Stretchy Fabric Alert!

As I was cutting into some linen last night, I recognized an issue that I’ve seen before. Not all linen is 100% linen. I’m sure this doesn’t come to a surprise to anybody, especially those who have browsed through a Jo-Anns at the “linen” only to discover that they have significant poly/rayon content.

This linen was stretchy, along the width. You might not notice at first, but if you take the whole width and pull, there’s significant stretch. More stretch than just normal fabric stretch – there’s definitely lycra in there.

In two instances that I’ve seen this, the person told me they bought the fabric from an SCA merchant who said that it was 100% linen. I’m NOT suggesting that the SCA merchant is trying to pull one over on us. I’m NOT suggesting that we should stop buying from SCA merchants. I’m guessing that the merchants (two different ones, as far as I can tell) bought the fabric from a source that told them that it was 100% linen. I’m sure they don’t have time to burn test everything.

Lesson is, be wary. Especially with linens, take up a few feet, and pull, both lengthwise and across the grain. See what happens. Do a burn test. Nothing should bubble or melt. If you feel some stretch, and the burn test comes up clean, do a burn test on the warp and weft separately. A fabric merchant should be an expert, and should be able to help you do the burn test, or bring a friend with you.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t use it. I’m using some linen like that for a supportive dress, but I’m lining it in a 5.3 oz white linen from fabrics-store.com, which I *know* is 100% linen, and is supportive along the grain. I’ve seen it in linens and wools, plain fabrics and ready-to-wear medieval clothing. Just know what you have, and keep your eye out about what you’re buying. Communicate with the merchant, because they don’t likely know either.

Main Street?

I’ve been trying to avoid commenting on political stuff and how jaded I’ve become, much as I’ve been dying to rant about Sarah Palin… (Oops, that was close).

And then there’s our impending great depression. Aside from the worry I’m interested and excited to be watching what’s going on. It feels better to be working for the government, that’s for sure. We do live in interesting times. I’m paying attention, not in small part because my morning commute happens during the Marketplace report on NPR. Sure, I only spend 15 minutes in the car, but 12 of those are spent listening to Scott Jagow! Scott Jagow is my hero.

Aside from spouting opinion on the crisis, The Great Deregulator (Ack! There I go again!), or anything of any real import, I need to rant a bit about something that’s annoying me. This whole Wall Street/Main Street phraseology drives me a bit batty.

I know, I know, Main Street is supposed to be short hand for small businesses, middle class, America, Mom, and apple pie. But it’s an outdated phrase. Main Street isn’t Main Street anymore. Neighborhoods aren’t built that way anymore. Main Streets have disappeared in favor of sprawl and strip malls.

Main Street? Now, it’s more likely something like “Heather View Way”. (Who is Heather, and why are we viewing her?) Gah. I type that “made up” street name into Word, and it recognizes it as an address. Are we surprised? We have subdivisions, strip malls, and business parks, and few people do business on Main Street. We can’t walk to them, because we live in the ‘burbs. Not much is going on there, we’d rather spend our late evenings at Starbucks and Borders. A few people live on and near Main Street, but certainly not your average American. Not anymore.