Is the Vintage Mego Tights Fabric Extinct?

[Hedji]

I was dressing one of my dollies today, noticing how when the Mego Spidey costume slipped on, magic happened. It tightened all the joints, made the figure stand better, pose better, and best of all, the fabric stretched and clung to every muscle. You know, just like tights should.

Both FTC and Diamond seem unable to source this type of fabric for their reproductions. They are either too baggy (a deal breaker for me, as no one wants a sloppy hero), or too synthetic feeling and shiny.

Why? Does this type of fabric no longer exist? Or is it a matter of cost?

Am I too nitpicky, or do others feel this way? I know, I know, it's fabulous we live in a Golden Age where some of these figures exist at all. But it just seems like I'd embrace it more if the tactile experience were replicated better.

[Gorn Captain]

I know I sound like a really old fart, but they just don't make them like they used to...

[PNGwynne]

^ I think this is literally true, although some dancewear is very close to the knit Mego used.

I've spent a lot of time mulling over what could be considered "Megoesque" fabrics. No modern fabric is quite as soft and stretchy, IMO:

* Cotton jersey is too thick & fuzzy

*Lycra/spandex, loved by some, is a much tighter weave, stretches in both directions, and is generally too shiny

*Milliskin spandex, a thin matte spandex with a smooth finish, is a better compromise, but again is tightly-woven and stretches in two directions. Mattel Retro-Action used milliskin.

Original Mego knit was a soft polyester single-knit, which (cut properly) stretched in width but not length. This one-way stretch, plus the weave, produced a great, forgiving fit. *The closest modern equivalent to this vintage knit would be synthetic jersey (single-knit polyester). FTC uses this; so do customizers here for screened/printed suits.

It's not quite as soft or stretchy, but it's close and has a good finish. With proper patterns, it can look like a million $$$-- T. made me a Kirk belly-shirt with it that is stunning. I prefer this fabric (sometimes called Jet Set at JoAnn's) for Megoesque hero suits.

I think the problem with some FTC suits lies in their patterns, and their slightly smaller figures. Some of their tailoring is exceptional, some falls short and the hero stuff can look sloppy if it's a little off.

[comicmike]

Re: soft polyester single-knit. I find the material on older Halloween costumes the closest type of polyester. Sometimes, between September & October, I can luck out in second-hand clothing stores, & find such older costumes in an array of colours, & reasonably priced.

[scoth70]

im glad we cant get it... its would just add to the fake or real situation

[PNGwynne]

Re: soft polyester single-knit. I find the material on older Halloween costumes the closest type of polyester. Sometimes, between September & October, I can luck out in second-hand clothing stores, & find such older costumes in an array of colours, & reasonably priced.

Yes, exactly the same material as Jet Set and I've done the same thing--you can get a lot of vivid colors that way.

Also, beach/swim toys and 3-ring binders can yield many colors of vinyl that can be used as custom costume accents.

[Gorn Captain]

It's like the pyramids. They still don't know how exactly they made them.
Isn't it odd that people actually lose the ability to make something great?

[PNGwynne]

I'd tend to agree, but I think other factors, like production costs and color availability, are involved.

In Mego's era (and Palitoy/Imp can clarify if I'm mistaken), production was mostly in Hong Kong and the elder Abrams had a direct presence there. Fabric choices were influenced by fashion textiles and their development of 12" Maddie Mod.

It may be, like other vintage items, that textile technology and market demand has changed too much to find "Mego" knits. Look at how many knits we had in the '70s! But as I noted earlier, some dancewear knits are nearly identical to vintage fabric. These dance-knits are also used in some underwear and Hasbro used it in some of their 2000s 12" GI Joe bodysuits (Storm Shadow & Snake-Eyes). These knits seem to have a more limited palette and may be more costly--so Jet Set is probably the best (but less accurate) choice in terms of color options and economy.

[JediJaida]

FTC has a problem in that their factory can't tell a cross grain from a straight grain. In all of their tights, the knit itself is cut on the cross grain, mot straight.

The tights are also too big, baggy, and look sloppy.

I have told them this, yet we still get crummy tights!

[PNGwynne]

[QUOTE=JediJaida;1215397]FTC has a problem in that their factory can't tell a cross grain from a straight grain. In all of their tights, the knit itself is cut on the cross grain, mot straight.[QUOTE]

Yes, the material only stretches in one direction and they're ignoring the bias.

That's why using lycra/spandex is easier, but less authentic.

[JediJaida]

Sorry about the typo; I was replying via my android phone.

Their tights may be cheap at $2.00 a shot, but since there's only one color, and they are badly made beside, I have decided to get all of mine from Theressa, here on this forum.

She does FANTASTIC work, and I highly recommend her for stuff like this.

[samurainoir]

This thread is fascinating, and an incredible education. thanks for everyone who's sharin' the knowledge!

[BATMAN89]

This thread is fascinating, and an incredible education. thanks for everyone who's sharin' the knowledge!

I agree! I can't wait to check out Jet Set!

[huedell]

It's like the pyramids. They still don't know how exactly they made them.
Isn't it odd that people actually lose the ability to make something great?

It happens for the same reason that you throw away (these days "delete") that girl's phone number...
You move on... and at a certain point, ya say to yourself: "Dang, I don't know how to get a hold of her again, and,
maybe I could enjoy one more go more than I thought I would when I got rid of her number!"

[JediJaida]

I was at Joann's today, where they were having a holiday sale. All apparel fabrics were 40% off, so I went looking for some Jet Set knits.

I picked out nude, blackberry and navy blue. With the blackberry, there was an extra third on top of the two yards I purchased, so I got that at half off. 50% on top of 40%, I got that for 90% off!

I purchased two yards of each, and they seem to be of excellent quality.

Now, what to do with them? Bodysuits? Tights? Capes?

Give a sister a little help here.