Update: Thank you for entering – the giveaway is now closed.
Today we are on the 5th Canadian Online Fabric Store in our monthly series. I am super excited to feature an interview with Esmari, owner of Warp and Weft! (I might have a small crush on her store… eek!) Esmari’s store – located in Toronto, Ontario – has been open for almost a year. She has been super generous in giving away some of her amazing fabric and has a discount code for you (she ships worldwide!). Plus she is including a coupon to be used at the Toronto Creativ Festival later this year! Amazing!
When I first saw her store I was immediately hooked, the graphic designer in me loves clean white website and great logo. Her fabric choices are unique and I really like how she puts together her custom bundles. I love how the packages arrive as well – wrapped in brown paper and twine with a tag telling you what you have received. Everything about her shop makes me more excited to receive what I’m ordering! It is easy to see that her background is in interior design – all of the details are perfect.
As well as a great selection of designer fabric, Esmari stocks notions from Merchant and Mills and is one of the only suppliers in Canada to do so. I was lucky enough to receive a bamboo point turner from a friend for my birthday, and it works really well – even though I don’t have the heart to remove the tag, it’s so pretty! You’ve got to check out this sewing box as well. I think I wouldn’t be able to use it, but might just sit and stare at it for a while, or display it on a shelf. (Of course eventually I would have to use it, I do like to sew you know!) She also stocks embroidery products, ribbons and more from Sajou – which are gorgeous as well. Maybe I should also take up embroidery just so I can have these Eiffel Tower scissors?!
Of course, I could talk about this shop all day, not to mention the Warp & Weft Sewing Society and upcoming appearance in Made In magazine… but you can check out more for yourself I’m sure! On to the interview…
Thread Riding Hood: What inspired you to start Warp & Weft?
Esmari: “After many years of working as an Interior Designer I had a niggling feeling that I needed to try my hand at something different although it wasn’t immediately apparent what that ‘something different’ would be. I had taken up sewing as a hobby when my husband and I immigrated from South Africa to Canada and was really enjoying using it as a different type of creative outlet from my work as a designer. I soon realized that for me, the most exciting part of starting a new sewing project was the search for the right fabric. I would spend hours trying out different combinations and palettes long before I knew what I was going to make. So when the time came to make my next move my husband’s advice to me was to do what made me happiest and of course the answer was clear – fabric!! Before moving to Toronto we had lived in a more rural part of Ontario and I found it quite difficult to find anything that really suited my tastes as far as clothing, home décor and even hair styling went! Eventually I found a great hair stylist in town but I found that I was increasingly shopping online for designer furniture, clothing and eventually fabric too. So I started Warp & Weft with a very specific objective in mind – to bring a more design orientated selection of fabric to people in the same predicament as I was in. As a designer I was taught by my mentors that one should never compromise on quality or aesthetics and in this age of e-commerce, whether you live in Toronto or Yellowknife you should be able to have access to products that reflect both those characteristics. I approach every purchase that I make for the Warp & Weft online store with this in mind. You can say I curate the collections and always try to find that one thing that stands out in the crowd, that piece that I would happily use in my own home and life.”
Thread Riding Hood: Can you tell us more about your (gorgeous!) Design Team fabrics?
Esmari: “Design Team is a textile design company based in South Africa which started out as a final year project in 2000 for the then students, Amanda Haupt and Lise Butler, and has flourished and grown into a business now employing 40 people, many of them previous unskilled workers who Amanda and Lise have trained over the years. There are so many amazing designers in South Africa who are committed to bringing unique and world class designs to the market whilst doing great work towards uplifting previously disadvantaged communities and Design Team is definitely one of the trailblazers today. Their textiles are all printed using a freehand silkscreen technique which renders each and every piece of cloth printed completely unique. Pigments are mixed by hand and printed on base cloths which are woven in South Africa and Lise and Amanda approach traditional and local iconography in a completely contemporary manner which is both internationally relevant as well as reflecting the socially dynamic South Africa of today. Their product line consists of upholstery grade cottons and linens as well as laminated cottons and wallpaper which can be used for just about any home decorating project from drapery and furniture to totes and other fashion accessories. The quality of their work and their approach to interior design in general seemed to be completely in line with what I aimed to achieve with Warp & Weft so I am absolutely thrilled to be the exclusive stockist of Design Team products in Canada.”
