Skip to main content

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!

Comments

  1. I've recently found your online store, and love your fabrics. However this short history now makes me happy for supporting a "hometown" store. I grew up just outside Philly and have frequently visited Manheim, for friends and the PA Ren Faire. Although I now live in Bergen County, it makes me happy that I can support a business in an area that means a lot to me:) Keep up all the wonderful work.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looking forward to reading your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've ordered from your online store, and love the fabric, prices and customer service. So happy you're starting a blog!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love fabric mart and all the free goodies they send too. Really you guys are the only place I buy from online. Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Any chance an occasional post could include photos of customers creations using that great FabricMart fabric?? I'm not interested in writing a blog but I would love to show off my creations !!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nice one! :) You have a very good blog post. Even if it's your first time. :) It's really good.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Help Our Buyers Shop!

  Comment on this post with what you are looking for right now and our buyers will seek it out!  I am craving wool gabardines and ponte knits in fun autumn colors. What about you?

Made By A Fabricista: Just Wear It Out!

Originally I wasn’t happy with my make this time around. I put it on fresh off the sewing machine and didn’t love how it fit. My elastic was slightly too narrow for what the pattern called for. I did end up putting a stitch to close up the v-neck on the top. I thought my sewing on the waistband looked sloppy and I looked kind of frumpy in the outfit. I was going to put the project down to fix later but decided to wear it out for some feedback from our web manager and one of the describers.  I ended up pleasantly surprised! The fabric is super comfortable and I felt really good wearing it. All the things I didn’t like kind of melted away wearing it out. The flaws were so small that only I noticed them. I think it’s important to remember that while striving for perfect seams and flawless construction is good, a handmade garment doesn’t have to be perfect to be wearable. This isn’t the first time I’ve softened on a garment after wearing, and it certainly won’t be the last! The 100% c...

Made By A Fabricista: The Sheer Volume Of It All!

This garment was inspired by a dress I saw in an ad, and when I went to purchase it (which I rarely do)…I realized that the dress didn’t come in my size. Ticked off and with $300 back in my pocket, I decided to draft it myself. The description listed the fabrication as a silk cotton voile, so I used that as a starting point to recreate the simple yet elegant silhouette.  My drafting experience is limited; I’ve only ever made garments that are pleated rectangles that fit into an elasticated waist. No darts, no complicated calculations, and definitely no sleeves. But I’d have that dress if it’s the last thing I do! I made a drawing, created a Pinterest board to document my inspiration, and narrowed down the features I really wanted to have: billowy bubble-hemmed bishop sleeves (say it three times fast!), a fitted and lined bodice, and a gathered tiered skirt. Finally, it was time to shop for fabric. I knew I wanted a silk blend of some kind, without breaking the bank. For weeks, I ke...