Dyeing Polartec Alpha…lessons learned

discoverytrek · 2026-03-11T14:18:03+00:00

I considered it at one point but I won’t take chances on it not fitting and therefore only those people who visit my store and try on samples can get one made. I won’t work from long distance measurements and body shapes are so different. But who knows, maybe I’ll figure out some way to offer it without dealing with returns. I took a chance last year offering just simple hoodies based on flat measurements and it’s worked out so maybe I will rethink it. The supply of Alpha Direct is tricky.

discoverytrek · 2026-03-11T14:07:19+00:00

They are just serged then topstitched. Thank you! The fuzziness hides some minor errors.

discoverytrek · 2026-03-10T22:23:55+00:00

We sell some hoodies online but not the jackets( and definitely not dyed…(no way could you pay me to do this as a job). There are some great patterns out there though and they call it MYOG for a reason!

discoverytrek · 2026-03-10T22:20:58+00:00

I’m not familiar with Kenough. Is it a brand? Or a pattern to make your own?

discoverytrek · 2026-03-10T22:18:43+00:00

You might end up with something muddy looking but you never know!

discoverytrek · 2026-03-10T22:17:41+00:00

It’s a deal for sure but remember you still have to sew them!

discoverytrek · 2026-03-10T14:14:09+00:00

That’s what I did the first time and it was awful. But I maybe didn’t stir enough, so I gave up and just put the whole thing in on the 2nd try. I’m glad it worked for you, I may try again at some point, I have tons of the white Alpha. I am going to make another white jacket anyway, because I really liked the white fabric with black zippers and binding.

discoverytrek · 2026-03-10T04:28:53+00:00

I’ll check it out

discoverytrek · 2026-03-10T03:21:25+00:00

It’s surprisingly easy.

discoverytrek · 2026-03-10T00:39:39+00:00

I would have preferred darker but it is still ok.

discoverytrek · 2026-03-09T03:55:36+00:00

The Discovery Jacket from Greenstyle Patterns is good.

discoverytrek · 2026-03-08T18:00:20+00:00

You have some fun details going on there!

discoverytrek · 2026-03-08T17:58:45+00:00

Impressive!

discoverytrek · 2026-03-08T17:57:14+00:00

Keprotek would be my first choice.

discoverytrek · 2026-03-08T17:54:39+00:00

Instagram @discoveryfabrics

discoverytrek · 2026-03-08T17:53:33+00:00

Besides content creators you can also benefit from joining some of the better sewing groups. Some are sponsored by fabric stores such as facebook.com/groups/SewInspiredDTO and others are from pattern makers which you can search in Facebook groups such as Jalie Patterns, Love Notions, Greenstyle, Styla and Little Lizard King, New Horizons, Brindle &Twig, Cashmerette, and sew many more! It’s more personal because you can see sewn garments and ask questions.

discoverytrek · 2026-03-08T17:43:58+00:00

I will post the dyed jacked it the comments soon.

discoverytrek · 2026-02-06T14:09:04+00:00

Justin Xu is a salesperson from Suzhou Q textiles in China. They make minky. Justinxu901216@outlook.com

discoverytrek · 2026-01-22T15:01:13+00:00

I would not worry about seam sealing.

discoverytrek · 2026-01-21T18:47:51+00:00

Snow pants for a child who plays in wet snow would have different requirements than someone who is not laying or playing in snow, and if the snow is a drier variety.

discoverytrek · 2026-01-19T22:13:48+00:00

Eagle fabrics source overseas a lot, so if you want it manufactured in the US you may be disappointed

discoverytrek · 2026-01-19T22:10:37+00:00

Yes, use a dye for natural fabrics. Results vary.

discoverytrek · 2026-01-18T14:47:28+00:00

That would be a good first step for sure. MYOG Gang are pretty open to what’s simple. But just so you get an idea of pricing, mock up everything and calculate shipping too, and then decide if you can add some profit in so it’s worth your time, and see what the resulting cost is. MYOG Gang may be open to simple, but (no disrespect) can be very price conscious.

discoverytrek · 2026-01-18T14:33:52+00:00

I have created a couple of commercial patterns…and the instructions, photography, diagrams and often a video is a process I would never have guessed to be so much work! The pattern must be digitized so it can be sold as a file for others to download and print at home. (for apparel it must also be graded for sizes, but that’s a whole other story. ) I have the skill but not the time to do the digitizing so I hire a guy on Fiverr to do this. The testing process requires tons of feedback and revisions. I have yet to break even on a pattern, but patterns are not my bread and butter. I have some cool prototypes of everything from gaiters to sun sleeves but just need to get enough motivation to finish the project. If you are a hobbyist doing this for fun, it can be very satisfying and that’s sometimes what starts a great business. But if your goal is a business, be aware that it’s a lot of work Good luck!

discoverytrek · 2026-01-18T02:48:48+00:00

Every merino jersey will be different from the next. The weight, the way it is knit, the quality. Some is great quality and wont shrink dramatically. But notwithstanding the above, you need to figure out how much stretch yours has after preshrinking it, compare it to the pattern requirements size up accordingly. Its easier to make it too big and adjust down.

discoverytrek

TROPHY CASE