I have 10 yards of fabric that I would like to have
laminated, but do not know of a company that does this type of work. If you would be most
kind and direct me to a company that does this work I would be most greatful.
Sincerely, Kay Gardner
Dear Kay: this is nearly impossible as far as I know. Laminating machines need about 25
yards just to get them started. Runs are usually hundreds of yards or more. I don't know
of any company that can or will do short runs for this process. Good Luck, Andy
Hi Andy
I'm studying fabric design and in a year or so will be out in the world looking for work.
I live in Australia and plan to freelance. I would love to be designing for companies in
America and the UK aswell as Australia. Can you tell me if it's common for designers to
work with such a distance between them and their contractors? Absolutely any advice would
help. Thanks, Angie
Dear Angie: don't let the distance dissuade you. With the Internet today, and all the
other means of shipping, distance is no longer an issue. You will have to do some travel
yourself, for the original introductions. Good Luck in your new career. Andy
DEAR ANDY, I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR ELVIS PRESLEY FABRICS, I WANT TO MAKE VESTS
FOR SOME OF MY FRIENDS, BUT I AM UNABLE TO FIND IT. THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME.
CHERYL
Dear Sheryl: there have been some sightings of Elvis in Las Vegas, but as far as fabrics
with his likeness, I haven't seen any yet. Try some of the "theatrical" fabric
houses around Las Vegas or try to find someone with a "fifties" print look.
Search our advertisers here on Fabrics.Net and use
some of their links. Good Luck, Andy
Andy, could you please direct me to some web sites of retailers handling
outdoor fabrics. I wish to redo my patio lounge chairs. The current fabric appears to a
vinyl mesh, the new fabric would need to be strong enough to span the chair frame and
support adult weight. I have 3 chairs I wish to redo requiring about 4 yards each. Are
there any retailers you can put me on to?............Thanks, Rich
Dear Rich: I just replaced the fabric on my own chairs. I called the store where I
purchased them, and they had replacement covers manufactured by the original manufactures
of the chairs. This seems the best way to go. If you have older (antique)chairs, you'll
have two choices: either you can search
the web or you can wait two weeks until I return from the Industrial Fabric Association
trade show. There I will find out the info you need. Until then, Good Luck, Andy
Hello Andy. Pleased to have found your site. Recently a neighbor attended a
home ladies fashion party. One company is well known, and the other was
"unnamed". The unnamed company offered a selection of wonderful indestructible
garments that if too long, the demonstrator just took a scissors and cut. " The
fabric will not fray, roll, or appear unfinished." It was amazing according to the
women. Have you heard of the fabric or the garment company? A response would be greatly
appreciated as the demonstrator sales person seems to have lost her memory on the company
name of the skirts, slacks, and shorts she is selling. Interesting???? Thanks, Eilene
Dear Eileen: since you didn't describe the "look" of the fabric, I'd say it was
a warp knit. This construction will allow the fabric to be cut and not fray. Felt or other
needled fabrics also display this feature, but are not usually used for dresses. Hope this
answer is what you are looking for. Good Luck, Andy
Who has the best selection of yard goods for bathrobe type of chenille? I live
in Maine and there is very very very little choice up here for fabric stores. Jo-Ann
Fabric is our only choice for that type of fabric and they are a mess. They never put it
on sale and they have just a few to choose from which are never restocked. Also I am
always looking for tassels and trims, cording etc. for home dec use, Any suggestions would
be appreciated as I am trying to start a little business.
Dear Milibug: try some of our advertisers on Fabrics.net. I'm sure you'll be able to find
the fabric you want here. As far as tassels and trimmings, there are some sources for
these here as well, If You are trying to get into business, you have to attend the
upcoming International Fashion Fabric Expo in New York City, October 13, I think. Visit www.magiconline.com for more info and the exact
dates. See you there! Good Luck, Andy
Andy, I'm back for another question. I am trying to find quality, reliable
contract sewing/production companies. Is there a web site for these type of organizations
for the whole USA or another source? Thanks for your help. Lynn
Dear Lynn: bring on the Questions. You didn't say which part of the country you are in,
but there are centers of sewing around the country. There are many web sites that offer
some assistance, if only you look. Try the www.bobbin.com
site. They don't have exactly what you need, but if you link around long enough you'll
find what you want. There are contract sewers around the Northeast, New York, New Jersey,
as well as the Southeast,(Florida and the Carolinas) as well as a large group in South
West (California/Texas). We wish you success and Good Luck, Andy
I have a pair of shoes made of faille fabric. How do I clean the fabric?
