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fabric

The Beauty of Natural Fabrics

February 27, 2017

fabric rollsI often mention how Cotton & Flax textiles are made with linen/cotton blend fabrics, but you may be wondering, “What’s so great about natural fabrics?”

There is a long, rich tradition of using natural fibers in fabrics, and I find that connection to our roots meaningful. Linen in particular has been used since ancient times, often for clothing, and was even used as a currency. In Ancient Egypt, linen was seen as a symbol of purity, and was worn as a display of wealth. I love creating linen throw pillows with that rich history in mind.

Flax FieldNatural fibers have the potential to be grown in a sustainable way, which contributes positively towards my goals of running a green studio. I’ve read studies that show that flax (the plant used to make linen fabric) requires much less water, and considerably fewer pesticides and fertilizers than other crops, which means less environmental impact overall. Only the best flax fibers are used for making linen textiles, but no part of the plant is wasted in the production process, and the leftover seeds, oil, straw and fiber are used to make many secondary products, like soap or paper. Few products are so efficiently used as Flax.

Natural fabrics, and linen in particular, have all sorts of great properties. Linen doesn’t pill or produce lint, which means your textiles will look newer, longer. Linen tea towels are easy to launder, and become softer and more absorbent with each use. Since linen is made from plant fibers, it is recyclable and biodegradable, but since linen textiles look and feel timeless, they won’t be hitting the recycling or compost bin anytime soon. Plus, linen has a uniquely luxurious look, which is why I love using it in so many of my designs!

Filed Under: Behind the Scenes, Inspiration Tagged With: fabric, linen, natural fabrics

Where to Buy Beautiful Fabric and Sewing Supplies

February 18, 2016

Arroyo Fabrics by Erin Dollar

One of the most common questions I get on social media and via email is about where to source beautiful fabrics like the ones I use for Cotton & Flax. I’ve been lucky to live in cities that had vibrant craft and sewing communities, and so I’ve been able to visit lots of great fabric shops. Today I’m going to give you the scoop on my favorites, including a list of my all-time favorite fabric stores.

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Filed Under: DIY Tagged With: Arroyo Fabric, fabric, fabric store, sewing

Guide to LA Fabric Stores

August 18, 2015

The Fabric Store LA

If you love a good fabric store, today I have a treat for you: a guide to my favorite fabric shops in LA!

After moving to Los Angeles in 2010, I spent a lot of time driving around the city, visiting all the fabric stores I could find. I was experimenting heavily with printing on locally sourced fabric, experiments that would eventually lead to founding Cotton & Flax. At the time, I was just beginning to get to know LA (let’s be honest, I’m still getting to know LA), and all the awesome creative resources it had to offer.

I take pride in the fact that I still source the majority of my materials for Cotton & Flax from local shops and fabric distributors. I’d love to share some of my favorite LA fabric stores, so that locals and visitors alike can enjoy these fantastic shops!

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Filed Under: DIY Tagged With: fabric, fabric store, Los Angeles, sewing

Upcoming Workshop: Print Your Own Fabric in LA

September 8, 2014

printing on fabric with Cotton & Flax

Want to learn to print your own patterned fabric to use in your craft and DIY projects? I’ll be teaching a workshop on how to print your own patterned fabric at Common Thread Studio in South Pasadena in just a few weeks!

diycarved.jpg

In this two hour class, you will learn how to carve simple printing blocks and transfer your designs onto fabric. We will provide all the materials: linoleum blocks, carving tools, printing ink, and 2 panels of 20″x20″ fabric, plus paper for those interested in stationery design. You’ll leave with your own, custom-printed fabric, ready to be transformed into pillows, scarves, tote bags, or whatever you can dream up!

You are welcome to bring additional fabric to print on, as well. I’d recommend light and medium-weight fabrics that aren’t too roughly textured, made from cotton or other natural fibers. Can’t go wrong with a quilting cotton or a lightweight linen.

Click here to sign up for the class! Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions before the workshop, you’ll find my contact info on the About page.

Filed Under: DIY, Events, Print and Pattern Tagged With: fabric

Cotton & Flax visits Momen+

September 20, 2013

momen+visit

In my ongoing effort to highlight the best fabric and craft shops in Los Angeles, and Southern California as a whole, I am excited to share my visit to Momen+! My friend Nichole had been telling me about the great selection of Japanese fabrics at Momen+, so we took a trip down to Torrence to see what they had on the shelves.

momen+ thread

Momen+ had a great selection of notions and specialty crafting supplies that I haven’t seen elsewhere. These beautiful threads, meant for hand stitching, were some of my favorites.

momen+ fabric

indigo fabric momen+

I loved all the different indigo fabrics, can’t get enough of that color.

fabric momen+

ribbons and ricrac momen+

This shop was filled to the brim with beautiful fabrics, and lots of color! From the bright Echino fabrics in the first photo, to the colorful ric-rac and cotton webbing in the last, there was no shortage of color in this shop. If you live nearby, visit Momen+, you’ll find fabrics there that are hard to find, even in bigger cities!

Check out the other fabric shops I’ve visited, and if you know of a store I should visit, let me know in the comments!

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: fabric, fabric store, Los Angeles

Folding tea towels

August 16, 2013

Cotton & Flax Tea Towels

I’ve been folding lots of newly printed tea towels lately, many of which are already in the shop. There’s something so satisfying in making stacks or piles, especially if it’s of things you’ve made by hand.

I’ll be spending some time this weekend testing out new products that will debut in the fall – this year is flying by!

Filed Under: Behind the Scenes Tagged With: fabric, natural fabrics

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A textile designer’s journal

Welcome! I'm Erin Dollar, the textile designer behind Cotton & Flax. I create patterned home decor that's rooted in creative exploration.

Here I'll share peeks of my design process, creative inspirations, decor ideas, and more.

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A textile designer’s journal

Welcome! I'm Erin Dollar, the textile designer behind Cotton & Flax. Here I'll share peeks behind the scenes, recent inspirations, decor ideas, and more. Read More…

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