The Mythological Beast

Saturday evening I was talking with a friend and we were discussing fabrics - of course!  But mainly we were discussing trying to locate the urban legend ~ linen jersey.  Now we knew it had to exist since Eileen Fisher routinely uses it in her garments...but finding it available for retail sewists to use...the sightings were few and far between.

There was a sighting on a website of a fabric store based out of California ~ the price was $26 a yard.  At that price, you need to take a breathe and truly evaluate if you need that fabric in your life before loading up the cart and pressing the submit button.

But peoples I'm here to tell you that the mythological beast lives!  Yes...yes it does.  I've seen it.  I've held it in my hand and I now own 8 yards of it.  Where?  Right...I know you're wondering where I found it at?  But first let me tell you what Linen Jersey is so you know what fiber you are hunting...

"A jersey fabric has a fair amount of stretch and curls to the right side when stretched on the crossgrain.  Single knits do not have quite the recovery power of a double knit.  Right side of the fabric show a knit stitch and the wrong side shows a purl stitch."

from  More Fabric Savvy by Sandra Betzina

A linen jersey uses linen fibers to weave the fabric.  Here are two garments made using linen jersey fabric from Eileen Fisher's spring 2011 line:

Hooded Jacket from Eileen Fisher

Eileen Fisher Linen Jersey Tank

So where did I find this mythological beast?  Why Fabric Mart of course!  Yeap, my most favoritest fabric store in the entire internet universe has some of this amazing fabric in it's store.  But here's the catch, I don't know if it will be loaded onto the website.  So if you really want to own some of this urban legend fabric, please give a call directly to Fabric Mart and see if  1) they still have some and 2) what price they are selling it for and 3) what colors are available.  I honestly can't tell you what they are selling for or even if the colors I saw are still available, but call and ask to speak to Jennifer or Sue at 800-242-3695 (8am - 5pm EST) and see if there's any left. 

Edited to add:  That Fabric Mart has indeed listed the linen jersey on their site.  It is in the New Arrivals section and is selling for $11.99 per yard!  Peoples that is a steal!  Because the other website was selling it for $26 a yard.  Run...yes, I did say run right over and purchase some because this is the kewlest lightweight summer knit evah!

Don't believe I have some of the mythological beast in my possession - here's proof:

Yes, that's 4 yards of an orangy red and 4 yards of black laying on MY sofa...in MY possession.  I can testify that the mythological beast lives and can come reside with you for the cost of a phone call! (Well okay price per yard plus shipping, too)  If you've always wanted to own some of this fabric...get to calling peoples...get to calling!

...as always, more later!