Fashion Fabrics Club

wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi,
Thanks to you all for your suggestions. If I could have used the
fabric going in the opposite direction, I would have. However, I
ordered 1 1/4 yard of 58" wide fabric. The width of the stretch twill
was just enough so that I did not have to order double length of fabric
for pants. I only had 45" of fabric to have it stretch cross wise so I
couldn't use it for my slacks.

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I got some fabric like this with
lengthwise stretch and I did have enough to cut it crossgrain. The pants
just didn't fit right or hang right no matter what I did. I ended up just
throwing the whole mess away. If I had it to do over again, I'd cut on the
length of the grain. It couldn't have been any worse.

Iris

Kate:
For 'true' stretch, I do use a variety of lycras (bolts and bolts of the
stuff!) but for other costuming things I have found that stretch twill fits
the bill very nicely - and the fabric is turned to have the give where it is
needed. This works far better than using a bias cut piece.
I have personally avoided buying any stretch twill or denim pants with the
stretch on the lengthways grain as, over time, I have found the butt and
knee bag to be magnified that way. All of my quality pants (purchased for
work where I am constantly bending, lifting, etc., but still need to look
nice) have the stretch built in across the grain. The stretch is minimal
and is just enough to prevent binding during the aforementioned bending and
lifting.) I presumed from the previous post that the fabric purchased had a
lot of give to it.....If she purchased that much, I would suggest sewing up
an item or two just to see how it functions - anything else is second
guessing.
Cynthia
"Kate Dicey" wrote in message
...
Woven fabric with stretch built into the warp threads (longditudonal
stretch) is used as if it was non-stretch. The stretch is there to aid
recovery. This means that when you make skirts and trousers out of it,
it stretches and relaxes along the length when you sit and move in it.
The elasticity helps the fabric to recover, eliminating 'bagging' at
knees, and 'seating' at the bum. (This is where the fabric stretches
out of shape and goes saggy in these areas.) These fabrics (and things
like shirting with stretch) are supposed to be cut and to fit like the
un-stretch versions: they just allow more ease and comfort in wearing,
and look smart for longer because they retain their shape.

For true stretch fit garments, use a knitted stretch fabric made for
that purpose.

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Hi. I've ordered three different colors (pink, navy, and blue) of this same
fabric, known as their "stretch twill". I found the same problem, but felt
that it was due to the way it was made--that it wasn't a problem at all. I
made some nice pairs of jeans out of my fabric and now I have stretchy
jeans!

I wouldn't use it for anything else; maybe a tight skirt but that would be
it. I really like the company, so I wouldn't give up on them. I love
looking at the swatches they send.


wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,
I just received a 10 piece order from Fashion Fabrics club. I washed
all the darks together so they would be ready to sew. When I went to
cut the fabric
I realized that all the stretch twills that I ordered stretch in the
lengthwise direction. I've never seen this before. I've been sewing
for over 40 years. These were not 4 way stretch fabrics, they were 2
way stretch which usually stretch in the width of fabric. I've never
known anyone who stretches and shrinks in height. I called the office
this morning and the girl stated that they get their stretch fabric
that can stretch either way and that they don't know in the office
which direction the fabric stretches in. When you sew a stretch fabric
for slacks, skirt, dress or jacket the fabric is naturally going to
distort in length because you are stretching it lengthwise as you sew.
There is no way of calling in the question before you order because the
girls simply have no way of knowing.

Needless to say, I am very upset because I love the website to order
fabrics
but I wouldn't take a chance again because all that money is wasted. I
can send back the pieces that I didn't wash but as you know shipping is
expensive and I purposely order enough fabrics when I order online to
make the shipping charges worthwhile. Their selection is very tempting
but I wouldn't waste the money on material that I cannot get an
accurate description of. Has anyone else every purchased 2 way stretch
material that stretches on the selvage edge
down? What would you use it for?

Thanks to everyone in the sewing groups for all of your helpful posts.
Have a great day!!
Jan