrics.net
While attending the Hobby Industry Association trade show, we were
introduced to some exciting new (and new to us) products. Many of these
products can be seen on the web sites and the ULR's will be
listed. However, before launching into the "News", a word about contacting
the manufacturers directly:
"Support your local fabric/quilt/craft/hobby store! Yes, the manufacturers
are interested in the consumer but, after seeing the products available
online, please direct your inquiries to your local stores, not the
manufacturers unless otherwise indicated. Manufacturers can not always
tell you where you can purchase their fabric or products at a retail
level. For example, textile mills produce thousands of yards of fabric and
a large order to them is in the thousand yard range."
Now to the new "stuff":
First, HTC, Inc., the makers of creative interfacing products has come
out
with several new products for Spring 2000. They said they would be putting these products
up on their web site within the next several weeks at
http://www.htc-inc.net
For fashion sewing:
-Sheer Magic which is a group of lightweight fusible nonwovens to be used for sheer
fabrics. The colors are 3 skin tones which are designed to "disappear" when used
with sheer fabrics and still offer light and soft support for areas such as collars,
cuffs, front interfacing. The result is that the hand or drape of the sheer fabric is
still soft with just a shadow of interfacing. Very nice!
-Feather Weft another fusible weft can be used for underlinings without adding weight or
bulk. Would be great for secondary fusible for jacket facings or flexible light support
for blouse weights.
-The Sheer D'Light has been improved with the addition of a softer, finer thermal-bonded
nonwoven. The new version is also available in three weights and can be used in both woven
and knit fabrics.
-Armo Rite Necktie Kit will be available too. These kits come with pre-cut bias Armo Rite
and pre-cut fabrics for making classic neckties. Yes, Armo Rite non fusible interfacing is
still available by the yard in 39" widths.
In the Home Dec/Craft area:
-Craft Plus is a nonwoven fusible that has a low loft fleece and gives the feel of a firm
craft backing. Great for wall hangings, placemats and table runners plus in purses, tote
bags, hats and other accessories. This could also be used in shoulder areas of heavy
jackets or tailored coats.
-CutAway is new too. This is a nonwoven embroidery backing designed for machine embroidery
projects where tear away backing may distort the fabric. This is also good for fabrics
with higher thread counts, especially when used in multiple layers.
No, these new products are not available in your stores yet but you may
want to ask your favorite store if they have seen these and if they are
planning on bringing them in. You can also email Htc, Inc at
info@htc-inc.net and they will be happy to tell you
how to locate their
products.
Looking for Batting? FiberCo, has Simply Wool which is needle
punched 100% wool and Perfect Harmony which is a wool and cotton blend. They also have
Simply Cotton which the describe as "The Perfect Old Time 100% Cotton Batting....will
not separate or bunch. Leave up to 10-12 inches open between stitch lines". I just
called them and they do sell both retail and wholesale. You can request price lists and
samples by calling
800-828-3778 or email fiberco@fiberco.com. No web
site yet, they are still working on it.
Perfect Cotton at http://www.perfectcotton.com/
was giving out their sample packs that you can also purchase to try their batting. Their
web site has all of the information about their batting. A wonderful selection!
How about Kreative Kanvas by Kunin Felt? You can see this at
http://www.kuninfelt.com/
along with a list of retailers. This is a type of canvas that you can decorate and then
seal for use in placemats, coasters, etc., etc. I could see kids decorating their own
placemat or playmat using rubber stamps, crayons, pens, stencils, paints.......the list
goes on. Ask your local shop for further information on this product.
Of course there is one of my all time favorites, Chalk Cloth, by Oil Cloth
International. This Chalk Cloth comes in black or green and yes, acts just
like a blackboard but it is flexible for tablecloths, kids work surfaces,
books for kids or even a bulletin board for your sewing room. The web site doesn't have
Chalk Cloth up yet but you can see their other products at http://www.oilcloth.com/ and
email Cardie at info@oilcloth.com for
information where this product can be purchased retail.
