In answer to the question, what are quilting fabrics; we need to look back at the history of quilting fabrics.

During the American civil war the ladies in the South would raise funds for their soldiers by sewing and selling quilts. Well, the war went on a lot longer than anyone had anticipated and the ladies quilting changed from fundraising to bedding. In fact, it got so bad that there ended up being a shortage of quilting fabrics. Near the end of the war, people were tearing apart old mattresses and carpets in a desperate search for any kind of fiber that could be used as quilting fabric.

Back in Victorian times quilting was a pastime for the rich and pampered as they were the only ones who could afford the fancy materials being used in their quilts. One popular craze was something called crazy quilts. These quilts would sport many kinds of contrasting materials, colors and designs. So the Victorian quilters were always looking for eye-catching and outrageous quilting fabrics. It was not unusual to find velvet, silk and brocade doing duty as quilting fabrics. Years later the Victorian quilters also began introducing flannels, denims and other cottons into their crazy quilts' list of acceptable quilting fabrics.

Many of the Victorian crazy quilts socks manufacturers are still around today and can be viewed in museums and other quilting displays. Many of them still look wonderful. The wild variety of quilting fabrics as eye catching today as they were centuries ago. Unfortunately, the one quilting fabric that did not age well was silk. If you see a crazy quilt that sports pieces of silk you will quickly notice that those pieces of quilting fabric have deteriorated quickly.

So now you know a little of the history of quilting fabrics.

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Need kitchen counter bar stools? Read on to find some great online retailers flower female casual socks Suppliers of kitchen counter bar stools with terrific selections at a range of prices sure to suit your wallet.

To ensure comfort and that your kitchen counter bar stools do not sit under your counters unused, first measure your counter tops. Then, if the kitchen counter bar stools you've fallen in love with measure at least a foot from their seats to the bottom of your counter, you've picked a winner!

Color, styling, and fabric texture of kitchen counter bar stools set the pace of the design d?cor in your eating area. You can go from casual to contemporary and from fun-loving to formal depending on what materials you choose. Here are a few places to look online for kitchen counter bar stools that should fit into the design d?cor of almost anyone:

For a huge selection of kitchen counter bar stools, take a look at 4BarStools. Here you'll find bar stools in four different heights (24?, 26?, 30?, and 34?), plus a choice of 18? stools suitable for makeup tables or bathroom vanities.

In their 24?-26? heights (the commonest size for most standard home kitchen counters), their least expensive stool is a sleek, non-swiveling, metal-frame model that comes in 11 frame and seat-fabric colors for $139.

The most expensive of the kitchen counter bar stools offered on this site goes for $419 and includes a swiveling seat with 'memory,? a deep-padded seat, and real wood trim on a metal frame. This stool comes in 28 wood, frame, and fabric colors. Free delivery comes as a bonus with all the kitchen counter bar stools on this Web site.

The kitchen counter bar stools you find at KitchenStools come in the classic 50s diner style; traditional styles in pine, oak, and maple; soda-fountain styles, and many, many more. Here you'll find every price range imaginable along with every style that you can think of! This site will keep the shopper looking for kitchen counter bar stools occupied for hours.

From the offerings of these two online retailers, you're sure to find kitchen counter bar stools that fit your needs perfectly. Just remember: Don't forget to measure!

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Buying a new sofa can be an exciting time especially when you have brought it in the sale and you have paid half the price. A sofa can be the focal point of your lounge and it can totally change the look. Once you have made the hardest decision of colour and fabric then you will want it to match the other furniture in the room. More importantly it needs to be colour coordinated, as there is nothing worse than a sofa that sticks out like a sore thumb.

Showing off your new sofa to all your friends and family is great when it's brand new but after a couple of months the sofa can start to get a little dirty. To ensure you keep the quality and freshness of your sofa. Although we don't want to think about this chore too often it really will pay off in the long run.

