If you knew about fabrics, you'd understand Olwyn Mary's choices. Most woven linen for garments comes from Italy or Ireland - the good stuff. There are linen blends made here in the states - I actually have some in my garment sewing stash. Similarly, wools come from mills all over, but the fine weight wool is often Italian. Different countries, regions, the mills make different things. A lot of American cotton is common in prints, novelties, great stuff for quilting - knock-offs from China (which I don't buy, but are what you usually find in JoAnns). Polarfleece - the good stuff
- from Malden mills - US.
I'm lucky that there is a fabulous family owned chain of fabric stores here, G-street Fabrics, and I buy most of my stuff from them. Ocassionally will shop at Hancock or Joanns - but generally that's for notions, or patterns with a coupon. There are many on-line great fabric stores, which lots of sewers use.
FWIW - most of the fabric we use for stitching comes from Germany.
Ellice