So your grandma has a bunch of fabric you can have since she won't use it anymore? Or there's a bag full of spools of thread for a buck at that garage sale? A couple yards of something hanging there at your local goodwill for dirt cheap?
Buyer Beware!
Well, you're probably not going to be at a great loss at thrift store/relative give-away prices but Sew-er Beware! It only takes a couple years of sitting on a shelf in the basement or in the attic or even in a sewing room for dry rot to set in. You may not even notice the problem until your garment is completed and seams practically melt apart from thread that's disintegrated or fabric in high stress areas just pulls apart like a really tender slow-cooked pot roast.
My grandmother's house was being cleaned out and consolidated when she moved into an assisted living home and I 'inherited' a huge ziplock of thread and some other fabrics that had been sitting around unused in her upstairs un-air-conditioned sewing room in Pennsylvania. The threads I all tested and only a few were sound enough to use. 90% of that huge bag went right into the trash. The fabric appeared okay and I didn't think to test it further. Unfortunately what seemed like a great chunk of black cotton bottomweight turned out to be on the verge of rot and after being used as a doublet lining for a summer at Bristol it completely gave out at seems, under arms, around grommets, etc etc etc. Now, because I forgot where this fabric came from and didn't bother to do some basic tug tests on it, I'm replacing the entire lining for this garment. When I pulled out the existing lining made from said fabric it looked like I was holding an extant piece from the period. All those pictures in Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion? Yeah, it looks just like that.
So learn my lesson the easy way. When you acquire fabric and thread from unknown storage backgrounds make sure the integrity is sound BEFORE you use in your projects. Give thread a firm tug, try breaking the thread from a spool you just bought to compare. Does it snap after a hard pull that probably leaves lines on your hand? Or does it pop apart easily, pulling apart with a moderate or light tug? Cut a medium swatch of the fabric and try pulling it apart (not trying to rip it with a started notch). When it rips what do the threads look like? Rotted thread will be very loose, fuzzy, or frayed and the fabric will tear with very little force.
Prevent your own stash from suffering this fate by making sure fabrics are stored in cool dry places, sealed in containers or zip locks if possible. Use dehumidifiers in basements and store fabrics in an air-conditioned area if you live in a humid environment.
Showing posts with label Fabric Stores. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fabric Stores. Show all posts
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
If You Ever Find Yourself In: CHICAGO EDITION!
..and the greater chicago area!
So I've been putting this one off for a while because there's so much I want to cover! Those who live in the area probably know of these already but for those of you who don't live in the area let this be your impetus to PLAN A VISIT! The places I will be reviewing are all ones I have been to and love. In light of that I issue this challenge: introduce me to a NEW favorite Chicago/Chicago area fabric store that I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO BEFORE! A Prize will be given for the person who can :D
Ok, enough of that blah blah blah.
I'll start with the downtown area stores first, starting with the absolute if-you-get-nothing-else-from-this-go-to-this-place-as-soon-as-possible-move-over-disney-this-is-the-happiest-place-on-earth: Textile Discount Outlet aka LZ's Products aka Sol's. If you don't believe me watch this VIDEO! I really can't explain it any better. HUGE selection. I DARE YOU to show me a bigger selection in one place. Go ahead. Do it. I bet you $20 of fabric you can't do it. Anyway, great selection and seriously dirt cheap prices.
The parking is extremely limited. It's located in a mostly residential neighborhood where there's street parking that's almost always packed car to car. Their parking lot holds about 8 cars MAX. If you're taking the El to get there, it's off the Pink Line at 2121 W 21st St. (Damen & Cermak stop).
They are always closed on Saturdays however so plan accordingly.
Seriously. Just go there.
The next rant-able place is Fishman's Fabrics. Located at 1101 S. Desplaines St. They have a lot of beautiful fabrics. The place isn't large as some others but it's packed with quality silks, wools, velvets, designer fabrics, upholstery-weights, and drapery-weights. As well as some stunning trims! Prices are pretty reasonable as well. There's a parking lot and I think the closest El stop is off the Blue line at Clinton (10 min walk from Clinton stop).
While you're there, head across the street to Vogue Fabrics. It's basically what I wish every Joann's was actually like. Well organized, good selection, reasonable prices, includes a remnant room. They don't have very much in the way of upholstery weights but they do carry a large selection of trims and notions.