The first way of keeping your sofa clean is by giving it a good going over when you hoover the carpet. This doesn't have to be on every occasion unless you have pets that lose lots of hair, in which case this needs to be done more regularly. If the cushions of your sofa can be removed then do so and then hoover in the little nooks and crannies where we often find loose change.

When you are on a mission and hand-linking pile of female socks you are doing a full on spring clean then the sofa does need a little more attention when cleaning. Apart from doing your regular hovering you could also wash down the sofa. This needs to be done on a day that you don't require the sofa for seating purposes as it might take all day to dry. If you have removable cushions then wash these separately and leave these to dry before placing them back on the sofa.

Washing detergent used for your laundry is adequate enough to clean a fabric sofa unless of course you have a different material sofa. Lots of the local supermarkets will offer a range of suitable cleaning products. Under no circumstance should you use a product containing bleach. It has been known to be used on an off white sofa with an unwanted stain on it. This was the worse thing they could have done. The beautiful sofa was totally ruined and had to be rectified by using a throw.

So you do have to be careful when buying a light coloured sofa, particularly white. They can be almost impossible to keep clean unless of course it is just for show and it is never used. You can always flip over the cushions, which will mean you don't have to think about cleaning the cushions quite so often.

Finally it is so important to clean your sofa. Not just for superficial reasons but if left to fester then lots of bacteria can be stored in the sofa which will increase by the minute if neglected. It doesn't have to be done all he time but just enough to keep the quality and cleanliness of the sofa.

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Okay, so you have agonized for weeks and finally went out and purchased that gorgeous teak patio table that you have had your eye on for quite a while. And now that it is nestled away in that perfect spot on your deck, you realize that the only thing that would make you love your teak table even more is the addition of an umbrella. But not just any umbrella, a teak umbrella that is designed to remain beautiful and durable for decades, just like your new teak table.

There are a few good reasons why you should consider adding the final touch of a teak umbrella to your patio table. One of the most important reasons being that teak umbrellas are extremely durable and can withstand virtually any weather condition, year after year.

Take for instance the Kingsley-Bate teak umbrella. Their teak umbrellas combine the durable, golden teak wood that is weather resistant and low maintenace with quality outdoor fabric made by Sunbrella. This combination presents a patio umbrella that will remain beautiful for years.

The luxurious wood used in Kingsley-Bate patio umbrellas is harvested from Java, Indonesia in controlled plantations. Teak is an ideal wood for outdoor furniture and patio umbrellas since it has a lifespan of approximately 75 years. It also is naturally resistant to insects, warping, splintering and the elements. With teak furniture and umbrellas, there is no sealing, no staining, and no finishing. Left alone, teak weathers to a gorgeous patina gray, but if you want to keep the rich, warm color of new teak, you can do so with a seasonal application of a teak protector.

The fabric used in the Kingsley-Bate teak umbrella is made by the leading manufacturer of outdoor fabrics in America. Sunbrella fabrics have been used successfully through the years to create beautiful, stain resistant and fade resistant awnings, umbrellas and furniture cushions that have withstood the test of time and the elements beautifully. Outside of being water repellant and mildew resistant, Sunbrella fabric is UV protected and colorfast.

And you can pick from over 43 different colors of Sunbrella umbrella fabrics which include textured fabrics such as Limelight, Dots Meadow and Autumn; eye-catching colors like Tangerine Periwinkle and Parrot; and classic colors such as Navy, White and Camel.

So when you think about purchasing a patio umbrella, you need to be reminded that the sun beats down mercilessly on them, and they are blasted with all sorts of weather conditions including rain and high winds. That is why it is so important to choose the right type of wood and outdoor fabric for your umbrella. With a teak umbrella, especially one made by the leading teak manufacturer, Kingsley-Bate, you can be assured that you are making an investment that will bring added cotton female socks beauty and enjoyment to your outdoor space for years to come.

