Illumination Fine Fabric

10/01/2026

20% off sale in-store and online. Sale price will appear in the cart. Type “Dreadful” into the search and these 8 should appear.

IFFabric.com

09/30/2026

09/25/2026

Would you love something cute and comfy for weekends? Try a jersey knit dress! Don’t be afraid to try! Art Gallery has a wide selection of jersey knits. Our lovely sewist here was a little hesitant at first but I think her dress came out AMAZING don’t you think?! 😍

Art Gallery Fabrics Fashion had a post recently of THE CUTEST pajama set- I could lounge all weekend in that! Made of 95% cotton, 5% spqndex their jersey is also wonderful for babies and kids.

They’ve given us a few tips here and be sure to check out their YouTube video: https://youtu.be/VB504GKMWP4?is=9Qu2CMgppDTmVI1Y. Excellent tips to make sewing easier, including how to deal with the edges.

My recommendations:
* use a walking foot if you have one
* stabilize the hem with interfacing (such as Bosal Fusible Tricot Knit #328)
* Use Clear elastic or stay tape on shoulder seams and neckline edges
* Must have the ballpoint/ jersey needles ⬅️

Did we miss any good tips?

No Al here. We are real sewists. With our own hands and creativity 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️👯‍♀️

09/17/2026

Lora Lora just started sewing her wardrobe last year and has done an amazing job trying out all kinds of fabrics and patterns.

Lots of lovely dresses. 👗 Yes, dresses are the best, just slip on with shoes and go! Got things to do!!!

Here she used fableism supply co Amaranth Fields with Sewing Patterns by Sanna Solig dress. Perfect pairing because there aren’t too many seams. Love the french seam slits! It was a windy 🥵 hot day so loose-fitting is niiiice!

Full disclosure: Karla, Lora and I had “bra talk” and we came to the conclusion Cakes are great for dresses like this. How have I never heard of these! Do you use Cakes? Sounds like a genius invention!

08/26/2026

What do you think?! Isn’t this the coolest jacket? Karla Menendez Karla ALWAYS makes a statement with her art (she works with several mediums).

Here she used the Gustave Klimt panel “The Kiss” w/ the coordinating cobalt fabric along with a blue linen blend for the sleeves and neck. The inside looks amazing too, she finished it beautifully. You can see “Klimt” on one of the views.

This is a versatile panel. There is another one remaining in the shop, The Lady in Gold (painted in 1907, now at Neue Galerie NY).

Karla has been with the shop since December while finishing up the fashion program at Dallas College. These are just of few of my faves that she created for her final collection, using ponte, silk velvet, wool crepe and silk organza from the shop. Gorgeous!

✂️🪡👗

08/21/2026

08/19/2026

To save…or not to save. 😭

This was a beautiful project that Luci started in June (when HS graduation was finally out of the way). She selected the fabric and pattern (unfortunately from Etsy, where AI patterns are punishment for impatience and procrastination IMO, but this is part of the process). This stretch poly is also not beginner friendly but it really is beautiful (for a poly anyway)

Rule #1: always do a mock up. At least for the bodice (absolute minimum) or you will 100% regret it

She did all of this by herself. There is so much learning by taking on challenging projects. Sometimes you just have to put it down and walk away, which she did for one month.

She taught herself how to put in an invisible side zipper by hand. Such an accomplishment 👍, but then the big ole ✂️✂️✂️ reared its head out.

What would you do?

Needless to say, out of compassion I took the dress away. It can be crushing when you get SO CLOSE, but remember, as I tell all the assistants in the shop, “No one is dying here”. We learn from every step “of the process”.

Rule #2: Always have a backup plan

This week we will say goodbye to Luci as she heads to college. She has been an “assistant” since the beginning. 💗 (Now on to other adventures!) These are some paintings she made this summer on tea bags. Some things are less stressful than others 😉

08/12/2026

I was hoping to post something positive this week, but it is just not possible. Yes, I saw the news in Denton. My heart goes out to everyone who loved them.

Though this is not the place to burden people with my own feelings and “life stuff” I just want to say we as a country need to stop stigmatizing mental health illness. We need care and availability just like any other condition.

We are sometimes slow to do things here and it has been even more slow this month; for that we are sorry. It will get better! Speaking of which, the new website is up. WWW.IFFabric.com. It took a whole month just to create the homepage. It was hard. But easier for you. IF (as in Illumination Fine), then Fabric.com. It will take time to get everything up. Thanks for being patient 🙏

https://iffabric.com

08/08/2026

🧵Made with love and detail 🩷
The quilted jacket class taught by wrapped up last Saturday and these students did AMAZING.s.grace made TWO! The best mommy and me. 😍 And .r.james.3 put so much thought and care into her jacket I wanted it for myself- a beautiful white and blue print on the outer, and vibrant floral print on the inner. The two were quilted, cut and sewn into a jacket. Finished with a solid blue trim and brass snaps. Sharon really enjoyed the class, so thank you Annie!

Tomorrow is Second Sunday! Just a reminder: the shop is open 1-5. There also happens to be the market nearby. Check out what kind of goodies they have!