UPDATING the 100% TEXTILES LIST: any new places?

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 2:31 am

Tired of hunting around the net for hours trying to find some quality natural fabric for your next project? ..well, me too. :wink:

Every so often we post a thread listing places to find 100% wool, linen, silk, hemp etc. I did a search and couldnt find an old list i used to refer to, so I thought Id start a new one. I am tempted to break down the categories into all the different types from canvas to kerseys.....but fabric selections tend to change with many suppliers. At least we have a springboard to that particular website, supplier.

Feel free to add any of your sources....I will update this post each time someone lists a new source

If I have overlooked a place that might sell more than one period textile (e.g., wools and silks ) but I only have it listed in only one category please bring it to my attention

__________________________________________________________

New finds get added to the TOP of the lists:

WOOLS:

www.bsharpfabrics.com

http://www.renaissancefabrics.net

www.hertsfabrics.co.uk

www.fabricsonmillst.com

www.burnleyandtrowbridge.com

www.classactfabrics.com

www.bblackandsons.com (one of my favs)

www.denverfabrics.com

www.fashionfabricsclub.com

www.carolinacalicoes.com

www.woolrichfabrics.com

www.wood-n-woven.com

www.sirsfabric.com

www.fabric.com be careful, some nylon blends in the mix

http://wmboothdraper.com

www.reconstructinghistory.com

www.historicenterprises.com (sometimes Gwen has extra fabric for sale)

http://www.fabricmartfabrics.com

LINENS

www.bsharpfabrics.com

http://www.renaissancefabrics.net/

www.hertsfabrics.co.uk/

www.sirsfabric.com

www.burnleyandtrowbridge.com

http://wmboothdraper.com

www.fabric.com Relatively nubby free Irish linens!

www.fabric-store.com Tends to have nubbier linens but very cheap

www.reconstructinghistory.com

http://www.graylinelinen.com/category_s/35.htm

LINSEY-WOOLSEY

http://www.renaissancefabrics.net/

http://wmboothdraper.com

SILKS

www.bsharpfabrics.com

http://www.renaissancefabrics.net/

www.sirsfabric.com

www.dharmatrading.com

www.fabric.com

www.burnleyandtrowbridge.com

http://www.fabricguru.com

HEMPS

www.dharmatrading.com

www.fabric.com

http://wmboothdraper.com

HEMP LINEN:
www.dharmatrading.com

HEMP SILK:
www.dharmatrading.com

PERIOD "NOTIONS": (some attention has been paid to acquiring period threads, etc)

www.bsharpfabrics.com (nice assortment--silk threads too)

http://www.renaissancefabrics.net/

http://wmboothdraper.com

www.reconstructinghistory.com

www.burnleyandtrowbridge.com

.

Haldan · Post by **Haldan** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 3:41 am

I really like these wools in GREAT weaves....

http://www.wood-n-woven.com/

Haldan

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 3:56 pm

updated: added the link

(and extremely cool I might add...thanks for sharing!)

Oswyn_de_Wulferton · Post by **Oswyn_de_Wulferton** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 5:21 pm

fabrics-store.com has lots of 100% linen. Be careful of their "natural" as it is significantly rougher than their other fabrics.

azure d'or · Post by **azure d'or** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 6:41 pm

Oswyn_de_Wulferton wrote:fabrics-store.com has lots of 100% linen. Be careful of their "natural" as it is significantly rougher than their other fabrics.

I second that - www.fabric.com, which is Phoenix Textiles out of Atlanta - and I've also gotten some excellent wools from them, and hemp linen blends. They sometimes have appropriate silks. Bear in mind that what they call medium weight linen really is toward the heavy.

I also like www.fabrics-store.com, which has nice, textured linens.

Here in Meridies, we're very fond of Sir's Fabrics. Frankly, their online site sucks, but they're right off 65 for anyone driving to Gulf Wars, and though their supply is irregular, I've gotten excellent linen, wools, and silks from them at what can only be referred to as bargain basement prices. It's a huge treasure hunt of a visit. Closed Sundays, though.

We did our Coronation garb with silks from Dharma Trading. We had to dye it, something I don't recommend if you don't have access to a dye vat, but the results were great, and the fabric was beautiful.

There are also a few good eBay sites. I usually check out an eBay store called Annie's Linen Fabrics, which usually has excellent stuff, albeit pricier that many like.