Thanks
Dear Timothy: faille is a relatively delicate fabric. Depending on what type of stain you
are trying to get rid of, I'd try a spot remover. Good Luck, Andy
Hi Andy,
I have a lovely red chenille top whose care instructions say to wash by hand and dry flat.
I have done this but with every wash, more and more material seems to come off it. I now
leave a trail of red fluff everywhere I go when I wear it! I suspect it has not been fixed
properly but wondered if there was anything I could do with it while washing, etc. Any
suggestions?
Thanks, Siobhan
Dear Friend: while you are washing the fabric correctly, the fabric seems to be coming
apart. If possible, bring it back to the store where purchased. After a while you won't
have any fluff or any garment left. Good Luck, Andy
dear sir
how can i sell the pashmina shawls and other pashmina product?.(wholesale)
thanks and regard. anees
Dear Sir: where in the world do you want to sell them? For U.S, department stores, they
all have buying offices. Check the Internet for these departments. Good Luck, Andy
Hi Andy,
Do you have any recommendations for wrinkle free men's suit material ? I would be packing
it in a suitcase and be wearing it in mild weather.
thank you, sam
Dear Sam: don't be fooled. There is no such thing as wrinkle free. It was a concept by
some advertising guy that sounds good. Buy yourself a light weight worsted wool for a
great look in a suit. You may want to try a microfiber, if you're into the latest trends.
My pick is the wool. The wrinkles will hang out after hanging in the closet for a few
hours. Have a great time in your new suit on your trip. Good Luck, Andy
Dear Andy, I am new to this website and have a question that has been bothering
me for years. I have been working on a cutwork linen tablecloth and eight napkins for
nearly 25 years. The napkins are finished but I am still working on the tablecloth because
it is large. Is there any finish that can be used on the linen to make it more
user-friendly (i.e. when I do get it finished) and not so hard to iron? I guess I would
like it to be wrinkle-free but I know that is impossible but surely there is something on
the market that will reduce the problem of wrinkles. Thank you. Elizabeth
Dear Elizabeth: sorry it took so long to answer, but since you've been working on your
tablecloth for 25 years, I figured you wouldn't mind waiting for the "right' answer.
After talking with a friend of mine, she has suggested you use some MAGIC SIZING on the
linen tablecloth. This should help. First test on a small area. Please let us know when
you finish your tablecloth, we'd all like to come over for dinner. Good Luck, Andy
I am in the business of making Wheelchair cushions for deformed children. I
need to find some sew on name labels. They need to be made of cotton or some fabric, that
will withstand washing in very hot water. Do you know of any place that I can order some?
Frieda
Dear Freida: yours is a Noble business. We have several advertisers and listed sources
right here on Fabrics.Net that offer labels. Try them first. There are several web sites
as well that I've come across. I just now typed in www.namelabels.com
and there appeared on my screen was a company that
makes exactly what you want. Let us know if we can be of any further assistance. Good
Luck, Andy
I just ordered a sofa with a chenille slip cover (90% rayon and 10% cotton). I
am just wondering about the durability of this fabric over time (we have 2 children). It
is a thin chenille and is also machine washable. Was this a good choice? Thanks! Michele
Dear Michele: If you have two regular kids, the slipcover won't last too long. But hey, as
long as you really enjoy your home, furniture and kids, the slipcovers are made to be
washed and replaced. Enjoy your new purchase and give the kids a big hug. Good Luck, Andy
dear andy,
hope you can help i am trying to investigate into perfumed fabrics and microencapsulation
but keep hitting brick walls. any information would be a great help.
love mirriam
Dear MirriamL:Love to you too. As far as perfumed fabrics, this has been a pet
interest of mine for several years. Several companies have been toying with this idea for
many years. Most of them are either in Japan or France. I've been watching this over the
last 20 years, and have read all the articles that have been published. Women's Wear Daily
has been running stories on this subject for the last 20 years. There hasn't been any
mention of Scented Fabrics in at least two years, that I recall. Keep searching the web.
