tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post6848159591801304867..comments2024-03-20T14:03:40.992-04:00Comments on Polka Dot Overload | Sewing, knitting & embroidery projects by Mikhaela Reid: $1 a yard! (Cheap fabric: awesome or icky?)Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-71057981627650753092014-10-27T09:35:07.116-04:002014-10-27T09:35:07.116-04:00There is a store on eBay that sell all cotton fab...There is a store on eBay that sell all cotton fabric for $2.39 to $2.95 a yard it is <br />Stores (dot) eBay (dot) com/Adrianne-Sews.Piwinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-44930118465669634332014-04-04T18:26:30.901-04:002014-04-04T18:26:30.901-04:00Does anyone have some good resources for cheap fab...Does anyone have some good resources for cheap fabrics online? I've never been able to find any stores around any of the places I've lived. I'm currently in tacoma and our only options are pricey specialty stores or the big craft stores which have always seemed expensive to me unless you have a coupon.Lissa Brooksnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-36731411381103893742013-11-04T08:38:21.952-05:002013-11-04T08:38:21.952-05:00I stick with cheaper because someone told me the d...I stick with cheaper because someone told me the difference a long long time ago. Ya know back when you first shop for bed sheets and you are standing there like a doofus with your mouth wide open in awe of the numerous options. I remember going to Joanns buying .5 yards of at least 200 different cotton blends because I had my mind blown for the first time. But heres the lesson my Aunt that someone who told me the secret for cheap and expensive is the amount of processing.<br /><br />Scouring: A chemical wash that removes impurities (like seed fragments) and the natural wax found in cotton. This leaves even the finest cotton fibers with a yellow hue. <br />Bleaching: If a fabric is going to be dyed or printed with dark colors, only minimal bleaching is necessary. If a fabric is going to be white or a light color, much more bleaching is required. <br />Mercerising: A treatment where a caustic soda solution is applied to the fibers causing them to swell. This allows the fabric to take the dye better and makes it feel nicer. <br />Singeing: A process that burns off the surface fibers from fabric to produce smoothness. <br />Raising: In some fabrics, this is a technique that pulls fibers up off of the surfaces to create a "hairy" feeling such as in flannelette. <br />Calendering: A mechanical process where fabric is passed between heated rollers to generate different effects on the fabric (i.e. smooth versus embossed). <br />Shrinking: Pre-shrinking the fabric at this stage means there will be very little shrinking after laundering once the fabric is used in a garment or quilt. <br />Dyeing: Cotton is very absorbent so dyeing is a popular technique. To make sure the color stays colorfast, more complex chemistry is used during the processing and that makes the fabric more expensive. To keep costs down, a cheaper dye (which may not be colorfast) could be used. <br />Printing: Printing a design on fabric may be done over the dye or it may be applied directly to the white fabric. The paste or ink used also must go through colorfast procedures. <br />Finishing: Many fabrics have coatings on them to make them feel stronger or softer and to make the colors appear brighter. These finishings often include formaldehyde which helps to preserve the cloth and keep bugs out during the storing/shipping/selling process. <br /><br />Yes, that $20 a yard fabric has been coated in formaldehyde. That includes the special fabrics that say organic. What you are paying for is extra chemicals, washes, and treatments that could irritate or hurt you. I am no expert but the cheap fabric has never irritated my skin. <br /><br />I prewash it with Dreft. Never use dryer sheets or hot water always cold on first wash. It comes out softer than the expensive fabric and easier to sew.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-58889912616467893932013-02-03T16:51:57.779-05:002013-02-03T16:51:57.779-05:00I find a great source of inexpensive cotton fabric...I find a great source of inexpensive cotton fabrics is goodwill sheets, perfect for costuming and mockupsAmberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029716641969741000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-80641204454524621582013-02-03T04:42:00.146-05:002013-02-03T04:42:00.146-05:00This really helped me a lot, I've re-engaged i...This really helped me a lot, I've re-engaged in sewing and refuse to buy fabric for 4 dollars a yard and up because when I started out on this sewing quest my first purchase was $8.00 per yd, I thought that was too much for beginner, but I bought it anyway, since I could not find any cheaper fabric worth while, I used this to make my first pencil skirt which was not bad however, had few bumps and turns in the process. Thanks for directing me to some bargains. