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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.”
From: sewingrandma
Date: 02-07-2006, 01:23 PM (1 of 15)
Cotton poly blend for DH to make him some dress shirts! I have hit every store in the area and nothing they have is what he wants. Broadcloth is basically all I've seen. He did see a chambray that he liked but doesn't want 100% cotton. Doesn't want a shiny/smooth finish. The blend has to be around 65/35, no pastels, he'd like a stripe/pattern of some sort. I've gone surfing and have found the type of fabric that he probably wants-blended pinpoint oxford but do you think I can find any. :cry: I've googled and lots of sites will pop up for the oxford fabric but none of them actually sell the fabric, they want to custom make you a shirt. DH needs to have shirts made for him if he needs to wear a tie because he has a big neck 19 1/2 but very short neck. His head looks like it sits directly on his shoulders! A basic t-shirt looks like a turtle neck on him. :shock: Chest and waist are much smaller than what you find with a neck measurement he has. I altered a pattern and got the fit right the first time in all areas :bg: Made it up to test the fittings and he was very please with the fit. Now the hard part trying to find the fabric he likes! Anyone have any ideas of where to look now? Of course if he wasn't so set on what type of fabric he has to have, I could have had 10 shirts made for him by now as there is suitable shirting fabrics out there. TIA
Brockie
User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003
Total posts: 432
From: Chrysantha
Date: 02-07-2006, 09:29 PM (2 of 15)
www.fabric.com

they sell just about everything...shirting, broadcloth, etc.
Chrys
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002
Total posts: 2414
From: paroper
Date: 02-07-2006, 09:30 PM (3 of 15)
You might try this site. I have had good luck ordering from them. I wouldn't necessarily rule out the scrub solids, they are 50/50.

http://www.denverfabrics.com/pages/static/fabric.htm

I don't know if you'll find something you like here or not but it is a place to start.
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: mommydionne
Date: 02-08-2006, 04:51 PM (4 of 15)
www.timmelfabrics.com
julie has a special on shirting at the moment, not sure of fibre content but might be what you need.
Jeanette
User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004
Total posts: 838
From: sewingrandma
Date: 02-09-2006, 10:35 AM (5 of 15)
Thanks for everyones suggestions. I've seen some beautiful fabrics that would make wonderful shirts but DH (right now it isn't Dear) has looked and doesn't see anything that meets his requirements. Oh, well. I'll just keep looking and he can suffer with the shirts he has for now. Picky Picky Picky.
Brockie
User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003
Total posts: 432
From: emermuffin
Date: 02-09-2006, 11:26 AM (6 of 15)
Good luck finding the fabric for DH - I have never heard of a man so particular about fiber content! My DH is happy if his clothes are hole/stain free and fit reasonably well.

If you email Stephen at Fabric.com, he can probably find what you are looking for. The folks there have been very helpful to me in the past.

Good luck!

Renée
emermuffin
User: emermuffin
Member since: 03-29-2003
Total posts: 55
From: dmoses
Date: 02-09-2006, 11:45 AM (7 of 15)
Tell him how much fabric is required for each shirt and let him find this elusive shirt material himself. :wink:
Take care,
Donna
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002
Total posts: 964
From: paroper
Date: 02-09-2006, 11:49 AM (8 of 15)
He may just be a little nervous about wearing a shirt that was "home made". Why not buy a little quality material and make a shirt for him to show him what it would look like. The other thing is that a lot of people have problems "seeing" the fabric and picturing what it would look like made up. Making a surprise shirt for him might help with that.
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: sewingrandma
Date: 02-09-2006, 04:05 PM (9 of 15)
It's not a case of him being nervous about wearing somethng "home made" I've made shirts and trousers for him in the past, when I could find the Oxford type fabric. He has just decided what fabric he prefers and won't budge from it. He's even has gone into the different fabric stores here and looked with me and nothing suited him. I have one piece in my stash that I have no idea what the fiber content is but he likes it so I'll make it up for him. He did show some interest in a chambry so I think I'll buy some and make it up also and see how he likes it.
Brockie
User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003
Total posts: 432
From: paroper
Date: 02-09-2006, 04:07 PM (10 of 15)
I can certainly understand his disappointment in the fabric selections in local stores. An awful lot of common fabrics aren't even available any more.
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: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 02-09-2006, 06:36 PM (11 of 15)
Okay, lets play detective here.. He likes Oxford, he showed some interest in the Chambray so that tells me that he likes a textured blend better than a smooth blend.. So, I would not waste any money on broadcloth for him.. Try MaryJos.com and see if they have oxford fabrics.. Last time I was over there they had lots of solids and stripes in 65/35 oxford blend.. :bg: :bg:
Sew With Love
Libby
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002
Total posts: 2022
From: debsews
Date: 02-09-2006, 07:26 PM (12 of 15)
Trust me I know what you're talking about. My dh, when he was working at an office, would only wear white oxford shirts from Kohls. No colors, no other material would even warrant a discussion. So I know some men don't care about clothes and such but some men are just the opposite. But I would turn over the hunt to him.
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005
Total posts: 254
From: Sewhappie
Date: 02-13-2006, 04:59 PM (13 of 15)
http://www.trimfabric.com/
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001
Total posts: 1427
From: wp88
Date: 02-14-2006, 10:01 AM (14 of 15)
http://www.hst.com.sg/acatalog/Shirting_Fabrics.html

Try this site they have some fabulous fabric but not cheap.
I have had a similar problem but as yet have not ordered from them as my skills need to improve a bit first.
One of the fabrics selections comes form England where I am but I cnnot find it in this country.
Hope this will help you.
Bill
User: wp88
Member since: 03-28-2005
Total posts: 35
From: sewingrandma
Date: 02-14-2006, 11:51 AM (15 of 15)
Thanks for all of your suggestions. Bill, I had found the site you suggested before and like you I need to do a whole lot more sewing before I spend that kind of money for fabric. DH agreed :shock: The fabric sure is beautiful and I can almost feel it just by looking at the pics. I did find a site that is an heirloom site and it offers fabric closer to what DH is looking for if not fiber content appearance. http://www.handmades.com/frontpage. It is tough finding something out there reasonably priced for a man.
Brockie
User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003
Total posts: 432
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