Providing Your Own Fabric
Would you like to provide your own fabric to be made
into a bow tie, pair of braces, necktie, cummerbund, or
pocket square?
Here are answers to questions you may have.
What kind of fabric should I look for?
The fabric must be woven, not knit. It can't have any stretch. It should not be very heavy or bulky, nor should it be too light
or drapey. It can't have any surface embellishments like sequins, embroidery, etc.
Silk brocade is not appropriate. It's very difficult to find necktie silk on the retail market. It is often too light and drapey (more like undergarment fabric) or too heavy.
The scale of any print should be small and dense enough to show up in the item that you want made. Sometimes a big print can make an attractive item, but the effect is abstract instead of small repeat.
How much fabric will I need to provide?
Most fabrics come in a width of 40-45".
Assuming that your fabric is 40-45" wide, I need a minimum of the following lengths:
Bow Tie- 1/2 yard. I can get 2 bow ties from a half yard
Necktie- 1 yard. I can get 2 neckties from one yard
Extra Long Necktie-1 1/4 yard. I can get 2 XL neckties from 1 1/4 yard.
Cummerbund- 1 yard
Pocket Square-1/2 yard. I can get 2 squares from a half yard
Braces- If the print is random and doesn't have a right side up
or an upside down, I need just 1/4 yard. However, if the print
has a design which has a one way direction to it, for instance, houses standing upright  ,
to keep the houses standing upright on the straps, I need 1 1/4 yards.
How much will this project cost?
I charge the same price whether you provide the fabric or I do.
I charge my cotton prices if the fabric is cotton or another non slippery fabric like wool, and I charge my silk prices if the fabric is silk, slippery or otherwise problematic.
| Cotton Prices | Silk Prices |
| Bow Tie $30 | Bow Tie $38 |
| Necktie $30 | Necktie $54 |
| XL Necktie $32 | XL Necktie $59 |
| Braces $52 | Braces $65 |
| Cummerbund $75 | Cummerbund $89 |
| Pocket Square $20 | Pocket Square $20 |
Where can I buy my fabric?
Here are some great fabric stores I know about:
Portsmouth Fabric Company www.PortsmouthFabric.com
112 Penhallow St.
Portsmouth, NH
603-436-6343
Britex Fabrics www.BritexFabrics.com
146 Geary St.
San Francisco, CA
415-392-2910
On Board Fabrics www.OnBoardFabrics.com
Route 27
Edgecomb, ME
207-882-7536
G Street Fabrics in the Washington, DC area www.GStreetFabrics.com
Mid-Pike Plaza
11854 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD
302-231-8998
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Potomac Mills
2700 Potomac Mills Circle #884
Woodbridge, VA
703-494-5900 |
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Sully Station
5077 Westfields Blvd.
Centreville, VA
703-818-8090
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Seven Corners Center
6250 Seven Corners Center
Falls Church, VA
703-241-1700 |
Fabric Place www.FabricPlace.com
Woburn Mall
300 Mishawum Rd.
Woburn, MA
781-938-8787
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136 Howard St.
Framingham, MA
508-872-4888
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Randolph Crossing
100 Mazzeo Dr
Randolph, MA
781-963-1100
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Seven Corners Center
Cowesett Corners
300 Quaker Lane
Wawick, RI
401-823-5400. |
Fishman's Fabrics www.FishmansFabrics.com
1101 South Desplaines St.
Chicago, IL
312-922-7250
JoAnn's www.joann.com
which is chain store with locations in many cities
Online stores:
www.equilter.com
I have found the very best site on the internet for cotton prints
and solids is www.equilter.com. They also have some dupioni
silk which works well, but most other silks they offer are not appropriate.
www.DenverFabrics.com
www.FabricConn.com
www.fabric.com
www.fashionfabricsclub.com
Special Bridal Party Notes:
I often work with brides and grooms to make neckwear, suspenders and/or cummerbunds for groomsmen from fabric used to make bridesmaid's dresses.
Some bridal designers, like Lynn Lugo (www.LynnLugoBridal.com) refer their brides to me to make items for the groom and groomsmen.
I am happy to provide this service to wedding parties. Please contact me if you have questions regarding this service.
Please call or email if you have any questions or concerns.
207-985-6724 Lisa@bowtie.com
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