Let’s talk about Cork fabric! Have you tried it? It’s perfect for making bags, wallets, placemats, and so much more. Cork has so many things going for it – it is washable, durable, antimicrobial, and sustainable. It is soft and smooth and is similar to a very nice leather – but much easier to work with. It is very lightweight and it is water resistant – a perfect combination for a bag!
Cork Comes from Tree Bark!
Cork comes from the Cork Oak tree, which grows in Spain, Portugal, and France. The cork is scraped from the bark of the trees, dried, and eventually shaved into thin sheets. The sheets are then adhered to a backing of fabric (a blend of Polyester, Cotton, and Polyurethane). None of this harms the trees. The trees re-grow more cork and each tree can be harvested every nine years.
Check out these gorgeous shades of Cork Fabric! Yes, it is fabric and it’s so fun to create with! Find these colors and more on Missouri Star Quilt Co. or just click here!
You may be thinking, “How do I get started with cork?” Good question. Here are a few things to know before you start. There are a lot of color and print options when it comes to cork. There is way more out there than just the classic tan cork. (Yay!) Cork is most commonly sold in 27” wide pieces or 54” wide. There are basically two levels of quality when it comes to cork – Touch Cork and Pro Cork. Touch Cork is a lower quality and should not be ironed. Buy from a quality shop and you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
These are also Cork Fabric. It comes in prints too! How cool is that? Shop the collection of Cork Fabric by clicking here!
Things you will need before starting a project with cork:
- Wonder Clips or something similar – if you use pins with cork, they will leave permanent holes.
- Sharp sewing machine needles – Microtex 80/12 or Microtex 90/14 work great.
- Fabric glue or double-sided basting tape – either one of these work great for holding down seams.
- A new rotary blade in your rotary cutter and sharp scissors.
Make a Wallet
There are so many fantastic patterns for cork projects out there. A small wallet is a great place to start. Check out this Triple Play tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Company. These three ladies will have you whipping out wallet projects left and right. They’re that easy!
If you’re looking for a great book to get you started on your cork journey, Create with Cork Fabric by Jessica Sallie Kapitanski, pictured below is a wonderful resource! And how cute is that bag on the cover?? You can find this book by clicking here.
Okay, so you’re ready to jump into the world of cork! It’s best to start with something easy like a wallet, and then work your way up to a larger project. Below are some great patterns to choose from! You can find them all by clicking here!
Cork is an amazing fabric and a total game-changer when it comes to making bags and purses. Can a person have too much cork? Absolutely not! Buy it and get started on those projects today. You will wow your friends with what you create and you will surprise yourself with how easy it is to work with!
Happy sewing!
Be sure to check out our Nancy’s Notions Homepage, where you can find links to over 60 different categories of sewing and quilting topics! That’s over 400 articles! Click here!
Looking for free patterns or more sewing project ideas? Click here!
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