heavy gaberdine

Use what you have for a coat (or let it ripen nicely in your stash), and pick up something more to your taste for slacks?

Beverly

Bit hard without knowing the weight and composition. Have you done a wash test yet? It might work for winter trousers if it's nice and soft after washing.

Both good ideas. Thank you.

I could make a jacket out of it.

And no, I haven't done the wash test. Will I just soak it? If so, in cold, hot, soapy or plain water?

Thanks again Katherine

Cut off a 6" square and finish the edges. Wash as you'd like to wash the completed garment. Dry likewise. Press carefully. Se how much it has shrunk (if at all) and compare the feel and drape with the unwashed piece. If you like it and it'll do trousers, make them. Otherwise a coat sounds good.

Only you can answer.

I bought some black wool flannel to make slacks once, but after I washed it, it was much too thick to make into slacks. Then one cold, windy day, I said "That flannel isn't a *speck* too thick!"

So I made the pants and wore them into rags, patched them, and wore the patches out. I may patch them again; I still have some scraps. Joy Beeson

I will do the 6 inch wash test.

If that feels right, I then do the rest of the material?

Thanks again Katherine

IIRC, your'e near Sydney??? Heavy gab would probably be a bit too wrm for there I would have thought.

I tend to wash everything in warm water,but I want to get max shrinkage before I sew anything because I hate dry cleaning and avoid it at all costs and will even wash (very carefully) tailored jackets. I usually soak for about 5 mins max.

Thank you FarmI,

I would have soaked it overnight had I not read your posting :-(

Katherine