I love buttons! I was so excited when I saw Dill Buttons! They are
beautiful and are designed to last through dry cleaning or washing. Their web site is http://www.dill-buttons.com and, although they do
not have their catalog up and running yet (some of their buttons are pictured), you can
find out where their buttons are sold by emailing info@dill-buttons.com
Roxanne's Thimble had a booth too. I had heard a little about this
thimble
but finally got to try it on. My hands are small (I am not) and finding a thimble to fit
has always been a challenge. These thimbles come in several
sizes and, to determine your size, you either need to visit a store that carries these or
use a jeweler's ring sizer. More info at http://www.thatperfectstitch.com
Yes, these thimbles are not inexpensive
but they do not come off when you "cut fabric, answer the phone, or even
pin a pattern."
Windsor Wood, Inc., makers of Project Pack will get you organized and
keep you organized. Check their web site at http://www.projectpack.com
for products that will organize your needle arts, quilting, beading, painting,
and yes, even your purse. Ask your local retail store about Windsor Wood
Project Pack's or email them at windwood@dnet.net
for a retailer near you.
Clover Needlecraft, Inc., makers of Quick Bias (Fusible Bias Tape)
demonstrated the use of this Quick Bias (comes on rolls) for Celtic
designs, stain glass quilting, or applique. Using their Quick Bias Design
Sheet you can iron your bias design from a pattern onto the sheet (the
sheet is transparent and also comes in rolls). When the Quick Bias has
cooled, just remove the finished bias design and place it on your quilt,
wall hanging, garment or applique and re-press to fuse.
June Tailor still offers innovate products for pressing and sewing
including a new Colorfast Printer Fabric at http://www.junetailor.com
or
email customerservice@junetailor.com
You can order a retail catalog with
their online order form or ask your local retail store about June Tailor
products. Their Colorfast Printer Fabric has great clarity and the color
print that they did from my Granddaughter's photo is now a soft fabric
(after removing the backing used when printing) AND it is washable and
colorfast.
Speaking of printing on fabric, Fredrix has Desktop Inkjet Canvas!
Yes
real artist canvas for your printer. You can turn your favorite photograph
into images on canvas, more information at http://www.fredrixprintcanvas.com/
Have you seen the Ergonomically Designed Handle on the Olfa Rotary
Cutter? Their web site at http://www.olfa.com
also has an online form to
find a store near you.
The Grace Quilting Frame was a product that I had heard of but never
seen. To give you a little background, the designer's mother worked in a
quilt shop and had "heard every complaint in the book!" Her son designed
and manufactures this beautiful, well constructed frame. Each time I would
come up with a question, there was a feature of this frame that answered my
concern. You can read more about this at http://www.graceframe.com
plus
see the other frames, hoops and accessories available. You can also find
the retailers in your area where you can see the Grace Frames.
Zweigart Needlework Fabrics and Canvas had beautiful projects and even
pre-woven drawn thread stripes already in their linen fabric. Ready for embroidery
and needlework for table runners, table cloths and placemats. More products, ideas,
and stores carrying their products are at
http://www.zweigart.com
An amazing demonstration of Dye Transfer Paper by Carl Products.
Using a sheet of the Dye Transfer Paper and your iron, you can transfer dye on to
polyester fabric or cotton/poly fabrics that have at least 50%
polyester. The resulting dyed fabric is soft, pliable with the vivid colors
colorfast. Their web site is now under construction at http://www.carl-Products.com but promises to be
worth waiting for. Imagine using Dye Transfer Paper in various shapes and letters on
polyester or poly/cotton fabrics or garments!
Gail Bird has a Russian Punchneedle called Igolochkoy that Embroiders
will die for. This punchneedle creates a plush raised pile using embroidery floss or other
fibers. You can see it at http://www.gailbird.com.
Judith is our founder and a driving force behind Fabrics.net. You can email her at judith@fabrics.net..
