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The Sew What’s New Archive

This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”

Sew What's New Archive > GENERAL SEWING > Fabric for 'scrubs'

From: HHH

Date: 09-06-2004, 02:35 PM (1 of 8)

OK, I'm three days older than dirt and have been sewing since childhood, have done it for a living, etc., etc. So I'm a little embarrassesd to ask this, but what's the difference in the fabric advertised as especially 'for medical scrubs' and just a good, quality cotton/quilting fabric? I recently bought some 'scrubs' fabric from Fabric.com, and I can't tell the difference between it and most of the stuff in my quilting stash (good quality cotton plainweave).

I know some scrubs are made of a heavier broadcloth and poplins, but they're usually solid color and boooor-ing. I want to use prints and wild & crazy colors. The ones I just received are all kinds of neat-o prints, and I'll be making some up for my vet tech friends at work. Anybody done these with 'regular' fabric?

User: HHH
Member since: 02-10-2004
Total posts: 87

From: paroper

Date: 09-06-2004, 03:48 PM (2 of 8)

OK, so maybe I'm only 2 days older than dirt. Anyway, the real scrub fabric is made from 60 inch material and it is poly cotton, with a little more poly than usual. It stands up very well to lots of harsh laundry and has a little different texture than normal quilting fabrics, it also is not as prone to fade, wrinkle or stain. However, it is getting very hard to find. The reason is because so many people were using common fabrics to make the scrubs that most stores haven't found it profitable to stock the "real stuff".

pam

Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch)

User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004
Total posts: 3775

From: tropicallie

Date: 09-06-2004, 04:14 PM (3 of 8)

I make all my own scrub tops and jackets from mostly quilting fabric and get compliments on them all the time. Personally, I find the "real" scrub material rather hot and uncomfortable since using the other material. I still try to find a good poly-blend for the pants, though, mostly because I hate to iron!

User: tropicallie
Member since: 06-24-2003
Total posts: 12

From: HHH

Date: 09-06-2004, 04:59 PM (4 of 8)

Thank you ladies, for that info! I figured the 'real' scrub material was a poly blend since it has to survive commercial laundering. What I have in mind is pretty much the same application as Tropicallie. These will be for the girls and guys who work at the animal sanctuary clinic here. For the most part, they'll be laundered at home. Also, it's just the tops; everybody wears Levi's underneath.

Now I'm gonna go rummage through my stash and see what other stuff I have that would be appropriate.

BTW, Tropicallie, Fabric.com has great prices on cotton prints, and the quality is very good. They don't supply the designer/manufacturer on their site, but the last batch of bargain fabrics I received was a combination of Timeless Treasures, Kaufmann and I think there was a Moda in there somewhere, it was good stuff.

Thanks again to you both!

User: HHH
Member since: 02-10-2004
Total posts: 87

From: MaryW

Date: 09-06-2004, 05:07 PM (5 of 8)

Here are a few good for scrubs.
http://www.wazoodle.com/cgi-bin/catstore.cgi?user_action=list&category=Fabrics;Scrubs

MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New

User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542