Thread Riding Hood: What is something coming up in the near future that you are especially excited about?
Esmari: “Warp & Weft will be teaming up with RE:Style Studio and exhibiting at the Fall edition of Creativ Festival this year. It is the largest exhibit of its kind in Canada and this will be my first chance to take Warp & Weft directly to the public and I look forward to meeting some existing and new clients there in person. E-commerce can be a bit impersonal at times and I always try to engage with clients as much as I can but nothing beats hanging out in a fabric store (or booth, in this case!) and having a big old chit chat about shared passions! We’ll be bringing the full product line which is available on the Warp & Weft website to the exhibit, including an extensive collection of Design Team fabric samples from which you’ll be able to make selections for special orders, as well as upholstery tool kits and supplies and ottoman, headboard and ‘Bring Your Own Piece’ workshop sign-ups from RE:Style Studio. So do please drop in at booth #624 on October 25 – 27th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and come say hi!”
You do not want to miss out on this one! Esmari is giving away a 1/2 metre cut of 3 different Design Team fabrics (pictured below) – an approximate value of $120.00 – to one (very fortunate) Thread Riding Hood reader. Seriously, this is the good stuff, freehand silk screened fabric with hand-mixed pigments means you get fabric that is totally unique. Aside from the great quality, take a look at the designs. They would look great as throw pillows in my house, and I’m sure you can think of a million ways to use them as well. I’m imagining an amazing tote bag or a small upholstery project… hmmmm… oh, sorry – you want to know how to win these?! UPDATE: Thank you for entering – the giveaway is now closed.
This giveaway is open to all Thread Riding Hood readers, internationally (No one gets left out, hooray!). The giveaway will be run from today, August 9th, until Friday, August 23rd at 10pm.
Here’s how to win: (Make sure to leave one comment per entry on this post so we can count them all properly.)
- Leave a comment on this post and tell us your favorite Warp and Weft fabric, notion, embroidery product or kit!
- Social Media Extra Entries: You can get one giveaway entry for each of the following: (1) Like Warp & Weft on Facebook and/or (2) Follow on Twitter and/or (3) Follow on Pinterest. Leave a comment on this post for each like or follow to say that you did so we can count them all!
- Newsletter Extra Entry: Sign up to receive the Warp & Weft Newsletter. Leave a comment on this post to say that you did.
- Pinterest Extra Entry: Pin the giveaway official pic below. Leave a comment on this post to say that you did.
Choose your favorite ways to win from the list above and leave a comment below for each one – you just might win… and that’s not all!
Esmari is also providing Thread Riding Hood readers with a discount code. Thank you Esmari! Shop at Warp & Weft throughout the giveaway (August 9 – August 23, 2013) and get 10% off your order with the code: “THREAD10″! This discount can also be used to purchase her exclusive Design Team special order fabrics – lucky you! Here are some of my favorites… off you go shopping now!
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I’m very excited to be visiting the Creativ Festival this fall, and was glad to hear that Esmari would be there as well! For all of those in the Toronto area, this Festival is not to be missed. You can find more information on their website – and my review of this year’s spring Creativ Festival here. Just in case you need more incentive to visit – Esmari is providing a printable coupon that you can use during the show! Click on the coupon image below to access the pdf printable coupon. It will provide you with 10% off any Warp & Weft products at the booth, including Design Team special order fabrics! Bring the printout with you to the show, one coupon can be used per customer per day at the festival.
Thanks for hanging in to the end of this one! Enter the contest – and check out Esmari’s shop, you won’t be disappointed. Have a great weekend, see you on Monday!
Note: I have not received compensation for this post. As always, all opinions are my own.
I love those fabrics, can’t choose between them ;). The sewing box is great. I think I know what to do with the fabrics if I would win them, but I’m afraid I only would look at them. Afraid the project would fail…. 😉
So true! I think I would wait a long time to find the perfect project and measure 4 times cut once! 🙂
I started following Warp & Weft on Pinterest (started following you on Pinterest as well, just started using Pinterest a couple of days ago)
And I pinned the giveaway official pic.
She has a great collection and ordering from her is like getting a Christmas present (her wrapping is beautiful!). I really like the Tsuru fabric.
You are so right! Tsuru is one of my favorites as well. I must make something with my fat quarters soon! Have you sewn anything with it?
