Shirting fabric
04-09-2016, 10:21 AM
#1
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Shirting fabric
I have seen the reference to 'shirting" fabric in posts before. What exactly is shirting fabric and how is it different from regular cotton? Curious minds needs to know, at least this curious mind. LOL I buy shirts at thrift stores and cut them apart to use for fabric but the labels say they are made with 100% cotton.
04-09-2016, 11:08 AM
#2
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Location: Chula Vista CA
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The strict definition: a material for making shirts, especially a fine cotton in plain colors or incorporating a traditional woven stripe.
I use shirting fabric when I do embroidery on a quilt and need heavier fabric. Shirting is heavier (thicker and more dense) and a lot of it has something in it to help prevent wrinkles. Even using a heavy stabilizer it didn't seem to me the embroidery I was doing was adequately supported so I tried the shirting fabric and worked well. It washes well too.
I use shirting fabric when I do embroidery on a quilt and need heavier fabric. Shirting is heavier (thicker and more dense) and a lot of it has something in it to help prevent wrinkles. Even using a heavy stabilizer it didn't seem to me the embroidery I was doing was adequately supported so I tried the shirting fabric and worked well. It washes well too.
Last edited by quiltingcandy; 04-09-2016 at 11:14 AM.
04-09-2016, 11:59 AM
#5
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Location: Michigan
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Shirts are made from oxford cloth, but usually shirting fabrics are a bit finer weave, more similar to quilting cotton. It can be the same weight as quilting cotton, or a bit lighter. Think a dress shirt. Often people will refer to shirting fabric because of the print. Stripes, plaids or very small motifs usually in a pale single color on a light background.
Like this:
http://www.oldsouthfabrics.com/shop/...1-x5563811.htm
Like this:
http://www.oldsouthfabrics.com/shop/...1-x5563811.htm
Last edited by PaperPrincess; 04-09-2016 at 12:04 PM.
04-10-2016, 12:48 PM
#6
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Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
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In reference to reproduction "shirtings" you are looking at regular quilting weight cottons with very small prints , usually on light colored backgrounds, representative of the 1800s for both men and women. They make great backgrounds in lots of different blocks, vintage or not.
Look at these for instance: http://www.twobeesfabric.com/shop/18...-Shirtings.htm
Jan in VA
Look at these for instance: http://www.twobeesfabric.com/shop/18...-Shirtings.htm
Jan in VA
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