Gwen

Tailoress · Post by **Tailoress** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:04 pm

Oswyn_de_Wulferton wrote:fabrics-store.com has lots of 100% linen. Be careful of their "natural" as it is significantly rougher than their other fabrics.

Do you mean their 5.3 oz or a heavier version? I found the 5.3 oz natural to be the same as their other colors in that weight, but the 7 oz. natural was definitely rougher. I should mention that the last time I bought it was a few years back though, so perhaps it has changed...

They're offering the 5.3 oz. natural in "softened" state right now; that's usually a safe bet.

-Tasha

Oswyn_de_Wulferton · Post by **Oswyn_de_Wulferton** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:39 pm

IIRC, it was in the 5.3 as well. Everything else came nice and smooth, but this had a "scratchy" texture to it. May have been the next step up (5.7?), as I was trying to find a sturdy material for an undertunic.

azure d'or · Post by **azure d'or** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 9:12 pm

Oswyn_de_Wulferton wrote:IIRC, it was in the 5.3 as well. Everything else came nice and smooth, but this had a "scratchy" texture to it. May have been the next step up (5.7?), as I was trying to find a sturdy material for an undertunic.

Fabric.com doesn't often list a specific weight, usually it's handkerchief, light or medium weight linen (with medium being about a 7 to 7.5 ounce). What was the actual description of what you ordered that was scratchy?

Gwen

Oswyn_de_Wulferton · Post by **Oswyn_de_Wulferton** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 10:22 pm

I was referring to some I ordered from Fabrics-Store.com, not Fabric.com. Sorry about any confusion. Fabrics-Store does list out the weights, but I got it so long ago I cant remember.

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:42 pm

Yeah Im not real big on what I got at Fabrics-store....lots of slubs or whatever those things are called.

I got some amazing stuff at G street fabric about ten years back....nice and clean linen.

SOMEBODY must have nice clean linen.... :shock:

sha-ul · Post by **sha-ul** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:54 pm

should this thread be stickied?

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:54 pm

On the subject of nicer silks....this is a hemp/silk blend....and certainly nicer quality than duponi it seems:

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/3 ... fabric.htm

I only wish it came in predyed colors...

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:10 am

Decent silks from Fabrics.com

http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.asp ... 02c963829e

http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.asp ... 35d119cf17

Tailoress · Post by **Tailoress** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:53 am

sha-ul wrote:should this thread be stickied?

If it is, it should be moved to Interpretive Recreation. Along with the one Andrew posted about linings. Both topics are solidly in the realm of I.R.

-Tasha

brewer · Post by **brewer** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:06 am

Time to plug the day job:

Reconstructing History has a range of wools and hemp fabrics carefully selected for historical accuracy. Check the website for colors, etc.; contact me - via email or PM only, as I don't get to check AA as often as I'd like - for availability.

[/plug]

:mrgreen:

Cory Nielsen · Post by **Cory Nielsen** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:54 pm

Wm. Booth, Draper carries linen, wool, linsey woolsey, silk, hemp, and linen thread.

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 1:33 pm

Tasha McG wrote:
sha-ul wrote:should this thread be stickied?

If it is, it should be moved to Interpretive Recreation. Along with the one Andrew posted about linings. Both topics are solidly in the realm of I.R.

-Tasha

Possibly Tasha, although the linings thread could be research oriented too.

Theres a nominal difference between research and replication to test the research and finished extrapolations/reconstructions.

I sort of wish we had a Materials Forum...a place to post good info about sourcing materials from ebay auctions to yard sales to retail and bulk quantity stores. ...such a forum could save hours of hunting around, hence the reason I started up that 100% textile sources thread

Bob H · Post by **Bob H** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 5:41 pm

Burnley & Trowbridge - http://www.burnleyandtrowbridge.com/

Linen, silk, wool, in a variety of solids and dyed-in-the-yarn patterns. Their swatch packet is well worth the $3-5 is costs, if only to learn more about the feel of various fabrics.

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 5:51 pm

thanks Bob, its added to the list

Tailoress · Post by **Tailoress** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:52 pm

Andrew Young wrote:Possibly Tasha, although the linings thread could be research oriented too.

Theres a nominal difference between research and replication to test the research and finished extrapolations/reconstructions.

Sure, I know, but I think JT said it well (and it's been working well):

JT wrote:My intent was to provide a forum for discussion on research, and another forum for discussion on how to make ones re-creation more accurate, authentic, whatever.

