BeFab Be Creative digital fabric printing

Do you remember my post about BeFab Be Creative, the digital fabric printing business that my friend is setting up? Well hold on to your hats, I’ve got an update for you!

My friend Solii and her sister Zoe are planning on launching the business this September, and as Solii was down in London this week she brought along some fabric samples so I could have a look and get my grubby paws all over them.

As a reminder, this business is going to be aimed at home dressmakers, so you’ll be able to order short runs of printed fabric in any pattern you like, after you upload a jpeg with your design. Do you need a vest top covered in pictures of your cat yawning? You’ve got it! (Although maybe you shouldn’t).

These photos aren’t great, but hopefully they give you an idea. There’s something addictive about fabric samples. Without any colour or pattern, it’s so much easier to compare the way different materials look and feel.

These three are what I’d class as sturdier silks. Something a bit more steady  and easier to sew. I’d never heard of Morocain before (on the far right), but let me tell you, it was super nice. It has a beautiful drape and texture, sort of like a crepe but thicker.

This silk jersey was also incredible.

I’ve managed to crop the label off this due to my non-existent photo skills, but in the bottom left hand corner is a  lovely slubby Habotai silk/cotton mix which would be great for a loose woven tee like the Scout pattern.

There were some really nice cottons too, in light dressmaking weights and heavier stuff for home furnishings.

BeFab are trying to source as many fabrics as possible from the UK, and everything will be printed here in the UK as well. So no humongous postage costs and customs charges.

What BeFab would really like to know (and so would I, because I’m nosy) is what kind of fabrics you like to sew with? I have to confess that 90% of the time I use cotton. I really love the sort of fine, crisp cotton with a sheen that I just used for my shirt dress, but I like drapier voiles and heavier skirt fabrics too. I’ve only sewn with silk once, and I’m a bit scared of it, although I love how vibrant the colours are in silk prints. Time to branch out?

Solii will be sending out an email with some questions to the BeFab mailing list, so they can find out what kind of fabrics they should be stocking. But she’ll also be reading the comments here, so let us know what you like to sew with! Silk? Cotton? Bamboo? Camel hair?

You can sign up to the BeFab mailing list by emailing Hello@BeFabBeCreative.co.uk, or have a look at their Facebook page and Twitter feed.

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