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December Questions

Dear Andy,
I would like to reupholster and reattach a leg that fell off my mother's antique couch. I would like to have it done by X-mas time. I live in Yonkers, NY and I would like to have it done somewhere in my area. I can also venture to NYC as well as Westchester County.
Please advise at your earliest convenience as to where I can get this couch fixed. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks for you time and attention.
Regards,
Danielle
Dear Danielle: with Christmas fast approaching, I doubt that any reputable antique repair place could have the couch repaired in such a short amount of time. However, if it is just a leg that needs fixing, perhaps that can be done. To have it upholstered as well may be impossible, unless you have the fabric already in your hands.
Open a New York City yellow pages, available on line at www.bigyellow.com or visit your local library. At the library, you can look up "furniture repair" or "furniture reupholsters". Also look up "upholstery fabrics".Don't try to rush the project. A quality job does take time. Seasons Greetings, Happy Decorating and Good Luck, Andy

hi andy,
please help, i accidently washed a dry clean only shirt and it did shrink alot. it is 55% cotton and 45% rayon. is there anything i can do to restore it back to it's original size?
please help!
thanks,
brandi
Dear Brandi: nothing to do but "go shopping" for a new shirt. The labels are there to protect you from yourself. Didn't "obey" the label, then "pay" the consequences of buying a new shirt and starting over. Don't fret. You'll be shopping with millions of others during this holiday season. Happy Holidays and Good Luck, Andy

Hi
I plan to open my clothing company, i was wondering if can help me with .
I live in Montreal.
Thanks
Dear Arefeh: I won't be able to come in Saturdays, as I have to walk my dog. Monday through Fridays, I work for a living selling fabrics. I need Sundays to tend to my garden. Montreal is cold in the winter, so I may be able to visit in the summer. What exactly is your question? Good Luck, Andy

Do you know where I can find wholesale sources for pleather. I'm finding may in internet searches but they are all in Asia. Thanks for your help with this
Helene
Dear Helene: every one is buying their fabrics from Asia these days. If you really want a wholesale source, you have to go to where the fabrics are. You may also want to consider attending some wholesale fabric shows. Visit www.fabricshow.com to register. They usually have two in New York City. There is also one in Las Vegas in August. I also suggest you visit our sourcing area here at Fabrics.Net. Our readers have been very successful in finding the fabrics they need, there. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy
We are looking for a polypropylene waterproof quilting fabric. Can you help us? We live in Australia and would like to know more information about it and where we can locate a manufacturer?
Thanks
Louise and Marie
Dear Louise & Marie: visit www.ifai.com and search there. They are the Industrial Fabric Association, and some of their members may have the fabric you need. We searched on Google (www.google.com) and found some suppliers as well. Of course, you can have the fabric made to your specs, if you are willing to invest some major money. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy ,
I have been given a lovely leather hat from South Africa , but it is too big for my head and consequently slips down ! Is there any way to " shrink " it , or can you suggest a suitable " liner " to go around the head band to reduce the internal diameter ?
I have tried Draught excluder , this works on a temporary basis , but is not really suitable thogh it keeps my head warmer .!!!!!!
Richard
Dear Richard: try bringing it to a Hat store and see of they have a remedy. I believe there is no fix for this. Good Luck, Andy

Hello,
I am looking for the type of fabric that is used typically on boats, boat bimini tops, boat covers, etc. It is usually blue in color and somewhat thick.
Thank you,
Mike
Dear Mike: visit www.outdoortextiles.com or www.seatllefabrics.com. One of these companies has the exact fabric you need. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy: Can a tapestry fabric be used in a raggy quilt? It does need to be washed and not dry cleaned. I was thinking of just cutting some squares and then adding a border all along the edges with a flannel that would ravel.
Dear R: quilts are supposed to be an expression of who you are. There are no "rules" here. Use whatever fabric makes you happy. The results will be apparent in the finished product. Happy Quilting and Good Luck, Andy

Andy,
I have recently purchased a beautiful mohair poncho that sheds terribly on anything that comes in contact with it. Can you recommend something I can do to prevent the excessive shedding so that I can wear the sweater again?
Thanks!!
Jodie
Dear Jodie: in a few years you won't notice the shedding any more. If it really bothers you now, bring it back to the store where it was purchased and consider another garment. Happy Shopping and Good Luck, Andy

Hello Andy-
I bought a 5X8 braided chenille rug for our daughters room. It is a light color and has a large white border. The tag and the company say "professionally clean".... but I can't find a company that will touch it!! several carpet cleaning companies- regular dry cleaners etc. run for cover when we ask about it. One rug person said he might use a dry process of carpet cleaning- but it would cost 4x the actual price of the rug! Yikes- we've only had it a year! The white border is dingy/footprints and the whole rug needs to be cleaned.... Any suggestions that will cost less than we paid for our house??? !! It is a very popular selling item from Land of Nod catalog- am I the only one that can't figure out how to get little feet prints and paw prints out of it!! ??
Any suggestions would me most appreciated!!
Paige
Dear Paige: nothing left to do, but contact Land of Nod and see if they can recommend someone. Sometimes, maintaining these "things" do cost more than buying a new one. Good Luck, Andy

