Heart True Up! It is not only my goto site but the goto site for many fabric fanatics. It’s a fabric wonderland of all the latest fabric news like where to shop and a wealth of inspiration for both sewers and designers.
Why do I love it so much? Aside from inspiration, it’s a very practical resource! Shopping for just the right fabric for your project is a task in itself. The fabric you choose changes a pattern or your project from awkward to amazing or bad to beautiful. And it of course makes it uniquely your own creation. There’s still no substitute for going to the store, to browse the fabric patterns, materials, and feel in person. But wandering around endless aisles of floor to ceiling fabrics, climbing shelves to touch the fabric, pulling fabrics, and then standing in the store poring over them for hours is unappealing to both you and the store! So being able to do some of your homework online saves some energy. It helps you organize what you like more effectively and narrow down some options.
For example, if your project calls for a knit material, you can say get a general idea of some of the latest knit fabrics out there and consider the following options:
Some ideas on patterns – yes to stripes? plaids? or paisleys?
Some ideas on feels and finishes – yes to shiny spandex? fuzzy wool? or soft cotton/poly?
Some ideas on colorways – yes to your best colors? a great color for the pattern itself? or a great color for the season or your home?
Some ideas on styles – yes to Holly Hobby? or 80’s New Wave? or Retro Chic?
Some ideas on brands – yes to your favorite brand? the most popular brand right now? or a quality economy brand?
Some ideas on prices – yes to a very special fabric? a thriftier casual fabric? or where to shop for the best prices and selection?
There’s lots to consider and many ways to approach it. But going to the store with some of these options in mind first helps. You can make a beeline for the stripes in cotton/lycra or the merino wool with flower print. Or at the very least keep the sensory overload to a minimum by focusing on what you’ve narrowed down. You may not end up with what you had in mind but it’s a head-start! And sites like True Up are a good buddy for tasks just like this!