Replies

1. 
   purduemom | Sep 09, 2008 05:45am | #1

   Hi, Dianna, 

   A couple of online sources I have used:  Gorgeous Fabrics and http://www.fabricationsonline.com.  I have also been lucky to find a nice striped shirting among the closeout fabrics at Joann's.  This is the fabric I will be using for the 'muslin' for my first man's shirt - it was cheap but if all turns out okay, will make a nice looking shirt.  Good luck on your search.

   Sue

1. 
   Dianna | Sep 10, 2008 07:18am | #3

   Hi Sue,

   Thanks for the suggestion; will check out the site tonite.

   I called Brittex Fabrics (San Francisco store) and have some swatches coming to me.  They do things very 'old school', and don't have any info on their web site.

   I'm competing with Brooks Brothers custom shirts, so I need to put my best foot forward at the get-go.  Brittex quoted $5.99 per yard (35% cotton 65% poly blend).  Seem to have a ton of colors.  My primary concern is that it is a really a substantial fabric (not a batiste). 

   Will let you know if the swatches meet my expectations.  As for Joann's, I know they have cotton-poly blend, but thought it too thin.  I also check their closeout racks and the remnants.  Thanks again for the suggestions.

   Dianna

1. 
   junctioncats | Sep 10, 2008 06:46pm | #8

   Dianna, my hubby last night reminded me of buying a percale sheet because he liked the fabric and needed a sports shirt to match some oddly-colored slacks he'd purchased. It was a flat sheet, so I had plenty of yardage. It wasn't a dress shirt, but the fabric had plenty of body, did not wrinkle when worn, and was easy to sew. Buying fabric on eBay isn't the easiest thing in the world to do. Most times I have gotten really great deals, but I also have had trouble with sellers not being able to tell Royal Blue from Navy Blue, which is what I'm dealing with now. Make sure you ask ALL your questions directly to the seller before the auction is due to end. Susan

2. 
   junctioncats | Sep 10, 2008 12:15am | #2

   I seem to collect men's shirting fabric (although I have no clue why, I've only made the DH one shirt so far). I've found that I can get striped and light colored plaids from eBay auctions cheap. Yes, its always a guess as to whether the seller is describing it correctly or not, and the color might be a hair off because of the digital photography, but I've gotten some fabric that would normally sell in the $5.99-$7.99 a yard range for less than $1 a yard. It takes some patience though to go through all those auctions! Susan

1. 
   Dianna | Sep 10, 2008 07:25am | #4

   Hi Susan,

   Had not heard that you could get fabric on eBay...need to check that out also.  Don't know that I have the time (or patience) to participate in an auction.  I use eBay to help me 'price' things...figure out what something might be worth.

   I'm wondering if high count cotton-poly sheeting would work?  or maybe I should also search for polished cotton? 

   Hmmm.  More ideas.  Thanks for the recommendation.

   Dianna

3. 
   joy | Sep 10, 2008 02:46pm | #5

   I have a notation in my files that indicate a good source for men's shirting fabrics is Phillips Boyne Corp., Farmingdale, NY 11735. Their web site is http://www.phillipsboyne.com

1. 
   Dianna | Sep 10, 2008 06:17pm | #6

   Hi Joy,

   Thanks for the reference.  I think I may also call them directly, if only to confirm what is the best way to gather info (call or web site).

   I hope to post my results.  My son is visiting 10 Oct and I want to have it done by then.

   Dianna

1. 
   ThreadKoe | Sep 10, 2008 06:25pm | #7

   If it is any help at all, Men's Shirting is often called Oxford Cloth, it may help you refine your search. Cathy

2. 
   cafms | Sep 11, 2008 04:15am | #9

   http://www.philipsboyne.com/pb_here.htm   This will get you to the home page.  I ordered a set of swatches from them a couple years ago and got a ton of nice sized swatches.  I never ordered any yardage from them though so can't tell you how that worked out.  The fabrics were really nice.

1. 
   Dianna | Sep 12, 2008 12:40am | #10

   Hello,

   Thanks for the great source.  I just got my swatches from Brittex today and will order some white from them.  They had a 6.99/yd blend that seems nicer than the 5.99/yd stuff.   The friendly clerk sent over some really nice options (at more $).

   I'll order some swatches from Phillip Boyne and have them here for my son to check out.  Like all clients, you have to see how they respond to the fabric options.

   Assuming I get the pattern and fit down on the first try, I can move to more expensive fabric on the 2nd-through-n attempts.  It's a process!

   Dianna

1. 
   KharminJ | Sep 20, 2008 07:01pm | #11

   Two weeks after the OP - my local JoAnn's (a superstore, btw) has a whole lot 'more' Fall Shirtings in the regular fabrics, not just clearance, now.

   (Full disclosure: I work there, but as a mere cutting counter peon)

   Happy Hunting!

   Kharmin

2. 
   Dianna | Sep 22, 2008 05:15am | #13

   Kharmin,

   Thanks for the info.  I've purchased 2.5 yds from Brittex and have a delivery scheduled for 10 Oct.  Also have swatches from both Brittex and Philips Boyne.  I'm not opposed to JoAnn's (I visit 2 stores here regularly), but am more concerned about the quality of the fabric.  This has been way too much fun!

   I hope to post pictures of the results.

   Dianna

4. 
   Paulajeanne | Sep 22, 2008 12:39am | #12

   Dianna,

   You might refer to the reference and source section in David Coffins book on shirts.

1. 
   Dianna | Sep 22, 2008 05:24am | #14

   Paulajeanne,

   My next step is to pull the appropriate articles out of my old Threads.  I will purchase Coffins book; I'm a fan of his articles.  I'm self taught but have taken on a wide variety of projects, which gives me lots of confidence.  I'll be looking through the articles and books for some of the small details that keep my results on a par with Brooks Brothers custom shirts.  His writing tends to be intense (each sentence carrying tons of info).  What an assignment!

   I plan to post the results.

   Dianna