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How do I get linen that's not like burlap? (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Posted on: 7/10/11 5:47 PM ET
I just got some really nice linen at our local fabric outlet and it is heavenly. Smooth, tight weave, soft, irons like a dream and has a lovely drape. I'm so in love with this stuff, but it's undyed and the color is just not terribly flattering on me and I want more. The fabric outlet only has this one color, so I ordered two other kinds online thinking I was going to get the same product and I got what feels like glorified burlap. Look at the difference:

the celadon color on the left it some genuine Irish linen that I paid $25 a yard and the tan on the right is the nice linen I got near home. I know they don't look that much different in this photo, but it is a dramatic difference when you see the drape and feel of these two. The celadon is loosely woven and I can see through it when held up. It's also rough to the touch. The linen on the right is smooth as can be, opaque and soft.
What should I look for online when buying linen to be assured I get the good stuff? Is this a particular type of linen? Why the difference?
What's the deal?!
-- Edited on 7/10/11 5:48 PM --

the celadon color on the left it some genuine Irish linen that I paid $25 a yard and the tan on the right is the nice linen I got near home. I know they don't look that much different in this photo, but it is a dramatic difference when you see the drape and feel of these two. The celadon is loosely woven and I can see through it when held up. It's also rough to the touch. The linen on the right is smooth as can be, opaque and soft.
What should I look for online when buying linen to be assured I get the good stuff? Is this a particular type of linen? Why the difference?
What's the deal?!
-- Edited on 7/10/11 5:48 PM --
Posted on: 7/10/11 6:05 PM ET
In reply to birdmcfarland
fabric-store.com sends out swatches, you might want to try that.
Also, you have to abuse linen. It's usually stiff at first. It needs to be washed and dried on "hot" at least three times.
FabricMart's couture linen is really nice too. And whole lot less than $25/yard! $12.99 a whole bunch of colors! (It looks like 32 different colors)
Edit: Wait a sec! Your profile says you're in Lancaster! You're actually near FM's brick and mortar store!!!
-- Edited on 7/10/11 6:08 PM --
Also, you have to abuse linen. It's usually stiff at first. It needs to be washed and dried on "hot" at least three times.
FabricMart's couture linen is really nice too. And whole lot less than $25/yard! $12.99 a whole bunch of colors! (It looks like 32 different colors)
Edit: Wait a sec! Your profile says you're in Lancaster! You're actually near FM's brick and mortar store!!!
-- Edited on 7/10/11 6:08 PM --
Re: Whats the deal with linen? (posted on 7/10/11 6:29 PM ET)
If you can go to FAbricMartFabrics brick and morter store, it would be great. I've gotten some really nice stuff from them for $5/yard or less. It's hit or miss, but if I were near there, it would be on my to visit regularly list.
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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.
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.
Re: Whats the deal with linen? (posted on 7/10/11 6:33 PM ET)
The samples from Fabrics-store.com are excellent learning tools. I buy tons of linen from them, and Maggie's right about everything. The nice thing about the linen from FS.com is that it's sold by weight and thread count, so you know how hefty or loosely woven it's going to be, and of course it all softens up considerably after a trip (or three) through the washer.
(BTW, I have some rough-woven *silk* that does seriously give burlap a run for its money! So I think it's more a matter of how it was woven and treated and the sort of sizing that might still be in the fabric... all that stuff.)
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(BTW, I have some rough-woven *silk* that does seriously give burlap a run for its money! So I think it's more a matter of how it was woven and treated and the sort of sizing that might still be in the fabric... all that stuff.)
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~Elizabeth in the prairie
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
Re: Whats the deal with linen? (posted on 7/10/11 6:37 PM ET)
I heartily recommend the couture linen FM has right now. Even if it doesn't impress you, after proper pre-abuse (3x hot-hot) you will want to roll in it. I have four colors that all washed up wonderfully soft and supple.
Not all linen will get supple and drapey after the pre-abuse though. I have a lovely "salt and pepper" linen from FM that kept a stiffer hand although soft against the skin, so I made shorts of it (after kicking myself for not buying enough for a blazer). I'm intending to use the leftovers to make a hat.