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Tricot (pronounced tree-ko) is a type of warp knitted fabric very commonly used in making lingerie, as a lining material and in making dresses. Warp knitting is a type of knitting where wholesale socks suppliers the fibres making up the fabric run the length of the fabric as opposed to the breadth. These fibres are knitted in a zigzag pattern. This kind of knitting can be used with different types of fibres, from natural fibres like wool and cotton to synthetic fibres like nylon and rayon. Most often, a blend of fibres is used to make tricot clothing.

In warp knitting, the number of yarn ends (separate strands of yarn) is equal to the number of stitches in one row, as the yarns are knit lengthwise. Hence, unlike weft knitting, warp knitting is almost never done by hand. Because it is such a specialized form of knitting, tricot manufacturers are required to invest in specialized equipment to set up a tricot factory. In a tricot factory, the base material, whether it is wool, or cotton or nylon, is first selected, and then parallel threads of the required lengths are stretched out on a knitting machine. Once this is completed, the machine is activated. The machine loops adjacent threads around each other lengthwise, forming the tricot fabric. This unique production method also gives tricot its characteristic appearance where vertical ribs are present on the front of the fabric and horizontal ribs are present on the back.

Tricot fabrics are usually made from synthetic materials, as they can withstand the lateral stresses, which come from the warp knitting techniques. Synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, acetate and tri acetate are most commonly used; with natural fibres like wool and cotton used less frequently. Blended fabrics are also popular, with nylon blend adding strength and durability, and spandex adding flexibility (or stretchiness) to the cloth.

Tricot has several advantages over other forms of knit clothing. Tricot is a soft and flexible material, and does not snag due to its unique knitting techniques. It also doesn't run easily due to the same reason. All this makes wool tricot very comfortable to wear. Tricot clothes also do not have a tendency to build up static charge, unlike other materials. This is an added advantage with tricot materials. There are a myriad of colours and varieties available, and their unique grain makes them really stand out among other fabrics. That characteristic vertical grain on one side, and the horizontal grain on the other make tricot very recognizable.

The main application for tricot is women's lingerie and undergarments -- usually nylon or woollen underwear for colder climates. But tricot and its applications aren't limited only to lingerie. They find several other applications as well, from linings, to making suitcases, hunting apparel, dresses etc.

Since it is such a different fabric, special cares must also be taken while handling tricot, not only while making garments, but also while using them. They can be machine washed, but only with special care, to avoid them becoming bunched up. Warm water and a gentle cycle is the best way to wash tricot garments in washing machines. Heat will result in harm to the fabric, so use the lowest setting on the dryer and do not iron it unless absolutely necessary. If required, use low heat setting, and a keep a towel or some other cloth in between to separate the iron from the tricot.

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If you've decorated your kitchen in a country style, it can be fun to create some country crafts to use as accents. Country decorating accessories often have a simple and homespun style. As such, it can be easy to create some of your own decorative pieces, even if you don't possess a great deal of artistic talent. If you're looking to add a few extra touches to your country kitchen, here are a couple of country craft ideas you can use to get started.

Quilted Wall Hangings

Quilts are a natural for decorating any country-styled room, and the kitchen is no exception. Quilted wall hangings are easy to make, even if you've never done much sewing or crafting. Although quilts made from cut and pieced fabric squares and shapes are certainly beautiful, starting with a printed fabric panel is usually easier for beginners. Most fabric and craft stores carry a wide variety of printed fabric panels, many of which are perfect for making quilted wall hangings. You'll need a fabric panel that blends well with your kitchen décor, as well as fabric to use as the quilt backing, a piece of batting the same size as your fabric panel, and a needle and quilting thread. Or, you can plan on doing your quilting using a sewing machine, to make the work go quicker. Start by placing your printed fabric panel face down on the work table. Low Cut Women's Socks factory Then, place the piece of batting on top. Finally, place the piece of backing material face up on top of the batting. Pin to hold the pieces together then flip the entire "fabric sandwich" over. Using a sewing machine or a needle and thread, sew through all the layers, creating the desired quilting pattern. You can add as little or as much quilting as you'd like to create the look you prefer. When finished, sew a strip of fabric around the outside of the quilted piece to cover the raw edges, add loops for hanging, and display on the kitchen wall.

