Best cloths for tailoring Rus in Urbe?

[hectorm]

This is some treasure for the tweed lover. Thank you Rowly for sharing.
It would be very convenient if someone (like The Tweed Cowboy, for example) gathered all the links to the sources in a single website. That's something I've been missing.
I particularly enjoyed the article on district checks. Great Sunday afternoon reading. Not only very informative regarding the history of the different patterns but also very provocative in terms of the possibilities of the modern American textile industry (in the 1950's) in copying those designs for mass production in the USA. I guess it never really happened.

[Rowly]

hectorm,
If you are a tweed lover, get the book Estate Tweeds from Johnstons of Elgin. It is superb, and you will want every tweed in the book! It always seems to me that the heavier Estate tweeds have the nicest patterns..it would be great to see some of them in the lighter iterations!...Rowly.

[davidhuh]

hectorm,
If you are a tweed lover, get the book Estate Tweeds from Johnstons of Elgin. It is superb, and you will want every tweed in the book! It always seems to me that the heavier Estate tweeds have the nicest patterns..it would be great to see some of them in the lighter iterations!...Rowly.

Some more about this book: http://www.savilerow-style.com/issue015/topcloths.htm
It is available second hand on Amazon UK

cheers, David

[Scot]

The name Johnstons of Elgin keeps popping up every time there is a discussion about tweed but I haven't been able to find a website covering their complete range of cloths. Their site is dissapointing and seems limited to tailored pieces and some other stuff, but not cloths. I've sailed other sites, like Bookster's or House of Bruar's, with very few samples. What could be a better source? I'm sure Rowly or some other LL tweed fan must know.

You could always go and see your tailor and look at swatches; if he doesn't have them I am sure he can get them. Looking at cloth on websites is all very well but I would never commission unless I had seen it for myself, in daylight, and held it in my hand.

[hectorm]

If you are a tweed lover, get the book Estate Tweeds

Some more about this book: http://www.savilerow-style.com/issue015/topcloths.htm
It is available second hand on Amazon UK

Thank you Rowly and David, the book is on its way home!!!
Quite a bargain at Amazon (used in excellent condition).
I´ve seen the book before at Johnstons of Elgin website but I needed your extra encouragement.

You could always go and see your tailor and look at swatches; if he doesn't have them I am sure he can get them. Looking at cloth on websites is all very well but I would never commission unless I had seen it for myself, in daylight, and held it in my hand.

Scot, that sounds like very practical advice, however, practical matters were not what I primordially had in mind. Much before commissioning a tweed jacket, and even if this weren´t my intention at all, I love to browse through tweed patterns just for the sake of it. When I do it at my tailor´s I enjoy it a lot, but if I´m obliged to choose, I usually get overwhelmed by the swatch books and I end up a bit confused (I want to have them all!). That´s why I like to do the homework first, narrowing the options, learning the stories, etc. It´s pure pleasure.

[Rowly]

I love to browse through tweed patterns just for the sake of it. When I do it at my tailor´s I enjoy it a lot, but if I´m obliged to choose, I usually get overwhelmed by the swatch books and I end up a bit confused (I want to have them all!). That´s why I like to do the homework first, narrowing the options, learning the stories, etc. It´s pure pleasure.

It's exactly the same for me...I'm glad I'm not alone!

[bquinn]

For Rus in Urbe tweeds, you should also consider the Hartwist book from Porter & Harding. I've got a jacket from that book, and it's got a wonderful hand. Great patterns too.

[Rowly]

I have just placed an order for A Glenhunt Russell check, and a W. Bill Superfleece. I am looking at a couple of Hartwist patterns. I feel that the only way to be sure I will like the cloth is to have something and try it. The Hartwist seems a little more refined than the Alsport counterpart. Johnston's Saxony is definitely on my list, as is the W.Bill Cheviots selection in the mid weight range. Their Country House book seems ideal for my needs.The W.Bill Saxony Superfleece is too soft, I think. There are so many to look at. It's a pity the autumn doesn't last 12 months!

[Marwood]

I agree - Autumnal cloths are by far my favourite.

The ordered fabrics sound great. I trust we will see pictures when complete?

[Rowly]

Yes...it's time I did!

[Frog in Suit]

Picking up this thread, would anyone know if one can find good pictures of Porter & Harding's Glorious Twelfth swatches on the web ? The ones on the Harrison website are tiny.
Thank you.
Frog in Suit

[Simon A]

Bookster

[Frog in Suit]

Bookster

Thank you.
Bookster's pictures are indeed much better than the ones on the Harrison site. Unfortunately they do not carry the whole range and it is really difficult to cross-reference to the tiny P & H numbered "swatches".
Again, thank tou.
Frog in Suit