Found dried bluebeery stain on carpet from blueberry pie. What is the best way to remove the stain. It is on a pile carpet colored grey.
Ed: visit www.carbona.com. They have the answer to most stain removal problems. Good Luck, Andy

dear andy -
i am desperately looking for a supplier of the 2-3 color woven trim that is used in cheerleading uniforms. it is typically 2-3 " wide and made of a semi-stretch fiber, sometimes with metallic thread. if you could advise me or steer me in the right direction i'd be grateful. been on the web for an hour and can't seem to get anywhere.
teri
Dear Teri; these trims are made to order for the manufacturers that use them. Unless you are prepared to buy several thousand yards, you may have a difficult time. Visit www.google.com and type in "cheerleading trims". We found over 700 leads. Good Luck, Andy

Hello,
Well, I washed a new red long sleeve sweat shirt and red sweat pants in cold water with a black and white sweater. The sweater is white on the outer areas, the neck, shoulders, and arms while the black in center in the body area. The sweater is 73% Rayon and 37% Nylon.
My question is how can I return the sweater back to the normal colors it should be without ruining the sweater anymore than what it is now? The white area are Pink and the black remains black but I'm afraid if I make any changes like using bleach it will ruin the black in the sweater. Help, what can I do? Or use?
Please respond.
Charlotte
Dear Charlotte: not much to do now, but go shopping. You will not be able to bring the sweater back to the way it way. Seasons Greetings and Good Luck, Andy

Hello Andy, my name is Micky. I wish to open a boutique, my problem is where do I find wholesalers. I want clothing on the higher end. I tried some websites but no luck. I wish to cater to women from 25 and up. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks, Micky
Dear Micky: you are going to have to get yourself to New York City or some of the other major cities across this great nation. Start with a brand that you want to buy. Call and visit them. Their sales people will direct you to other companies that may be of interest to you in the same building or near by. Attend some apparel trade shows. You can't just buy off the Internet. Good Luck, Andy

I have a rug made from 100% Jute? I have never heard of this material before and have no idea how to clean it. The rug is quite small (30x50) and have been thinking about taking it to a dry cleaners. I am embarassed to take this rug to a dry cleaner since, my cat basically pooped on it. Is Jute something that could get wet and then be quickly dried?
Dear Donald: visit your local pet store and get yourself a product called Natures Miracle. It will remove both the stain and the odor. It is also available on the web. Seasons Greetings and Good Luck, Andy

Hello Andy,
I am interested in opening a fabric store and would appreciate any advice you can offer. I would like to know roughly how much of an investment would it be to open a fabric store? Where can I purchase fabric and sewing notions at a wholesale price? Any other advice or suggestions you have are greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Amena
Dear Amena: before opening a retail store, I'd suggest you open an Internet store. The local fabric chains are already in the local marketplace. You would need a specialty, to be able to compete with them. Something that sets you apart from them. Visit www.fabricshow.com and www.material-world.com to sign up and register for some fabric trade shows. There is another that caters to the home sewing market at www.sewing.org Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I have been interested in starting my own clothing line for about 10 or 11 years now. There is only one thing, "I do not where to begin." Please help me out in this situation or do you know if there is any software available pertaining ot this subject? Thanks!
Jerriod
Dear Jerriod: the only way to learn about a clothing line, is either by trial and error, or by going to school. There are several great schools. One is the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York (visit www.fitnyc.suny.edu). A good education will save you lots of time and money. Follow your dream. Good Luck, Andy

Andy,
I have a dress I love that the catalog discontinued...I found a larger size in the dress and ordered it. Would like to shrink it a bit (it is acrylic but made to look like chenille)any ideas? Thanks, Dawn
Dear Dawn: get yourself and the dress to a good tailor. They can alter the dress to fit properly. Shrinking the dress is a bad idea. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I knitted a beautiful scarf (Needful Yarn, San Mateo) of 60% nylon and 40% Tactel MF. It was soft and fluffy. I blocked it, and thinking it was completely dry tossed it into the dryer to fluff. You can probably guess the rest. The heat was too high. I grabbed the scarf after only a few minutes, but it was bound up. Though I managed to straighten it out, it still seems "sticky" and no longer as fluffy and soft. Any way to repair this?
JLW
Dear JLW: your scarf is "cooked". Time to go shopping. Seasons Greetings and Good Luck, Andy

Need to have made custom cushions made for deck benches. Excluding vinyl, what would be the best fabric to use? Because of the quantity, would be leaving the cushions outdoors most of the season and we would need a fabric resistant to sun and weather. My wife used to be a sewer at an auto trim shop thinks she can make them from roll stock.
Dear JJ: visit www.outdoortextiles.com or www.rosecitytextiles.com. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy- I am looking for custom satin labels to sew onto burp cloths, blankets etc. and am having a hard time finding the right size and satin. I looked at namelabels.com but they are very limited in their designs,not the right size and most importantly not satin. Do you know of any place that could fulfill my needs? Thank you ! Wendy
Dear Wendy: visit www.labelserviceusa.com or www.namemaker.com. Good Luck, Andy

 

Andy has been in the fabric and textile business all his life, but professionally since 1969.

"I love what I do, selling fabrics around the globe. I've met lots of interesting, creative, dynamic folks; some have become dear friends. I love to help new businesses find the things they need to become successful. It works for everyone."

You can ask Andy questions at Andy@Fabrics.net.

If you are looking for fabrics, the fastest route is to fill out a request form at http://www.fabrics.net/swatch/

The "Ask Andy" Column is an opinion Column and may or may not reflect the views of Fabrics.net.