Need to know what fabric I'm looking for

[Sarrah]

I want to sew up some light easy pull on short sleeved tops. I thought the fabric T-Shirts are made from might be about right. So I went on line and entered T-Shirt fabric in a search engine and got a bunch of names of fabrics popping up. The first one was Tricot I think it was. Is that the stuff?
As you can tell no one here wears T-Shirts so I can't look at a label.
I do have some unbleached muslin and was thinking I might try a top in that. A bit colourless but the animals don't care.

 

[Walrus Whisperer]

You might be looking for a Cotton KNIT- most t-shirts are that knit stuff that I despise sewing. Its like sewing an armfull of snakes together.
Muslin would work fine except it doesnt have that stretchy thing that a knit would have because its woven.

 

[Dennis Olson]

IIRC, tricot is used a lot for women's underwear. I doubt you'd want to use that. Most T's are 100% cotton.

 

[Sarrah]

Thanks for the quick answers.
DH has already requested a shirt from the muslin so I'll do up a quick top today and see how it fits. I want cool and moisture absorbing without too much bulk. When my clothing is too loose I tend to gather stray insects and bees etc.

Walrus Whisperer I don't want to sew any snake fabric. I got hornswaggled into that one time making a bridesmaid dress for my daughter. I swore never again.

Ummmm Dennis. How is it that you know womens unmentionables are made of tricot and I don't?

 

[Walrus Whisperer]

I was hornswoggled into making a leopard outfit for my GD for halloween a couple yrs ago. It was leopard print furry knit. AUUUUUUGGGHHHH!
The only part that went well was the dang tail. and I sewed it by hand because of the wire in it.

 

[Dennis Olson]

The tricot is a good material to use or even 100% cotton or a 50/50% poly/cotton blend. You might not want to use the muslin as it isn't the most breathable fabric. People usually use muslin to do a mock up of a garment or when making a quilt. Since I work for JoAnn Fabrics, I can ask around for some other suggestions if you want.

D'Anne-wifey of the chief

 

[ShepInTheValley]

Most of our t-shirts are 100% cotton knit; some are 50% cotton/50% polyester.

 

[Sarrah]

Thanks for coming out D'Anne. That explains the knowledge you have.
We are going to town on Sat. I'm going to try and make it to a fabric store and see if I can find some cotton knit. I think about 1/2 yard should make a top but I'll make sure I have enough. I've an old top I'll take apart for a pattern. Maybe there will be some in clearance making way for the next season of sewing.
What do you know about stain removal for these fabrics. I'm always ending up with stains when I work.

 

[Gingergirl]

It may not seem frugal, but a high quaility !00% cotton knit fabfric will save you money in the long run.

It will wear longer and the dyes will stand up to washing better (and the dyes will survive stain treatments better.)

50-50 knits are not as cool, do not release stains as well.

Think of it as an investment.

I like to use Zout for most stains. If its grass, then a last resort is lestoil as it will also release some of the fabric dye (use it on blue jeans)

 

[housemouse]

100% cotton knit is the way to go. I learned early on in menopaws to forget the polyester/cotton mix.

And, as a frugal shopper, it can be cheaper to buy them than make them. That said, it is better to make them than buy them, because the ones you buy are mostly made in sweatshops.

Try Nancy's Notions online for good quality knit fabric by mail.

I am sure that it isn't this way at all Jo-Ann stores, but the one near me such a mess that I hate to go in there. I wish someone from the main company would visit that store and make them clean it up and pay some attention to the customers.

 

[Dennis Olson]

D'Anne will post additional information to this thread after work today. Might be worth reading before heading into town...

 

[Sarrah]

I have to look for a smaller store than Jo-Ann Fabrics. Too many chemicals in those stores from all the fabrics. I tried going in about two months ago got about 5 feet into the store and had to run out. One time my eyes closed tight and I was like a blind person getting out again. I try periodically because I find it hard to believe it is so toxic to me.

 

[Dennis Olson]

Yes, D'Anne complains about the chemicals from time to time. I forget exactly what she said the source was (fabric or something else). But she may have some good information on fabric in general for you.

 

[Gingergirl]

I worked in a fabric shop years ago. The cheap dyes will use a setting agent that will release fumes till washed. Can be hard on the eyes.

I've also had it happen in department/clothing stores. I usually just turn around and shop elsewhere.

 

[Dennis Olson]

Hi all!!!

I did some checking at work today and the consensus was to use an interlock knit. It can be a little tough to sew on, but it should wear a long time. It is cheaper to buy them now days, just make sure the label says "made in america".

As far as fabric amounts, if the fabric is a 60" one then 1yd should be ok. If the fabric is 45", then 1 1/2yds should be ok. If you get a fabric that is 100% cotton, make sure you consider the shrinkage issue. It could possibly shrink up to 3-4" when washed. If you are planning to put sleeves on, then add about a 1/4yd to the above.

The chemical that irritates your eyes is formaldehyde. The manufacturers use it to set the dye in fabric. It is very overwhelming, especially when unboxing the fabric that is trucked to us.