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Not all linen will get supple and drapey after the pre-abuse though. I have a lovely "salt and pepper" linen from FM that kept a stiffer hand although soft against the skin, so I made shorts of it (after kicking myself for not buying enough for a blazer). I'm intending to use the leftovers to make a hat.
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I don't really make mistakes ... I create "learning opportunities"! Murphy says: The better you match the thread to the fabric, the more likely you will need to rip some stitches out! I spend more quality time with my seamripper than I like ...
Yes, I DO love fabric!!
Happy owner of a band of Brothers: LX-3125, CS-770, CE5500 PRW, a PE-770 emb ... and now Kenmore 158.18032 and 148.12190
Blogging my "learning opportunites" at http://sewingmissadventure.blogspot.com/
Yes, I DO love fabric!!
Happy owner of a band of Brothers: LX-3125, CS-770, CE5500 PRW, a PE-770 emb ... and now Kenmore 158.18032 and 148.12190
Blogging my "learning opportunites" at http://sewingmissadventure.blogspot.com/
Re: Whats the deal with linen? (posted on 7/10/11 6:43 PM ET)
but what is the difference between the two types? Is it just the weave? I can tell that I could wash the celadon fabric a dozen times and it's never going to be like the other linen nice linen I have. I could tell from the moment I touched the fabric on the right that it was really nice stuff.
Posted on: 7/10/11 6:46 PM ET
In reply to Maggiedoll
Quote: Maggiedoll
fabric-store.com sends out swatches, you might want to try that.
Also, you have to abuse linen. It's usually stiff at first. It needs to be washed and dried on "hot" at least three times.
FabricMart's couture linen is really nice too. And whole lot less than $25/yard! $12.99 a whole bunch of colors! (It looks like 32 different colors)
Edit: Wait a sec! Your profile says you're in Lancaster! You're actually near FM's brick and mortar store!!!
-- Edited on 7/10/11 6:08 PM --
fabric-store.com sends out swatches, you might want to try that.
Also, you have to abuse linen. It's usually stiff at first. It needs to be washed and dried on "hot" at least three times.
FabricMart's couture linen is really nice too. And whole lot less than $25/yard! $12.99 a whole bunch of colors! (It looks like 32 different colors)
Edit: Wait a sec! Your profile says you're in Lancaster! You're actually near FM's brick and mortar store!!!
-- Edited on 7/10/11 6:08 PM --
Wait! Is that the place in Sinking Spring? A dumpy little store with really neat stuff? I need to go look this up.
I always forget about that place! It is in Sinking Spring! i went there a couple of years ago and always forget it exists. It's about 40 minutes from here but worth the drive. Their store is so unremarkable, it's in a old weird building and you'd never know they were in there.
-- Edited on 7/10/11 6:51 PM --
Re: Whats the deal with linen? (posted on 7/10/11 7:37 PM ET)
The linen can be woven many different ways with differences in thread size and weight and finish. Sometimes I think there is a difference in quality of materials used. I've gotten linen from fashionfabricclub that felt like it had sticks and twigs in it.
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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.
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.
Posted on: 7/10/11 7:43 PM ET
In reply to birdmcfarland
I haven't been to their brick-and-mortar store. I was about to say I had no idea what the store looks like, but then I found it on Google Maps. FabricMart's Brick and Mortar store street view on Google Maps.
Can I just say I hate you?
(In the nice way, of course.
)
Can I just say I hate you?
(In the nice way, of course.
)
Posted on: 7/10/11 10:04 PM ET
In reply to Maggiedoll
Quote: Maggiedoll
I haven't been to their brick-and-mortar store. I was about to say I had no idea what the store looks like, but then I found it on Google Maps. FabricMart's Brick and Mortar store street view on Google Maps.
Can I just say I hate you?
(In the nice way, of course.
)
I haven't been to their brick-and-mortar store. I was about to say I had no idea what the store looks like, but then I found it on Google Maps. FabricMart's Brick and Mortar store street view on Google Maps.
Can I just say I hate you?
(In the nice way, of course.
) Hah! No problem! You might even feel more strongly when I tell you that I'm going there tomorrow or wednesday!
thanks for the tip! Their linen looks fantastic! I'll report on what I find. And everyone else, thanks for your input. Looks like i'm going to have to either get swatches or just buy in person.
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