Thanks to online shopping we can buy anything, anywhere. Moreover, without leaving home, from anywhere in the world where there is Internet access. Including fabric: any composition, footage and value.
Today it is possible to purchase fabrics on a variety of online sites. In addition, almost every stationary fabric store has its own online store. How to choose among all this diversity what you need?
I will share my personal experience and tell you how I choose fabrics on the Internet, which I draw attention to, which is important for me when choosing a particular store or individual seller.
If you have never bought fabrics on the Internet, but want to try it, then when choosing an online store yourself, focus primarily on your interests, needs and opportunities:
✽ from which fabrics do you sew most often (dress, costume, coat, etc.);
✽ which fabrics do you prefer in composition (natural, mixed, synthetic or all groups);
✽ how much do you usually spend on the purchase of fabrics;
✽ price threshold for a single cut.
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Then study the offers of fabric stores that also offer their products via the Internet, especially pay attention to those with which you are already familiar, where you previously bought fabrics. Moreover, the conditions in the online store may be more attractive, for example, the ability to postpone the goods for 1-2 days to determine for sure, supplement the order with other fabrics or sewing accessories in order to save on shipping. Or, if you purchase coat or suit fabric, assemble a complete set: accessories, lining, insulation, threads. And then place the delivery or pick up the order by self if the stationary store is in your city. And of course, do not forget to read the reviews.
But the most effective and easiest way to find your online fabric store is word of mouth. Surely among your sewing friends there are those who constantly use the services of online stores and have already found their favorites among them. Thus, you will be typed with at least a dozen addresses, among which two or three will definitely intersect. Here mark them right away. Browse the rest, and if you like something else, add them to your list.
Now you can start choosing
✽ study the assortment: regular deliveries or stock (plus the first - a large footage, stock - these are fabrics in a small footage or in cuts);
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✽ prices and special offers (often cheaper than in ordinary stores, especially on luxury and exclusive fabrics);
✽ read the terms of payment and delivery (electronic payments, different delivery methods to choose from, including pickup);
Most online sellers have an unwritten rule in relation to a new customer - with the first order you get a bonus. It can be a discount for the next order or a small present, for example, a spool of thread to match the acquired fabric.
In our BurdaStyle.ru online store a large assortment of all groups of fabrics, accessories for sewing and needlework is presented, as well as on our website you can choose and buy patterns. By the way, it is very convenient when you can purchase the whole set of necessary materials in one place. In addition, on our website we regularly offer various promotions and discounts, thanks to which you can afford to buy yourself a little more.
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✽ photo of fabrics (macro photography, photos with a ruler, especially if the fabric is with a pattern or strip, the photo is the wrong side, combined photos, color rendition);
✽ video of fabrics (the same as with the photo, but plus you see the fabric in motion, its transparency, crease, density, the video is easier to understand what it really is, to present its tactile properties);
✽ Pay particular attention to the fabric description.
For the most part, especially among large sellers, the description will be quite brief - only the composition, price and name, for example, dress viscose. In this case, do not hesitate to ask about everything that interests you. You can request additional photos or videos. Clarify the features of the material and specify the model that you plan to sew from the selected fabric.
There are also such offers, where in addition to one photo or photo and name there is nothing more. And only from further communication with the seller it will whistle whether relations with such a store will develop or not. This approach does not necessarily mean that you are being offered bad fabrics or trying to hide high prices. But, frankly, I bypass such online stores and do not spend my time on them. Since I personally am attracted by sufficient and "tasty" descriptions of fabrics:
- they can be very concise and contain only information about what kind of fabric, manufacturer, composition, width and price, but there are always two or three sentences that say everything about the presented fabric: what it is, its characteristics, capabilities and what can be sewn from it.
- or these are descriptions, like a small story that instantly draws a finished image in your imagination. In this case, most often, before you will be a set of two or three different fabrics, which, of course, can be purchased separately or by the proposed set.
✽ The personal attitude of the seller is another very important point for the online fabric store. In this case, it’s not about his interest in sales, but about understanding what he offers us, yes, I’m talking about love for fabrics.
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The main disadvantages of buying fabrics online
✽ color reproduction (even the highest quality photo does not give a 100% guarantee of color matching, everyone has different monitors, and color perception too);
✽ there is always a risk of mismatch between the expected and the real;
✽ no matter how informative the photos, video and description are, this does not replace tactile acquaintance with the fabric, and for most sewing it is one of the most important moments and, perhaps, the main obstacle to online shopping;
✽ have time to buy, especially if the fabric is offered in a small footage or even in one section.
Recently, I am increasingly choosing and buying fabrics in online stores. It is convenient, cheaper and personally this method saves me from spontaneous purchases.
Good luck with your shopping!
Author: Julia Dekanova
Photo: pixabay
