Calico Laine News

In the last ten years, the number of designer makers has increased and we are seeing a continuing trend for handmade items as opposed to mass manufactured items. With online marketplaces sites such as Etsy and Folksy giving people the opportunity to sell their handmade crafts both in the UK and internationally; the number of crafters is building. Crafts allow...

As the new year began I started a fantastic dressmaking course which finished just last week. It was great. It taught me so many different things that you don't really consider if you have never done any type of sewing projects before or if you are a beginner. The key thing within dressmaking, with whatever garment you decide to make...

In recent years, the art of dressmaking has experienced huge resurgence and the demand for handmade, designer look pieces at affordable pieces has soared. Over the last few years we have been riding out the financial storm that has seen wages decrease and the cost of living increase leaving many of us without much spending money at the end of...

If you are looking for an easy project to work on, a circle skirt is a simple and quick item of clothing to make - and the bonus of a circle skirt is that it can be very versatile depending on what fabrics you use to create it. At Calico Laine, we have tons of fabrics that you could use...

Ribbon is definitely underestimated considering it is one of the most useful pieces of material. I understand that it is of course my opinion but so many people use it every day without giving it a seconds thought. Here at Calico Laine, our Berisfords Ribbons are one of our most popular sales, and a lot of the time it is...

Satin Fabrics are renowned for their air of elegance and feminine glamour and for this reason are one of the most popular choices for online customers who are creating luxurious evening wear items such as dresses, blouses and skirts. Satin Fabric is easily identifiable by its beautiful glossy surface and duller background and is a popular choice of fabric with...

At Calico Laine we primarily stock dressmaking fabrics and this is what we specialise in. We do however have a select number of products that can be used for household furnishing and one of the most popular of these is our baize fabric. Baize is usually a woollen cloth or wool mix fabric that does not have a nap which gives it...

When people think of Chiffon Fabric they automatically think of dressmaking projects and what garments can be made with this material. However this fabric can be used for a variety of different designs, one including decoration purposes at special occasions. On special occasions such as wedding days or birthday parties a lot of thought goes into the decoration and colour...

With many dressmaking projects you are inevitably going to need some form of fastening to finish the garment and allow you in and out of the item; with the most popular fastening for most dressmakers being a zip. If you do not have a local haberdashery store near you, you may need to Buy Zips Online and Calico Laine can...

Easter is one of my favourite holidays of the year and this year I am particularly looking forward to the long weekend this year in the hope that the warm weather will make an appearance and I can dig my spring outfits out of my wardrobe. Easter is the perfect time for catching up with family and friends which of...