printer friendly version

August/September

Dear Andy,
I recently started my own clothing line and sell to some great local stores, but am looking to expand nationally. Before doing so, I want to trademark my brand name. I've noticed that it's much cheaper to trademark over the internet, do you know the pros and cons of using the internet over a lawyer? Which method do you recommend?
Thank you!
Amy
Dear Amy: there are lots of bargains on the Internet. Call me old fashioned, but if you are planning on bringing out a line on a national basis, spend the money and get a lawyer that is near by. If you ever have to defend your trademark, you'll save yourself a lot of time and grief, by having someone nearby. We look forward to meeting you at one of the trade shows. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy, I have 100% cotton (beige) canvas slipcovers for both a loveseat and sofa that I had attempted to tea-stain at home. I have never been happy with the results - my project was much too big to be handled in my tub! I am looking for a company that will either tea or coffee stain them for me, do you have any suggestions? Thanks much, Laura in FL.
Dear Laura: here are two options: 1- visit www.ritdye.com. 2- visit www.surfit.com. The first may be able to help you figure out a way to dye the covers. The second will help you figure out a way to buy new covers that are exactly what you want. You can offset the cost of new covers by selling the old ones on Ebay. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I am sick. I spent a fortune on batik fabric to make a king size quilt for my bed. This is the first quilt I am KEEPING for myself and even tho my husband wasn't too keen on the colors in the beginning, he loves it now. Here is the problem. It is a log cabin pattern. One particular fabric, the last color of the darks (I don't think was as good as fabric as the other ones were) tended to stretch all the time. I sized it to hold it's shape but now I find after putting three borders on, that one side is about 2 1/2 inches longer than the other and the entire row of eight blocks on that side definitely seems to have more fullness. I could go ahead and put the border on it and "pretend" that I don't see the fullness, but I know that this will cause a major problem when I take it to have it quilted. Do you have any suggestions, other than to rip it apart and do it over which I can't do since I have no more fabric. Thank you so much.
Stormy
Dear Stormy: I'm not much of a "sewer" myself, but it seems that removing the defective fabric is the only option. We will let Judith answer this question. Good Luck, Andy
Hi Stormy,
How frustrating! My first thought would be to take the quilt top to the person who will be quilting it and ask her what she would suggest. Since you don't have any more fabric, she may be able to work around this without any real problems or perhaps she can come up with a suggestion for you? Your quilt is a labor of love, as are all quilts. When I have completed my quilts, I have a tendency to not see the total lovely quilt, just the errors but since quilts are hand made, the errors enhance the beauty, I am told. :-) I am also told that no hand made or machine pieced quilt is ever perfect. I wish that Andy and I had a magic answer or a product that would help but we don't. Let us know what you decide!
Judith

Hi Andy,
So glad I found your site. My question for you has to do with the Resin Polyester bedspread that is on our bed in our motorhome. It is very stiff and my husband and I would like to make it soft. Could you tell me what Resin Polyester is and how you care for it to make it soft?
Thank you!
Lela
Dear Lela: the bedspread you are using sounds like it might have come with the Motor home. It may have to meet certain Flame Retardant qualifications to be used in a Motor Home. Check with the company that you purchased the Motor home from. Happy Travels and Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
We are a small embroidery business getting started here in the midwest. Things have went great the past two years, and we believe we've found our niche in the market place, trying to get ready to go on the internet with our products. Our problem is we have been unable to locate a supplier of velour towels. We have searced for a year now for a manufacturer/wholesaler that would be willing to work with us. We have found suppliers of regular towels, but no one with velour in an assortment of colors with matching bath, hand, and wash cloth. I've browsed through fabrics.net search engine and no luck there either so far. We have visited with several of the main towel textile companies in the U.S., and of course they want staggering first time orders and set gauranteed future purchases, and often just plain rude in their response to a "small backwater company." The same seems to apply for kitchen towel supplier. Do you have any suggestions? Would appreciate any info you could give us. Sincerely, Galen
Dear Galen: it is tough being a small fish, in a large ocean. Visit www.hometextilestoday.com. Subscribe to their print edition. Follow every lead with a phone call. For the time being, you may have to continue to purchase these sets from where ever you are sourcing them now. It has been increasingly difficult for small users and resellers to get the products they need. There is no excuse for someone being rude, no matter where your business is located. Sam Walton started is business in a back water area of the U. S, and their corporate offices have remained in Bentonville. Attend trade shows. Meet your potential suppliers face to face. It has always been our philosophy "from little acorns, mighty oaks grow." Stand tall and proud. Someone will see you as "their" opportunity. Good Luck, Andy

