tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post1843898210912204488..comments2024-02-27T07:37:46.350-05:00Comments on K-Line: Local Fabric Shopping ScoreK.Linehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-59870560637350244232015-09-09T07:12:35.225-04:002015-09-09T07:12:35.225-04:00So glad I found this post. I love how organized C...So glad I found this post. I love how organized Chu-Shing looks because it will be easier to browse. I also love natural fibres too and I was starting to give up hope! Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12508759996980147353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-20146298860860692852015-09-06T18:09:20.121-04:002015-09-06T18:09:20.121-04:00Well, I'm always learning about the fabrics th...Well, I'm always learning about the fabrics that'll work and those I should have used differently (or not at all) :-) I don't think you can go too wrong in that shop. Pretty well of the knit fabrics are of good quality. K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-65161404274876313992015-09-06T13:50:48.442-04:002015-09-06T13:50:48.442-04:00I'm also behind on reading blogs, and I'm ...I'm also behind on reading blogs, and I'm really, REALLY happy you posted this. Chu-Shing is where I got that fabulous polka-dotted silk, but I keep forgetting to go back and I didn't know about the bamboo jersey, which is on my list. I really need someone to take me in hand and go into all the Queen St. shops and say "this is good, this is this kind of fabric, this looks nice but you will hate it." But then, I have all this free time coming up, so perhaps that is what I shall do with it.aem2https://www.blogger.com/profile/09695937897474643363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-39790615495023897912015-08-25T21:13:32.124-04:002015-08-25T21:13:32.124-04:00Don't feel bad! You improved my accuracy. Pres...Don't feel bad! You improved my accuracy. Presumably I should have done the research - but you know how it is when you are sure that you know something! The stupidity is that I know what bamboo looks like. I somehow thought that the stuff they use for the jersey is a type with cotton-esque balls on it. My brain is very convinced of what it knows. :-) And on the topic of budgets, I'm convincing myself that all I spend on raw materials will be saved by not buying RTW. I don't know if that's a legit perspective, but let's go with it because it results fun posts with fabric.K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-20866649217449622012015-08-25T20:37:20.467-04:002015-08-25T20:37:20.467-04:00OK maybe I don't feel quite so bad... I've...OK maybe I don't feel quite so bad... I've felt guilty about this pedantic little comment since I hit "post" :P I wish fabric terms were a bit more clear and rigorously applied... Rayon/viscose are basically generic terms for any digested cellulose fibre, which is the process (or rather group of processes) that takes bamboo from hard, fast-growing plant to soft squishy jersey. As opposed to cotton, which comes fluffy right off the plant, or linen fibres that come from the stems of the plant (with a bit of decomposition and fermentation to help things along...) <br /><br />I love reading your local fabric find posts. :D I do wish I had your budget... ;)Tanit-Isishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15824217102632813598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-25727564737398958502015-08-24T22:52:04.068-04:002015-08-24T22:52:04.068-04:00This is no time to be thinking about fabric! Can&#...This is no time to be thinking about fabric! Can't wait to hear the news...K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-30812585605126382642015-08-24T08:44:07.343-04:002015-08-24T08:44:07.343-04:00Oh that's tempting! I may come back to you on...Oh that's tempting! I may come back to you on that. At the moment I'm sitting by the phone awaiting news on a house offer. If it's accepted then I won't be sewing at all for a couple of months at least!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-71434272790363460892015-08-23T10:47:05.625-04:002015-08-23T10:47:05.625-04:00It's summer! I can't believe that anyone&#...It's summer! I can't believe that anyone's reading anything online :-) Just make sure that you call before you make your way all the way to TO. I've only gone there once (and have only the shop assistant's word for how they restock). I believe her. I think she's one of the owners. But if I'm wrong, at least I'm only out a 40 minute walk! Email me if you want more recon before you come.K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-68975434125970549182015-08-23T10:45:24.940-04:002015-08-23T10:45:24.940-04:00Why is it like that in so many places? I agree tha...Why is it like that in so many places? I agree that quilting is great (if you're into it), but there are so many other kinds of sewists who need the local loot to improve and to enjoy their craft. I know how it is to buy online - it's more fun in person (though you don't get a parcel in the mail).K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-61500793985731649142015-08-23T01:31:13.432-04:002015-08-23T01:31:13.432-04:00I'm so behind in reading blogs, but I had to c...I'm so behind in reading blogs, but I had to comment because oh my goodness, modal! I've been looking for a good modal for years! I have a RTW cotton/modal/spandex dress that I want to copy, but the rayon jerseys don't have enough body to really replicate the dress. I'm now plotting my next vacation around Toronto.Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15400739077092686995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-62633711261170500472015-08-19T10:36:13.663-04:002015-08-19T10:36:13.663-04:00"I don't think that just because somethin..."I don't think that just because something is expensive, that makes it quality. But if it's quality, I'm not surprised when it's expensive..."<br /><br />Well said! I have a feeling I will be quoting you the next time I'm out shopping with friends.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-72384767247024328922015-08-16T20:43:28.470-04:002015-08-16T20:43:28.470-04:00Ah, Kristen, you break my heart. I live in the des...Ah, Kristen, you break my heart. I live in the desert (near Phoenix, AZ) and the desert continues on the fabric store scene - like you're OK if you quilt, but otherwise - none! It is quite a sad phenomenon. So online it is, no touchy-feely at all!Cheriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05182744597249526549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-79685775923227453172015-08-16T18:16:53.775-04:002015-08-16T18:16:53.775-04:00Thanks Faye!Thanks Faye!K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-21661320533954142852015-08-16T18:16:44.958-04:002015-08-16T18:16:44.958-04:00Not to mention that you're likely to wear it a...Not to mention that you're likely to wear it at least once a week until it falls apart (which will be much farther in the future than with a 30 dollar T shirt). I don't think that just because something is expensive, that makes it quality. But if it's quality, I'm not surprised when it's expensive...K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-11175450810007855732015-08-16T17:53:59.441-04:002015-08-16T17:53:59.441-04:00Lovely fabric haul!Lovely fabric haul!Faye Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02781186043996633965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-4859343895649394072015-08-16T17:44:54.995-04:002015-08-16T17:44:54.995-04:00"...I spend a lot of money on high-end RTW......"