Making Waves! Spoonflower’s New Range of Apparel Fabrics

When Spoonflower asked if we’d like to partner with them for the launch of their new apparel fabrics, it was a “Heck yes!” from us. Getting to sew a bunch of our favourite Peppermint patterns using the new fabrics AND spending the day together on a poolside photoshoot with 10 models and a puppy? No need to ask twice, friends. We’re in!

photos KELLEY SHEENAN models CLAIR WHEATLEY, SARO RORO, SOPHIA BLACKBERRY, TAYLOR BROWN, VISAL NHEM, MAYATU NOVA, AMELIE WARNER, LANI WARNER, SADIE ASHBY and LAURA JACKSON

If you’re a sewist then you know how great it feels to receive a parcel of fresh fabrics in the post. And you can imagine the gasping, the “ooh-ing” and “ahhh-ing” – and the grabby hands – when a box from Spoonflower arrived, packed to the brim with fabrics we’d never seen before. “Hold my drink!”

Once we had our hands on the goods, we asked Spoonflower how these new fabrics came to join the (already expansive and truly fabulous) range. “Our merchandising team is always on the hunt for in-demand products that will keep our sewing community coming back for more,” said creative director Theresa Rizzuto. 

“We’re so excited to introduce this collection of apparel fabrics: Cotton Silk, Essex Linen, Seersucker and Sport Stretch Woven – a top request from our latest customer survey,” she added. “These fabrics are perfect for summertime sewing and creating a ‘me-made’ wardrobe for warmer weather. Each fabric is a new canvas for your favourite Spoonflower designs to be printed on and made into something wonderful.”

We’ve been keeping this secret for months, so please pull up a deckchair and settle in as we try to contain our excitement and introduce you to your new favourite fabrics.

The first to arrive at the party is the beautiful Cotton Silk – your go-to gal for any garment that needs a graceful drape and flowy finish. She’s a versatile, naturally breathable fabric made of a luxurious blend (51 per cent cotton and 49 per cent silk) with a slight sheen. She’s perfect for dresses, blouses, top-weight apparel and accessories.

Essex Linen is also in the house! Yep, you heard right – LINEN!!! This beauty is a midweight fabric with a blend of 55 per cent linen and 45 per cent cotton for a crisp yet drapable finish. She’s an excellent choice for stunningly soft skirts, dresses, pants, lightweight jackets and button-up shirts.

The lovely Seersucker is our next new fabric to arrive on the scene – a lightweight 100 per cent cotton material with an alternating flat and puckered texture for breathability. This distinctly tactile fabric will suit any top-weight apparel project, from dresses and blouses to sports coats and suits. Spoonflower is the only print-on-demand company to offer this fabric!

And, finally, Sport Stretch Woven is all limbered up and ready to cannonball in! A fast-drying, water-repellent fabric with four-way stretch, it’s perfect for adventurous apparel including board shorts, athletic wear and outdoor clothing. 

So now you understand what all the excitement is about, let us walk you through the photoshoot!

We’re talking 10 models, one puppy, 13 garments (sewn with help from the incredible Alice Veivers), handmade accessories (thanks Each To Own!), boxes of shoes (shout out to Twoobs!), a bounty of picnic essentials (couldn’t have done it without you, The Somewhere Co), extra clothing from Kowtow and AS Colour and most of the Peppermint team. From hair straighteners to cupcakes and inflatable donuts, the team was kitted out with everything we needed for a most excellent pool-party vibes photoshoot.

Despite Brisbane’s flip-flopping weather, ranging from blazing hot to sprinkling rain, we had the best time – our brightly dressed beauties laughed, chatted and played the morning away in their fabulous threads. The Cotton Silk, Essex Linen and Seersucker garments drew compliments for their comfort and breathability in the heat, while the Sport Stretch Woven was just what we needed when a few of the models jumped into the pool for the final shots! Daisy the puppy brought smiles to faces – and tiny love bites to anyone in reach – and elevated the fun factor by a whole lot.

A shout-out to our illustrious leader, resident photographer and Peppermint editor-in-chief, Kelley, who was so committed to her craft she ended up driving home in a wet jumpsuit after wading into the pool to get the perfect shot. An honourable mention goes to Peppermint’s sewing coordinator, Laura, who made an unexpected appearance in front of the camera due to a late cancellation from one of the models. We’re nothing if not dedicated! Peppermint’s community manager, Kelly (who was a hairdresser in a past life), saved the day with her humidity-defying styling skills, and national advertising manager Michelle was our prop-handling queen (and puppy wrangler). 

What a spectacular day!

And now it’s over to you, dear sewist, so take a deep breath and dive in! Swim on over to Spoonflower and begin your search for the perfect print for your next make. We can’t wait to see what you produce from these fun new fabrics.

THIS ARTICLE WAS CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FRIENDS AT SPOONFLOWER. POP OVER TO SPOONFLOWER.COM FOR MORE FABRIC FUN.