Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Question: Sewing Slips

Do any of you sew your own slips? Do you have a good source for slip fabric? Can you buy it online somewhere?

I need some new half slips for me and my daughters. I've been wearing the same ones for over fifteen years. Every couple years, I sew new elastic on the top, but by now they are truly worn out. When I shopped for new slips, I couldn't find any that were nearly long enough. And I think that a half slip would be super simple to sew if I could just find the right fabric.

And in case you are curious, for my little girls, I sew white cotton shorts. I use a knee-length pajama-shorts pattern. They are loose-fitting and suitable for church or play under dresses. In colder weather they wear leggings.

My older girls also wear knee-length shorts under their dresses for sports but like half slips for church. Any hints for finding fabric?

41 comments :

  1. Hi Gina,

    I have in the past made slips from sheeting or poly cotton fabric. I have used a simple jumper pattern to make a full slip, or a gathered skirt pattern to make a half slip, but I'm a little careful not to make it as full as the pattern says or it is too full under the skirts. Otherwise nylon satin type would be a possible thinner fabric so may fall more gently than cotton based. I hope this may help my local sewing shop is quite small (I'm in the uk) I know that you may have access to larger stores with a wider range of fabrics. Its been difficult to purchase petticoats here but this year they seem to be back in our shops, so I have cheated and purchased a couple. Happy hunting for the right material, I'm sure someone may have a better suggestion and more knowledge on material.

    Hope and pray all is going well with Ed and your family.
    Blessings
    shelley p
    from over the pond

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    Replies
    1. Hi Gina and Shelley,

      I agree with this. I presume the tricot people are talking about below is the same sort of fabric commercial slips are made out of. I've always found this to get static too readily. I've found that the best material to use in petticoats/slips is second-hand sheets (new sheets can be a bit stiff/staticky). Most second-hand shops have a few sheets but there are also super-size second hand shops (such as Savers here in Australia - I don't know if you have it in the US) which have a range of sheets to choose from. A softened-slightly-with-use polycotton fabric is good, and second-hand sheets are cheap (I can usually get them for about $5 a double bed sheet) and you can get them in white or match them to the colours of the dresses!

      God bless (and good luck making petticoats),
      Rachel (from over the other pond).

      Delete
  2. You probably want a silk charmeuse but that's pricey (20-30 a yard) or a poly/nylon blend

    I like denverfabrics.com (I got my bridal material here). They have some of the nicest fabric I have ever purchased. Or voguefabricstore.com. It's out of Chicago has a physical store. They have online store as well. They offer a wider range of blends and lower costs. Depends how much you want to spend since you get 15 years out of a slip $2/30 a yard may be worth it!

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  3. I have not been able to find slips in the stores anymore . . . I guess that no one wears them anymore, but I don't feel comfortable without one. What I have done is purchased nylon pajama bottoms and hemmed them to a length just an inch or so shorter that my dresses and skirts. I've never really seen the fabric. Have you looked in any of the big fabric stores?
    I hope this helps.
    Connie :)

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  4. I do. ☺️ Do you know about Flo-Ann's in Ephrata? I have gotten ready made slips there, but I've also asked her to send me several yards of their slip fabric, the slippery stuff, tricot I think it's called. I think it's perfect, but I can't remember at all what the price of it is except that it was reasonable! And you sparked my thinking, maybe you could buy the same stuff online!

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  5. I will be watching closely to see if someone sends you an answer. I also need to sew some half slips and have had the same issues you. Finding the fabric has not been easy.
    Blessings, Betsy

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  6. www.gehmanscountryfabrics.com They have classic 100% Tricot nylon for slips by the yard. You can also purchase slips pre-made in a great range of sizes and lengths for both women and girls.

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  7. I have switched off/on with making slips over the years. When I do make them, I usually buy my fabric at a store in Lebanon Co, PA, but I am familiar with this on-line store (also from that area) and had noticed in the past that they carry this fabric. I have not actually used it or seen it in person to vouch for it's weight and quality. To make a simple full slip I have picked up camisoles (often for $.49 at Salvation Army), cut them off at waist length, then sew a tricot/nylon skirt onto the top. So quick, simple and cheap!