And before you leave that block, go right across the street from Vogue, around the corner from Fishman's and just pop into New Rainbow Fabrics. It's a very small Indian-family owned store with a bunch of sari and special occasion glittery fabrics. Sometimes you can just find that one oddly perfect thing there and it doesn't take long to look around so always worth a stop in.
Ok, now I'm going to branch out to my two favorites north of the city. The first is just the Vogue Fabrics-Evanston location. They often have a better selection than the downtown location, otherwise it's all the same.
The second is Loomcraft. In Vernon Hills, it's a good bit north of the city but they have a big selection of upholstery and drapery weights, for reasonable prices, always discounted. There's a remnant section and a shelf with silk and silk-blend remnants for dirt cheap. Most of Gresham came from that shelf. So go there if you can.
So get fabric hunting, my friends!
So I've been putting this one off for a while because there's so much I want to cover! Those who live in the area probably know of these already but for those of you who don't live in the area let this be your impetus to PLAN A VISIT! The places I will be reviewing are all ones I have been to and love. In light of that I issue this challenge: introduce me to a NEW favorite Chicago/Chicago area fabric store that I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO BEFORE! A Prize will be given for the person who can :D
Ok, enough of that blah blah blah.
I'll start with the downtown area stores first, starting with the absolute if-you-get-nothing-else-from-this-go-to-this-place-as-soon-as-possible-move-over-disney-this-is-the-happiest-place-on-earth: Textile Discount Outlet aka LZ's Products aka Sol's. If you don't believe me watch this VIDEO! I really can't explain it any better. HUGE selection. I DARE YOU to show me a bigger selection in one place. Go ahead. Do it. I bet you $20 of fabric you can't do it. Anyway, great selection and seriously dirt cheap prices.
The parking is extremely limited. It's located in a mostly residential neighborhood where there's street parking that's almost always packed car to car. Their parking lot holds about 8 cars MAX. If you're taking the El to get there, it's off the Pink Line at 2121 W 21st St. (Damen & Cermak stop).
They are always closed on Saturdays however so plan accordingly.
Seriously. Just go there.
The next rant-able place is Fishman's Fabrics. Located at 1101 S. Desplaines St. They have a lot of beautiful fabrics. The place isn't large as some others but it's packed with quality silks, wools, velvets, designer fabrics, upholstery-weights, and drapery-weights. As well as some stunning trims! Prices are pretty reasonable as well. There's a parking lot and I think the closest El stop is off the Blue line at Clinton (10 min walk from Clinton stop).
While you're there, head across the street to Vogue Fabrics. It's basically what I wish every Joann's was actually like. Well organized, good selection, reasonable prices, includes a remnant room. They don't have very much in the way of upholstery weights but they do carry a large selection of trims and notions.
And before you leave that block, go right across the street from Vogue, around the corner from Fishman's and just pop into New Rainbow Fabrics. It's a very small Indian-family owned store with a bunch of sari and special occasion glittery fabrics. Sometimes you can just find that one oddly perfect thing there and it doesn't take long to look around so always worth a stop in.
Ok, now I'm going to branch out to my two favorites north of the city. The first is just the Vogue Fabrics-Evanston location. They often have a better selection than the downtown location, otherwise it's all the same.
The second is Loomcraft. In Vernon Hills, it's a good bit north of the city but they have a big selection of upholstery and drapery weights, for reasonable prices, always discounted. There's a remnant section and a shelf with silk and silk-blend remnants for dirt cheap. Most of Gresham came from that shelf. So go there if you can.
So get fabric hunting, my friends!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
If You Find Yourself In: Sacramento -
I'm in Sacramento today! It's 104 degrees out!!! Whewieee is it hot. Even the ten minute walks will beat you down in that kind of heat. As it was, there weren't too many great stores that I could make it to on my layover, and luckily for me, unluckily for anyone else, I found a fabric store that was closing that particular location!
At Beverly's Yards of Fabric, they had upholstery fabrics at 75% off, other fabrics at 50% off, and 30% absolutely everything! It looks like most of the stock has been pretty picked over but I found some good stuff.
Always good to grab some trims:
And about 4 yards of this fabric for $2
Same deal with this fabric
And got some perfect fabrics for upcoming mystery project...
The other place I went to was Home Fabrics & Rugs, by the Barnes & Noble (not on the Hooters side of the street!). They didn't have a huge stock, most of it was a bit too modern for period work, but if you're looking for home dec they have very good prices: 6.99-12.99/yard for almost everything I saw there. I may have found the fabric to reupholster my new sofa in...
