Sources for decent flannel cloth to make Oxford bags?

[Mr Badger]

Hey folks, the lady who owns Vintage to Vogue here in Bath is trying to source a supply of both grey and cream flannel to start having 'Oxford bags' made from a vintage pattern she's had redrawn out to different sizes. She plans to sell the trousers for around £60 a pair. Has anyone any ideas of a shop/wholesaler that carries this type of cloth in bulk, or at least has a few rolls? Any ideas gratefully received!

 

[billyspew]

Fox Bros

 

[djd]

£60 a pair would be a real bargin!

 

[Mr Badger]

Thanks billyspew, that's not far from 'ere!

 

[billyspew]

Let me know how you get on, might be interested in a grey pair!

 

[Prof Branestawm]

She could also try Harrisons of Edinburgh. I'm sure that, if she offered some ordinary grey flannels (i.e. not bags) for £60 she'd also find a lot of interest.

 

[Tomasso]

£60 a pair would be a real bargin!

No kidding, that's a lot of material there..........

 

[Rudie]

I don't think £60 are realistic if she wants to use real quality flannel. Even if she uses Fox Bros. where she can buy directly from the mill and thus cut down a lot of cost. A metre would still be around £30-35 I'd guess (whereas a metre of Harrison's or JJ Minnis flannel would be around £60-70). Considering that you need about 1.75 to 2 metres of cloth that's already £60 and she didn't even start making the trousers. On the other hand, a cheap flannel looks just like that and doesn't hold up very well.

 

[djd]

Magnoli makes some nice vintage pattern flannels and his go for something over £100 depending on exchange rates

 

[Rudie]

Yes, but I bet my hat that the flannel Magnoli uses is far inferior to Fox Bros. or JJ Minnis flannel, which are top of the line quality.

 

[djd]

Sure you're right. I have a pair of Magnolis but I have nothing to compare them with

 

[Qirrel]

I don't think £60 are realistic if she wants to use real quality flannel. Even if she uses Fox Bros. where she can buy directly from the mill and thus cut down a lot of cost. A metre would still be around £30-35 I'd guess (whereas a metre of Harrison's or JJ Minnis flannel would be around £60-70). Considering that you need about 1.75 to 2 metres of cloth that's already £60 and she didn't even start making the trousers. On the other hand, a cheap flannel looks just like that and doesn't hold up very well.

Thats right. I can get cut lengths high quality flannel from Harrisons Burley or Dugdale bros. for around £40 per metre. Even with any discounts from buying in large quantities the price is unrealistic. In that price range the fabric quality can't be the best.

 

[Fly Boy]

Hey folks, the lady who owns Vintage to Vogue here in Bath is trying to source a supply of both grey and cream flannel to start having 'Oxford bags' made from a vintage pattern she's had redrawn out to different sizes. She plans to sell the trousers for around £60 a pair. Has anyone any ideas of a shop/wholesaler that carries this type of cloth in bulk, or at least has a few rolls? Any ideas gratefully received!

That sounds fantastic! Please keep us updated, I'd love to order some for up here!

 

[Mr Badger]

Thanks for the suggestions, folks! The lady in question figured on the price point for flannels based upon scoring a supply of cloth at a level lower than y'all indicated so unless a deadstock/vintage supply of more affordable material can be found, she's said that it's not gonna be possible to produce trews of decent quality for £60 a pair... any ideas for other, more affordable, sources?

On a happier note, she's now considering making some workwear waistcoats, a la Rising Sun!

 

[BinkieBaumont]

http://www.princehenry.biz/

THESE COVES ARE PRETTY CLEVER AT REPRODUCING ANY ITEM

 

[djd]

I use ravistailor.com quite regularly. Pretty good and a vast range of fabrics. They'll have a good go at copying anything. I may see if they can make a single breasted peak lapel suit for me later this year

 

[Rudie]

I just checked with Andrew Rogers. He doesn't serve the public anymore, just existing customers. Even then 1 metre of JJ Minnis flannel would be £60. If you buy the same flannel at Huddersfield Fine Worsteds it's £84 per metre. I am afraid for £60-trousers the only option would be a cheap wool-mix flannel off Ebay. ):

 

[Edward]

What about a drill cotton, or even some form of gaberdine? I've also handled a few poly-cotton mixes in my time that you'd be damn hard pushed to identify as not pure cotton. Flannel is unbeatable, but there's a lot to be said too for something that can be thrown in the washing machine...

 

[billyspew]

This place has flannel, though it is wool/polysetser/viscose mix for £14.99/metre.

There's also B.Black, a US company but only $18 (per yard?).

Sure there are cheaper sources.

 

[Two Types]

Just spotted this old thread: did anything ever come of her plans to reproduce Oxford bags?