It's only a matter of time before the process is perfected. Note: it's easy to add a
scent, but difficult to keep it in the fabric after repeated use and/or washings. Good
Luck, Andy
There was an article I read a month or so ago about scented fabric...
http://just-style.com/features_detail.asp?art=204&sct=fotw
Thought this might help, Jessie
Dear Andy I'm making samples of my designs in blue velvet or velveteen
camouflage. Do you carry blue velvet camouflage or if you dont, do you know of any sources
that might? Elizabeth
Dear Elizabeth: I don't think you'll find what you want in the marketplace. You're going
to have to spend some real money to get the fabric you want. The camouflage that is
available, unless you printed it to order, was made for costumes or the military and is
printed on cotton, poly cotton or nylon. To have those patterns printed on blue velvet,
well, you have to have it custom made. Expect printings of about 6000 yards. Are we still
talking? Good Luck. Andy
I have an old cotton/nylon wedding dress I want to dye red for use as a
costume. Is there any such thing? Where could I get it? Thanks! Michelle
Dear Michelle: try RIT dye. May still be available in your local supermarket. Someone said
they have a web site too. Don't forget to follow the directions. Try a sample first. Good
Luck, Andy
how can you make new denim jeans softer?
Dear Lyn: wear them a LOT! Rock climbing helps too, Good Luck, Andy
Andy,
We are trying to find a wholesaler for red, blue, and yellow spandex. We are
making lure coursing coats for dogs and can not find a place to buy the spandex. Do you
have any leads?
PFAROU CANINE DESIGNS
Dear Friends: first, please tell us what "lure coursing coats" are.
You've come to the right spot to find your Spandex for Spot. Please visit the fabric
sourcing site right here at Fabrics.Net. We have lots of wholesale suppliers of this
fabric. Spandex is a branded name, as is Lycra. They both are the same type of stretch
nylon. If you have no results here, please write again and we will get you the exact names
you need. Good Luck, Andy
Hello, I hope your day has gone well thus far. I want to know if there
is a book of the different types and kinds of fabric made today. I am new to sewing, in
fact, I just ordered my sewing machine online and am eagerly awaiting its arrival, but
there are so many types and kinds of fabrics to choose from, it is hard to distinguish
sometimes. For example, I went to the store and saw two rolls of orange fabric. They both
looked like denim, but one was a lt. wt. denim and the other was a cotton twill.
Confusing. Anyway, if you know of a book that displays different types of fabric, please
e-mail me with the address and website so that I may purchase it. Thank you sew much,
Andy, I appreciate your help. Have a great day! Sincerely, Felicia
Dear Felicia: there are way too many books on fabrics to recommend any one. I'd go to a
local library to start. There is a wealth of information right there. If a library is not
close by, visit Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com. Good Luck, Andy
Hey Andy, I am looking for places that sell oilcloth other than the cheap
looking ones. I haven't been able to find anyplace. Can you help...Thanks τΏτ
Dear K: you've come to the right spot. Some of our advertisers carry this exact product.
Visit www.fabricclub.com. Good Luck, Andy
Hi Andy!
I'm a historical costumer from middle Tennessee specializing in Renaissance clothing. I
have often heard and seen references to garments constructed of cloth of gold or cloth of
silver. I've always assumed it was some sort of gold or silver colored silk, but my mother
(who is also a history buff) was asking about it, and sparked my curiosity. What is cloth
of gold/silver? Cathi
Dear Cathi: during the Victorian period and still today for certain "vestments"
fabric was made from threads of gold or silver. They would produce the thread of real gold
or silver then knit or weave it into fabrics. They were extremely expensive. I've seen
then in some museums around the world. Today there are also fabrics created with threads
that have the look of gold or silver, but are a synthetic construction. They are almost an
exact match, at a fraction of the cost. Good Luck, Andy
