Sherlock Coat opinions/info?

[Risu]

Wow, that Alfatex tweed looks really good! The price may even be competitive with what cosplaysky wants for theirs, and it might even be higher quality. I'll have to check that site out when I get home.

As for the buttons, those won't be a problem. I've done enough molding and casting that I can say for sure that I won't have any problems.

 

[Pacifisticmatt]

the place I posted about earlier is based in london and are sending me a swatch of their "pure 100% Irish tweed wool" it's UK made, so there's a very ,very small possibility that it's the original supplier. (I read somewhere that the wool was UK sourced)

I will upload pictures in various lighting conditions when it comes.

 

[Risu]

Shooter, have you seen any pics of the black wool? Those ones on the site you linked don't really look anything like Sherlock's. In fact, they look kind of like burlap.

 

[TheLark]

I read on your blog that the Alfatex wool is out of stock now.
BAH! Why do I have to live in Australia, where winter arrives just as the rest of the world stops selling their coat wool. Sigh.

 

[elenthari]

I'm going to call Alfatex later today and ask about that tweed and when/if they are going to re-stock it.
I take it that it looks like a pretty good match to you, as well

 

[elenthari]

Okay, news on the Alfatex Tweed.
That tweed is definitely out of stock, nothing left anywhere in their, apparently vast, warehouse... They checked again when I mentioned that there might be several people interested.
I got a mail now and they offer to check their suppliers for alternatives and send me swatches of those fabrics that might be a possibility.

So, I mean, I did get my tweed but I would be willing to take them up on their offer in case anyone here is SERIOUSLY interested to see what they come up with?!

 

[booksandcorsets]

Yes, interested.

There's some wool I'm looking at here in NYC but I haven't found one I'm in love with yet.

 

[Risu]

You know I'd be interested, but only if they pretty much find an exact match.

 

[joker1]

have we heard any news on Indi Magnoli's progress?

 

[Pacifisticmatt]

Got my swatch today, it's really soft, you don't feel the cross threads, the sample is a little bit larger than my thumb end. Sorry about the quality, only got my phone. (if the pictures don't display, open the link)

 

[elenthari]

Got back to that Alfatex guy, and actually they are offering not only to look for some matching fabric but would be going to "abmuster" it, which I take it means they technically compare to the the one they've run out of... either that or they actually rework it to match the original colourwise...
I didn't even know anyone was doing that kind of thing...

What do you think?! I guess I should ask them about the price first *g*

 

[Pacifisticmatt]

better sooner than later. Also could you ask them about overseas shipping?

 

[TheLark]

Thank you elenthari for all the work you've done to help us get the right tweed.

If only they shipped to Australia. They do new Zealand, but not Aus.... what?!

 

[elenthari]

Aaah, well. You're welcome!
I guess we all have known the desperation of not finding the right materials DESPITE all that globalisation... So I guess the sewing community should really help each other out
I'll ask about shipping when I hear from them again. As to NZ/Australia: Should they really come up with something you definitely want to have, we WILL manage to get that fabric to Australia, don't worry

 

[elenthari]

They've sent me these two possible alternatives. I think the first one's not bad at all look-wise but it's deignated as light-weight... The second one middle-weight.
So nothing too good right now. Should I have them send me swatches anyway?

Alfatex - Strenesse Tweed-Optik (12 m in stock)

Alfatex - Strenesse Tweed-Flanell (9 m in stock)

Oh, by the way, I asked them about the manufacturer of that tweed, as well, but they either can't or won't tell me...

 

[Risu]

I don't think either of those is quite up to par.

The buttons from Germany came in today. Seeing them in person I'm a little less than impressed as they don't quite match their picture. I'm going to hopefully compare them to some good reference material to see how close they are.

 

[RayR]

I keep getting so many questions about this, I thought I would share with the group. Here is a look at the back spread open and a close up of the buttons:

It took me about 1 hour to get Photobucket to show these photos right-side up

Hope they help.

 

[elenthari]

Ooooooh, the tweed has arrived, and I AM in love
It's not exactly right texture-wise (I guess, from the close-ups) but it looks exactly as it does in the pictures, is soft and will swish GRANDLY, I'm sure.
It is also not as thick as I assumed it would be but since RayR said the real one was rather less stiff and thick than it appeared on the show I'm confident I'll manage adding enough body to the fabric through the interfacing. Anyway, it drapes lovely!

I'll add pictures a little later for those interested.

 

[TheLark]

Thanks RayR, that also shows a really nice close up of the tweed material.

I guess with all the winter stock sold out over Europe, that wool from fabric mart seems to be the only viable option left. Hmmm.... Do I want to wait until next winter comes round so ican get real tweed....

 

[RayR]

have we heard any news on Indi Magnoli's progress?

You will have to check with him directly. He let me cancel my order since he hadn't started cutting or buying specialty items before my original came in. ( surely spent WAY over my budget on the original). He was most gracious, as always.:thumbsup