Sponsors
Sponsors
Is it that stuff you buy at Chicos? (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Posted on: 11/26/06 7:55 PM ET
I just read the Threads Magazine article about sewing with slinky. I think I bought some and haven't sewn it yet, but looking at fabric examples on line is not helpful. All I know is that the Chicos Traveler collection comes in the same stuff I bought. I got it at Jo-Mar Fabrics in Philadelphia, which is a combination of fabric heaven (prices) and fabric hell (surroundings) and I don't know if it was even labeled. Whatever the fabric I bought, I love it for it's non-wrinkle abilities and flattering drape and $3.00 a yard price tag, and now I think I will follow the suggestions in Threads regardless, but it would be nice to know.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Posted on: 11/26/06 7:58 PM ET
In reply to ginac
I've found two types of slinky - acetate/lycra and poly/lycra. The acetate slinky that I've bought is the same as the Chico's slinky. It's heavier and better quality than the poly/lycra version.
------
------
Selling on Destashify as: Chocobo Nest
Posted on: 11/26/06 7:59 PM ET
If it's the same as Chico's Traveller, then yes, it's Slinky.
------
------
Now blogging at http://sewwest.blogspot.com
Posted on: 11/26/06 8:04 PM ET
Touran is correct! Chicos is the better quality acetate and not the polyester. They may both be labeled slinky but there's a world of difference, imo.
Peg
------
Peg
------
"I hate housework! You make the beds, you do the dishes--and six months later you have to start all over again!"
Pfaff 2170, Pfaff 7570, Pfaff 4852, Babylock Coverstitch, Huskylock 901,Bernina 1090, Bernina 1020, Singer 1936 Featherweight 221 and Gammill Quilting machine
Pfaff 2170, Pfaff 7570, Pfaff 4852, Babylock Coverstitch, Huskylock 901,Bernina 1090, Bernina 1020, Singer 1936 Featherweight 221 and Gammill Quilting machine
Posted on: 11/26/06 8:42 PM ET
Thanks to all! It's funny-I got this fabric, slinky, a month or so ago, and then I bought some boucle on sale at Jo-anns. I found it on the clearance shelf and liked it better than the regularly priced stuff. Now Threads, which I just started buying, has articles on both. I guess the sewing gods were kind to keep me too busy to cut into either fabric before this!
Posted on: 11/26/06 9:34 PM ET
In reply to PegL
Could you describe the differences? Just curious - I bought some slinky on sale at Fabric.com but didn't pay attention to fiber content (I thought it was all the same). Was a while ago so no info available. Mine is very nice and is probably the better combo of the two (acetate). Just wondering if it's the feel, the drape, the weight, etc., that makes the poly less desireable.
Tx!
------
Tx!
------
ceedee aka carol
Posted on: 11/26/06 11:51 PM ET
In reply to ceedee
Ceedee, I'm definitely not an expert but this is what I've always thought: Acetate is considerably more comfortable- less sticky, less clammy, less damp, etc. It's able to transfer moisture better than polyester. Acetate feels lighter in weight, although it is actually considerably heavier in weight than polyester. Acetate retains shape better, it breathes and dries quickly. The way I understand it, acetate is made from wood pulp and to me that seems more like a ''natural'' fabric than polyester.
HTH!
Peg
------
HTH!
Peg
------
"I hate housework! You make the beds, you do the dishes--and six months later you have to start all over again!"
Pfaff 2170, Pfaff 7570, Pfaff 4852, Babylock Coverstitch, Huskylock 901,Bernina 1090, Bernina 1020, Singer 1936 Featherweight 221 and Gammill Quilting machine
Pfaff 2170, Pfaff 7570, Pfaff 4852, Babylock Coverstitch, Huskylock 901,Bernina 1090, Bernina 1020, Singer 1936 Featherweight 221 and Gammill Quilting machine
Posted on: 11/27/06 9:52 AM ET
In reply to PegL
Yes, that helped - I'll be paying more attention from now on. Thanks for the info!
------
------
ceedee aka carol
Posted on: 11/27/06 2:23 PM ET
is this the fabric that originated at Symphony Mills???
------
------
www.totallyfabrics.co.uk
Posted on: 11/27/06 5:31 PM ET
In reply to ginac
Hi Ginac --
I bought some slinky last year which wasn't very expensive and then learned that it could be either a poly/spandex or acetate/spandex. I knew that the acetate/spandex was the one I wanted. I did a burn test to determine my bargain was a poly/spandex slinky.
To do a burn test I worked over a piece of aluminum foil and took a small sliver of fabric about 3-4 inches long, held it with a tweezers over a flame. I noticed the odor, whether the fabric melted or burned and what the color of the residue was.
If the fabric is poly the fabric will shrink away from the flame, melt and fuse. It is self-extinguishing. Polyester has a sweet smell. The poly will leave a hard black or brown bead.
If the fabric is acetate the odor would be like hot vinegar. It's residue is a irregular shape, hard, brittle charcoal and is not self-extinguishing.
When I did my test the brown bead was my tell-tale sign that my slinky was polyester. I was also fortunate enough to have acetate slinky in my stash that I could do a comparison burn. There was a definite difference in the residue and whether it self-extinguished or not.
HTH. Good luck identifying your slinky.
------
I bought some slinky last year which wasn't very expensive and then learned that it could be either a poly/spandex or acetate/spandex. I knew that the acetate/spandex was the one I wanted. I did a burn test to determine my bargain was a poly/spandex slinky.
To do a burn test I worked over a piece of aluminum foil and took a small sliver of fabric about 3-4 inches long, held it with a tweezers over a flame. I noticed the odor, whether the fabric melted or burned and what the color of the residue was.
If the fabric is poly the fabric will shrink away from the flame, melt and fuse. It is self-extinguishing. Polyester has a sweet smell. The poly will leave a hard black or brown bead.
If the fabric is acetate the odor would be like hot vinegar. It's residue is a irregular shape, hard, brittle charcoal and is not self-extinguishing.
When I did my test the brown bead was my tell-tale sign that my slinky was polyester. I was also fortunate enough to have acetate slinky in my stash that I could do a comparison burn. There was a definite difference in the residue and whether it self-extinguished or not.
HTH. Good luck identifying your slinky.
------
I feed my soul by the stitches I sew. Bernina 765, Bernina 480, Bernina 1230, Bernina L460, Babylock Euphoria
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics










