San Diego Local Crafting Class Saturday 11/3 & Sunday 11/4 Good morning! Don't forget today (Saturday 11/3) and tomorrow (Sunday 11/4) we are hosting a crafting class lead by Coco (of Coco in Bonita Crafts) at our Santee store-front. It will begin at 1pm on either day and will run for about 2 hours. The class costs $20 and includes all materials plus a great time! All attendants will be entered into a special drawing, so don't miss out and bring a friend! Register for the class here Questions? We are just an email or phone call away!

What touches your skin matters. What touches your skin matters. It’s something we don’t always stop to think about—but fabric is one of the things we live with most closely. The clothes we wear, the dresses we sew, the quilts we curl up under… they stay with us throughout the day. And while cotton and linen begin as natural fibers, what happens after harvest is just as important. During dyeing and finishing, fabrics can sometimes be exposed to substances like formaldehyde, heavy metals, or chemical residues used in processi...

Artisan Cotton by Windham Fabrics: Timeless Yarn-Dyed Cotton for Slow Sewing I’ve been thinking a lot about how some fabrics feel so cozy… just the colors alone give warmth. I’m so excited to introduce Artisan Cotton by Windham Fabrics—a collection created for makers who love depth, softness, and color that is bold, but not necessarily loud. Artisan Cotton is a yarn-dyed woven cotton, which means the color is woven into the fabric itself rather than printed on top. The result is rich, dimensional color with a gentle texture—perfect for garments, quilts, home projects,...

What Are You Really Wearing? A Guide to Fabrics, Health, & Sustainable Sewing Have you ever paused to consider what your clothes are truly made of? The fabric resting against your skin, the sheets you sleep in each night, the tote bag you carry through your days—these everyday textiles quietly shape your comfort, your health, and your relationship with nature. In a world dominated by fast fashion and synthetic materials, it’s easy to overlook an important truth: many modern fabrics are saturated with chemicals, derived from plastic, and designed for speed rather than l...

Partner Discount | Equip Prime Protein A Limited-Time Offer from Equip Foods: Buy 2, Get 1 Free on Prime Protein It's my birthday month! There’s something about a good protein powder that makes healthy living just a little simpler—especially when it’s made from real, nourishing ingredients. That’s why I’ve been such a big fan of Equip Prime Protein for years. It’s made from grass-fed beef, blended with just a few clean, wholesome ingredients (no junk, no fillers, no artificial flavors), and it supports everything from energy and muscle recovery to steady blood sugar and fuller days. For the next tw...

A Beginner’s Guide to Fabric Types & Materials: Choosing the Best for Your Sewing Projects The Fabric of Our Lives: What Are You Really Wearing? Have you ever stopped to think about what your clothes are made of? The fabric against your skin, the sheets you sleep in, the bags you carry—each is crafted from a material that impacts not only comfort but also health and sustainability. In a world dominated by fast fashion and synthetic textiles, it’s easy to overlook the reality that many of these fabrics are steeped in chemicals, microplastics, and environmental harm. But what if you ...

113: Fast Fashion & How to Create a More Sustainable Wardrobe Hi, friends! In this episode of Beyond the Fabric, we’re diving deep into the world of fast fashion—what it is, why it’s so harmful, and, most importantly, how we can create a wardrobe that reflects our values and aligns with a more sustainable lifestyle. We’ll discuss the hidden costs of fast fashion, from its impact on the environment to the toll it takes on the people who make our clothes. But don’t worry, this episode is all about empowerment! I’ll be sharing practical, simple ways to t...

Why Synthetic Cotton Blends Don’t Last as Long as You Think Why Synthetic Cotton Blends Don’t Last as Long as You Think When it comes to choosing fabrics for clothing or household goods, durability is often a key consideration. Many people believe that blending natural fibers like cotton with synthetic ones—such as polyester or nylon—makes the material stronger and longer-lasting. While this assumption may seem logical, the reality is quite the opposite: fabrics containing synthetic fibers typically have a shorter life span and wear out faster in unna...

104: Black Friday Supporting Handmade Gifts and Meaningful Traditions for Christmas Episode Summary: In this Black Friday episode of Beyond the Fabric, Gabriela explores the importance of supporting handmade goods, scaling back on consumer-driven holiday expectations, and creating family traditions that don’t revolve around excessive material gifts. She also discusses the truth behind toxic candles and offers safe alternatives for cozy holiday lighting. Key Topics: The high-consumption culture of Black Friday and the overlooked value of Shop Small Saturday. The beauty of ...

5 Simple Ways to Make Fashion More Sustainable: A Thoughtful Guide for Your Wardrobe Sustainability in fashion is more than just a buzzword—it’s a movement towards slowing down, living more mindfully, and making choices that reflect our values. 1. Buy Less, Make More: Craft High-Quality Staples We get it—fast fashion is tempting. But what if, instead of buying pieces that last only a season, you focused on creating timeless items that can be loved for years? Investing in high-quality basics, especially ones you make yourself, brings a whole new level of joy and pride. Pictur...

The Benefits of Using Organic Cotton Fabric in Your Sewing Projects The world of sewing is vast and varied, offering countless possibilities for creativity. I wanted to share some of the wonderful benefits of using organic cotton that come to my mind! Environmental Impact One of the most significant benefits of using organic cotton fabric is the positive environmental impact. Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, making it a more ecologically friendly option. It also requires less water to grow compared to con...

Reducing Microplastic Pollution: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Textile Care at Home Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic that measure less than 5mm, and they're found in a variety of products, including cosmetics, cleaning products, and textiles. In textiles, microplastics are shed from synthetic fibers during the washing process. These particles then enter our waterways and oceans, where they can cause damage to marine life and enter the food chain. The impact of microplastics on the environment is still being studied, but it is clear that they are a growing pro...

The Benefits of Using Organic Cotton Materials for Sewing and Handmaking In the world of sewing and handmaking, the choice of materials is key to creating beautiful and sustainable creations that will last. When it comes to fabrics, organic cotton stands out as a top choice for environmentally conscious crafters. In this blog post, we will explore the numerous benefits of using organic cotton when sewing and handmaking items like apparel, home goods, and quilts. Environmental Sustainability: One of the primary advantages of organic cotton is its positive impact ...

Fat Quarter Frenzy! Save Big on Organic Cotton Bundles Hello there, wonderful crafty friends! We hope this email finds you in high spirits and ready for some exciting news. It's time for a Fat Quarter Frenzy at Organic Fabric Company! I'm thrilled to announce a limited-time sale on all our delightful Fat Quarter Bundles, featuring our finest selection of organic cotton materials. Get ready to dive into a world of endless creativity and stunning quilting projects. Whether you're an avid quilter, a sewing enthusiast, or simply a lover o...

Sustainable Fashion: Me Made Wardrobe Creating a more sustainable handmade and upcycled wardrobe from natural fiber materials and from clothing you already own can be a fun and rewarding process. Not only will you be helping to reduce the negative impact that the fast-fashion industry has on the environment, but you will also be able to express your creativity and personal style in a one-of-a-kind way. The first step is to evaluate your current wardrobe and identify which items you want to keep and which ones you no longer need....

Here are Our Top Ten Tips for Low-Waste Easter Baskets As Easter approaches, many of us start planning Easter baskets for our kids or loved ones. However, in the midst of all the excitement, it's important to consider the environmental impact of our choices. Here are ten things an eco-conscious person should avoid when it comes to Easter baskets for kids: Single-Use Plastic Eggs: Single-use plastic eggs are a common sight during Easter, but they are an environmental nightmare. They take hundreds of years to decompose and often end up in the ...