Tips and Tricks

There are only three steps to making this summer one of the best and brightest yet. You can make it an indoor or outdoor project if you like. And the best part about it? You only need two supplies for it - measuring tape and scissors. Okay, and your computer too. No sewing!

Step One: Measure the length and width of your table of choice (outdoor makes it even better). Divide the length of the table by 36, that will give you the yardage you need.

Step Two: Click here and order one of these awesome new laminated cotton fabrics - they're 54" wide to boot. Oilcloth works great too!

Step Three: Receive your quickly shipped fabric, cut to final desired length and width and ta-da, you have a wipe clean and styling surface for your summer seasons. Need something with which to toast the occasion? One of my personal favorites (when not expecting a child): one part fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, half part St. Germain or Elderflower liqueur, and top with your favorite sparkling wine!

Enjoy!

Welcome to the first of our Fabric Breakdown blog sessions in Tips & Tricks! There are some fabrics which are the most straightforward, such as midweight quilting cotton. But there are others which may need a little more explanation, especially when we start to see a difference in price. Buying fabrics online means delayed gratification in touching and feeling them and that's why we'll be sharing more information on some of those fabrics that are a little more mysterious.

Tonight, we're talking about slub cotton. It's not a new type of cotton but it's gained momentum in the last couple of years. You'll see cozy and soft tees from JCrew using slub cotton throughout their lookbook. At Drygoods Design, we have some really fantastic home decor fabrics from Premier Prints which use slub versus regular cotton. So what makes it different? It's simply that prior to weaving the threads, the threads are themselves twisted, creating texture and a more breathable but rich final product. You may see a slight price difference based on the additional work it takes to get the fabric woven.