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#83852 - 11/30/07 09:20 PM Polartec 2000
BriWear Offline
member

Registered: 08/09/03
Posts: 98
Hello World
I haven't posted here for years, but soon I'll be sewing a new project, so here it is:

Anyone heard of Polartec 2000? The local fabric store (seattle fabrics) says it's water-resistant and breathable, but every reference online is to diving and kayaking. Pennys' site says it's neoprene bonded to fleece. I think the face fabric definitely looks like neoprene. The jacket is supposed to be a soft shell hoodie. My choices at this store are windproof fleece, polartec PowerShield, and Polartec 2000, and i was leaning toward 2000 for extra warmth (the PowerShield has very minimal fleecing on the inside), but am concerned about the breathability. I could use the Powershield and add a light capilene-type liner, too, i guess, but simpler is better. The jacket is for cycling, skiing, and all-around use.
Help!

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#83853 - 12/01/07 05:35 AM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: BriWear]
CamperMom Offline
member

Registered: 01/04/02
Posts: 1228
Loc: Eastern MA, USA
BriWear-

All the fabric names that you referenced look like proprietary Malden Mills names to me. Do a search for Malden Mills of Lawrence, MA. I haven't looked for two or three years, but they used to have descriptions of their products listed.

Good luck!

CamperMom

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#83854 - 12/01/07 09:23 PM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: CamperMom]
billk Offline
member

Registered: 08/20/03
Posts: 1196
Loc: Portland, Oregon
Malden Mills apparently filed for bankrupcy earlier this year, but was purchased by another company, now known as Polartec, LLC.

About Malden Mills

It seems Polartec 2000 is now called "Aquashell," and is not neoprene, but sort of "neoprene-like." No mention of it on polartec.com

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#83855 - 12/01/07 10:29 PM Re: Polartec 2000 AAArrrggghhh! [Re: billk]
300winmag Offline
member

Registered: 02/28/06
Posts: 1342
Loc: Nevada, USA
Such an important fabric manufacturer in the outdoor clothing industry going under?

I hope the new owners continue the high quality of Polartec products. I love my two Polartec jackets.

Eric
_________________________
"There are no comfortable backpacks. Some are just less uncomfortable than others."

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#83856 - 12/02/07 07:44 AM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: billk]
CamperMom Offline
member

Registered: 01/04/02
Posts: 1228
Loc: Eastern MA, USA
At least you were able to find Malden Mills. I suspect locals will keep calling the place by that name for a long time.

Malden Mills suffered a horrendous fire around 10 years ago. Although the place was closed, the owner kept most of his employees on the payroll for the many months until the operations could start back up. The company never really recovered financially. Many people find that while the Polartec line is imitated, the knock-offs rarely match the quality of the genuine Malden Mills products.

People here have a great deal of respect for the former owner, Aaron Fuhrenstein. (OK, this is an approximation of his last name. People love him by whatever spelling!)

CM

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#83857 - 12/03/07 10:16 AM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: CamperMom]
Earthling Offline
member

Registered: 02/22/03
Posts: 3228
Loc: USA
Quote:
At least you were able to find Malden Mills. I suspect locals will keep calling the place by that name for a long time.

Malden Mills suffered a horrendous fire around 10 years ago. Although the place was closed, the owner kept most of his employees on the payroll for the many months until the operations could start back up. The company never really recovered financially. Many people find that while the Polartec line is imitated, the knock-offs rarely match the quality of the genuine Malden Mills products.

People here have a great deal of respect for the former owner, Aaron Fuhrenstein. (OK, this is an approximation of his last name. People love him by whatever spelling!)

CM


Here's a news flash! What CamperMom said, PLUS, the story needs to be told by a woman I met earlier this year, regarding Malden Mills, Judy Barlow.

Judy used to work for Aaron F' at M'Mills, and her and a few of her co-workers banded together and attempted to save Malden Mills, but it was'nt to be. A company, Polartec LLC bought the name. I was a very good customer of Aaron's and visited Malden Mills many times when I resided in CT. Amazingly nice workplace environment <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> then.

Anyhoo, I think folks here especially home sewer types need to know how to reach Judy to purchase the genuine article....The ex- employees company is now called:

'MILL DIRECT TEXTILES' 15 Union Street, Lawrence MA 01840, This is THE actual old building of the Malden Mills Retail Store <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> (978) 686-7700 (ext 226 is Judy's personal extension <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />) www.milldirecttextiles.com is the yardage place for now <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Polartec products, WHOLESALE SALES for those like Pennys who should get in touch with Judy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

They sell yardage to medium sized businesses as well as home crafters, full rolls or cut yardage of TOP QUALITY fleece at VERY competitive prices!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

MD textiles is now producing a nice line of Polartec clothing and items.....I should know, I have a great vest sewn by them <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> under their new label, 'It's the Right Thing To Do', AF - Studios.com....in HONOR of Aaron who was the best owner/boss you could work for in the employees eyes. Now THAT is a tribute to one's previous boss! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Now CamperMom get yer' fanny on down there and meet Judy, heck it's right around the corner from yer' place <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

How DOES Earthling know these things <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />


Edited by Earthling (12/04/07 09:30 AM)
_________________________
PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!

