FAQs
Our fabrics are priced by the quarter metre but any multiples will be cut in one continuous piece - unless otherwise stated. If you're just purchasing a quarter metre, and it is a quilting cotton, it will be sent to you as a 'fat' quarter. To get this put '1' in the quantity box. Other fabrics will be sent by the long or 'skinny' quarter, which is 25cm by the width of the fabric. For more information on fat quarters, keep reading!
Do we cut our fabrics in continuous lengths?
Yes! Unless otherwise stated, we will always cut any multiples in 1 piece.
What is a 'fat' quarter?
It's probably easier if we show you a picture, but essentially it's 50cm x 55cm. It's like cutting your loaf of bread in quarters like a cake, instead of in slices. This picture might help explain.
Can I buy 20 metres in 1 continuous length?
What are you making that needs 20 continuous metres? Most of our fabrics come on short fabric bolts - usually with anywhere between 8-16 metres on a bolt. So it's unlikely we'll ever be able to send you a length that long in one piece, you'd have to have a join somewhere.
Can you re-order fabrics once they're sold out?
Generally, the answer is no! Our fabrics are seasonal, which means we usually choose our fabrics about 3-6 months in advance, and have to decide then and there how popular it will be, and how long we want to keep it in stock. This means, once it's gone - we can't get it again. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but this is the usual.
That is, of course, unless it's a basic. We can re-order solids and basics forever!
The size of a quilt depends on who and where you're making it for! There's no rule it has to be a certain size - it's all up to you. Having said that, here's a list of UK mattress sizes so you can work around that.
Single – 91.4 x 190.5cm (36” x 75”)
Double – 137.2 x 190.5cm (54” x 75”)
King – 152.4 x 198.1cm (60” x 78”)
Super King – 182.9 x 198.1cm (72” x 78")
How much fabric do I need for borders or to bind my quilt?
We sometimes get people telling us they need metres and metres of fabric for their borders & binding. Surprisingly this happens more often than you would think! A simple way to work out the amount you need is this simple sum.
Measure around your quilt. For example, if my quilt is 1.5m x 1m, my total length around would be 5m. Figure out what width you want your border to be. Remember to add on seam allowances! For this example, lets say I need 12cm borders.
So the sum is 5m ÷ width of fabric (110cm) = 4.54 Now round this figure up to the nearest whole number (in this case, 5).
This is the number of strips you need to join to go all the way around the quilt.
So the next sum is 5 x 12cm = 60cm.
And that's the amount you need! The process works the same for both borders and binding (that is, if you're cutting your binding straight).
Do I need to pre-wash my fabrics?
We always recommend you pre-wash your fabrics. Fabric will all react differently when you wash it - some will shrink, some will not. Some may lose their intensity of colour, some may be as good as the day you got it. The point is, you don't know beforehand. We recommend washing cottons and linens on the same cycle that you would wash your finished item - if you like to chuck everything in on 40, then put them in at 40.
If you can't be bothered to wash it, that's fine too - but just think, if you've put all that effort into making that lovely dress to fit just so, and on first wash it shrinks a touch too small. Grr. Better safe than sorry we think!
Our best tip? Put your fabric in the wash straight away when you get it home - that way, once you're ready to use it, it's ready to be used! If washing your fabric by machine, unfold it before putting it in.
The colour looks different than it does on my screen! Why?
We always do our best to give you an accurate representation of the colour and texture of our fabrics, and will try to put as much information in the description as we can. But you know what? Sometimes we fail - or our idea might not be the same as yours.
Remember, different screens will show colours differently. And also, our idea of 'teal' might not match yours.
Why are some of your sewing patterns paper, some digital, and some both?
We always try to offer you the best option out there - some people prefer digital copies for the instant access it gives them to start working on that pattern right now, and the fact that its's always on their computer when they want to access it. Some love the traditional paper version for the lack of effort involved, and some of these indie patterns do have the best packaging. Some of the designers we promote only offer digital patterns, some only paper, and some of them we've convinced to let us have both options for the ultimate in flexibility.
How do I put together a PDF digital pattern?
When you order your pattern you'll be sent an email with a link to your purchase (this will also be on your account afterwards too). Download the file to your computer, and then open it up. On some of the patterns there's only the option to print it tiled on A4, but others have an A0 version that you can send to a printers - there's some great online options these days, like netprinter.com.
If it's the A4 version, when you press print it should give you a bunch of options, and you want to print at either 'Actual Size' or '100%'. If you print it just as is, it may turn out too small or too big and your finished garment will also be too small or too big.
Our sister company, Two Stitches Patterns (which we sell in both paper and digital options!) put together this fun video of how to put them together once you're done printing, which should help with the rest!
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