Well that's all I was able to get to from where I'm staying, maybe next time I'll try to adventure further out if there's anything to find...
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Episode Two: If You Find Yourself In: Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ
Hey all, I'm back! I've finally migrated enough equipment and tools to get back to stichering on my next days off so look for a regular update soon! Until then I'm posting from beautiful (and warm!!) Scottsdale, AZ. I found 2 fabric stores about 10 min from my hotel. I was asleep when I packed this morning and only had jeans (for 90 degree weather), tennis shoes (or sneakers, if you will), and no socks. But I battled the blisters and made it to Calico Corners and Interior Fabrics.
Now, Calico Corners has many locations all across the country and certainly isn't unique to Scottsdale. However according to the nice ladies working there, there aren't many fabric stores in the area at all, except Joann's; and as I mentioned before this segment is to help everyone find those unique (aka non-joanne) textiles that make a garment really pop!
If you go: most fabrics are pretty pricey, and they ask heinous amounts for silk dupioni (in-my-humble-opinion).
Highlight: check out the clearance corner and be sure to look at the remnant piles. Clearance are usually marked 50% off and the remnants are usually around $5/yard and always great for smaller projects like hats, sleeves, partlets, basket covers, pillows, trim, etc etc!
Here's what I got out of the clearance section, I'm thinking sleeves..
As for Interior Fabrics, they also have locations in Houston, Oklahoma City, Austin, New Orleans, as well as Scottsdale. Prices aren't great, but they too have a good sized "value-priced/discontinued" section as well as clearance/remnant 50% rack.
Highlight: Crazy cool trims! Really unique color combinations priced between $1.50-$5.00/yard for most of them.
I didn't get anything but I grabbed a couple trim swatches to keep in the swatch-book.
And that's all I've got! The Calico Corner folks were very sure (and disappointed to say) that there are few good fabric stores in the Phoenix area. So if anyone knows of others please let me know and I'll be happy to pass it on!
Ok, hopefully I'll see you all soon with a regular update!
Now, Calico Corners has many locations all across the country and certainly isn't unique to Scottsdale. However according to the nice ladies working there, there aren't many fabric stores in the area at all, except Joann's; and as I mentioned before this segment is to help everyone find those unique (aka non-joanne) textiles that make a garment really pop!
If you go: most fabrics are pretty pricey, and they ask heinous amounts for silk dupioni (in-my-humble-opinion).
Highlight: check out the clearance corner and be sure to look at the remnant piles. Clearance are usually marked 50% off and the remnants are usually around $5/yard and always great for smaller projects like hats, sleeves, partlets, basket covers, pillows, trim, etc etc!
Here's what I got out of the clearance section, I'm thinking sleeves..
As for Interior Fabrics, they also have locations in Houston, Oklahoma City, Austin, New Orleans, as well as Scottsdale. Prices aren't great, but they too have a good sized "value-priced/discontinued" section as well as clearance/remnant 50% rack.
Highlight: Crazy cool trims! Really unique color combinations priced between $1.50-$5.00/yard for most of them.
I didn't get anything but I grabbed a couple trim swatches to keep in the swatch-book.
And that's all I've got! The Calico Corner folks were very sure (and disappointed to say) that there are few good fabric stores in the Phoenix area. So if anyone knows of others please let me know and I'll be happy to pass it on!
Ok, hopefully I'll see you all soon with a regular update!
Friday, March 2, 2012
New Segment! If You Find Yourself In: Berkeley/Oakland
Welcome back folks! The reason I haven't been blogging much recently is because I've become a flight attendant and I'm still getting my living situation worked out, leaving not much time for working on projects. The flip-side is that I'm getting to travel a lot and I'm finding great places to go fabric shopping. Want to shop there too? Arn't you sick of Joann fabrics already? Wonder why you can't seem to find those great unique fabrics? Well I want to share my discoveries with you so check in here as I update a new segment called "If You Find Yourself In:"
Today I found myself in Oakland/Berkeley, CA
If you live in the area or find yourself there for any reason be sure to check out:
Discount Fabrics
locations in Berkeley and San Francisco
Highlights: Great selection, further discounts when purchasing whole bolt, monthly specials, 10% student discount
Special note: If you do a google maps search to get to the Berkeley location be sure you enter 3006 San Pablo Ave, BERKELEY NOT OAKLAND. Same address verrrrrrry different neighborhood. There's one cause for an "avoid ghetto" option on google maps.
Look for these pieces I got to show up in future projects!
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