Thanks, Laura! I’m a complete sucker for nice packaging AND Christmas! Glad to hear you like it too.
I already follow Warp & Weft on Facebook.
I now follow Warp & Weft on Twitter.
I now follow Warp & Weft on Pinterest.
I am already subscribed to the Warp & Weft newsletter.
The Storybook Lane collection is my favorite item. SO many things to make with such a lovely selection.
Storybook Lane is one of my favourites too! I’ve never seen a collection so carefully designed and thought out – the pattern books area amazing! And I believe Kelly Lee-Creel has a new collections in the works with Andover Fabrics. Can’t wait to see it!
I follow Warp & Weft on FB.
I follow Warp & Weft on Pinterest.
I signed up for the newsletter.
I follow Warp & weft on Facebook, I subscribe to the newsletter and speak to Es at least once a week, I am lucky to call Esmari my friend and going to her shop is like a kid walking into a candy store, I am so proud of her xxxx
You are so fortunate to be so close to so much amazing fabric! 🙂
xxxx
You can leave me out of the giveaway *although i’d LOVE to get my hand on some of those DT prints!!* lol! Being on Esmari’s sewing society, i’m already a “chosen one”. 😉 lol! I really enjoyed the interview and Esmari’s amazing customer service and especially the quality & choice of her fabrics simply cannot be beat! Wonderful post, I enjoyed learning more about how Warp & Weft came to be!!
Hi Carla! Thanks for checking out the blog (and especially for posting the giveaway on yours!) I love your Sewing Society posts 🙂 I don’t have time yet to sew so much product with two little monkeys running around during the day. Maybe when the youngest is in school? But I don’t want to wish the time away!
Thanks, Carla! Will make sure your next batch of goodies includes some Design Team stash!
I made some really sweet Velcro-sealed snack sacks for my daughter using several Monkey’s Bizness fabrics, but I think my favourite is – ABCs!
That sounds lovely, Sherri!
I’ve also likes the Warp & Weft Facebook page.
And now I’m a follower in Pinterest too! 🙂
I love the Sew Stitchy collection
Nice choice! I was just checking out your blog – the hexagons are amazing! I don’t have the patience to quilt… maybe someday! Quilts are amazing to look at.
I follow Warp&Weft on Fb
I follow Warp&Weft on Pinterest
I subscribe to the newsletter by Warp&Weft
I’ve only recently heard about this fabulous shop, and I’m so happy that they are in Canada too! Love their collection of Essex linen, and I can never get enough Carnaby Street. Thanks for the beautiful giveaway.
I follow Warp and Weft on Facebook. Thanks
love those fabrics…..love the teal toile….need to do a little bit of online shopping today I think
The teal is amazing! Did you end up buying anything?! Share?!
I already follow on Facebook. The fabric collections are superior! Hard to choose a favorite!
Favorite fabric at the moment: Brrr! collection.
I like the Tsuru collection
I liked Warp & Weft on Facebook
I started following Warp & Weft on Pinterest
And I pinned the giveaway official pic.
I signed up for the newsletter.
Thank you for featuring Warp and Werf on your fabulous blog and for sharing Esmari’s story and the history of Design Team, the company behind some of these gorgeous fabrics. As a sewing non-Canadian having moved from London (UK), I can familiarize myself with the endless search for unique and quality designers fabrics in Canada and I am so glad I found Warp and Werf. I think my personal favourite is Cameo – Angelica, Zinc although I may have found myself a new one in your give-away promotion (Fairy tale – Lime and Teal on Latte).
Anna
ps: I am a W&W follower on Pinterest and Facebook AND posted your Giveaway pic here http://pinterest.com/pin/546694842237222777/
Hi Anna! Thanks for the great comment. I’m glad you know about Esmari’s store now! It’s an amazing find. Thanks for the pin!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Anna, and for sharing this giveaway!
LOVE Esmari’s store. I’m saving up to make my first (big) purchase there.
My fave is the Tsuru collection but really I love all her choices.
Thanks, Shruti! Looking forward to being of service to you in the near future!
I already like Warp & Weft on Facebook
I already follow Warp & Weft on twitter.
I just signed up for the newsletter.
P.s: the giveaway fabric is so gorgeous – If I win it, I’ll probably just save it as is and stare at it/pet it. Unless I find a project that will do it justice 🙂
Love this! I think I would have the same problem! I might end up framing it!
