On Feb. 1 we will discontinue all the “print on demand” products in our store. That includes all the T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats. You can see our current selection here.
We are not (repeat, not) discontinuing our bandanas, chore coat, vest or pullover work shirt.
So if you want one of these print-on-demand products, place your order before Feb. 1.
Why Chris, why? Two reasons: We want all our apparel to be made like our books, tools, chore coats and vests. In other words, we want them made by small companies that take pride in their work and produce top quality. Until now, I viewed T-shirts as a commodity product. I don’t anymore.
Second, the “print on demand” service we use has done a good job (considering the pandemic), but I think the prices are a bit high for what we get. And we don’t control the stock. Or quality control. Or customer service.
So Tom Bonamici, our clothing designer, is now investigating offering a nice USA-made T-shirt. Something high-quality and special, like our books. We also will have new hats in the store from Ebbets Field Flannels next month.
Make Your Own Dang Shirt
What if you like having a scruffy T-shirt with our logo on it? We have you covered. You can download the logos we use on our shirts here. You have our permission to use them to make shirts for your personal use (or gifts). There are lots of places that will make you a shirt on demand (or a baby onesie, thong or hotpants). Go nuts.
— Christopher Schwarz
Chris,
If you want to up the quality (always a laudable ambition) of your t-shirts, have you considered having them made from merino wool rather than cotton? Merino wool t-shirts make far superior work wear compared to cotton, because they wick away the sweat and don’t feel clammy even after a prolonged bout of e.g. vigorous planing. Modern yarns are not scratchy, either, but delightfully soft to wear, and can usually be machine washed at a wool or similar, gentler cycle.
The main drawback is of course that they tend to be rather pricier (say $75 rather than $25), but if you are aiming for quality more than quantity anyway, well …
Oh, and if they cannot be sourced in the US, you could always talk to the people at Woolpower in Östersund — they’re owned by the same people who also own and run Gränsfors bruk of axe-making fame (and also Svedbro smide, that make non-pareil wrecking bars).
Cheers,
Mattias
hi mattias,
i adore merino knits and wear them a lot! and woolpower is amazing stuff. it is quite a bit harder to print on wool jersey, and there’s very little domestic production – rambler’s way is a good option. i’m afraid wool is just out of the budget for our purposes, but we will be sure to make a really really nice cotton tee.
tom
You had me at Lost Art Press thong! My prayers have been answered. Do they come in 2XL? When will you start shipping them?
sean, you already missed them! it was a pre-sale only situation….
I’ve been trying to make my clothes like my tools; less is more, buy ones that last. The clothing industry is strange though and you can spend a lot of money on something that is poorly made. I guess tools are that way too.
Check out Filson for some of that gear. It’s a bit pricey, but its some of the hardest wearing, best looking, and highest quality stuff going. Real attention to detail, if that’s your thing. I hit their sales up twice a year.
Babies wear thongs and hotpants now? My times have changed.
“Something high-quality and special…” And with a pocket!? Please. :>)
Really appreciate your approach to the craft and your ethic on how you want to do business. It’s a model I can support. (and have)
Never once have you offered a tube top. I am beside myself.
You have the power.
I do. But I swore I would only use that power to benefit mankind.
I buy my jeans from a Chicago company who makes all their clothing on the south side of Chicago. They also make high quality T shirts. Dearborn Denim is worth considering.
Origin Maine also makes denim.
The Ebbets Field stuff is high quality. Consider a short brimmed hat (as an option). It’s great for in the shop, you don’t have to tip your cap up, take it off, or spin it around.
How about offering tall sizes as well.
I’ve been happy with the T-shirts I but from Duluth. My day job involves warehouse work and they have held up fairly well. Plus they have long tails, so no crack issues, and tend to run a little large for us fat boys…
I’d encourage anyone saying, “oh, I want this or that option and this fabric” to learn how to make their own. If you can make your own furniture, you can learn how to make your own clothes. In comparison to woodworking, it’s got a quicker ramp-up and requires a lot less in the way of equipment (though you can certainly go hog-wild if that’s your thing). You can start making nice stuff fairly quickly. Even stuff made from knit fabric like t-shirts aren’t crazy hard. (I suggest McCall’s M7486, but I my preference for raglan sleeves is considered by some to be… unnatural.)
The only downside is that you cannot do woodworking and sewing simultaneously. You can, however, do a project that requires both.
For t-shirts you might consider SOS from Texas (https://sosfromtexas.com/). The organic cotton is grown on a family farm in West Texas, and the shirts are made in the Carolinas. Reasonable prices too.
There’s a great company up the road (I-75N) from LAP, All American Clothing Co., in Arcanum, OH. The raw materials for their blue jeans is sourced in the US and IIRC they are sewn-up in KY somewhere. Their T-shirts and hoodies, etc., are all made in the USA. I’ve very happy with the quality, price, customer service, and just overall value of their blue jeans.
https://www.allamericanclothing.com/
Thanks Mike! We’ve reached out to them a few times during the last decade and have not been able to get a reply. Will try again.