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What's the deal with stretch bengaline? is there a viable substitute?
USMCMom   Advanced Beginner NY USA Member since 7/26/06 Posts: 333	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/24/12 8:00 PM I've been lurking around the Style Arc Linda pants reviews, seriously thinking of giving them a try for Fall/Winter. However, everyone says (and Style Arc specifically recommends) stretch bengaline. Which apparently cannot be found in the US. A few of PR Aussie members, sorry can't recall names right now, gave good advice about how to tell the good stuff from the icky, clingy stuff and, trips to NYC garment center as well as online searches have not turned up a trace of it. Is there some kind of trade embargo on it? Jo-Ann's has some that it heavy on poly, no nylon, which it seems is the no-no. I don't want to get sidetracked looking for this fabric instead of working on getting a good fit. Is there anything available in the US that can be substituted for stretch bengaline?
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6743	Login to reply to this post In reply to USMCMom << Like this post Date: 6/24/12 9:49 PM Nortex Mill carries it in black, and ships internationally from the UK. They have an eBay store. There isn't anything comparable that I know of, but I would think a good RPL would work for the pattern. ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
jannw   Intermediate WA USA Member since 9/3/06 Posts: 7392	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/24/12 11:42 PM Here is the link if interested. Nortex Bengaline ------ 2009-113.25 yds 2010-115.5 2011-80.25+30+donated 2012 86.3 yds.. 2013 21.0 Everyone who sews seriously has a stockpile of fabrics, because it is natural to purchase more than can be sewn in any one season" Singer, Timesaving Sewing, 1987
USMCMom   Advanced Beginner NY USA Member since 7/26/06 Posts: 333	Login to reply to this post In reply to jannw << Like this post Date: 6/25/12 8:07 AM Thanks!
sfshaza Advanced CA USA Member since 9/12/07 Posts: 269	Login to reply to this post In reply to USMCMom << Like this post Date: 6/25/12 9:46 AM USMCMom, I've made the Linda pants about 6 times and have never used stretch bengaline. It works in any stretch woven I've tried. Most people I know who have made these pants using other stretch wovens. Having said that, I joined the Style Arc pattern club recently. When you join you get a free gift. My gift was stretch bengaline (black) and I love it. It's very much like a fabric used by a high end pair of boutique pants I bought. We need someone to start importing the good stretch bengaline. ;) ------ http://communingwithfabric.blogspot.com/
USMCMom   Advanced Beginner NY USA Member since 7/26/06 Posts: 333	Login to reply to this post In reply to sfshaza << Like this post Date: 6/25/12 11:58 AM Thanks! I read your review and your blog posts, as well as comments and reviews by others, which is what got me interested. That, and the pic of the pants on the Style Arc website looks just like my favorite RTW pair which are ready to bite the dust! Thus, my desperation to get another pair. And of course, the company that made them had discontinued them, etc., blah, blah, blah! The pair I own now are made in a conventional stretch knit, but I've been wanting to graduate to something less casual looking, but still comfy. The Linda pants seem to fit the bill. But the website makes a point of only recommending stretch bengaline, so I guess I was just being a bit neurotic. Since you've sewn with it, I'd be curious to know what the advantage is to the vertical vs. horizontal stretch. Specifically, is there something about the style of the pants or how they are constructed that takes advantage of that attribute of the fabric? Sorry to get all nerdy about it, but inquiring minds, and all that
Scheri   Advanced Beginner AB CANADA Member since 7/13/10 Posts: 251	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/25/12 1:01 PM I purchased mine online at fabric.com Price was $4.98 per yard at the time. Stretch Blend Bengaline Suiting Dark Aqua DF-826 Stretch Blend Bengaline Suiting Chocolate Brown DF-750 Stretch Blend Bengaline Suiting Pink DF-771 They have some on sale now for $2.98 per yard Click to view fabric ------ Scheri Manson Edmonton, AB CANADA
JillyBe Intermediate CA USA Member since 1/20/10 Posts: 3194	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/25/12 1:31 PM I agree that any stretch woven bottomweight works perfectly for Style Arc pants. I've even used pinwale stretch corduroy for the Linda pants. Just don't get hung up on thinking you must use bengaline; there are lots of other options out there :) ------ http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/ a blog about creativity, sewing, vintage sewing machines, and...... life :)
Debbie Cook USA Member since 4/11/02 Posts: 9587	Login to reply to this post In reply to Scheri << Like this post Date: 6/25/12 1:38 PM Scheri, Your link was to the home dec fabric that's called bengaline in the U.S., but it's nothing like the stretch bengaline Down Under. Even when Fabric.com had "stretch bengaline" fashion fabric, it still was not the same thing. ------ -- "I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6743	Login to reply to this post In reply to Scheri << 1 member likes this. Date: 6/25/12 4:46 PM That isn't the same fabric; the stretch bengaline available overseas is nylon, viscose and Lycra. ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.

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