So, if the question is "how did they do XYZ?" it should go in Historical Research. On the other hand, if the question is "how can I make my persona/armour/soft-kit/equipment/campsite look like XYZ?", then it should go into Interpretive Re-creation.

Some folks didn't like this idea when the forums were split into two, but I think it turned out to be the right decision. There's a distinct (useful) difference between the two forums and the discussions held there (for the most part). And, contrary to dire predictions, there does not appear to be any real split between LH and SCA folks into one forum or the other.

Andrew Young wrote:I sort of wish we had a Materials Forum...a place to post good info about sourcing materials from ebay auctions to yard sales to retail and bulk quantity stores. ...such a forum could save hours of hunting around, hence the reason I started up that 100% textile sources thread

There's also that "newcomer's" thread stickied in the Armour forum; that one also has a ton of material source recommendations.

How about we call it "Material and Tool Sources"? That covers the gamut, I think. If someone mistakes "material" for "historical", well, I can't help them read any better.

I do agree such a forum would be useful. We have a specialized forum just for discussion of cohesive kits; we have Duke Paul's forum, we have Armour of the Month -- surely a specialty forum for finding the goods you need to do all the projects discussed here could only help...?

-Tasha

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:11 pm

I dont care, we can move it

As long as the info is easy to find again.

Oswyn_de_Wulferton · Post by **Oswyn_de_Wulferton** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:42 pm

Andrew Young wrote:Yeah Im not real big on what I got at Fabrics-store....lots of slubs or whatever those things are called.

I actually really liked the other stuff I got, just wanted to "warn" people that natural may be a little rough and stiff.

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:58 pm

Oswyn_de_Wulferton wrote:
Andrew Young wrote:Yeah Im not real big on what I got at Fabrics-store....lots of slubs or whatever those things are called.

I actually really liked the other stuff I got, just wanted to "warn" people that natural may be a little rough and stiff.

Youre right. I was just a bit disappointed as I was hoping for a cleaner weave. Great for under garments and arming cottes and such.

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:43 pm

I just got a package from Woolrich fabrics...

They sent about 40 swatches! ....a nice range of arguably very period color tones..."earthy" tones in other words.

The letter states:

In the sample swatches all of the solid colors are sold at a minimum of 5 yards and priced at 17 dollars for single yards......fabrics are 60 inches wide with an ounce weight of 13 ounces per linear yard. They are 100% wool.

To place an order through the mill and receive wholesale pricing (11.95 yard) you are required to order at total of 15 yards in 5 yard increments.

So for example 15 yards would about 180 bucks at 11.95 each

One idea if you didnt need all 15 yards is to split the wool up amonst several people who might need it....a "wool pool," if you will.

heh...wool pool....sounds like Baba Wawa saying whirlpool. :lol:

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:48 pm

Any thoughts on this herringbone silk? I dont know much about period silk but this seems to be a "clean" (no nubbys) and a period weave.

http://www.fabric.com/Webdata/Product/0 ... BN-068.jpg

RenJunkie · Post by **RenJunkie** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 8:07 pm

sha-ul wrote:should this thread be stickied?

I think so. This is great.

Christopher

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:47 pm

....scroll up 2-3 posts to see initial news about swatches I received from Woolrich Mills

------------------------------------------------------
Got a call back from Woolrich today...Even better news.

Those 15 yards at 11.95 I mentioned....

which I thought could on be had if one bought all 15 yards in a solid color...

Well according to Karen at Woolrich, those 15 yards can be broken down into 3 separate colors!!!!!

So while
ie any color combination, for example:

tan....navy blue....red

gold....purple....green

brown....lavender.....burgundy

This way if you pony up with 1 or 2 other people who pool your money, you can get 5 yards for 60 even.

I have seen cheaper wool. I grant 60 bucks for 5 years is not ""cheap""... but the 13 oz is a nice thickness. Yet what really sells me is the wide color range about 40 choices with a half dozen variations of strong and subtle: blues, reds, greens, whites including some herringbone probably the biggest sell in my book.

azure d'or · Post by **azure d'or** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:10 pm

Double post - sorry - deleted

azure d'or · Post by **azure d'or** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:12 pm

Andrew Young wrote:Any thoughts on this herringbone silk? I dont know much about period silk but this seems to be a "clean" (no nubbys) and a period weave.

http://www.fabric.com/Webdata/Product/0 ... BN-068.jpg

We used this type of silk to make Duke Ailgheanan and Countess Ashildr's coronation garb - it worked well, lent itself to period embroidery, and draped beautifully.