This giveaway makes me so happy! Getting a package from Esmari at Warp and Weft is awesome. I’ve ordered a few things from this store and the details to the service she provides are incredible. Right down to the personal little postcard. I think my favourite fabric is the Love Doll.
Oh yes! You are so right. Had to check out the Love Doll fabric – I really like the brick and peach on masala version. Nice Pick!
Love Doll is definitely one of my favourites too!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Jennifer, and for supporting Warp & Weft! I’m so glad to know that the small details do not go unnoticed.
Kasusi would be my choice.
Glimmer and Glimma Canvas are my favorite fabric collections although they are all beautiful!
Lotta Jansdotter is definitely my favourite designer of the moment. The simplicity of her designs is what attracts me to it. So excited to see her new line for Windham Fabrics!
I am following Warp & Weft on Pinterest:)
I posted the Warp & Weft Giveaway button on Pinterest!
I subscribed to the Warp & Weft Newsletter!
beautiful fabrics, thanks for the chance
i liked on facebook
i follow on pinterest
i get Warp and Weft newsletter, great store btw
My favorite fabric: Glimma – Kulla Rosey Cheeks 🙂
I liked Warp and Weft on facebook!
Following Warp and Weft on Pinterest!
Signed up to receive the Warp and Weft newsletter!
and pinned the giveaway official pic 🙂 Now crossing my fingers!
Oooh those Eiffel tower scissors are covetous. But they would not likely ever leave the box.
So True! Thanks for pinning the contest! Pinterest is addictive – watch out! 🙂
liked on facebook
following twitter
following pinterest
signed up for the newsletter
and pinned my first pin on pinterest
I love Field Study, Poppies in Platinum by Anna Maria Horner. And I could go on, but I won’t. Thanks!
I pinned the giveaway pic.
http://pinterest.com/pin/524176844100465451/
Thanks Lisa! Hope you are having a great summer! 🙂 Do you think I might see you at Creativ Festival this Fall?
What beautiful fabrics! I love them all, but am leaning towards the fairy tale (teal and latte) one. Hope to win!
I’ve also followed on Pinterest.
I love the Design Team Rhino, plum on earth!
Thanks for the give away:)
This is a fantastic series, so glad to be able to order from Canada.
now following warp and weft on pinterest:)
My favourite Warp&Weft fabric is Wonderland, Teal on Earth. Great combo of prints for the giveaway!!
Liked Warp and Weft on Facebook.
Following on Pinterest
Already on the newsletter mailing list
I love the Norwegian woods – scandi leaves fabric
liked Warp and weft on FB – mackenzie Lynn
Following Warp and Weft on Pinterest – blackroses427
Following Warp and Weft on Twitter – blackroses427
Signed up for the newsletter – kenzielynn@twcny.rr.com
Pinned the giveaway picture – blackroses427
Love the Bella collection. Can’t get enough of those birds. And the Design Team fabrics are gorgeous!
Ashley – you are so right – they are amazing!
Liked Warp and Weft on Facebook 🙂
Followed Warp and Weft on Pinterest 🙂
Pinned the contest picture to my Pinterest board
I like all of the fabrics, especially Belle.
Hi Faye! Thanks for sharing on FB, I really appreciate it!
I shared your link on FB. https://www.facebook.com/faye.nettles.92
I follow on Pinterest.
Following you on Blogloving.
I liked Warp and Weft on Facebook! : )
Just signed up for the Warp & Weft newsletter!
Thanks for highlighting my favourite online fabric shop…. I have soooo many Warp & Weft specials and love dealing with Esmari… with every experience the desire to do more with her fabrics just grows….
Thanks so much, Sandy! xxxx
Hi Sandy! I’m so glad you love Warp & Weft too. Hope you can take advantage of the discount this time around! 🙂
I signed up for the newsletter.
I adore the Merchant and Mills items.
I like the Indigo Red collection. I sew for a baby boy who will be a toddler in a blink. This collection gave me several great ideas for projects. Yeah!
Indigo Red is amazing! I think I’ll have to go and get some ASAP. I’ve been looking at it for a while… hmmmm… Thanks for bringing it up!
Oooh — I love the whole Ravena collection. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!!
