Having discussed the closing of Hancock stores, I was just wondering how you can tell on-line if the fabric is suitable for pants, if they don’t say bottom weight? Any knowledge of this would be helpful to me. Thanks.
Marcy
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Most online fabric sources will specify what categories of garments each fabric is right for. If not you can try emailing them. If you can't get this information you're left to guess and may want to buy from somewhere else or be sure you understand and like their returns policies.
A very stylish coworker once told me that the secret to her very flattering slacks was NOT using bottomweights for pants. Now I use the lightest fabric that will hold shape, and I love the results.
That is very interesting. So, it worked for you? I will think about it. Thanks.
Is there a weight per yard? How do they come up with bottom weight?
I struggled with this until I went to a fabric store and looked at all the denim fabrics and read the fabricweight numbers listed on the cardboard. It finally made sense! I was able to "feel" them which really helped! It is really easy to go too heavy and lose any drape or flexibility! Hope this helps. Mary
Yes, Mary, another good idea. I can go to Hancock's, before they close and check this out. I did pick out some denim that I thought was pretty for my jacket. It is a little light weight, but a pretty blue and I want something that will make a nice faded blue. I will wash it a lot before I sew it.Marcy
I have some pants and a tunic top cut out of blue cotton crinkle gauze for summer. Not the super light sheer gauze but still very lightweight. Last year I made white with embroidery, they are very comfortable and a nice escape from my usual jeans.
I also have a set out of rayon batik, as someone else mentioned, the pants need to be loose fitting with the lighter fabrics.
I love the batik. Someone at Hancock's ask the saleslady where the batiste was and she showed her. She said, no it's bat and I said batik. She said yes, that's it and the saleslady still didn't know what it was and I looked around and spotted it and told her where it was. Do you think I could have gotten a job right then? LOL That lady was making a rag purse and she kept asking my opinion on the color for her purses and all kind of questions. Some friends and she were going to start a little sewing group, and although they didn't have any instructions, they were going to make these purses. She was so excited that it made me excited for her.
It sounds like a fun time. Maybe they should give out coupons to customers who provide customer service resulting in a sale! Sounds like those ladies have the right idea!
I like to bring hubby along to lift heavy bolts of fabric and to ask his opinion sometimes, but he gets impatient if I chat or brouse too long so it is more fun to go by myself. A great compromise is when there is a bookstore nearby for him!
I like bookstores, also. My hubby would have to wait at each store, I'm afraid. No, he wouldn't, because he grabs my arm and starts leading me to the front door when he is ready to go.Marcy
aw gee what a party pooper! just kidding! Don't want to think of how we would manage without our "other half"!
When he is looking at lumber or running shoes, I want to pull him to the front door. I'm not quite strong enough.
Edited 4/5/2007 4:28 pm by fabricholic
Fabric stores AND hardware stores get to me; could spend hours looking at all the stuff available now!!
B
Me too. They have all these buckets, chains, little connectors, all kind of things I can use. If I go to the big hardware stores, I usually look at the plants or lighting. I would love to get one of those ponds with the water flowing out of the top. They are so peaceful looking.Marcy
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