Our First Blog Post! Welcome :O)

Fabric Mart is celebrating 35 years of business. We were in business when bellbottoms were popular and people danced the night away at Studio 54. We've been through the crazy 80s with acid washed denim, big hair and loose sweaters to our knees. And the 90s styles of plaid flannel shirts and penny loafers. The 21st century rolled around and we stayed up to pace with it! We launched our website while keeping in the fashions of preppy polos, peacoats and ponchos.

Fabric Mart Retail Store Front - Sinking Spring, PA

We've changed our business structure as much as fashion has changed. Robert Richin, owner of Fabric Mart, started the business in 1977 at a store front in Manheim, PA. Today we house thousands of different fabrics in our warehouse and retail store in Sinking Spring, PA, just 30 miles away from the original storefront. We've gone from being solely a retail store, seven franchises, back to one retail store with expansion on wholesale fabrics and developement of a retail website.

New Website Design Created in May 2012
www.fabricmartfabrics.com

All of this would not be possible without the 17 full and part-time employees we have today. Throughout this summer, you will get an inside look at Fabric Mart and how the business comes together because of its employees. Don't worry, we're going to be adding a lot of fun things (tutorials, tips and tricks, inspiration, etc.) in between the "history" so be sure to stop back often to see what's going on.

The blog is run by five women ages 20-45 all with various sewing skills--beginner sewers to intermediate seamstresses. We all have different positions at Fabric Mart, but share the same love of fabric. That's why we're calling ourselves the Fabric Mart Fabricnistas!

We hope you enjoy following our blog!

Made By A Fabricista: A Denim Set for Spring

Happy Friday All! I am ecstatic to share my latest make that I had on my to make list for a while. My goal for the month of February was to sew a mini vacation capsule for a trip, but unfortunately I did not get a chance to. I was able to make 3 of the 6 pieces including this denim set. When this beautiful denim fabric arrived, I knew exactly what I wanted to make. I have been wanting to recreate a linen look I made a few years ago using the Montoya coat pattern with a few adjustments. I created VIEW A without the peplum and lengthened it by 6 inches. Instead of sewing the tie inside the seam of the top like I did here, I wanted to make it separate so that it looks like a jumpsuit. (Read the blogpost here ). Moreover, my body has changed and I needed to cut a size larger so that I can rock it as an open vest or a top tucked in. I love the way it turned out but wish I had extended it by 8 inches instead of 6. For the pants, I went to my tried and true simplicity 8605 pants pattern and

Made By A Fabricista: Three Spring Basics – With a Twist

Hello Sewing Friends! By the time spring rolls around I am ready to pack away my winter wardrobe and wear my warm weather clothes. Since I don’t go into an office setting – and I like to be comfortable - basic essentials in my wardrobe include t-shirts, cardigans and knit dresses. The Cardigan The idea of sewing elevated basics came about when I spotted this fabulous FTY knit with a sequin floral and scrolls pattern. With sequins for daytime being a spring 2023 trend, I decided to use the fabric to sew a cardigan. This is not your typical cardigan. Not only did I choose a sequin knit, but I chose what I consider to be a unique pattern, the Cascade Dress from The Sewing Workshop (now out of print). I have sewn it a few times but never with sequin fabric. My cardigan is actually a top that is designed to button down the front but I made a few small changes to the pattern. I lengthened the front by four inches, removed the front plackets, and added a button and fabric loop at the front n

Made By A Fabricista: Workwear Ready

I'm excited for my first post in 2023! At the beginning of the year, I recently went back to working in person so now I am looking to make and wear pieces that I can wear to work. The goal is to be functional but also very fashionable since I am a fashion design professor. I saw this blue denim fabric and knew I wanted to make some pants; I just wasn’t sure what kind. I decided to make Mimi G x Simplicity S8985 View B pants. I liked the oversized flare look, I just made one slight modification to them by adding a pintuck along the front. This was easy to add since the waistline was called to be slightly gathered to fit. The fabric had a hand closer to linen and was very lightweight which was great and very satisfying to sew. I lengthened the pants by 3” and finished with a 2” hem. The top I used Simplicity S9707. It’s an oversized partial button down top. I decided to create a high low hem by combining two different views. I loved the print of the fabric but honestly as s

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

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