Niki – Thanks for mentioning Ravena, I just looked it up and LOVE IT! Not sure how I missed it before – Dear Stella is becoming one of my favorite designers 🙂 Nice choice!
I liked W&W on Facebook!
I subscribed to the newsletter. I love that you are giving us information on Canadian fabric stores. I would have had no idea Warp and Weft existed otherwise. Thank You!
Hi Tawnya – I’m so glad you know about them now! I love the Canadian Store list and almost exclusively shop from it. So much nicer not to have to worry about lengthy shipping times and taxes!
I like Red Thread – Ladybug Dots for me 🙂 For my son, I would pick Seven Seas – Laddies Poppets
I adore the Essex Linen Color Bundle!! Love it!!! Thanks for a great giveaway
Me too! I seem to work Essex Linen into just about every project these days!
I like them on FB
I am now following them on Twitter
I am now following them on Pinterest
I signed up for their newsletter
I pinned their picture…heres to hoping I win!! LOL
Hi Rhonda, You’ve done all you can to win it! Love the spiral quilt you made – I’ve gotta keep that on the list to try 🙂
Just stumbled onto your lovely site from She Can Sew and now I find this amazing fabric offer!!! Oh MY!
What fabulous textiles to add to anyones special collection! I love such things!
Could I please enter? I do not do any other social media, but Email and a little Etsy shop for a hobby. But I sew for my granddaughters and that gives me great purpose in life! Honest and sincerely yours, Danita.
Hi Danita, You can most certainly enter the contest! I’m glad you found it. 🙂
Fairy Tale is unbelievably beautiful! Definitely my favorite
Good Pick Glenda! I love it too. 🙂
I also signed up for their newsletter & am following them on Pinterest. Thanks for introducing me to them!
Beautiful products & fabric at Warp & Weft. I am in love with the fabric Saltwater-Bubble shells, aqua.
ummm…hello! that fabric?!?! love. and as for what i love on their site…well, basically everything. but those eiffel tower snips? i die.
awesome shop. thanks for introducing me. :0)
Have liked Warp & Weft on facebook!
also following them on pinterest. love it.
Am now following Warp & Weft on Pinterest. Looks like plenty of exciting things to check out on there.
The Official Giveaway pic has been pinned to my Sewing board on Pinterest.
Signed up for your newsletter & am looking forward to some great inspiration!
I love Glimma!
I signed up for your newsletter!
I love the Red Thread bundle. Thanks for a fabulous giveaway opportunity.
Hi Green – Thanks for entering the contest! I like your Glimma Tablet cover – very nice!
I like Warp & Weft on Facebook.
I follow Warp & Weft on Pinterest.
I follow Warp & Weft on Twitter.
I pinned the giveaway: http://pinterest.com/pin/260645897157354256/
Okay… from the bottom up… I pinned the picture
http://pinterest.com/pin/38139928067511311/
I signed up for the newsletter. I used the email address in the comment bar up there.. 🙂
I follow on FB…. Melle Eldridge
I follow on Twitter.
@featheredruffle
i followed W&W on pinterest.
pinterest.com/melleeldridge
I just found your blog today! I am still wandering through it happily.
As far as W&W I really want some of those silk screened prints! But I also love the 7 Seas and Tsurus lines of Organics. 🙂 Would love some of either of those. Also tho really like the Cameo voiles. I have some tops I’d like to make for myself. The Voiles would be a good choice for those…
Hi Melle – Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the trek! 🙂 I love the voile – it’s perfect for a great summer top. Great idea!
I agree with Sherri – the Cameo voiles are just heavenly! Super silky and easy to work with too!
I just found this site and signed up for your newsletter and contest. Looking forward to following you and so great to see a Canadian site with reasonably priced fabric. Also love that you do the free shipping on sales over $100! What incentive to but more fabric.
Hee Hee! Anything to buy more fabric eh! 🙂
I love the sew stitchy line, especially the panel.
Sew Stitch is a great pick! It would be fun to try to meet up somewhere if you are at Creativ Festival!
Following w&w on Facebook.
Following w&w on twitter
Following w&w on Pinterest
Subscribed to the newsletter (and I’ll look for you at the creative festival!)
Figured out how to pin your prize picture.
Thanks
I don’t sew but Esmari (my sister) sure inspires me to want to do it… SOON!!!
We’ll have to arrange a big sewing meet-up somewhere between Canada, the UK and Belgium then!