Gwen
Regina and member of house Moffat-Mainwaring (Coronation garb-R-Us)

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 1:41 am

azure d'or wrote:
Andrew Young wrote:Any thoughts on this herringbone silk? I dont know much about period silk but this seems to be a "clean" (no nubbys) and a period weave.

http://www.fabric.com/Webdata/Product/0 ... BN-068.jpg

We used this type of silk to make Duke Ailgheanan and Countess Ashildr's coronation garb - it worked well, lent itself to period embroidery, and draped beautifully.

Gwen
Regina and member of house Moffat-Mainwaring (Coronation garb-R-Us)

I dont want to derail my own thread here...but do you have some pics?

Sounds neat.

thanks

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 4:24 pm

Just added

www.bsharpfabrics.com

Nice assortment of notions, durable silk threads, buttons....

Black Swan Designs · Post by **Black Swan Designs** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 11:54 pm

FYI- I often have short ends (5-10) yards of white linen hanging around, left over from shirt/headgear/underwear production.

If anyone is interested, I can sell these short ends for $5.50/yard. I don't have any idea about weight, but it would be the same stuff I make our clothes out of, and can give you a ballpark like 'light shirtweight', 'shirtweight', 'underwear weight', etc.

Email me if you're interested (or add me to the list)- gwen @ historicenterprises.com

Gwen

azure d'or · Post by **azure d'or** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:17 pm

Andrew Young wrote:I dont want to derail my own thread here...but do you have some pics?

Sounds neat.

thanks

http://shop.fablephotography.com/index. ... mage=14041

Here you go. Of note, if you look at more pics, you'll get to the ball, where TRMs are wearing Burgundian, which Maudeleyn and I made from material we got at Sir's Fabrics, which I mentioned above. Sir's is usually a costumer's dream, but requires a visit.

Gwen

Alecks · Post by **Alecks** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 4:30 am

Thanks for compiling this list!
(ok.. I'll admit.. this reply is mainly so i can find the thread again in "view your posts")

Andrew Young · Post by **Andrew Young** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:35 pm

Great Discovery for DC area folks..

I found a shop in Suitland MD called PARADISE FABRICS

.... that has TONS of linen....with a big range of durable tough linens to very fine linen, not the nubby stuff that fabric-store sells. And the best part, this shop sells everything --thick and refined-- for 7.99 a yard.

I bought five yards yesterday....took it home, did the burn test and it checks out great !

He also has a large bolt of a beautiful royal blue with a teeny suggestive hint of purple (but not purple per se...definitely blue) ....somewhat reminiscent of the color of the gown that Bob Charette is wearing on the cover of The Peel Affinity. That wool is great for gowns and possibly hose....and is going for 11 dollars a yard.

The shop owner doesnt sell much "historical wool" ...ie, flannels or meltons...so this bolt is a steal. Could be dyed black Im sure...I had success with this recently.

Frankly I was tempted to buy the whole damn shop .

The linen stuff blew me away....there must have been 50 friggin bolts of linen ranging from arming cotte grade to undergarment grades.....rough to very fine.

He also has lots of designer fabrics, a range cottons, what I think are some african and asian silk/helps, etc.

The downside...

The man there, says he doesnt know how long he can stay in biz with the slow up in sales....so my sense is to buy up the linen asap.

This isnt G-Street.....it isnt Hancock....it isnt Minnesota fabrics....you get the idea. The place is a bit run down, feels like an import outlet straight off the boat.

He is open till 8 pm I think. Suitland is not a great part of the world, ie deep Suitland MD. Its not the ghetto by any stretch of the imagination but it is a bit rougher. If youre with someone else....and if you got there with some daylight youll be fine....parking is right out front.

When your done and have an appetite, I can divert you away about 5-6 miles to a nice area of the world....and some nice restaurants in my neck of the woods. ..swing on down to Old Branch Ave away from DC to:

Topolinos http://topolinorestaurant.com/main.html

or

Papi's Chicken across the street
6315 Old Branch Ave
Camp Springs, MD 20748

or

Regina Pizzeria
6339 Allentown Road
Temple Hills, MD 20748
Phone: (301) 449-6785