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01340836942434078105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-72550561915115424382013-01-10T14:23:21.964-05:002013-01-10T14:23:21.964-05:00I need to make 250 little white aprons by march 9t...I need to make 250 little white aprons by march 9th and I need the materail cheap under a dollat a yard I live in north east texas where can I go does anyone have any idea?mollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795230222146549757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-31255192489431676762012-12-01T12:03:26.448-05:002012-12-01T12:03:26.448-05:00Very interesting post! I have done both - insanel...Very interesting post! I have done both - insanely cheap and wildly expensive both have their place. Once you are very comfortable with your skills, no longer experimenting, and thinking of a 10 year garment, you will want to spend the dough. Having said that, though, at least two of my favorite garments were made with $1/yd fabrics! mimi jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09046101113822427313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-28709282875049387532012-03-14T02:53:25.004-04:002012-03-14T02:53:25.004-04:00That's a great post !!!
If I look back, 90% ...That's a great post !!!<br /> If I look back, 90% of the clothes I sewed was with cheap fabric. I buy most of my fabric in markets like where people sells fabric for 1, 2€/yard. <br /><br />I love knit fabric and the thing is that in markets you have way more choice than in the fabric distric : Montmartre. For example, you can see the fabric I once boutht in the Sarcelles market : http://lasandrou.blogspot.com/2010/06/confessions-of-fabricaholic-2.html <br /> <br />In the markets, i can find beautiful prints and sometimes it's just the fabric left of what clothing company used for their collection.So you can stumble on very good fabric !<br /><br />As for sewing the cheap fabric easily than the expensive ones, I found out that I'm afraid to cut some of my cheap fabric because the print is so cute and I know if I made a wadder, I won't find it again.<br />While I know if I failed with the expensive fabric ( from 10€/yard to above), I know I can find it again in the shop!That's doesn't mean I won't do all I can to avoid the wadder with the expensive fabric :p<br /><br />The con of cheap is like you said, that price is so low that you buy too much fabric. Actually I have a big stock of fabric and for some of the fabric, i just don't know why I bought it apart from the impulse of the moment...<br /><br />In summary, I would say that the fabric price doesn't matter, as long as you pick wisely your fabric ( is this fabric a good quality ? do i really really like this fabric ? ) and on your budget. That's what I'll try to apply this morning when i go to the market :-)Threadiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04613464292592620063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-84976380828958137792012-03-09T12:47:01.857-05:002012-03-09T12:47:01.857-05:00Basically, I just buy fabric I like. I won't b...Basically, I just buy fabric I like. I won't buy the super-cheap poly stuff - but only because I don't like the way it feels - not because of the price. If I find cheap cotton I like, I will buy it. There's a place in Toronto that sells a few bolts for $1 a yard (5 yard minimum buy though) - I've bought fabric from there if I like the way it feels. <br /><br />Broadly, though, I used to buy a lot of $2-a-yard fabric, but nowadays, I've upgraded to about $7-$8 a yard for most things. I don't think I've ever spent more than $20 a yard - my skills just aren't at that level. <br /><br />I don't pay much mind to what 'experts' think is 'correct' though in terms of how much you should pay for fabric - my sewing journey is individual - and I'm going to do what makes sense for me.Reethihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08154089319915500996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-34670283343027859692012-03-08T22:26:30.364-05:002012-03-08T22:26:30.364-05:00I'm re-acquainting myself with my sewing machi...I'm re-acquainting myself with my sewing machine and skill. As such, expensive fabric does not quite fit into the picture--I can't imagine at this point wasting precious fabric as I re-learn my sewing skills! <br /><br />However, I'm a bit of a touchy-feely person. I can't stand yucky feeling fabric next to my skin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-86053543918754842442012-03-08T22:20:14.554-05:002012-03-08T22:20:14.554-05:00I was there at both of those stores today! I work ...I was there at both of those stores today! I work nearby and only found out recently that either store existed. I hate paying more than $10/yd for fabric (and even then, it better be super nice). I didn't see anything at Fulton Fabrics that interested me at all, but I did see a nice lightweight cotton blend print at Jay Fabric that I might go back for. Mostly I did feel like 90% of the fabrics in both stores just weren't going to be comfortable to wear though. I do think there are bargains to be had in the Garment District though. Now I'm off to check out this Brooklyn group!Mikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14064870915807391241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-8569241579411130162012-03-08T15:57:31.031-05:002012-03-08T15:57:31.031-05:00Sorry! That last comment was me. Not sure why it p...Sorry! That last comment was me. Not sure why it posted as anon.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-26978069426213543752012-03-08T15:56:49.564-05:002012-03-08T15:56:49.564-05:00GREAT post!
