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tissue weight t-shirt fabric source

vicki99 | Posted in Fabric and Trim on

Hi All!

  The weather is heating up here in the Mid-Atlantic region, and Florida for vacation in August is scorching, so I’m starting to sew some “cool” clothes.  Does anyone know of a source for the tissue-weight t-shirt fabric that so many of the rtw summer t-shirts are made of now?  I haven’t been able to find anything locally, and I’m always game for an online source.

Thanks.

 

 

Replies

  1. woodruff | | #1

    There was a discussion about this a couple of months ago, and I don't think anyone turned up a reliable source then. I certainly did not. A year or two ago, fabric.com had some of these lightweight knits, but no more. You could try emailing them.

  2. meg | | #2

    Have you looked at http://www.emmaonesock.com?

    1. vicki99 | | #3

      Thank you.  I just looked there and I can't tell by descriptions of their knit fabrics if any of them are the tissue-weight, so I sent them an email.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  Thank you!

       

      1. Josefly | | #13

        I'm not sure either, what "tissue weight" means. But there are some semi-sheer knits called "mesh knits" available, used in t-shirts, etc. Have you checked out the knits at Gorgeous Fabrics? There are some really beautiful prints there, and some are identified as mesh knits.http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com/

        1. vicki99 | | #14

          What an incredible fabric site!  I'm hoping to make some solid color layering pieces, but the prints here are nice.  I know I'll be back to this site to get sweater knits that I couldn't find anywhere else.  Thanks so much.

  3. sewelegant | | #4

    I am curious as to what you mean by "tissue weight" knit fabric.  I have not noticed that, but I am looking for Hot Weather Wear fabric too so am hoping you get some feedback.

    As for knits I have always noted that the Jersey type knit is the finest weight for lightweight clothing and good drape.  It is single knit.  Double knit would be too heavy.  I copied this information to my sewing files and find it very helpful.  You can access it by going to the Threads magazine articles site.

    Know Your Knits<!----><!----><!---->

    <!----><!---->November 19th, 2008<!----> in garment construction, sewing, fundamentals <!----><!---->

    <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Threads Magazine, editor <!----><!---->

    by Sarah Veblenfrom Threads #97, pp. 59-63

    1. vicki99 | | #5

      Thank you for the information. 

      By tissue-weight I mean very, very light knit fabric.  I have not seen it in any fabric store.  The tee's that the retail stores are selling (they advertise them for layering multiple shirts in different colors because they are so light) are made of this very light-weight material.  Bamboo is the closest that I've seen to this weight, but it's still heavier than what I'm looking for.

      So far, I've not been successful in locating such fabric.  I'll certainly post anything I find.

       

      1. jjgg | | #6

        To me, this sounds like very cheap poly jersy. And they make you buy more than one!! layer them, spend your money and buy cheap quality.Sorry, I had to do that. Several years ago, I was at a very nice hotel in the Bahamas, in the boutique of the hotel they had all these knit tops, dresses etc, very very expensive. The quality of the stuff was awful. If you put it up to a light, you could see thicker and thinner areas of the knit, and it was all so sheer I thought it would fall apart in the first wash. The construction was terrible too. Ah, but if you put a big price tag on it, they must be good? right? (I have a bridge to sell....)So, really really like weight poly jersy, yes, it might have to be layered, then it will be hot because it's summer. I have lots of bamboo knit, but mine is not very lightweight. I do plan to make some running tops and a long sleeve t-shirt if I ever get the chance. I would not call it tissue weight.But anyway, check out Sawyer Brooks
        http://www.sawyerbrook.com/
        they have fabulous knits lots of jersy's (and other fabrics)>>>>The tee's that the retail stores are selling (they advertise them for layering multiple shirts in different colors because they are so light) are made of this very light-weight material.<<<<

        1. MaryinColorado | | #7

          I've seen the Tshirts, in fact am wearing one right now in a bright green/Vneck.  100% cotton and the weave is even throughout and it's very cool and comfortable!  I would also love to find this fabric as I prefer a looser fit than I can buy readymade and have them still fit my narrow shoulders.  Mary

        2. woodruff | | #9

          You can buy these tees from LL Bean, where they are called "featherweight tees." I have a couple, and they're pure pima cotton jersey (not doubleknit) with a lovely hand, very comfortable, but they are indeed almost sheer. Wearing two together gives you about the weight of an ordinary tee.

        3. vicki99 | | #11

          This is a really neat website, but I can't tell from the fabric descriptions how heavy or light the knits are, so I've emailed them with my request.  I am hopeful . . .

  4. mmiller00 | | #8

    Not sure if this is the weight your looking for, but I ordered some cotton/lycra jersey from spandexworld.com and it is much lighter than I expected. It's very soft and is great for a lightwieght t-shirt. You would need something under it b/c it's slightly sheer. Because of the lycra it has good recovery. As for the weight, I'm not sure. I ordered some ITY knit from them and that was 5 oz and I really think they're about the same. And the ITY might even be slightly heavier. I've washed it but I haven't sewn anything with it because it's too lightweight for what I originally had in mind so I can't tell you how well it wears. And one of the great things about spandexworld.com is that they send you swatches free of charge. HTH.

    1. vicki99 | | #10

      Thank you.  I'm requesting some swatches.  (great site!)

       

  5. GinghamGrrl | | #12

    I think I know exactly what you are looking for. Do you mean those cotton T-shirts that are so thin that they seem worn, or even slept in even though they are brand new? They are selling them at places like The Gap, Urban Outfitters, and American Apparel this season. I haven't seen jersey fabric like that at any fabric store, but I would guess that you could treat any regular jersey of your choosing to look and feel like that simply by washing the hell out of it. Try using harsh detergents and even bleach if it is a solid white or light pink. Basically what you are trying to do is stretch it out, and wear it out a bit. It might actually be easier to buy some old t-shirts at a second hand shop or use some old ones that you have lying around rather than trying to treat brand new jersey as this could take a while to achieve the desired effect.

    1. vicki99 | | #15

      Yep, those are exactly the t-shirts I am talking about.  I do seem to have a line on some of this kind of fabric from the many great sites people have directed me to.  I am waiting on swatches to be sure, but I'll keep your suggestions in mind.   Thank you!

      1. MaryinColorado | | #16

        Please post the results of your search, I'd also love to get some of that fabric!  Mary

        1. vicki99 | | #17

          I will! 

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