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    Replies
    1. Here is the link that I forgot to put in my first comment: https://www.gehmanscountryfabrics.com/index.php/fabric/misc-fabrics/white-cling-free-100-nylon-tric.html

      Delete
  8. Hi Gina. I have the same problem when shopping for slips. None of them are long enough and like you I have had mine for years.This website specializes in undergarment fabric and trims as well as swimwear material. http://www.sewsassy.com/index.shtml Hope this helps. As always you and your family continue to be in my prayers. Have a blessed rest of the week.

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  9. Someone has already suggested Gehmans Country fabrics but you might try Walmart or if all else fails you might just order ready made from Gehmans or the GVS catalog. That is my favorite place to order sewing supplies.

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  10. Go to the thrift store and find some full length slips and shorten them. It will be the right kind of material for the right price.

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  11. If you shop Amazon here is a link https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002PCBRI0/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505325211&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=white+tricot+fabric&dpPl=1&dpID=41Q5s31CRlL&ref=plSrch

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  12. I buy plus size slips from thrift stores (if I find them!) and sew in tighter elastic. I've also sewn winter slips from winter bridal satin fabric purchased at Fabricland. The fabric is satiny smooth on one side and somewhat fuzzy on the backside. Nice and warm for Canadian winters=)

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  13. When I made my daughters wedding dress 13 yrs ago(yikes!),we used tricot for the slip. I got it from JoAnn fabric. We went to the store, but they also sell online. I'm sorry, but I don't remember the cost.

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  14. We use tricot for slips. I'm pretty sure we can buy it in the fabric stores.

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  15. I like remaking thrift store slips

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  16. In the past, I bought tricot at our favorite local fabric store.....she might even be able to order tricot for you. I usually snatch up half slips from goodwill stores when I find them there. For my younger girls, I've started lining their dresses when I'm sewing them. They actually prefer lined dresses now. I usually use a cotton battiste for that.

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  17. Traditions store in Martinsburg Pennsylvania has lovely slip fabric...light and heavy weights. It holds up very well.

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  18. I have bought good fabric from fabric.com
    It is an online store.

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    Replies
    1. Good idea! A couple of years ago, I ordered an entire bolt of red flannel to make my grand children's pajamas for Christmas. Great price as well as service!

      Delete
  19. I make slips to sell and use nylon tricot fabric from Flo Ann garments. I sell it for 8.50/yd plus shipping, it is 108" wide. If you want more info you can email me at keithndinah@gmail.com.

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  20. I've heard of people using tricot, I'm not sure if that's what we actually used or not. I found some on fabric.com for a reasonable price. https://www.fabric.com/buy/uf-737/nylon-chiffon-tricot-white
    Hope this helps.

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  21. I found long half slips at Good's in Blue Ball, they may also sell the fabic there. Did you try the fabric store near Waynecastle? Good luck!

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  22. I have purchased longer slips off of Amazon and purchased fabric also. This company is 14.99 a yard and they sometimes have coupons. https://www.fabricwholesaledirect.com/products/silk-charmeuse-fabric?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=32125127052&gclid=Cj0KCQjwruPNBRCKARIsAEYNXIgPtH9qH0JfQRTTp97zauodiULcUcmr7QH7zBFUs1j2JXeRSUGc78gaAjyEEALw_wcB

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  23. You need 40 denier tricot. That's what they use to make RTW slips.

    https://www.fabric.com/buy/uf-733/108-40-denier-tricot-white

    It's 108" wide so a yard goes a long way.

    Another poster suggested a nylon chiffon tricot from the same on line store. You definitely don't want that one. It's super thin, slightly stiff and a pain to work with.

    Another tip. Don't prewash the tricot. It doesn't shrink plus it has a finish applied that keeps the edges from curling once cut. If you prewash the finish washes out and the cut edges curl like mad.

