What's your favorite online fabric source?

[KiltedBrewer]

My next x-kilt is in the planning stages and I'm trying to get a hold of some poly-cotton twill. Our local fabric store employees have told me that they've never seen poly-cotton twill at the store and I'm having some trouble finding online sources, so what is your go-to place to get suitable fabric?

Thanks,
David (who is itching for a shiny new rev-k x-kilt now that the weather's warm)

[JolyStNicholas]

Have you tried all our sponsers for that information? Seems to me thery would be the go-to guys/gals for something along those lines!

[Aldisimo]

Maybe this is inappropriate because I've never ordered online, but I love Britex Fabrics in San Francisco. I can't imagine that they don't have polycot in whatever color you want.

[vmac3205]

I have been very disappointed wheordering fabric. Never has it been what I was wanting / expecting. Let the buyer beware.

[The Wizard of BC]

The problem with purchasing fabrics in N. America is that there are so few domestic weaving mills left that the vast majority of fabric are shipped in in great bulk. Entire shipping containers of one type of fabric in color at a time.

The only places that can handle that sort of volume are companies called "Jobbers". They warehouse, cut and ship fabric to manufacturing companies. These Jobbers seldom sell fabric at retail to individuals.

Then, in many cases what ever is left over at the jobbers is sold to retail fabric stores. In some cases when a shipment arrives at your local fabric store the sales staff have no idea what will be in the truck. It as bought by the head office and shipped to them. JoAnns and Fabricland are two examples.

My source for much of the Poly/Cotton and Bull Denim Cotton fabrics I buy is a Jobber. I am a business with a Tax No. and can buy wholesale. And I buy in larger quantity than someone who will only make one Kilt from one color and type of fabric. So me giving you my sources would not do you any good.

The best advice I can give is know exactly what composition and weight of fabric you want for your Kilt. Know what it feels and looks like.
Then hit your local fabric store on a regular basis. Ask the sales people when they expect their next shipment and be there the next day. Go through the store and touch the fabrics till you find exactly what you are looking for. Don't ask the clerks for 13oz, 65/35% Poly/Cotton 2x2 left hand Twill. They won't know what you are talking about. They will only know what is printed on the shipping manifest and what price to put on it.

For on-line sources you usually get even less information that walking around your fabric store because you only have the most basic information and sometimes a photo of the actual fabric. (and sometimes the photo is not from the exact fabric in the description but one of the same color left over from the last time the website was updated.
So, ask questions. Make phone calls. If you don't get a good enough description of the fabric you are looking at buying then pass on by and go to the next listing.

It took me two years to find my source and I'm sorry but with the way the fabric industry is in the world today that is not uncommon.

[attworth]

I have a good source for Khaki, Olive Drab, Navy Blue, or camo in various forms.

I did a review a while back of the online store which sells it.

[The Wizard of BC]

Here is a link to Barre Army/Navy

If you look around the site you will find a photo of our own Big Mikey in the Blue Camo Kilt I made him from fabric from this source.

http://www.vtarmynavy.com/camo_material_and_fabrics.htm

I've had some good and some terrible fabrics from here. As they buy the ends of rolls and fabric rejects and seconds you get what you get.
I once ordered an entire roll of Woodland Camo and the fabric had folded while going through the printer. Half of the entire bolt was unprinted or skewed. I had cut the fabric in half lengthwise, use the side that was printed and throw out the other half of the bolt. $300.00 down the drain.

[Alan H]

Around here the empolyees in Hancock and Joanne's fabric know significantly less than I do about the kinds of fabric I might want to buy. Now, they may know a lot about making prom dresses, but my stuff....clueless.

So I'd echo what Steve says. Just go to the store semi-regularly and keep checking until you find what you want.

For online tartan purchases, , well, I've bought most of it from Fraser and Kirkbright. I am a HUGE fan of Fraser and Kirkbright.

[KiltedBrewer]

Aldisimo: I've heard of Britex and it looks like they will send swatches, so that may wind up being my solution.

Wizard: Thanks for the info about the fabric industry. It was very interesting, even if a little disappointing.

Attworth: I followed your post and I have the site bookmarked, but I was hoping for a bigger color selection.

Alan: The Joanne's employees here are just as unhelpful for what I'm looking for as yours.

I'm still open to suggestions, so if anyone else has some advice, I'd appreciate it.

David

[The Wizard of BC]

David,
If you will describe the fabric you are looking for perhaps I have some here in the shop I could sell you.