Painted Wicker or Woven Wood Baskets

Wicker or woven wood baskets can be very handy storage accessories in the kitchen. When displayed on the countertop or open kitchen shelves, you can use them to sort utensils and gadgets, store food items, or as a handy receptacle for the daily mail. To add a decorative country touch to the baskets, why not paint them? Although you can certainly purchase decoratively painted country-styled baskets, it can be much less expensive and a whole lot more fun to create them yourself. Start by choosing a plain basket, sized correctly for your desired use. Spray paint can be used to add overall color to the basket. Cover the work table and surrounding floor surface with newspaper or a plastic drop cloth to protect against paint overspray. Then, carefully spray paint the basket. After the paint has dried, you can use stencils, sponge applicators, or freehand painting techniques to add decorative country details to the basket. Floral designs, barnyard animals, or primitive country patterns all work well. When dry, add a gingham or country print fabric basket liner to add the perfect finishing touch. Display on the kitchen counter, filled with fruit, vegetables, or kitchen utensils.

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Awnings add charm and beauty to almost any architectural landscape that they are a part of. In addition to their good looks and complimentary styles, awnings block out damaging sun rays while admitting daylight inside. Awnings also offer some tremendous energy efficient advantages that you may not have realized.

Awnings have been adding character to a variety of different style buildings and homes for nearly two hundred years. Simple in appearance and designed to be functional, the very first fabric awnings were only installed when and where they were needed. Originally, the awnings sole purpose was to shield unwanted sunlight and precipitation, and not to be decorative. You might say that the unique visual appeal they've added to our streetscapes was an unintended consequence. Before the invention of air conditioning, awnings provided natural climate control by allowing cool air to circulate throughout interior rooms while the windows were left open. They were also very beneficial to store owners in a way that allowed people to continue with their window shopping on rainy days.

As time went on, mechanical air conditioning became readily available to hand-sewn women's socks anyone that could afford it. Many thought that the old fabric awnings were outdated and unnecessary, and had them removed. Little by little, our streets and neighborhoods started to lose some of their distinguished character that the traditional fabric awnings provided.

Home and business owners soon realized that awnings provided beneficial shading. When used properly in conjunction with air conditioning, the awnings natural shading allows you the option to purchase smaller, less expensive air conditioning systems. Cooling systems would also last longer because they wouldn't need to work as hard to keep inside temperatures stable and comfortable. So it wasn't long before the awning started to make a strong comeback.

This advanced way of thinking paved the way for new aluminum and fiberglass type awnings to be produced. Canopies and sunshade systems, in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, frames and fabrics became readily available. Patios, balconies and recreational vehicles are more enjoyable during warm and inclement weather.

Some savvy businesses owners add their company's name, logo, phone number and address to the exterior of their awnings and canopies. They use their awnings as billboards and business cards to help spread local commercial identity for their business.

Interior shades and blinds are useful and decorative. Whey closed, they reduce the amount of light coming inside, as seen by the naked eye. They also help prevent your carpet and furniture from fading, and keep outsiders from seeing in. However, don't be fooled into believing that they are a replacement for awnings. Interior window shades and blinds do absolutely nothing to prevent unwanted heat from penetrating your windows. When the suns unobstructed rays hit the outside surface of your windows, the light immediately converts to heat as it passes through the window. From there the heat blasts right through the interior window shade and into your home.

A properly installed awning will not only help reduce summertime heat from passing through your windows, they will aid in eliminating unwanted glare and keep your valuables from fading. Keep in mind that the actual effectiveness of any awning will be determined by the size, type and location of your windows as well as the climate you live in. One thing is for certain; your air conditioning system will not have to work as hard or as often. This means that you can lower your cooling costs by 25% or more and easily dress up your home or business at the same time.

