RomanArmyTalk

The topic of online fabric sources popped up in the Sagum Mania discussion and I thought (hoped) it might generate enough interest to justify its own thread.

My last post in Sagum Mania was as follows:

<<This may be old news to other stateside reenactors, but I just discovered www.woolrichfabrics.com . Woolrich Mills is the oldest woolen mill in the US, dating back to 1830. They wove garments for the original American Civil War soldiers, and now routinely sell to reenactors.

They have wool solids in every shade of the rainbow, from relatively lightweight 12oz fabric, up to heavy 22oz blanketweight stuff (perfect for cloaks!). They do require a minimum 15 yard purchase, though, and most of their heavier stuff is blended (85% wool, 15% nylon) but still looks great.

Most importantly, they do sell some of their fabric in 80" bolts, which comes clos(er) to historical dimensions we discussed above.>>

Just curious to know what other online fabric vendors you guys had had luck with (on both sides of the pond). It seems damn near impossible to find solid linens and woolens in some of the colors I'd like.

Feel free to post internet addy's, and comment on their strengths and weaknesses.

For anyone who might be interested, I can organise two-color handwoven twill sagums in diamond or other twill, after the Thorsbjerg pieces. They have fringes on two sides. If you order more, they are cheaper, price for a single one is around 300 Euros, if you take e.g. 5, they are 240 or so.
Here a sample, other colors on demand:

Gorgeous!

Sources for handwoven duds are definitely more plentiful on your side of the pond. As far as I can tell they're virtually nonexistant over here.

Any chance of some larger, more detailed photos? Pics of finished products on models?

Only deatiled pitures, I'm afraid, but look at our populares-vindeliceses site, where you see pictures of me. That's pretty much the same thing, without the stripes, though.

I have been very pleased with the fabrics I have bought from Hainsworth in the UK, although I have purchased my fabric from them for 20th Century replicas. Still, some of the fabric would likely be very useful for Roman items as well.

http://www.abimelech.co.uk/index2.html

As for Woolrich, I have bought some of their fabric before. It is good fabric, but I prefer the 100% wool content of the Hainsworth fabric as opposed to the 85/15 blend of Woolrich. The Woolrich fabric also leaves a considerable amount of lint / fuzz compared to the Hainsworth fabric.

But then, the Hainsworth fabric is a lot more expensive as well.

Christian,
Could you, please, give me some technical data?
Which is th maximum available fabric width?
Are they woven at the same time than the cardwoven strating/end bands and selvedges?
What is the approx. count of threads by 1 cm?
Which is the thickness of the thread? Is it Z or S? Is it made out of one or two strands?
Thanks and sorry, probably I've waken up too specific today... :wink:

Aitor

For the EU citizens here, and especially our Germans, these guys

http://www.meterweise-stoffe.de/infoshop/

do a pretty extensive line in undyed, unfulled natural fabrics, though their prices are nothing to shout about. I haven't dealt with them in person yet, because I'm lucky enough to live near a wholesale fabric outlet, but I've heard good things.

Several American suppliers I have used.

http://www.fashionfabricsclub.com/

They have lots of sales and clearances. Good linens and wool coatings for re-enacting, also good quality and usually VERY affordable. Also comes with thread to match.

http://www.denverfabrics.com/

Usually pricier, smaller selection, but more authentic weaves.

Quote:Several American suppliers I have used.

http://www.fashionfabricsclub.com/

They have lots of sales and clearances. Good linens and wool coatings for re-enacting, also good quality and usually VERY affordable. Also comes with thread to match.

http://www.denverfabrics.com/

Usually pricier, smaller selection, but more authentic weaves.

I've gotten some swatches from denver fabrics before. Seemed like a nice selection of linens and wool flannels. Will have to check out fashion fabrics. Thanks!

Quote:

tlclark:39052h7y Wrote:Several American suppliers I have used.

http://www.fashionfabricsclub.com/

They have lots of sales and clearances. Good linens and wool coatings for re-enacting, also good quality and usually VERY affordable. Also comes with thread to match.

http://www.denverfabrics.com/

Usually pricier, smaller selection, but more authentic weaves.

I've gotten some swatches from denver fabrics before. Seemed like a nice selection of linens and wool flannels. Will have to check out fashion fabrics. Thanks!

Denver has better customer service, and it's easier to find stuff. Fashionfabrics has oodles of polyester stuff you have to wade through to find appropriate weaves, but their prices are much cheaper.

Travis

Now... errr, took a while but here the info:
- Maximum width is 142 cm
- Any form of 2/2 twill can be made
- 75 Euro per square meter
- For special colour and pattern 15 Euro extra per square meter
- The fringes are not knotted
- They do not have cardwoven strating/end bands and selvedges,
impossible for that price.

Quote:Which is the thickness of the thread? Is it Z or S? Is it made out of one or two strands?

I could find out, however that will take a while, I have a lot of work at the moment... Next two shields also waiting...
I DO know, however, that the guy making them has read all of Schlabow's publications (and understood them, he is a professional weaver), and is very careful with his work. I personally would trust him in all these matters. Can't expect that of everyone, of course.

Fabric as delivered




Example:

Looks BEAUTIFUL.

The woolrich fabrics are great, but I don't need 15 yards of material!

This gave me an idea. Anyone want to form a consortium? Anyone want to go in on a part of a 15 yard bolt?

Right now I'm taxed to my limit. (and frankly, I've been dodging my dissertation today on RAT!) but I would be very interesting in 4-5 yards in the near future. So keep me in mind.

Thanks

Apparently not all of their fabric is strictly wholesale. I got the following response from an email query to Woolrich.

<<Hi Franklin:

We sell our Fiber Art Line by the yard. You may call 1-877-512-7305 to place an order. Ask for Operator 256. These styles and the Civil War line are available by the yard through our Outlet Store here in Woolrich, PA. The number to call is 570-769-7401 to see what we have available. Ask for the Fabric Department. The other items on the website is sold only at wholesale. Thanks for your interest in Woolrich.

Dave King>>

Their Civil War line is basically the same weight as the Blanket line, but the Blanket line is the only one available in the 80" bolts I mentioned earlier, and thus still subject to the 15 yd minimum.