Fabric Help?

[xX Yuki no Yume Xx]

Well I'm kind of new to sewing but I've learned a lot of the basics from Home Ec. and I plan on taking creative needle and ???? (cant remember) next year. But the thing is, I have no knowledge of fabrics.

Im planning on making a kimono, which my Home Ec. teacher says is a good project for beginners.
But I hate talking to her... (shes kind of strange) So I don't wanna ask her.
Ive seen several sites that say cotton is a good fabric for Kimono.

As far as I know, the only place near me that sells fabric is Wal-Mart.

So, here are a few questions that I have:

» What kind of fabric do you think I should I use?
» Is Wal-Mart ok for buying fabric?
» would I be able to get them to cut it to my specified length and width? ex. 14 1/2 x 13 yards
» How much would 14 1/2 x 13 yards of the fabric you suggested cost?

Thanks for the Help sweatdrop  

[AriRashkae]

Wal-mart is good for cheap, especially if you're not sure how the project will turn out.

The won't cut down the middle of the bolt, and most bolts are 45 inches (although some are 60. Check the label on the end). So make sure you have enough yards, and then add 1 more for safety. 3nodding  

[xX Yuki no Yume Xx]

AriRashkae

Wal-mart is good for cheap, especially if you're not sure how the project will turn out.

The won't cut down the middle of the bolt, and most bolts are 45 inches (although some are 60. Check the label on the end). So make sure you have enough yards, and then add 1 more for safety. 3nodding

ugh, I hate cutting, I always screw it up, thats why I was hoping I could get it precut, but I guess Ill have to.

Thanks for the help,


so.... If one panel needs to be about 2 yards and 14.5 inches accross, I would only need 4 yards of fabric.

45in / 14.5 = about 3, so its perfect. i get six panels out of 4 yards.

If I did my math correctly.  

[julyrose]

I would get a smidge over 4 yards. Don't forget to pre-wash your fabric - however, that will cause some fraying on the ends, which will lose you a little in the length. Plus, the cuts they make are never straight across, so you will have to allow for evening that part out as well.

Hope this helps.  

[AriRashkae]

Yes, pre-washing is always recommended.

So if your math says 4 yards, get 5. If you don't need it, you have fabric to patch with later on. Or for another project. And if you do need it, you'll be glad you have it. 3nodding  

[Lee Kushrenada]

I would make it out of brocade, that's what I made mine out of.
though I don't think I would pri-wash it. sweatdrop  

[Silvander]

Pre-wash is GOD. Otherwise, you make it all pretty and then throw it in the wash the first time.... and lose... 3% shrinkage on cotton? And voila! It no longer fits right. Darn. But cotton wrinkles like crazy, so have your iron handy and become good friends with it. Yarr.

Walmart is wonderful for cheap cloth, but they don't have the variety of selection a craft store would so you may not be able to find an appropriate fabric for your kimono. tho they should have simple cotton broadcloth in various solid colors.  

[Scaramouche Fandango]

Well, you better buy your Wal-mart fabrics fast... they're going to stop carrying them. Or at least that's what the lady in Muncie told me. Muncie's Wal-Mart has no more fabric, and they will never get any more. Sad, no?  

[Brunette_Star]

Cotton would be good for a kimono. I do echo everyone else about pre-washing it, though.

If you can afford it, satin brocades also work well for kimonos, although the brocade tends to be heavier than the cotton. I guess you could use cotton if you want to wear it during warmer weather and brocade for cooler weather. Good luck on the kimono!

Wal-Mart should have cotton, but I seriously doubt they would carry brocades. The nice thing about Wal-Mart is that their notions tend to be less expesive than fabric stores.