Shirtings - What Does This Mean?
 

I have a class coming up, fabric requirements list "tans or shirtings" fabric, I have no idea what that means? Can anybody help? Is it like cotton, or a shirt?

You had better call and find out for sure what they mean. I would hate to spend money on fabric just guessing on what the instructor wanted. Tans sounds like a color. Shirtings sounds like a light weight fabric for men's shirts. Neither is anything I've heard of in any quilting book, magazine or discussion. Let us know what the definition turns out to be.

Isn't it just a lighter weight fabric to use for shirts?

My guess would be that it is the sort of plaid material that men's shirts are made from, but suggest you check. Nobody will think any the less of you if you ask.

I'd like to know as well because I'm doing a mystery quilt (pattern online) and it calls for a light colored fabric and suggests shirtings or pastels. I picked a color that would work with my focus fabric though but am considering starting another one as well

The mysteries I've done that called for shirtings, meant lighter colors of quilting cotton. Whites, creams, light tans. They could have small prints too. This blog has a photo: http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2011/...-progress.html

it is best to be safe and contact the shop or the teacher. the term shirting can be misinterpreted. To me it is not a term that is generaly used and identification known. If I went out and look for it I would relate it to the shirt fabric made and worn in the early 1890's - a reproduction type fabric. So everyone may have a different take on what the word means. It is better to describe the pattern and color. This is what causes confusion with students.

The shop providing the class should know that info for you and also have the fabrics you need. Good luck

I was looking for shirting fabric and was told it was white or off white with a small print on it. I looked in 2 different shops and one didn't have it and the other had a couple. It seems to be hard to find. I thought that I would look at the Salvation Army Store. They had lots of shirts, but they were $4.99 each. Thought they were kinda expensive. Then thinking about it--did I really want to use shirts that were worn? I decided to go with white on white and ecru prints. I needed 9 yards of assorted fabrics. The difference is, I knew what the quilt looked like. I would ask at the shop where you are taking the class. They should have the fabric.
Sue