I've sewn on everything from $2...GREAT post! <br /><br />I've sewn on everything from $2yd poly to $40 a yard silk satin. Since I don't sew a huge number of garments a year (limited time for sewing) it is worth it to me to get fabric that I really love and think I'll be happy with. I really have developed a distaste for poly and prefer natural fabrics in general. <br /><br />In person, I let my fingers and eyes be the judge of quality for the price. Online, I am a much tougher sell since I've generally found that the truly cheap fabrics almost always disappoint. <br /><br />I second what Steph said about silk - it's my favorite fabric and I've learned that more often than not, it washes up just fine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-27241515256920571502012-03-08T15:10:46.708-05:002012-03-08T15:10:46.708-05:00I rarely spend more than $5 a yard and it's gr...I rarely spend more than $5 a yard and it's great stuff. No poly mixes (which do have there place in the sewing world). I first started only buying non expensive fabric because I was new to sewing and there was a high chance the garment was going to be a failure. Now that I can sew and sew pretty well I still don't spend allot on fabric. I have lucked out with shopping and a local apparel fabric store has shipment from NY once a week of fabric that is left over bulk fabric. <br /><br />Good post.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12606369052156751750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-84503419777049363672012-03-08T15:00:03.479-05:002012-03-08T15:00:03.479-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Andrea Coxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17286893984785813483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-17787982015555650282012-03-08T13:35:43.233-05:002012-03-08T13:35:43.233-05:00Thanks for this post. As a relatively new sewer, I...Thanks for this post. As a relatively new sewer, I'm terrified of spending a lot of money on fabric and totally screwing it up. <br /><br />I live in Brooklyn too. Park Slope to be exact. Thanks for the info on some nearby fabric stores. I just signed up for the sewing group!Andrea Coxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17286893984785813483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-70903391579504785992012-03-08T10:35:30.446-05:002012-03-08T10:35:30.446-05:00Thank you all for the awesome comments! Peter, I h...Thank you all for the awesome comments! Peter, I had a feeling you'd have 2 cents to share on this topic--you were the one who introduced me to "It's a Material World" and the H&M fabric shops... StephC, you are right that even fancy fabric often costs much less than basic RTW--but only if you actually successfully sew the garment and it works out. When it is just sitting in a giant not-yet-made-into-clothing stash, it's hard to justify. And I so did not know that silk and sweat were such a deadly combo--I handwash silks but usually very sparingly when there is visible dirt. Tant-Isis and K-Line, I had no idea about the high fabric costs in Canada--any idea why that is?Mikhaela Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-154436641418746112012-03-08T07:28:27.803-05:002012-03-08T07:28:27.803-05:00I wrote this awesome response, and then word verif...I wrote this awesome response, and then word verification locked me out like 10 times...apparently I'm a robot.<br /><br />At any rate, I'm all in favor of cheap as long as it feels nice. I shop often at Denver Fabrics and they get mostly designer leftovers, so a lot of times it can be great quality even if it's cheap...and other times, you get what you pay for for sure. I'd love to say that I could sew with Emma One Sock anything, but it's too pricey, and "well-edited" means I get to sew less and that's sad. <br /><br /> Fabric.com is evil with their $35 free shipping, and I often have to force myself to step away from the computer because I've ended up with too much junk from them. I did recently find stuff that I had bought at Hart's Fabric at fabric.com for about 1/3 of the price. But in general online buying is so dicey when you can't feel the fabric.Elizabeth Made Thishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16611395530073290874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-66743478454744190422012-03-07T20:28:38.311-05:002012-03-07T20:28:38.311-05:00Tanit is so right - sweater knits are insanely exp...Tanit is so right - sweater knits are insanely expensive here. The reason I've bought them from the US online, on sale for 7 bucks a yard (although, with shipping, the cost doubles) is that I can't get them that inexpensively here most of the time - if I can find them!K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-73491712213940168062012-03-07T19:56:28.276-05:002012-03-07T19:56:28.276-05:00oh- and when I'm faced with $20/m for hemp or ...oh- and when I'm faced with $20/m for hemp or organic cotton or merino jersey for a t-shirt (my husband is picky), I remind myself I'd easily pay at least double that here for a similar garment. Sometimes I luck out and a cheap fabric wears for years, but usually we get the most wear out of great (generally more expensive) fabrics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-48422603260340026352012-03-07T19:53:37.802-05:002012-03-07T19:53:37.802-05:00I sew a LOT with cheap fabric. Often, it's fr...I sew a LOT with cheap fabric. Often, it's free stuff that friends dump on my lap when they clean out their (or their mothers') stashes, and usually 100% polyester something-or-other. <br /><br />I use cheap fabric to explore, experiment, etc. I go into the project thinking "If I completely make a mess of this, no bigs. If I LOVE this garment and it turns to crap in two months because it's made of crap, I can re-make it in a great fabric with confidence and know that I'll adore it for a few years probably."