Scaled Fabric

[aussieguy84]

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone have any recommendations as to where to buy scaled patterned fabric from? I'm working in 1:24 scale but some prints in 1:12 would also work. 

I'm based in Australia so postage is a must. I see Brodnaxprints http://brodnaxprints.com/cottonfabric-2.aspx have an amazing selection but don't seem to post to Australia : - ( I emailed them and got no response. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. 

Cheers

Scott : - )

[havanaholly]

Scott, do Australian fabric or craft stores carry quilting fabrics?  Many  of the small prints work, even in 1:24, and a "fat quarter" yields plenty of fabric for 1:24; I had leftover from dressing this bed & window in one of my Fairfields:

Are there thrift shops in Oz?  The old wide polyester neckties from the '70s & '80s are wonderful for wee designs in scale.  I used one for the parlor (the drapery ties are embroidered ribbon):

and another for the Knowle settee in the library:

[Debora59]

I have found fabrics on Etsy, try SydneyStyle she has over 1100 to scale fabrics

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SydneyStyle?ref=search_shop_redirect

[havanaholly]

Brae also has really nice mini fabrics in her Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/otterine

 

[KathieB]

If you find a source for old ties, seek out the silk ones over the polyester. Silk drapes and shapes much better to scale than the stiffer poly fibers. The same is true of other natural fibers -- cotton, linen, etc. Quilting fabric is cotton, which makes it useful for mini work, and there are jillions of patterns available in usable scales. I even used a red brick print quilting fabric for the outside of my quilt shop room box.  Also notice the numerous bolts of fabric in the room box -- all made from fat quarters (roughly 18" x 18") purchased at real life quilt shops.

While I have purchased some fabric on line, I find it helpful to see the fabric in person. I love rummaging through the boxes or baskets of fat quarters for just the right color/design.

[Debsrand56]

I agree on the ties--they work really well for half scale.  Silk is better, but if you are just covering a cushion and don't need to drape, polyester will work, too.  My brother nearly had a heart attack when I told him I was cutting up an Armani tie for a sofa, but the brocade was perfect (and the tie only cost me a dollar at Good Will).  :-)  I look through our fat quarters, too, but have a hard time finding prints that are small enough.  I also print my own fabric sometimes.  The freezer paper method mentioned in the post under your idea board (and I'm sorry, but I can't remember who posted it) works really well.

[havanaholly]

I only use the old polyester ties for upholstery.

[Guest]

Spotlight have quilting fabric it's called Fat Flats or FF's.... I have quite the stash of them. :)

[aussieguy84]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to start with the Fat Flats and then go from there : - )

[Elsbeth]

To get ideas/designer names, you can look at this shop:

http://www.fatquartershop.com/alices-scrapbag-mini-charm-pack

I'm doing smaller scaled bedding, so a mini-charm pack works for me (1:48 scale). Some of the patterns are small enough to look okay.

 

[shannonc60]

I print my own. I purchase the silk or cotton printable sheets, use a drawing program to scale a picture I found on the internet and then print it with my home printer. Very easy, very effective.

[aussieguy84]

45 minutes ago, shannonc60 said:

I print my own. I purchase the silk or cotton printable sheets, use a drawing program to scale a picture I found on the internet and then print it with my home printer. Very easy, very effective.

Thanks Shannon - where do you get the printable sheets from? Brand name? I had a look for these in spotlight today but no success : - (

[Guest]

Scott,

You can buy freezer paper by the metre from spotlight online. https://www.spotlightstores.com/by-the-metre/small-freezer-paper/p/80071576001

You also can buy it in pre-cut printer sheets (US 8.5 x 11 which is close to A4) on Ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Quilters-Freezer-Paper-Sheets-Bulk-Pack-by-C-t-Publishing-Hardcover-Book-Engli-/142166117309?hash=item2119c2cbbd:g:yTUAAOSw4GVYFz3S

Or you can get fabric sheets already attached (more expensive and you are limited to the colours provided which are white and cream only as far as I can tell..., but I believe the print quality is slightly better  ) also on Ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/June-Tailor-Sew-in-Computer-Printer-Fabric-CREAM-4-sheets-/141763290924?hash=item2101c0272c:g:gqEAAOSwMmBV5tan

[KathieB]

2 hours ago, Samusa said:

Scott,

You can buy freezer paper by the metre from spotlight online. https://www.spotlightstores.com/by-the-metre/small-freezer-paper/p/80071576001

You also can buy it in pre-cut printer sheets (US 8.5 x 11 which is close to A4) on Ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Quilters-Freezer-Paper-Sheets-Bulk-Pack-by-C-t-Publishing-Hardcover-Book-Engli-/142166117309?hash=item2119c2cbbd:g:yTUAAOSw4GVYFz3S

Or you can get fabric sheets already attached (more expensive and you are limited to the colours provided which are white and cream only as far as I can tell..., but I believe the print quality is slightly better  ) also on Ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/June-Tailor-Sew-in-Computer-Printer-Fabric-CREAM-4-sheets-/141763290924?hash=item2101c0272c:g:gqEAAOSwMmBV5tan

You iron the fabric to the plastic side of the freezer paper and carefully trim the edges to a standard paper size so it won't jam in your printer. It feeds through beautifully. Once printed and allowed to dry a few minutes, the fabric easily pulls away from the paper. This will not be waterproof, so if you use hairspray to set the folds in the drapery, be sure it is not a water based solution. (Please don't ask me how I know this. <grinning>)