Stretch

Why would a stretch suiting material have the stretch going with the selvage?
Let me start from the beginning. I raided my stash in an attempt to find a black fabric suitable for my upcoming pants project. Since nothing would work, I decided to head out to Joann’s to find a stretch suiting. I came across a (relatively) nice material that would work, washed it, and started cutting. After cutting out one leg, I realized, the stretch is going the wrong way! Now my fabric is too short to place the pattern pieces the other direction so later on in the evening I head back out to the store to buy more material.
This leads me back to the question, ‘Why would a stretch suiting material have the stretch going with the selvage? ‘ You don’t even want to know the answer I got from the girl at the cutting table.
Edited to add the cutting girl’s comments: I’ve had quite a few emails and comments asking what the girl at the cutting table said – let me tell you, I still don’t understand what she was trying to say. Basically she told me that the reason for the stretch going with the selvage is for skirts – so people are able to pull them down while they’re wearing them (she even demonstrated this for me after I gave her a confused look). After that, I told her I still didn’t understand why you wouldn’t want the stretch going across your body – she just made a funny face and handed me my fabric to check out.

9 thoughts on “Stretch”

  1. shorty

    I can only imagine what you were told! I have to say that I don’t think I would have noticed the stretch until much later in the project!
    Shorty

  2. Mary

    What is it in the fabric universe right now? I am having issues with some fabric purchased at Fabric.com right now. That girl probably has no clue about fabric. I have talked to several associates at JoAnns and Hancocks who don’t even sew! I guess a jobs a job to some people.

  3. Blakely

    I would love to hear her answer. The most helpful girl at Hancock has never used a sewing machine, but she had purchased one since she has worked there. But she has never opened the box. And I expect these people to be able to help me with my sewing questions.

  4. Marsha

    Oh, please…I need a good laugh! I’d love to hear the answer you got from the person who cut your fabric. Is there absolutely no stretch on the crosswise grain? The only thing I can guess is that the warp and weft fibers were switched around when the fabric was made….but I know very little about fabric production so that’s just a guess.

  7. Aimey

    Well, I must confess that about 5 years ago I was one of those confused gals behind the cutting counter at JoAnn. Actually, I was a senior operations manager who had never sewn a day in her life – yes, a job is a job. But, lucky for me I hated not having the answer to all of “your” questions so I picked up the hobby and have been happily sewing ever since! At least the girl took a stab at answering your question, I’m usually faced with a more confused look than the one I’ve got!

  8. Debkb

    Late to read your post, but…
    1. If your skirts so tight that you need the stretch factor to smooth and pull it down, give yourself another inch or two in wearing ease!
    2. Lengthwise stretch=growing skirt length
    Her answer makes no sense!

Comments are closed.