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Help finding fabric

Cuvier

One of the Regulars
Messages
205
Location
Texas
Good afternoon everyone.
I got me the wild hair to try my hand at sewing and/or getting a bespoke suit made. I've talked to my tailor who is willing to make what I'm looking for. I just need to find the fabric.
That's my problem. I can't find what I'm wanting. I've been googling and estying for a couple of weeks now and I just can't find what I want. What I'm wanting is a tropical weight wool houndstooth in brown or green. I can find the pattern but it's in a heavy weight warm wool. Being from Texas that would mean I could only wear it a couple times a year as it's generally too hot. I was hoping to find a good tropical weight to make an unlined unstructured suit harkening back to what Dr. Watson wore in 1939's Hound of the Baskerville. I have a pattern and instruction set for something extremely similar, my tailor and I both agree it can be done. I just need a good fabric. Any thoughts?
Here's a fabric similar to what I want just much heavier. https://www.etsy.com/listing/104973...f=sr_gallery-1-1&pro=1&organic_search_click=1
What I'm wanting to make is similar to the below image but with a Norfolk style sporting jacket. Large patch pockets on the waist with a smaller patch breast pocket. A functional storm collar, and suede patches on the elbows and shoulder. Action back and double vented. I'm wanting to go for that early 20th century outdoors/adventure feel but in something that won't kill me if I wear it outside of December to February.
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If this isn't the right place to post this please move or let me know where to post it.
 

GHT

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,793
Location
New Forest
Try emailing both of these two UK textile companies. Bateman Ogden, https://www.batemanogden.co.uk/ and Barrington Fabrics. https://www.barringtonfabrics.com/ Both companies have an enormous range of fabrics and although a search through their stock as advertised on their website might prove fruitless, it's still worth making contact. My tailor uses both companies, he has produced an amazing wardrobe of suits and blazers for me.

Don't let shopping overseas put you off. My wife is skilled at dress making and has made me an enviable collection of Aloha shirts, the fabric for which, she bought on line from a specialist supplier in Honolulu. Good luck, I do hope that this helps and we see you suited & booted, as we Brits say. Elementary my dear Watson!
 

Cuvier

One of the Regulars
Messages
205
Location
Texas
Oh awesome! Thank you very much!
I don't have a problem with ordering overseas. I often find great deals on quality products. I just have a want that's hard to fill.
 

One-eyed Jack

New in Town
Messages
1
Location
Ventura County
Howdy from So. Cal. I was working on a low budget Western last month, in which we all supplied our authentic, period kits and wardrobe. I was talking to a fellow sewist, who'd made her very impressive dress with all the layers and such. She told me that Mood Fabrics, in LA, had improved its stock enormously and was the place to get whatever I might need for future projects. I've not been there yet, but they are online.
Good luck.
 

Cuvier

One of the Regulars
Messages
205
Location
Texas
I've ordered from Mood Fabrics before. They're good people but didn't have what I was looking for. If they recently grew their line then I'll take another look. Thanks for the update!
Btw, I'm out of Texas so I'm just a couple of hours ahead of you.
 

vintagewool

Familiar Face
Messages
89
Could you dye the common black-&-white or even a navy-blue-&-beige houndstooth fabrics to a desired brown or green in which whatever the initial darker color is functions as black?

The closest I found to "tropical" weight was 5.3oz. Other sources were vague about weight.

 

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