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Have you all noticed quality of RTW fabrics going south?
gramma b Advanced USA Member since 7/25/08 Posts: 2267	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/27/12 5:07 PM I was checking out end-of-season sales today, when I usually pick up sweaters etc. for next year. Even brands endorsed by celebs (makes them more $$, but not better) are going downhill. Stretched out ribbing, thin/pilling fabric, falling-off buttons, etc. I found nothing that I even wanted to purchase at 60-80% off! Any people in the industry know what's happening to fabric quality runs out there? I even had a pricey Macy's top that popped the gathering and had needle holes, obviously didn't use a BP sewing it....maybe it will bring some mfg. home?
skae   Advanced MN USA Member since 4/23/07 Posts: 2742	Login to reply to this post In reply to gramma b Like this post Date: 2/27/12 5:10 PM yes, I work retail and found that some of the stuff should only be 10-12 dollars not 60-70. The t-shirts are the worst. ck, dkny, ruff hewn, other are thin fabric. I only buy jone's signature or ralph lauren ones. They still have the heaver weight. ------ Galatians 5:22-23 The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4982	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/27/12 5:17 PM More like far East, then a bit to the North.
a7yrstitch   Intermediate TX USA Member since 4/1/08 Posts: 4386	Login to reply to this post In reply to gramma b Like this post Date: 2/27/12 5:28 PM That's why I'm here I was happy doing lots of my sewing but popping in for the sales to see what I could find in sweater and fashion knits, particularly since I hadn't seen any knits in the fabric shop here that appealed to me. I'll do it, I'll name the name...a splurge on a casual sale priced Eileen Fisher hoodie was the final straw for me. One wearing and it was pilled, even before it was washed. Even off the mark down rack, it was not cheap. And, too think, I was so excited to have it in a fresh new color to perk up my near daily trips to the gym (PT and exercise). Bah, humbug, it was the final straw. Just the previous year I had to give up on my favorite Jones New York t's. Previously they had been wearable for years, never twisting and holding their shape and color. No more. The price has gone up just a bit and the quality has gone way down. I suspect some of it is intentional as the solution to just about every problem with our economy seems to be to drive the consumer to buy more. What a waste of time, money and aggravation. (Things that have died this year: dishwasher, Eileen Fisher hoodie, Tivo, router. It's only February.) ------ I have no idea what Apple thought I was saying so be a Peach and credit anything bizarre to auto correct.
justgail Intermediate IA USA Member since 1/19/06 Posts: 514	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/27/12 7:27 PM Going south? It's been there for quite some time. It's a case of we have met the enemy and it is us. Most consumers now expect clothing to be dirt cheap, and companies have cut the quallity to meet that demand. Companies have long ago figured out that if it's cheap, we'll keep buying even if we have to buy more often, and end up paying more in total. That's why the 16 ounce bags of chocolate are now 9 ounces, and the 20 point bag of cat food is now 13 pounds, the 8 ounce tuna can is now 5 ounces. With clothing, instead of quality fabric and stitching, we now have thin pill-prone stuff that pops seams and buttons in a few wearings. If it makes it that long. We brag that we got a T shirt for $3, but never add up that we had to buy 5 of them this year because they faded and twisted, or plain wore through. We rarely stop to think that those $10 T shirts we used to buy lasted for 2-3 years. I was at Joann and Hancock looking (just looking - I swear!) at their interlock knits, and thinking it might be time to start making T shirts. That fabric was better than RTW T shirts and tanks I've been seeing. Which brings up a 2nd rant - I haven't noticed the men's wear being cheaped up *quite* as bad. What's up with that?
Canadian Jane Advanced Beginner AB CANADA Member since 10/30/10 Posts: 1151	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/27/12 7:47 PM Yes - I noticed this quite a while ago. And it seems to be getting worse. I usually have to buy in the plus size stores and if the quality gets any worse, I will have to resort to cutting a head and arm holes in glad garbage bags for tops! I was looking a couple of weeks ago and it was just awful. Years ago, my sister and I used to have a saying. When ever we saw something that was just cheap garbage we would look at each other and one of us would say "Attention K-mart Shoppers." Well, I now wish for the quality we used to make fun of. I guess it is even more incentive to keep trying to lose weight. At least the crap I can buy then won't cost as much as the plus size crap.
clothingengineer   Intermediate CT USA Member since 5/7/10 Posts: 362	Login to reply to this post In reply to justgail Like this post Date: 2/27/12 8:40 PM Quote: justgail Which brings up a 2nd rant - I haven't noticed the men's wear being cheaped up *quite* as bad. What's up with that? I think it is because for most women, especially younger women, fashion is disposable. Does it really matter if it is good quality when she will wear it about 5 times before unloading it because in a few months it is out of style? I recently bought some flannel PJ bottoms at BJs - $5 for a 2 pack. My justification for the purchase was that I could not make them for that price, and I told myself quality didn't matter much because it was something to tide myself over until I got around to sewing some. I think even $5 was too much. The flannel is thin and not very sturdy, and the thread shows very obviously at the seams at the slightest bit of stress. They feel like they're ancient. It seems like 90% of the time when I buy RTW I just end up being hugely disappointed. ------ -- Anne http://clothingengineer.com
sarah in nyc Advanced NY USA Member since 1/8/05 Posts: 1593	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/27/12 8:44 PM Many more of the dollars it takes to produce a garment and send it to market are now spent on marketing, advertising and promotion. Also if you go to a site likeCouture allure you wil see that in adjusted for inflation dollars, our clothing is priced way below that nice sweater your mother bought for you when you were twelve, or even that great garment you bought yourself with your first paycheck. High end stuff is still made well. I know because I see it in the fancy thrifts. It's the mid range stuff, the equivalent of Bobbie Brooks from the 1960's and 70's that is now not very nice at all these . days. many famous names license their fancy names to appeal to the middle class. The name may be classy, but alas the garment is not. ------ sarah in nyc www.sewnewyork.blogspot.com
dove29   Intermediate USA Member since 4/28/07 Posts: 992	Login to reply to this post In reply to sarah in nyc Like this post Date: 2/27/12 10:19 PM I think you're right. Over the weekend I was looking through my spring/summer clothes. I had this knit top from Macy's that I got on sale last summer - only worn half the season, really - and now it's all stretched out and pilled and tired looking. It's frustrating. At least the LL Bean pima cotton tops still look decent.
mastdenman   Intermediate CA USA Member since 1/12/04 Posts: 5843	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/27/12 10:39 PM I've seen blouses priced at $70 and $80 each at Macys that were made from cheap poly fabric that I can get for $1-3 per yard. It's been going on for a few years now. ------ Marilyn January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.

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