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#83858 - 12/03/07 01:29 PM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: Earthling]
CamperMom Offline
member

Registered: 01/04/02
Posts: 1228
Loc: Eastern MA, USA
Earthling-

I haven't used up the last bag of assorted fleece that I bought on my last trip up there... Actually, I bought two HUGE bags.

Rosaleen

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#83859 - 12/03/07 01:42 PM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: CamperMom]
Earthling Offline
member

Registered: 02/22/03
Posts: 3228
Loc: USA
Oh Rosaleen you fleece hog <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> make pillows stuffed with them and place them all over the house and Larry will never 'notice' your stash <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!

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#83860 - 12/03/07 10:32 PM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: Earthling]
billk Offline
member

Registered: 08/20/03
Posts: 1196
Loc: Portland, Oregon
From the website(s), it seems that Mill Direct Textiles is not producing the fabric, but selling the offshore-made material from Polartec, LLC. Still, a good source.


Edited by billk (12/03/07 10:33 PM)

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#83861 - 12/04/07 09:27 AM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: billk]
Earthling Offline
member

Registered: 02/22/03
Posts: 3228
Loc: USA
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Doink! Ya' got me there Bill <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Yes Mill Direct is not producing the fabric but is selling the genuine article. For whatever reason I misunderstood a conversation I had back in Sept with Judy about Polartec LLC, my mistake <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!

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#83862 - 01/14/08 01:11 PM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: Earthling]
BriWear Offline
member

Registered: 08/09/03
Posts: 98
interesting thread.
I went with Powershield, which is the same fabric as Arcteryx, patagonia etc. use for many softshells, because i wanted to have the same quality. it's got a quite thin fleece lining, more like microfleece than 100 weight. seattle fabrics stocks powershield in two colors, greyish-blue and tan, both nice, i chose tan. Also bought enough 200 weight polartec fleece in a cool yellowish-green color (think 70's shag carpet) to make the same jacket in a warmer, more breathable fleece. hopefully i will wear one of these two jackets everyday for the next three years.
whatever the polartec ownership situation, seattle fabrics definitely still has a huge wall of highquality fleeces and cheery, helpful clerks.

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#83863 - 01/14/08 03:30 PM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: Earthling]
Kate Offline
member

Registered: 01/14/08
Posts: 45
Loc: On top of the North Downs, UK
It's a bugger, innit! I shall cherish my last bits of genuine Polartec Windbloc and 200... Only people I REALLY LOVE will get jackets from that! The rest will have to make do with whatever I can get from places like Shelby here in Europe! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The writing has been on the wall for them for some time, which is sad. They did make some of the best available in their time. Nothing else I've used has quite matched the softness or durability of their fabrics.
_________________________
Kate XXXXXX
Mad sewing witch!
http://www.katedicey.co.uk

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#83864 - 01/14/08 11:47 PM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: Kate]
BriWear Offline
member

Registered: 08/09/03
Posts: 98
Any tips for sewing with stretch fabrics? I sewed a nice pocket zipper on the jacket today (first step), and for a ten inch seam, the fabric wants to stretch 1/2" or more from the friction of the presser foot. It's a Husqvarna Viking, old, if that makes a difference.

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#83865 - 01/15/08 12:34 AM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: BriWear]
Kate Offline
member

Registered: 01/14/08
Posts: 45
Loc: On top of the North Downs, UK
Use a walking or 'even feed' foot: this will give you feed-dogs on top as well as on the bottom and will help to keep the fabric feeding evenly. It will also help minimise the 'squoosh' factor, where the top layer is stretched more than the under layer. If you don't have one, use a roller foot (has little rollers in to roll over the pile: or a Teflon foot. The walking foot is best and worth the money if you'll make more than just this jacket. Get the Husqvarna one! I have a couple of generic ones for my Singers, and a Husqvarna one for Lily, and need to get the Bernina for the 1005! Yes, I'm a foot snob! But the Bernie and HV ones are the best.

Test everything on scraps! Use a jersey or ball point needle, and adjust thread tension and foot pressure until you get a good stitch. For straight seams use a small stitch (1.5 to 2mm) and a narrow zigzag: this builds some stretch into the seam and prevents the stitches popping as the seam stretches. Only use straight stitches where the seam is stabilized by zip tape or a non-stretch decorative braid. For decorative top stitching, use the narrowest zz you have: it'll look like straight stitch in the pile!

Use a good quality polyester thread. I like Empress Mills, made here in the UK, and Madeira Metrosene. I don't rate Gutterman too highly these days: it's 'gone off' a bit. I do like their serger thread, but it's horribly expensive!