<br /><br />I have a little kiddie, too. I don't work outside the home anymore, and most of my clothes need to be high-performance. I use a lot of natural fibers that I can launder easily. Cotton, linen and hemp are my go-to fabrics because they hold up to washing and they're comfortable in my environment. Linen and hemp especially can be prone to wrinkling BUT- after I "wear in" those clothes, the wrinkles are less of an issue. <br /><br />In fact, I have a pair of old (3 years) linen pants that I can wear for days on end (don't tell on me) and they're only gently rumpled, if that.<br /><br />I also sew a lot with knits. Especially lately. I can't deny that they're generally pretty easy to source, usually not terribly expensive, and for "wash and wearability" they're pretty good. The trick is to use a cute cut so I don't feel like a blob... <br /><br />Oh! And for some reason silk has a reputation for being high-maintenance, but I'm not sure it deserves that rap. Many silks wash quite well in a cool laundry load and stand up well to daily wear. Obviously not super-delicate silks or embellished ones, but most medium silks wash to delicious blousey softness and continue to wash well. I usually lay mine flat to dry or hang them on a soft hanger and always smooth the wrinkles. Minimum ironing. The only caveat is sweat- it *will* degrade silk very quickly, so it's important to at least rinse sweaty silks as soon as you take them off... <br /><br />Great post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-91943031128171514242012-03-07T18:50:56.375-05:002012-03-07T18:50:56.375-05:00Like K-Line said, dollar a yard just doesn't h...Like K-Line said, dollar a yard just doesn't happen in Canada. Even the clearance section here is usually $5/metre for anything decent, although if you catch that on a 50% off day it's not too bad.<br /><br />For me it really depends. I will definitely trawl the clearance sections (not to mention the fabric section of my local thrift store)for prizes, but if there's something specific I really want (stretch denim, wool coating) you can't rely on the clearance racks. And even wool-blend coating up here often costs $30-$50/yard.<br /><br />The worst is finding good heavy-duty knits. They never make it to the clearance and rarely seem to go on sale... and even crappy polyester sweatshirt fleece usually goes for $20/m.<br /><br />I will mostly jump on what I want if I can find it under $10/m. Above that, I will stalk the sales, since my local fabric store (yes, singular) puts things on 50% off with moderate regularity. But I try really hard not to buy something *just* because it's cheap.Tanit-Isishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15824217102632813598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-75002942869901525362012-03-07T18:39:43.965-05:002012-03-07T18:39:43.965-05:00I really enjoyed reading this post. I was debating...I really enjoyed reading this post. I was debating this topic in my head the other day. When I first started sewing I bought $2/polyester and my first dress was so clingy I never wore it, but meh it cost $5 to make. Second dress I spent $40 on 2 meters cotton sateen, then I went back to $5/meter polyester because I loved the colours. Since then I have been sticking to buying nice quality cotton sateen on sale!! So $20/meter down to $5/meter!!!!! But on the weekend I was wandering past a fabric store similar to the ones in your pics, and I got sucked in buying heaps of fabric - non are cotton, all unknown compositions. I haven't touched them since I got home because I feel icky about them not being "natural" but I figure I could make wearable muslins with them, and they could turn out to be great dresses. Plus there is no stres is i mess up. But something in my mind makes me feel icky about them.Neenohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05805951948694378777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-15974148041878402072012-03-07T17:54:05.500-05:002012-03-07T17:54:05.500-05:00I just started sewing because I am unexpectedly un...I just started sewing because I am unexpectedly unemployed. So I do have time, but no extra budget for fabric, and $10 a yard is my upper limit so far, and mostly shop at discount fabric stores, but that requires a lot of time sorting through outdated prints and faded stuff. Sewing has become a luxury hobby, and it is hard to read about more expensive projects, or sergers, all of which is above my - current - means.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-11572483200690339792012-03-07T17:48:29.353-05:002012-03-07T17:48:29.353-05:00I'm totally guilty of using cheap fabric for m...I'm totally guilty of using cheap fabric for most things. That's what you get on a teacher's salary. I'd love to be able to purchase Liberty and pretty silks-- maybe one day. The most I've ever spent on fabric was for the couch! Twenty bucks a yard.liza janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16916364137307894200noreply@blogger.com