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There are very few places in the UK better for hunting out vintage treasures than the world famous Portobello Road, West London. Fifteen minutes walk north from Notting Hill Gate underground station, or five minutes east from Ladbroke Grove station, under a giant tent beside the M40 flyover, Portobello Green Market flourishes on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

On Friday and Saturday at least thirty good dealers can be found selling a fantastic range of vintage clothing and vintage accessories. It's definitely not to be missed. Many of these dealers come to London each weekend from the provinces with new vintage and antique treasures gleaned from charity shops, auctions, house clearances and rag yards to sell on at very reasonable prices.

Serious vintage buyers are there early - 7am - and, in winter, take a torch. You will have plenty of competition, even at seven, because anybody who buys and sells vintage in London will be there. It is also popular with designers - established and student - Cath Kiddson is a regular, but most big-named designers, like Paul Smith - will usually send a representative buyer.

These designers are looking for vintage ideas for conversion. Vintage clothing was constructed quite differently when compared with today's fashion garments made in or India, as cheaply as possible. It is interesting to see how vintage garments were cut and put together and sometimes, for just a few pounds spent in Portobello Road, a forgotten piece of dressmaking skill can be rediscovered. These details incorporated into the design of a new garment can often improve the shape and fall, possibly making the difference between success and failure of a whole line.

Designers also covet vintage prints and weaves, to be copied and converted. Cath Kiddson has made a huge success of incorporating vintage textile motifs into her designs for home-wares. A colourful printed design on a vintage skirt, dress, scarf, apron or even a lampshade that may have been popular in the nineteen-thirties is now out of copyright and free to convert. Textile print motifs that would have been very familiar to our grandmothers can now be seen copied and used, sometimes with slight alterations or additions, on book covers, plastic bags, tin boxes, rucksacks and (Kiddson again) even tents.

As the sun comes up, activity will be frenetic. Stallholders running back and forth between their vehicles and stalls carrying colourful armfuls of vintage clothing or pushing wheeled rails laden with vintage coats and dresses. Some arrive with anonymous black-plastic sacks bulging with vintage secrets, which are simply tipped onto the floor. Buyers rush from place to place rummaging and haggling over vintage handbags, vintage shoes and even scraps of cloth. Arguments are common, but quickly settled; after all, everyone is there for the same reason, to trade and arguments are bad for business.

There are always famous faces around Portobello Road so don't be surprised to see celebrities haggling along with everyone else. In fact, if you don't see at least one famous face, I'd say, you weren't looking. Actors and models not only buy vintage, they also sell it. More than one stallholder on Portobello Green is a "resting actor" and there are a few ex-models too.

I guarantee, that if you deal in vintage textiles, wear vintage clothing or vintage accessories, or are furnishing you home in vintage style, a visit to Portobello Green on a Friday or Saturday morning will always be interesting, often exciting, definitely flower female boat socks fun and sometimes very rewarding.

Sunday on Portobello Road is a little different. There is no need to be there before dawn as less established, casual traders dominate a much smaller selection of stalls with more emphasis on crafts. For the vintage hunter Sunday is much more hit or miss.

But, on any day in Portobello Road and the surrounding area you will find plenty of friendly coffee shops and cafes where, after vintage treasure hunting, you can have breakfast, read the morning paper and people watch.

One particularly amusing sight, if you are eating breakfast in the popular Mick's Café, Blenheim Crescent, is the endless stream of tourists photographing or being photographed outside the Travel Bookshop opposite. They believe this to be the bookshop featured in the very successful movie Notting Hill, filmed in the area. The shop, in the film, is owned by the posh-but-poor William Thacker played by Hugh Grant, who falls in love with a rich and famous actress, Anna Scott (Julia Roberts), who can't decide what she wants, but, naturally, chooses Grant in the end.

The joke is, that none of these scenes were filmed in the Travel Bookshop, Blenheim Crescent. The film company hired a shop around the corner in Portobello Road and converted it to look like a bookshop.

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