At APC Fabrics we get this question a lot: "Do you carry heavier sweatshirt knits, French terry with matching rib, or real Japanese selvedge denim?" We carry a good range of knits ourselves, but when a maker is after a deep, specialist knit selection, we happily point them to a shop we know and trust: KBM Fabrics.
Full disclosure up front, because it matters: KBM is our sister shop. Both businesses are family-run, both are based in the Los Angeles textile district, and the two of us actually share a warehouse at 1460 Naud St. We send makers each other's way all the time, so we wanted to put a proper guide together for anyone trying to figure out where to buy knit fabric by the yard.
Who KBM Fabrics is
KBM has been cutting fabric in Los Angeles since 1984. Where APC leans into eco-friendly wovens and a broad everyday selection, KBM has gone deep on knits and sweatshirt-weight fabrics, the stuff that's surprisingly hard to find by the yard at good quality. Everything is cut fresh per order and ships USPS Priority, usually in one to three business days. They've also built a strong track record on Etsy, with a 4.9-star rating across thousands of sales, which tells you the quality holds up.
What they specialize in
If you're making garments, this is where KBM shines. A few highlights from their catalog:
- French terry, from a mid-weight 300 GSM up to a heavy 450 GSM / 22 oz, often sold with matching jersey and rib so your cuffs, collar, and waistband actually match the body.
- Cotton jersey and slub jersey for tees, including PFD (prepared for dye) knits and tee kits that pair jersey with matching ribbing.
- Heavyweight cotton fleece (up to 24 oz) for hoodies and joggers, again with matching rib.
- Japanese selvedge denim, raw indigo and washed, plus slubby and neppy textures for jeans and jackets.
- Bamboo and linen jersey knits, waffle thermal, ribbing, interlock, and duck canvas for bags and structured pieces.
How to choose the right knit
A quick cheat sheet if you're new to buying knits by the yard:
- T-shirts: light to mid-weight cotton or slub jersey. Look for a little stretch and a soft hand.
- Hoodies and crewnecks: French terry (loops on the back) or fleece (brushed and fuzzy on the back). Heavier GSM means a more structured, premium feel.
- Joggers and sweatpants: mid to heavy French terry or fleece, ideally with matching rib for the cuffs and waistband.
- Jeans and outerwear: selvedge or heavyweight denim. Raw indigo will fade beautifully over time.
KBM even organizes their shop by project, so you can shop straight from "hoodies" or "tees" if you'd rather start from what you're making.
APC or KBM?
Think of it this way. If you want eco-friendly wovens, Tencel, bamboo, linen, and a wide everyday range, start with us at APC. If you're chasing serious sweatshirt knits, French terry sets, fleece, or Japanese selvedge denim, head to KBM Fabrics. Between the two shops, both cut fresh in LA, you can pretty much outfit an entire collection by the yard.
Happy making, and tell Kevin we sent you.