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Looking for fabric

mamafrog | Posted in Fabric and Trim on

I’m hoping someone can help me locate a source for a specific kind of fabric. Years ago I made the hubby’s shirts out of a fabric called Kettle Cloth or Weaver’s Cloth (similar type of fabric). He really liked them and they wore well. I haven’t been able to find any recently–been searching for about a year–so maybe someone knows of a source that is still selling or making this fabric. Or even if it’s being made under a different name now. I know I’m not the only one looking for it as other groups have the same question up. The closest thing I’ve found is small pieces for cross stitch at Joann’s, but not enough for a shirt, or more than one color.

Replies

  1. gailete | | #1

    I loved making skirts out of kettle cloth! My MIL has been searching our part of the country for years for it as she made summer pants out of it because it was cool. All I have are some scraps being made into a quilt right now. We can't find it either.

    Gail

     

    1. mamafrog | | #2

      This is a comment I hear frequently on other posts. This was a very popular kind of fabric--but I can't find it anywhere. I posted here hoping someone can help.

      1. gailete | | #3

        If/when you find it, give a big shout!

        Gail

        1. mamafrog | | #4

          You betcha'--there are too many of us looking for it not to!

  2. cafms | | #5

    Have you thought of sending an e-mail to some of the fabric houses like Sawyer Brook http://www.sawyerbrook.com or The Material Girls http://www.materialgirlquilt.com or Gorgeous Fabrics http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com/ ?  I have e-mailed questions to    the first two this week and received prompt replies.  There are other online stores also who might have it or know if it is even being made anymore. 

    1. mamafrog | | #6

      Yes--I have a list I'm working down that was printed in the Home Companion magazine Guide to Creative Living. It seems pretty comprehensive but I figured it wouldn't hurt to post here too!

  3. funkyjazzdesigns | | #7

    If you have a Jo-Ann store near you, look for, or ask for, Weavers Cloth.  That is the name that they give to this fabric.  Or go to http://www.joann.com and type in a search for weavers cloth.  They carry it in 5 or 6 different colors.

    Christine

    1. mamafrog | | #8

      All they have are small pieces for cross stitch--they were the first one I checked when I started looking.

      1. funkyjazzdesigns | | #10

        Are you talking about being in the actual store or the on-line site?

        I haven't looked for it in my local store recently, perhaps I'll stop there today, and perhaps I'll rmemeber to look for it!  Anyway, you should find it in the area with bottomweights.  Each store may not carry all of the colors so there may be just one or two bolts there, making it a bit harder to find.  It is 45" wide fabric and could be mixed in with some other 45" fabrics.  If you ask a team member they often just don't know everything in the store - though many are loath to admit that they don't and rather just want to give you an answer even if it is the wrong one.  Whoops, a bit of opinion slipping in here.  You could try asking for the manager on duty though that's not always better.  If you have some staff members, or managers, that have been long time employees and if they are personally interested in fabric and sewing they might be able to help.

        The http://www.joann.com site has the fabric.  If you do a search for "weavers cloth" two results show up.  The one you want is Sew Classic Weavers Cloth.

        Good luck,Christine

        1. mamafrog | | #11

          Ain't that the truth! Went in looking for pillow ticking one day and they had to ask the oldest clerk in the store where it was! LOL! Even then, when we knew where it was I had to show it to her. Boy, does that show my age for knowing what it was and how it was used. Anyway, no I haven't managed to get by the store yet and see but I will try there. They don't have it online I know. I don't drive so have to wait for when the hubby has time and doesn't mind waiting for me to go look--he knows I tend to get lost in there!

          1. funkyjazzdesigns | | #13

            It is online at the http://www.joann.com site.  I've seen it there.  Look for Sew Classic Weavers Cloth, $4.99 per yard, 45" wide.

            Christine

            Edited 6/15/2009 12:24 pm ET by funkyjazzdesigns

          2. mamafrog | | #14

            Now I just looked at that last month and they only had the ecru--would you believe! That was under their many colors headings, even! Guess they decided to get some more colors in finally. Will see if hubby likes any of them. Thanks for making me look again!!

          3. funkyjazzdesigns | | #17

            Happy sewing!

            Christine

  4. User avater
    ThreadKoe | | #9

    Have you looked at your local crossstitch or needlework shop? They often carry fabrics like that by the yard. I don't know how pricey it would be. Cathy

    1. mamafrog | | #12

      I hadn't thought of that--but I'm not sure if we have one in our area. I might have to go to Seattle or Tacoma. I live in Kitsap county, across Puget Sound from them, and those are the only cities that might have a specialty store like that.

      1. User avater
        ThreadKoe | | #15

        I was unfamiliar with the terms Kettle Cloth and Weaver's cloth so I did a search to see what it was. It kept coming up under needlepunch cloth in embroidery sites. Perhaps an online site will have it. I am still looking for a sample here in Canada to add to my fabric file. Cathy

        1. mamafrog | | #16

          Check ebay--they actually have a very good glossary of fabric terms. I've been sent to Joannes website to purchase it. They just recently started carrying it in colors again and their larger pictures will give you a good idea of what it looks like.

