Re: Fashion Fabrics Club

Hi, I just received a 10 piece order from Fashion Fabrics club. I washed all the darks together so they would be ready to sew. When I went to cut the fabric I realized that all the stretch twills that I ordered stretch in the lengthwise direction. I've never seen this before. I've been sewing for over 40 years. These were not 4 way stretch fabrics, they were 2 way stretch which usually stretch in the width of fabric. I've never known anyone who stretches and shrinks in height. I called the office this morning and the girl stated that they get their stretch fabric that can stretch either way and that they don't know in the office which direction the fabric stretches in. When you sew a stretch fabric for slacks, skirt, dress or jacket the fabric is naturally going to distort in length because you are stretching it lengthwise as you sew. There is no way of calling in the question before you order because the girls simply have no way of knowing.

Needless to say, I am very upset because I love the website to order fabrics but I wouldn't take a chance again because all that money is wasted. I can send back the pieces that I didn't wash but as you know shipping is expensive and I purposely order enough fabrics when I order online to make the shipping charges worthwhile. Their selection is very tempting but I wouldn't waste the money on material that I cannot get an accurate description of. Has anyone else every purchased 2 way stretch material that stretches on the selvage edge down? What would you use it for?

Thanks to everyone in the sewing groups for all of your helpful posts. Have a great day!! Jan

Jenn Ridley wrote:

I've never ordered from FF, but know many people who do and love the fabrics. None of them has ever complained about any thing like two-way stretch in the wrong direction, however I was thinking about possible solutions. Could you cut some patterns crosswise to take advantage of the stretch? There are many patterns on the market that show either lengthwise/crosswise, especially if it is a solid color. Just thinking out loud. Emily

The type of stretch fabric to which you refer is not meant to be used as "stretch" fabric, such as a knit top. This is a comfort type of stretch, and is used with regular patterns. It simply makes garments more comfortable to wear. The patterns should not be altered to make them tighter; that's not the purpose. If handled carefully, stretch fabrics will not grow when sewed.

FYI, swimwear fabrics are always cut crosswise. I used to get factory remnants for my students, and the designs were always printed across the fabric. This was a "grab-bag project, where each student was required to create an original suit with the fabric they received. I did, of course, allow them to swap if they wanted. We always got a great collection of bathing suits and coverups for our show.

Teri

Hi, Thanks to you all for your suggestions. If I could have used the fabric going in the opposite direction, I would have. However, I ordered 1 1/4 yard of 58" wide fabric. The width of the stretch twill was just enough so that I did not have to order double length of fabric for pants. I only had 45" of fabric to have it stretch cross wise so I couldn't use it for my slacks. I've ordered more fabric at other times (because I made a mistake) and the fabric didn't match exactly because it was probably from a different bolt. No matter how I placed the pattern for the slacks it wouldn't work. If the fabric description was posted on which way the stretch was, I could have ordered a double length. Bathing suit fabric stretches in both directions. The fabric is described that way.

I spoke to Debbie at Fashion Fabrics and I asked her what you would use the fabric for, she said she didn't know and said that they buy overruns of fabric and the girls who type the descriptions have no way of knowing which way the fabric stretches. She will take the fabric back and give me a store credit. Some of the fabric was OK and stretched from Selvage to Selvage, but 5 pieces did not. I too love this website, however, I will have to be more careful when ordering from them and not order any stretch fabrics unless it states the direction of the stretch.

For me, sewing a long seam on a vertical stretch fabric is impossible to get a smoothe seam. Maybe some people can do it and have it come out OK but I would not be satisfied with my results. I also ordered a batch of stretch corduroy a couple of days after I ordered the stretch twills. I haven't received the order yet, but I will have to send them back if the fabric is not a horizontal stretch. To me, it is a waste of money to spend on shipping charges(very expensive) when you have to spend $3.00 or $4.00 extra per yard of fabric for shipping both ways. It defeats the purpose of buying fabric mail order.

Again, I love the website, their selection is fabulous, I've ordered many times from them. I've ordered a lot of stretch fabrics for tank tops this summer, and this is the first time I've encountered a problem. They are pretty accurate in their descriptions of fabrics and suitable use of the fabrics. Even if I call before I order, they will not be able to tell me if it is a vertical or horizontal stretch fabric, because they won't know. Unless they change their policy for describing unusual characteristics, I will stay away from any stretch fabrics.

I've been sewing for 40 years and still learning something new every day. Your newsgroups are terrific for new and great techniques. I have a sewing video tape library and a sewing book library that doesn't hold a candle to the things that I've learned from your newgroups. I love to read the discussions. Thanks again for your help. Have a great day, Jan

Jan

Cynthia Spilsted wrote:

Woven fabric with stretch built into the warp threads (longditudonal stretch) is used as if it was non-stretch. The stretch is there to aid recovery. This means that when you make skirts and trousers out of it, it stretches and relaxes along the length when you sit and move in it. The elasticity helps the fabric to recover, eliminating 'bagging' at knees, and 'seating' at the bum. (This is where the fabric stretches out of shape and goes saggy in these areas.) These fabrics (and things like shirting with stretch) are supposed to be cut and to fit like the un-stretch versions: they just allow more ease and comfort in wearing, and look smart for longer because they retain their shape.

For true stretch fit garments, use a knitted stretch fabric made for that purpose.

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I got some fabric like this with lengthwise stretch and I did have enough to cut it crossgrain. The pants just didn't fit right or hang right no matter what I did. I ended up just throwing the whole mess away. If I had it to do over again, I'd cut on the length of the grain. It couldn't have been any worse.

Iris

Hi. I've ordered three different colors (pink, navy, and blue) of this same fabric, known as their "stretch twill". I found the same problem, but felt that it was due to the way it was made--that it wasn't a problem at all. I made some nice pairs of jeans out of my fabric and now I have stretchy jeans!

I wouldn't use it for anything else; maybe a tight skirt but that would be it. I really like the company, so I wouldn't give up on them. I love looking at the swatches they send.