...I spend a lot of money on high-end RTW...because I appreciate not only the design, but the execution...Good fabrics recover well. They look beautiful from a distance, and up close. They last without pilling."<br /><br />Amen to that! I just spent $130 on a T-shirt whose original price was $325 because its fabric will do all that. It was also cut close to the body and with a narrow, high V that shows no cleavage and yet flatters my inverted triangle body.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to seeing what you make with these fabrics. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-71360122006812507302015-08-16T15:03:55.077-04:002015-08-16T15:03:55.077-04:00It's hard to feel bad for you. Even though I a...It's hard to feel bad for you. Even though I am trying. :-) If you want me to post some terry to you, email me and we can sort it out. I warn you, it won't be an inexpensive experience - but you're working in the pound. So I take it back - it might not be too pricey for you at all.K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-69777603711265190222015-08-16T15:02:05.138-04:002015-08-16T15:02:05.138-04:00Thanks! The whole time I was there I was, like, Gi...Thanks! The whole time I was there I was, like, Gillian would be losing her mind... Modal is a bit firmer and denser than mid-weight rayon, but at their outer extremes, I think they could feel almost the same in weight, if not the same in drape and hand.<br /><br />If I were teaching kids I would not be wearing the fancy jersey. My workplace is less um, active and full of sticky fingers. <br /><br />But I do think you're moving into a phase where fabric quality is starting to take on a new meaning. I think that's the subtextual origin of your fabric review series.K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-400040335685883292015-08-16T14:45:25.016-04:002015-08-16T14:45:25.016-04:00I did not know that rayon and bamboo are the same?...I did not know that rayon and bamboo are the same?! I know that modal and tencel are derivatives of rayon, but I thought that bamboo was its own thing - like cotton. FWIW, constituent parts notwithstanding, in my experience, the bamboo jersey is the fullest and has the best drape. Modal has better hand but can be a bit shiny, if not well-produced. Tencel, I've only found with other fibres or in RTW exercise wear. Rayon jersey has lovely drape but tends not to recover optimally because there's too much elasticity in the fabric. It also tends to be on the thin side - ok for tops or scarves but not great for much else.<br /><br />I can completely understand your reticence to cut into the merino. That stuff is stupidly precious.<br /><br />I am willing to pay for quality. Lord knows, I pay for it when I buy RTW, why wouldn't I want to sew that way? It implies that I don't think I'm worth it when I sew with a fabric that isn't up to snuff. I value what I've learned and I want to celebrate my hard-won abilities (such as they are) with beautiful materials.<br /><br />And you're so right. If we don't pay, it won't be there for us...K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-46060591395331210392015-08-16T13:20:03.643-04:002015-08-16T13:20:03.643-04:00Ok, I'm so excited you found such gorgeous fab...Ok, I'm so excited you found such gorgeous fabrics locally! Although if you guys can't find nice fabric in Toronto I don't know what hope there is for the rest of us. ;)<br /><br />If you'll allow me a brief pedantic moment, I feel the need to point out that Modal, Tencel, and bamboo are all varieties (albeit, particularly nice ones ;) ) of rayon/viscose, which are basically generic terms for any processed cellulose fibre---but I absolutely know what you mean about the variations in quality (not that I'm likely to run into anything actually labeled Tencel or Modal out here... >_<)<br /><br />I would love to feel that bamboo terry! I am actually currently wearing my french terry yoga pants (the heavy cotton version), which are my favourite bumming-around-the-house pants ever, and I've found some much finer ones now and then, including some merino terry a friend sent me from Australia that I've been too chicken to cut into.<br /><br />Which is a long way of saying---good job! And good for you for being willing to pay for quality when you find it---that's the only way, alas, that it will continue to be available. Tanit-Isishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15824217102632813598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-26675715379667195912015-08-16T12:29:38.957-04:002015-08-16T12:29:38.957-04:00I love these purchases. This quality of knit fabr...I love these purchases. This quality of knit fabric is hard for me to find locally. I do have to rely on the internet or a trip to London (oh the hardship). The electric blue is a stunning colour. And the terry is divine. Can't wait to see what you make of them!Evie Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17838980250700215736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606088928583067206.post-28873454818764761222015-08-16T12:24:04.332-04:002015-08-16T12:24:04.332-04:00Well you KNOW I love this! What gorgeous fabrics! ...Well you KNOW I love this! What gorgeous fabrics! I'm sewing up a pair of navy bamboo leggings right now, and the fabric is so lush. (Though in this heat, my brain is struggling with the idea that I'll want cosy leggings, like, ever.) I'd love to go to your store with you sometime! I'm so glad you a) found bamboo terry and b) like it! I really with french terry had a different name, because I agree, it's very confusing and off-putting to associate it with horrible terry towel fabric! <br />I'm curious about modal - I don't know if I've ever worked with it! How does it compare to a midweight rayon (say, our red/burgandy floral fabric) and bamboo? <br />I think you are totally right to pony up money for good knits - quality really does equal longevity. I don't mind sewing with cheaper fabrics because I churn out lots of stuff and honestly, I don't mind if it doesn't last forever... but you are going to make some beautiful timeless clothing with this stuff! :) Gillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02306054198401843077noreply@blogger.com