          1. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #18

            Thanks much for the suggestion. It is one of my Round TUIT projects along with several other types of fabric that I am looking for. Like any collector, it is the hunt that is part of the fun, and an excuse to drop into fabric stores everywhere, tee hee hee. Cathy

          2. mamafrog | | #19

            That's a big DUH! What fabricaholic in their right mind (?) doesn't have something like that going on! We need a fabric swap site like the ones for books and DVDs thorugh PBS. I wonder if that would work? I'm always on the lookout for heavy cotton doubleknit like t-shirts are made out of. I can find a lot of the light stuff--but it doesn't wear as well as the heavy. I like to make undershirts and nightgowns out of it since it's comfortable and moves with you. I'm also keeping an eye for fabrics like I used as a teenager when I started into fashion sewing for myself. I know the old polyester doubleknits aren't as comfortable as our modern fabrics I'd still like to try some things out of fabrics I had back then, but was too afraid to get adventurous with the patterns. I was cleaning out some boxes of fabric in a storage shed this year--some of it was just scrap junk and unusable--but I found three pieces from when I was a little girl. That's over 40 years ago now, but oh, the memories they brought back since my grandmother had made dresses out of them and I inherited her fabric when she died.

          3. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #20

            Then I have a source for you if you are ever near Ottawa Ontario! Rockland textiles still has some rolls of "Antique" fabrics, including some poly double knits, in practical and pretty colours. I think I remember about 4 rolls of the nicest turquoise, which I think is one of those colours back on it's way in. ;) I am going to go dig through my Granma's box of bits and scraps again. I think there might be a few pieces of things missing from my fabric file in there! Cathy

          4. mamafrog | | #21

            I wish I was--I'm on the other coast near BC. I figure they will show up some day in someone's old stash. You know, Karma and all that, If I'm meant to they will be there!

          5. Sancin | | #22

            I once made a 2 piece polyester double knit bathing suit for my stretch and bend pool exercises. I make my own suits as they are cheaper. I always use the hot tub after the water classes and they are murder on lycra fabrics. The polyester one lasted forever until my shape changed. I could not find any other (at least in a colour I would wear in public) fabric to make a new one so ended up purchasing a suit from Land's End that is nylon bottom, similar to men's swim pants and a nylon ribbed top. Now I just have to go to the pool more often! I am also on the West but in the Northern interior and all our sewing fabric shops have closed. I do hear Fabricland is opening again soon. Unfortunately not in a location that is easy for me to reach. Fortunately (?), I have quite a stash of fabric for various things, previously purchased at Fabricland yearly sales. And I found a neat collapsible suitcase to bring more 'stuff' back from my yearly visits to the Seattle area. I hope to hit the streets in Montreal in the fall and then try and find room in my sewing room. Perhaps I will have sewn down more of my stash by then. I won't be looking for polyester double knit.

          6. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #23

            Oh what a flashback you just gave me! I made several swim suits out of this very bright pink double knit with a flower embossed pattern in it for myself and two friends. This was in high school, and that summer we spent all our time in and out of the neighbourhood pools. We looked so sharp in our different suits, all made from the same fabric! Ha ha ha ha.... Cathy

          7. mamafrog | | #24

            I usually used the spandex/lycra mixes when I was swimming (too many years ago) since they held "stuff" in place! It did pretty well in a YMCA pool that was over chlorinated. Haven't done anything like that in years--just have a nostalgia kick for certain doubleknits. I used to wear pants made from it in the Oklahoma summers where I grew up since it didn't bother me as much as cotton. Now I love the feel of cotton. Fabrics have really changed in the 40 plus years I've been sewing! My all time favorite is rayon, the older ones are good--but the new blends are fantastic in any kind of weather. It really can be an all purpose fabric.

          8. mamafrog | | #25

            I hadn't heard of Fabricland. I'm on the Kitsap peninsula so I don't get to Seattle/Tacoma very often either. One good place to get fabric mail order--if you feel safe doing it sight unseen--is fabric.com. I've been pretty happy with what they have and they have a good sales and return policies. Their staff are helpful if you have questions. They are based on the East coast. They also have pictures of the fabric in high enough resolution that you can get a good idea of what it is.

  5. Mamato8 | | #26

    Kettle cloth

    I was poking around, looking up kettle cloth and I found this post.  I have a few scraps form Mommy's stash.  I saw that people compare it to weavers cloth.  Weavers cloth is available at JoAnn Fabrics in the bottom weights section with denim and twill.  Just a few solid colors.  Growing up, all my play clothes were made of kettle cloth, solids and prints!  In the 70's, I had pant suits out of floral kettle cloth.  It was so nice, light and durable.  Maybe I'll have to raid Mommy's stash for more!

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