There are several stain removers that I have tried. Make sure you try and catch them when they first happen. If the stain doesn't come out in the first washing, or you can't see it when wet, let it air dry on a hanger and try again. JoAnn's carries stain removers by "Carbonna". They seem to be ok. I have also tried oxi-clean and that seemed to be ok. Sorry I don't know of any home remedies to share. Try Mary Ellen's book of home made remedies.

I hope this info helps some. The reason that the smaller JoAnn's are so hard to shop is that they are only allowed 2-3 people on at any one time and they receive to much stuff for their square footage. If you ever get a chance to visit a "Superstore or ETC" then hopefully your impression will change some. If you are ever in the area, I'd love to take you on a tour.

If you need additional info, please ask.

D'Anne-Wifey of the chief

 

[housemouse]

D'Anne, you are right about too much merchandise for the space available! There is stuff in the aisles, stuff piled on top of stuff, and the smaller items are always in a real mess.

I buy most of the fabric for my clothing at JoAnns, and find the quality good if I shop carefully. I have some dresses, shirts, and jumpers I have made still going strong after 8 years of hard wear and machine washing.

But, I have to be careful with the quilting cottons which I used to buy for blouses, etc... The quality has gone downhill in recent years. For my quilting, I do not completely trust JoAnn's cottons. I hand piece and hand quilt, and with all the time I put in, want a quality cotton. I am probably not a typical JoAnn's shopper, and I understand they are not marketing to meet my picky needs.

Another gripe is the decline in quality in the needlework section. I do a lot of very high quality counted thread embroidery, and am used to buying my silk by mail, but am quite happy with DMC floss for some projects.

DMC floss is still carried at Jo-Anns, but no-one ever checks the bins, and the colors are all mixed up, and the skeins are a mess. Our JoAnns has completely stopped carrying Mill Hill beads, (carry a much cheaper quality now) so now I have to mail order these, and I am seriously tempted to mail order floss, paying 8 cents more a skein, not including the shipping just to avoid having to try to find the number I need in an untangled, clean condition.

Probably it is because I am in a rural area, and there isn't much competition in town. Wal-mart is even worse, and I won't even bother shopping there, where as I will shop at Jo-Anns.

I like the denims and the corduroys at JoAnns, have had excellent results with that. Also the cotton/linen blends, which wash wonderfully, and are so comfortable to wear in the summer.

 

[Dennis Olson]

Housemouse,

You are correct about the quality of the quilting cotton that JoAnn is now carrying. If you go with the Egyption cotton, it is of better quality than the everyday cotton. A lot of our regular customers have also commented on the quality. Unfortunatly, it usually only comes in solid colors.

I tend to agree with you as well about the needlework section. Our store has not shrunk as far as how many feet of needlework there are. I just recently redid the needlework department and there are a lot of wonderful new kits. They have also brought in a new line of things to use by "linea". It looks like it is pretty nice stuff. If you would like, let me know what you need as far as floss colors and I will be glad to help you get what you need from my store.

D'Anne

 

[housemouse]

D'Anne, that is such a nice thing to offer, but I wouldn't think of putting you to the trouble.

I will look to see if any of the Linea products have arrived at our local JoAnn's. I was in last week, and didn't see anything. I was looking for some of the Mill Hill beads, and kits, so might have missed them.

I did notice that there was some linen on the racks from DMC, which I haven't tried yet. I always use linen for stitching, and use Zweigart, which I have to mail order.

Someday, if I get organized, will get some photos of my stitching posted. I really like to do the 16th and 17th century band samplers, but now am working on intricate Christmas ornaments for the grown children's Christmas trees.

 

[Dennis Olson]

Housemouse,

JoAnn's stopped carrying millhill beads quite a while ago. I think it was a mistake because a lot of our customers loved them. As far as getting the floss you need, I would be happy to do that for you, it definitely wouldn't be a hassle.

Dennis has posted pictures of some of the crossstitch that I have done including the Christmas tree skirt that took me forever. If you would like to see them, let Dennis know.

 

[Sarrah]

Just wanted to let everyone know the project is a success.
I went into Walmart and found a navy blue and a lovely soft yellow. Both are cotton knit. It was on sale for $1/yard. I bought four of each and have made a pattern and made one top so far. I should be able, now that the pattern is made, to whip these up in under an hour each. I was very careful and patient with it and didn't have a problem so far.
Fear will do that to me.

 

[Gingergirl]

Congratulations!

Sounds like you got a very good price on the fabric and the pattern will last forever.

 

[summerthyme]

Thought I'd add this tidbit for those not used to sewing on knit fabrics- ALWAYS use "ballpoint" needles, or those labeled "for knits'. The regular type have very sharp points which can split the fibers in the knit fabrics, but which are necessary for wovens.

The ball point needles are a bit blunted, and they slip nicely between the individual stretchy threads in the knits. Never cause a run that way.

FWIW

Summerthyme

PS. If you're sewing machine is breaking threads all of a sudden, and it's not because of sewing something sticky (like sticky back velcro NEVER do that again!) , it's likely your needle has a bit of a rough spot or burr on it. I replace my sewing machine needles after every big project or every couple of weeks if I'm sewing regularly but lots of small stuff. Cheap insurance....