Personally, for most seams in poly fleece, I like to use a serger with 120's poly in the needles and woolly nylon in the loopers, but, while this gives a nice tidy professional looking finish, and is quick (sergers just ARE faster!), it really isn't necessary: fleece neither ravels nor ladders and finishing the cut edges is more a matter of tidiness than anything.

I never bother with the 'overlock' stitches on an ordinary sewing machine: cumbersome, lumpy, slow, and no stronger than a zz, and a total PIG to take out of you go wrong!
_________________________
Kate XXXXXX
Mad sewing witch!
http://www.katedicey.co.uk

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#83866 - 01/15/08 06:09 PM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: Kate]
Earthling Offline
member

Registered: 02/22/03
Posts: 3228
Loc: USA
Kate you could contact Mill Direct yourself I'm sure they would ship you yardage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!

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#83867 - 01/16/08 05:07 AM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: Earthling]
Kate Offline
member

Registered: 01/14/08
Posts: 45
Loc: On top of the North Downs, UK
They might well, but it is bulky and the postage to the UK would make it uneconomical.
_________________________
Kate XXXXXX
Mad sewing witch!
http://www.katedicey.co.uk

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#83868 - 01/16/08 08:35 AM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: Kate]
pennys Offline


Registered: 12/31/01
Posts: 2842
Loc: Washington
I dunno Kate, the dollar is two for one against the pound, that's a pretty good deal for you guys.
_________________________
tips for making gear

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#83869 - 01/17/08 09:04 AM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: pennys]
Kate Offline
member

Registered: 01/14/08
Posts: 45
Loc: On top of the North Downs, UK
|Not your post, OURS! And customs duty... By the time they have whacked a handling charge on it (goes by SIZE rather than WEIGHT), Import Duty, and VAT... Well, a £40 18th C style cocked hat that weighed next to nowt once attracted £60 in handling, Import and VAT! OUCH!
_________________________
Kate XXXXXX
Mad sewing witch!
http://www.katedicey.co.uk

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#83870 - 01/18/08 09:00 PM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: Kate]
Earthling Offline
member

Registered: 02/22/03
Posts: 3228
Loc: USA
Kate I feel your apain but on this side of the Pond it's much worse trust us <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!

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#83871 - 01/19/08 04:03 AM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: Earthling]
Kate Offline
member

Registered: 01/14/08
Posts: 45
Loc: On top of the North Downs, UK
One thing that SERIOUSLY hacks me off is that I can buy UK made quilt fabrics cheaper from the USA than I can here! So I do... But when it comes to the bulk items, the handling and VAT kill the advantage, so I just get that here.

I can get MOST of what I need for outdoors projects from Point North and Pennine Outdoors here in the UK, or from Shelby in Finland (part of the EU now and so VAT and postage are the same as for inside the UK). I also get some real bargains from an outfit called Croft Mill, who buy factory excess fabric from Berber, Henry Lloyd, and sometimes from the Italian and other Euro outdoors and sailing equipment suppliers. That's where some of my Polartec Windbloc came from.. When I could get it in the UK it was £17 a metre, but this was £8 a metre! Worth opting for a slightly wussy turquoise and navy rather than a more blokish scarlet!
_________________________
Kate XXXXXX
Mad sewing witch!
http://www.katedicey.co.uk

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#83872 - 01/19/08 04:07 AM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: Earthling]
Kate Offline
member

Registered: 01/14/08
Posts: 45
Loc: On top of the North Downs, UK
No, just send it over here! I've a growing lad that needs clothing... I can soon help use it up! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
Kate XXXXXX
Mad sewing witch!
http://www.katedicey.co.uk

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#83873 - 01/20/08 08:22 AM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: Kate]
Earthling Offline
member

Registered: 02/22/03
Posts: 3228
Loc: USA
Kate, If I ever do an Around The World Earthling Doodad Box you'll be it's first stop <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Now there's a thought?.....yikes! Don't get me started <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!

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#83874 - 01/20/08 09:00 AM Re: Polartec 2000 [Re: Earthling]
Kate Offline
member

Registered: 01/14/08
Posts: 45
Loc: On top of the North Downs, UK
Aged about eight he had a sort of Joseph Coat made out of half a dozen different colours of Windbloc fleece! All the leftover scraps bigger than a sixpence... Well, big enough to get a sleeve, a pocket, half a front out of, anyway! It was distinctive, that's for sure! And it never went missing. Too recognizable.

I need to do that again some time...

Oh, and I have 4 crates of polar fleece of various sorts, from 200 and Windblock down to mere fashion fleece in the loft. I need to get some used up! I might get some waxed cotton (like Berber jackets) and make some more picnic blankets out of the cheap stuff. Or chop it up and make patchwork cat blankets out of it!
_________________________
Kate XXXXXX
Mad sewing witch!
http://www.katedicey.co.uk

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