    Debbie

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  24. Gina,
    Someone already mentioned Gehmans Country Fabrics, which do have the tricot nylon fabric in white and black. They also have a poly cotton broadcloth that you could use for slips also. Someone also mentioned they have pre-made slips, half and full. For the fabric go to the fabrics tab and click misc. fabrics for the slip material.
    What I have done also, because I find the tricot nylon slips way to hot for me, I have used the poly cotton fabric, 100% cotton fabric, and also white sheets I have gotten for almost nothing at the thrift stores to make my slips. I find them more comfortable for me than the nylon.
    One other place to find pre-made slips at a very reasonable price is Katie's Mercantile. They have a store in NY but are also online. their web is: katiesmercantile.com

    Blessings,
    Carie

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  25. Shady Grove Fabrics sells a few different types of slip fabric. They have tricot and a poly/cotton blend that I use for shorts.

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  26. http://www.mthopefabrics.com/product-category/fabric/nylon-tricot-for-slips/

    I just ordered from this shop and they had wonderful customer service!!

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  27. Wow! You all are SO helpful. I didn't know where to start looking - or even if I was silly to try to sew my own slips.
    Thanks,
    Gina

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    Replies
    1. Not silly at all. I used my dress pattern and just cut the neck/ arm holes larger, and raised the waist a smidge so the seams weren't at the exact same spot.

      Delete
  28. Hi Gina,

    This is the fabric I use to make our slips - https://www.spotlightstores.com/by-the-metre/panama-stretch/p/BP80071715001-cream

    It is a thicker polyester with very slight stretch and very easy to sew with. It is available on-line from Australia but the postage might cost a bit.

    Here is a picture of that fabric sewn into a slip. https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/539914448/ladies-slips?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=ladies%20slips%20half&ref=sr_gallery_2

    Hope you find a fabric that you like.
    God bless!

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  29. Any of the Good's stores sell full and half slips too.

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  30. I have shopped Gohn Brothers, Middlebury, Indiana for many years and been very satisfied. They have on page five of their catalog (on line) ready made slips full and half. They also have fabric but not sure if they have slip fabric. WWW.gohnbrothers.com

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  31. I second the Mt. Hope Fabrics tricot.... although I can actually find tricot at thrift stores sometimes! Making slips is sooo easy! I buy some stretchy lace for edging, or else a simple edging stitch like a blind hem stitch that scallops the edge. My girls love their easy to slip over the head slips ( they are full length). And yes, you can make them as long as you want! Have fun!

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  32. http://www.sewsassy.com/LingerieProducts/lingerie-fabrics.html

    https://www.fabric.com/buy/uf-740/nylon-chiffon-tricot-light-pink?CAWELAID=172000510000031271&cm_mmc=google-_-Google+Shopping-_-GS_fabric-_-_mkwid|soVoAtwHO|pcrid|46683858482|pkw||pmt||pdv|c|&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=soVoAtwHO|pcrid|46683858482|pkw||pmt||pdv|c|&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItOD5q7Wl1gIVGp7ACh2E8g_iEAYYASABEgJDUfD_BwE

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  33. Hi Gina:
    I recommend shopping at Floann Garments located at 602 Gristmill Rd, Ephrata, PA 17522,.... I buy all my slips there for me and my girls for the last 10 years! Awesome prices...I feel like I can hardly buy fabric and make them for the prices that they charge. They have half slips as well... cotton and polyester with different styles to choose from for all ages!

    Susan

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  34. Mission home fabrics might still have tricot.

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  35. Kohls has half slips & I've never had am issue finding the right size.

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  36. I was looking for fabric to make a long nightgown, a few years ago. I found old fashioned tricot fabric on Amazon. It would make lovely slips. But don't get anything less than 40 denier, or it will be extremely sheer and see through. My fabric is in the laundry every week, and has held up beautifully. Looks almost like new, and it must be 5 years old.
    Here is a link to a page with all kinds of colors. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=tricot+fabric+40+denier&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Atricot+fabric+40+denier

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  37. I actually like breathable microfiber for slips since the fabric feels better than nylon. JoAnns carries it as does Amazon. I also use an old "culottes" pattern. Just feels better for me...warmer in winter and not sweaty in summer...

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