FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Public Relations:
Cathy Guterman
908-755-4700 ext. 107
HALLOWEEN COSTUMES MADE WITH HANDS AND HEART
"A North
Plainfield Store Creates a 'Mega' Season
by Celebrating Children's Favorite Holiday"
For the 17th year in a row, Fabricland, the state's largest fabric store located on Route 22 in North Plainfield, will hold its annual Halloween Costume Contest and Parade on Saturday morning, October 26 at 10 a.m., rain or shine. Winners wearing the best costumes - both original creations as well as commercial pattern designs - will be awarded over $1,000 in prizes, store gift certificates and "goodie" candy bags. Anyone can join the fun because the age groups range from infants to toddlers to elementary school kids to teens and adults. All you have to do is bring your Fabricland receipts to the store's parking lot ten minutes before the event and register to march before the judges in the parade.
But according to store owner, Bruce Heyman, clearly the winners in this contest are not only the people wearing the costumes, but also the moms, aunts and grandmothers who have put incredible amounts of time, effort, money -- but most of all, love -- into creating some fantastic designs. "Every year, the costumes get more creative", remarked Heyman. "We are always amazed at how many different fabrics and design elements go into making an award-winner -- whether it's handcrafted or machine-stitched."
For Fabricland, Halloween is one of the busiest times of the year with the store selling more than 10.000 yards of felt, and thousands of yards of fake fur, net tulling, satin, taffeta and cotton Halloween- themed fabrics, both for costumes and home decorations. "Halloween starts for us in August," cites Heyman, " and it doesn't end until October 31 when last minute shoppers are putting the finishing touches on their kids' costumes."
There are a few ingredients that make Halloween so successful at Fabricland. One factor is that all the major pattern companies provide separate costume books or sections to give shoppers a good idea of what's new and easy. The Simplicity Pattern Company offers "2-Hour Express" and "No Sew" patterns that are helpful to busy moms with little time to spare, while Butterick and McCall's carry "Easy-to-Make" patterns that require little or no sewing. All the pattern companies promote the use of fusible bonding materials and fabric glues to cut down on sewing time.
This Halloween season, super- heros like Spider Man and Ninja are the most popular costume selection amongst the kindergarden set with Harry Potter following close behind. Policeman, fireman, construction workers and soldier costumes featured in the "Heros" sections of several pattern books are also being
made for kids of all ages. Little boys still love traditionally scarey get-ups like Frankenstein, Dracula, skeletons and ghouls, while Fairy Princesses, ballerinas, brides and story book characters are the favorite for little girls.
Another important "tool" that Fabricland uses during the hectic Halloween costume-making period is the work of Chris Gonch, the store's "Sew Help" director and troubleshooter. Twice a month, Ms. Gonch, a talented dressmaker and educator, provides a half-hour of free help to customers who have questions about pattern fit, fabric and notion selection, as well as sewing and finishing techniques.
During the month of October, her special "Halloween Sew Help" sessions help shoppers save time by focusing on all the necessary elements that go into costume-making."
For Bruce Heyman, whose grandfather Philip founded Fabricland in l934, Halloween is his favorite time of year. "Throughout the month of October, we ask our employees to wear costumes…. and those who wear the costumes consistently are awarded with gift certificates to area restaurants." he continues.
"Everyone in our store gets into the Halloween 'spirit' and our customers love it!"
Fabricland is located at 855 Route 22 in North Plainfield. For more information about its Annual Halloween Costume Contest and Parade or "Sew Help , call 908-755-4700 ext. 107 or visit www.fabricland.com.
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