October’s fabric of the month

My fabric of the month for October is, of course, perfect for Halloween. Netting, printed with multi-coloured, metallic skulls, this is a lightweight, floaty choice that’s just perfect for a fancy dress costume or party decorations. It’s also incredibly cost-effective – pop into our fabric shop in Kendal before the 31st and it’s a steal.

Price: Currently on offer at £2.99/metre instead of £4.99/metre.

Net fabric

Net fabric is commonly used for fancy dress outfits as it’s inexpensive and versatile. Think net tutus, bulk or an exciting glimpse under an existing skirt, or a flourish worn over leggings. And, because it’s stiffer than tulle, which tends to lend itself to softer folds, net fabric is a great choice when you need a bit of structure. We recommend netting for bows, sashes, garlands and fascinators or Halloween headwear.

It has slightly larger holes than tulle, and is perfect for shaping and use in multiple layers. With this holographic print, layering will deliver vibrant colour and a touch of Mexican day of the dead drama!

 

Top tips:

As it’s synthetic, there’s no need to pre-treat net fabric.

Be careful of the temperature if you need to give the fabric a quick press to remove creases and folds. You don’t want it to melt or distort, which would make it unusable.

You can handwash net, but it can lose a bit of body in the process. It’s the same as tulle in this way and both can be revived by a quick press between wax paper.

Netting doesn’t have a grain. A little goes a long way as you can use a ‘best fit’ approach with your pattern pieces. Due to the holes, you might find that pins with larger or flat heads or handy.

As with any speciality fabrics, sharp scissors or a rotary cutter are a worthwhile investment. As are fabric weights, which will help to stop it slipping.

One huge bonus of sewing or crafting with net fabric is that the edges don’t require finishing, and a short, simple straight stitch is all that’s required for seams.