Replies

1. 
   ThreadKoe | Jul 09, 2008 07:53pm | #1

   Cloth weight by the ounce is an indication of how heavy or the thickness of the cloth. It is usually used in twill,canvas or jean type materials. It indicates the size of thread and thread count used in the fabric. The larger the number, or heaver weight means the fabric is heaver or thicker or denser. In a twill or denim fabric, it indicates that more filler threads have been used to make a denser more durable fabric. In canvas or duck, a coarser, heaver thread has been used for the same reason. Percale sheeting has a higher thread count for the same reason. I cannot find the exact measure of how this is measured in my resources at the moment, but I looked up the difference in my textile text and it only explained it in terms of the thread differences in weaving. I know that when I sold denim, canvas and duck in the fabric stores, the weight was an indicator of how heavy and fluid the fabric was and the suitability for a project. Hope this is what you needed to know. Cathy

1. 
   sewman | Jul 09, 2008 08:02pm | #2

   Cathy,  Thanks for the info!!!.  It was very helpfull, I appriciate it!.  , Steve.

1. 
   ThreadKoe | Jul 09, 2008 08:39pm | #3

   You are most welcome! If you haven't guessed by now, I'm a Fabric Freak, Textileaholic, Stashmaster, whatever you may call it, Tee hee. Cathy

1. 
   JunkQueen | Jul 10, 2008 03:20am | #4

   I'm not positive, so I probably shouldn't comment at all, but I believe most fabric weight is based on a square yard of fabric. Others are based on a linear yard. It may be that there are even more differing bases for different types of fabric, just as there are differing bases for determining paper weight. I.E., bond paper weight is based on 500 sheets of 17x22 sheets and newsprint is 500 sheets of 24x36 --- that's all I can remember since it's been so long since I worked in the printing industry.

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   sewman | Jul 10, 2008 06:32am | #5

   Thank You for your helpful input! I appriciate it!!. -Steve

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   ThreadKoe | Jul 10, 2008 07:01am | #7

   I was pretty sure it was a square yard as well, but could not confirm it either. Unfortunately all my reference books are packed away right now as I am renovating in the house and all my bookshelves had to be taken down. It is a pretty good indicator for the density of the thread count in a fabric for comparison purposes. Cathy

2. 
   sewman | Jul 10, 2008 06:38am | #6

   Stashmaster!--I love it!.  That one gets written down., Hope you don't mind if I borrow the term.  (I'm also quite the stashmaster!!)  --Thanks for the laugh--Steve

1. 
   ThreadKoe | Jul 10, 2008 07:03am | #8

   If 35 rubbermaid containers full is any indicator.... please feel free to use the term :) Cathy

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   ThreadKoe | Jul 11, 2008 02:50pm | #10

   Ok, Steve, I found the info and I was correct, it is the weight of one yard of fabric in ounces. Just wanted to confirm that info for you. Cathy

3. 
   sewman | Jul 11, 2008 08:09pm | #11

   Cathy, Bless your heart--Thank You so much!!. That is exactly what I was looking for. I'm educating myself about all the little details of tailoring mens suits., And have noticed that a slight difference in ounce size in a fabric makes a big difference in the heavyness of the suit.  Now that I know how to determine ounce size, I'll know exactly what weight of fabric to order.   One thousand thank Yous!!!!! :)  Steve.

    

2. 
   DONNAKAYE | Jul 11, 2008 07:15am | #9

   You might post a request on Sandra Betzina or Claire Shaeffer's websites.....Hopefully someone in Gatherings knows the answer.  I used to know this, but....oh, well.

1. 
   sewman | Jul 11, 2008 08:14pm | #12

   Hi Donna, Thanks for the info! I appriciate it!!  Steve.