Suit fabric source - 13-14 oz wools

[Benny Holiday]

Hey All,

I came across this site while searching for heavier weight wools:

www.huddersfieldcloth.com

Under the 'English Classics' banner they have a good selection of chalk stripes, pinstripes, herringbones, overplaids and plans in 13-14oz. The only catch is you need to join the site and log in as a business to check it out; the prices are around 26 pounds per metre. I joined under my tailor's business name (he's happy for me to do that) so I can order fabric in the future. It's the fabric site I've been looking for!

I hope some of you guys find it useful.

 

[Tomasso]

Great recommendation, Benny! They're a great source for the thick stuff and their books aren't too hard to find in bigger cities. You can contact them to find the local tailors who carry their books in case you want to touch some before you order.

 

[Benny Holiday]

Thanks Tomasso, that's a great idea!

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Do you know if there's a minimum order, Benny? I may have found a good guy for copying trousers, but i'd only be buying 1.5 metres at a time.

£26 per metre sounds pretty reasonable.

bk

 

[Benny Holiday]

That's what I thought too, Baron. I didn't see anything about a minimum mentioned on the website, but I haven't tried to order anything from them yet, and no doubt that will prove to be the real test.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Ah ha, I see. They're offering trade pricing. I wonder if they actually check whether one is a business, or if they'll spot that my "business" is made up.

Hell, I can construct a rudimentary pair of trousers, does that make me a business, and I can just get stuff sent to my house.

bk

 

[Benny Holiday]

That's the way I'm playing it. I'd only be getting the tailor to order it anyway, not that he's got the internet on in his shop. This way, I only have to hear him complain about the fabric being so heavy once, when I bring it in to him, rather than twice, the first time when he orders it.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

lol I know the feeling - tailors looking askance … you want me to do what? With what weight of fabric?

Anyhow, i've sent in the registration form for my "business", and we'll see what outcome. how quickly did they get back to you, Wes? [EDIT] never mind, I'm in!

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Benny,

Go into the more cloths and linings section and click on the Prince of Wales tab. There is a wonderful group of 13-14 ounce glen checks. Beautiful.

bk

 

[Edward]

BK, if there is any sort of a minimum order, depending on what your tailor might charge, I might be interested in going in on some cloth...

 

[Baron Kurtz]

There's no minimum, Ed. Well, minimum is 1 metre, and I can't imagine any of us needing less than that.

They seem very helpful, and the chap who runs the business is going to put together a swatch book of all the fabrics I request. I'll let you have a flip through it. I'm happy to be the "business" through which British members buy their cloth. You'd need to see my fabric swatches first, of course. I'll keep people informed.

bk

 

[Creeping Past]

If that's a firm offer, BK, consider this a serious yes. I'm very interested in seeing the swatch book. May I suggest a central London meet at some point, if there are more than a couple of takers?

CP

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Firm offer.

I'm going to put together my list this evening and send it to the company.

I'm happy to meet with people, once the swatches are got together. I will hold off ordering for others until I've tested the company, and assured myself that I won't be getting myself into dodgy dealings on behalf of others. I think this is the best way to proceed.

Depending upon how a pair of trousers I'm having made right now turn out (testing a new tailor), I should be ordering from these guys quite soon. They have a fantastic brown PoW/glen check.

bk

 

[Creeping Past]

Thanks.

Good luck with the trews.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Thanks. If he pulls this off, they will be fantastic.

bk

 

[Edward]

Excellent. I'm planning to arrange another London get together in a few weeks' time anyhow....

 

[Benny Holiday]

Benny,

Go into the more cloths and linings section and click on the Prince of Wales tab. There is a wonderful group of 13-14 ounce glen checks. Beautiful.

bk

Just flew in from Melbourne - Jersey Boys, the Titanic Exhibition - brilliant! Anyway, I checked out those glen checks and they really are something else Baron.

I'm looking forward to seeing the completed trousers.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Apparently my swatch bundle was sent yesterday so should arrive at my business premises lol on Monday or Tuesday, since they didn't get here today.

bk

 

[Tomasso]

This way, I only have to hear him complain about the fabric being so heavy once

Really, I've only heard tailors praise the heavy stuff for its ease to make up. They curse the paper thin stuff because it's temperamental and shows every needle mark.

 

[Benny Holiday]

I find my tailor to be a bit like a builder, in that the simpler and easier the architectural plans he has to deal with, the happier he is. He's gotten used to working on 'spec homes' over the years, and not features such as sunken rooms, fancy architraves and high ceilings (read beltbacks, high armholes and heavy wool material here in Australia).

He is thus, I suppose, like most other modern tailors here in Sydney. However, he always goes the extra mile for me and does a brilliant job, and his complaining is as much jesting as it is genuine venting at being given a bit of a challenge outside the usual square. Upon completion of a project, he's always very proud of the end result.

Still, most people here probably think I'm crazy for wanting the heavier weight wool. It's easy to forget that it does get plenty cold here in winter.