what material?

I want to make bags and a purse and some plushies but I don't know what type of fabric to use for any of them. I went to my local haberdashery and all the materials felt thin (to me) and some were £9.99 for just a metre.
how should I decide what fabric to use?

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8 replies since 13th June 2011 • Last reply 13th June 2011

Reply #1:

I buy single sheets of felt (8x11) in size. They are about 29cents each, so less than $1. I am not sure if this is the material you are thinking of, but this is what I used for the projects below. Hope this helps.
p.s. I buy the felt at a craft store NOT a fabric store.

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/felt-fried-eggs-2

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/felt-food

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/monster-hat-3

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Reply #2:

I love using denim for bags. It's sturdy and will go with just about anything. Most of the time I recycle old jeans so it's cheap. I recently made my dog a denim plushie. She's hard on her toys and denim seems to last longer.

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Reply #3:

Felt or fleece work really well for plushies. Here's one of my felt projects I've made:
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/felt-something

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Reply #4:

I don't know what fabric shops you have down your way, in Bristol we don't have a huge choice.
I've always found Ikea fabric great for bags - alot of it is heavier weight home dec fabric so makes for sturdier (but not rigid) bags.
Also consider iron on interfacing.

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Reply #5:

near me is a haberdashery which sells lots of fabric and felt, ribbons, threads, beads, buttons, but it's expensive. £1.50 for a 9x9 square of felt
there is also a rymans near me, and a pullingers which is more of an art shop, spray paint, paint, no materials or fabric paint, but they have foam and brushes, again expensive but there i can utilise my student discount.
Felecity W. I love the felt things you have made, so awesome Happy

I think for some things I may have to cannibalise old items
Mod.S.T is it hard to sew through denim?

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Reply #6:

have you tried looking online to see if you can find cheaper fabric?

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Reply #7:

I have looked, but some photos can be decieving, i like to be able to see exactly what colour i am getting, the size of it, and the feel. also if it is fur i like to be able to see how long the fur is.

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Reply #8:

Try thrift store, some great material in drapes for purses and stuff like that, you can also find fleece for softies in the baby blankies, I find a lot of material there , that is great for lots of stuff..

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