This Thursday, I'm going to NYC to buy wholesale merchandise to make gift baskets and ornaments. I need to find stores that sell ethnic (Jewish, Greek, Italian etc) items and other misc. trinkets and toys that I can put together to sell. Have no idea where to go. Can you help or refer me to someone who has been there? Thanks, Syma
Dear Syma: try by walking down Broadway, south of 34th street. Both sides of the street are lined with Importers selling all kinds of inexpensive "stuff". Sixth Avenue, also south of 34th street also has some of these Importers. Attend the next Variety Merchandise Show in NYC, usually held in Jacob Javits Convention Center in September. Happy Shopping and Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I'm hoping that you can tell me how to about washing and drying a soccer jersey made out of dri fit. I'm not sure what the actual material is, I only know that it's a dri fit shirt which is intended to wick away moisture. I don't want the shirt to shrink, so I'm holding off on washing it. Thanks for any help you have to offer.
Dear Christy: visit www.nike.com and write to them. I'd imagine that you would wash this product as with any other athletic garment. Not too much heat to dry it. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I'm trying to find 100% cotton that newborn clothes are made of. I want to buy about 20 yards or so to make some clothes. I have looked and looked but I can't find anything comperable. Could you please point me in the right direction?
Thanks so much,
Sam
Dear Sam: begin and end your search right here at Fabrics.Net. One of our resources will have the 100% cotton knit fabric you want. Search for an Interlock or Jersey. They are the softest and smoothest. Good Luck, Andy

Hi, I have a couple pieces of upholstered furniture that are in need of a makeover, and I don't necessarily want to slipcover or reupholster. Is there a way to dye upholstery? If so, can you tell me where to get the right kind of dye? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Tracy
Dear Tracy: your question is one we get often. Visit www.ritdye.com Also, for slipcovers, visit www.surefit.com. While you said you were not interested in them, you should as least know that you can find them in the color and fit you need. Just have them as a backup plan in case the upholstery dyeing doesn't work the way you want it to. Good Luck, Andy

Andy, Any ideas on how to remove the "smell" from a vintage persian lamb coat. I've hung it outside with no luck. It's a very old and musty smell....most unpleasant! The coat is in good shape and I would like to wear it but I'm afraid people might keep their distance. thanks, catherine
Dear Catherine: spoke with someone in my family that knows fur. Her answer was to bring it to a professional furrier. They can have the coat properly cleaned. It may be costly, but at least you'll have a coat you can wear. Enjoy your vintage purchase and Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy, I just found the fabric.net site. I sewed for many years of my life, later hand printing fabric for drapes, decorative pillows etc. Often contemplated textile design and have unique way of coloring fabric but hard to find gray goods. A few years ago I purchased a couple of textile design books and in the back were several listings for fabric goods, gray goods and other items. I contacted most of them and never heard back. Finding sources for these "gray goods" really stumped me (I live in South Dakota and we often have trouble finding specific sources for specific items). I have often thought I just needed to take a trip to NY and search the garment area. The textile field seemed like an elusive one to me until I found this site. So my first question is about sources for raw goods, gray goods they were called. I would only be able to buy in small quantities so would need a wholesale source that would sell in not-too-bulk quantities.
The second question I have is where would one begin to show ones designs or finished products? I often visit the showrooms in Mpls and sometimes in Chicago and see the thousands of fabric samples there, and it all is such a mystery to me how textiles go from A to Z. My dream would be to have a small company printing short runs of fabric and selling directly to retailers. Maybe my question should be, How would one go about finding a rep for our textile products...the specific field of these artsy fartsy hand printed designs.
The third question is How does one find a company that would sew quantities of specific items ie childrens dresses, or cloth books or decorator pillows.
Thanks so much. Mary Ellen
Dear Mary Ellen: we will try to answer all of your questions. First, it will be nearly impossible to buy greige/gray goods in any quantities, especially small quantities. Greige goods are generally made to order, or are made for a specific end use. No one sells greige goods to the "public" as such. Visit the New York Fabric show in October. Information is available at www.fabricshow.com. To showcase your designs, plan on exhibiting at Surtex. This show is also in New York and information is available at www.surtex.com. I've attended this show and it is perfect for showing your designs. As far as getting items sewn for you, visit www.seams.org and view their "directory". We look forward to seeing you at one of these shows. I'll be wearing my "Ask Andy" button. Good Luck, Andy

Hello, I am in the boutique business, and mainly work with new and used overalls, do you know how I can get my own label or get them really cheap. I know this is not your specialty but I need help. Maybe you know of a web site anything will help. thank you very much. sincerely yours Christy
Dear Christy: visit www.namelabels.com. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I'm a making a necktie for my husband and want to attach a cotton inner lining to the designer fabric using my sewing machine. I have found that when trying to do this the designer fabric (which is silk) travels leaving the fabric somewhat warped. I have tried using a walker foot which minimizes but does not eliminate the problem. Do you have any suggestions or references that might help? Thank you.
Karen
Dear Karen H: how nice, a handmade tie. Judith has all the expertise in sewing, and she will answer your question. Good Luck, Andy
Hi Karen,
There are two options to use for sewing on the bias. If you place tissue paper above and below the silk/cotton you are sewing, pin it well, then sew the seam, the bias shouldn't stretch. You can then just tear the tissue paper away at the seam line. Or, if your silk is washable, you can spray starch the silk first along the bias seam. My preference would be the tissue paper, though. The walking foot is good but not as good as the tissue paper.
Hope this helps!
Judith

How can I make tulle stiff so that a pew bow will stand up?
Thanks
Dear Bryan: you are using the wrong product for your tulle bows. There is a product that is sold as a stiff tulle, that contains some starch. It is usually used for crinolines. You can try and spraying your tulle. Search here at fabrics.net for crinoline fabrics. 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.