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September/October Questions

HI ANDY,
TWO YEARS AGO, MY PARTNER AND I STARTED DESIGNING AND MANUFACTURING HANDBAGS. WE WANT TO EXPAND OUR BUSINESS TO HANDLE LARGE QUANTITY ORDERS, WHICH WILL REQUIRE A PROFESSIONAL HANDBAG MANUFACTURER.WE LIVE IN BATON ROUGE, LA. AND DO NOT WANT TO MANUFACTURE OVERSEAS. ARE THERE ANY COMPANIES IN DALLAS OR ATLANTA WHO WE CAN CONTACT??
ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED.
THANKS, LORI AND M'ELAINE
Dear Lori and M'elanie: visit www.seams.org for a list of sewing contractors. Eventually, you will have to have your bags made off shore if you want to stay competitive. The U.S. government is against all manufacturing here in the U.S., or so there trade policies point in that direction. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
Love the column! I am trying to make a beach bag and I would like to either use duck-plied yarn for fabric or canvas BUT does either fabric come in a print? I would prefer to make a bag that was either polka-dot or something colorful. Any advise?
Thanks.
Dear Beth: thanks for the kind words. Visit our sourcing area here at Fabrics.Net. Printed duck or canvas is no problem Also consider printed vinyl or Oilcloth for your beach bag. Good Luck, Andy

I have several pairs of cream colored lace sheers that I would like to make white. I have tried bleach. Are there any other ways of getting these to be white?? Thank you.
Dear Tami: adding color is one thing, Removing all color is another. I doubt that you can remove the color to your satisfaction. Replace the drapes with new ones. Do your part to help the economy. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy, I recently purchased 2 pair of drapes made of Barkcloth. They are from the 1930s . Also they are lined. They are in good shape but they need cleaning! Do I dryclean them , steamclean them? HELP Sincerly, T. Pat
Dear Patti: speak with your dry cleaner and find out if they are willing to take the risk. Depending on how good or bad the drapes have been treated over the years, will depend on what you should do. The best advice I can give you is to air them out and do nothing (to clean them) except hang them and enjoy them. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
You mentioned the Home Fabric Fashion Show in High Point, NC on a number of occassions for sourcing decorator fabrics. What actually is that show? How often is it? And if you missed the shows but need to make those same contacts, where do you go? Thanks so much for any insight you can give.
Ann
Dear Ann: visit www.hometextilestoday.com. Consider getting a subscription to their paper copy of the magazine. Also there is Home Fashion News. They both are great publications that list every trade show that caters to your market. They both have ads in the magazines for the various suppliers to your trade. There is no substitute for attending a trade show. The personal contacts can become invaluable tools for your business. Find out when and where the next trade show is, and make plans to attend. Happy Trails and Good Luck, Andy

Andy,
I'm looking to open a fabric store in our local town. There are no fabric stores in town. I have found the basic info for starting a business on the Small Business website, but need to know where to go to get the material and other needed products. I have gone to www.fabricshow.com. Going to New York is not an option for me. I am in Oregon. Can you advise me?
Thank you,
Ginny
Dear Ginny: visit www.sewing.org. They are the American Home Sewing organization and are putting on their trade show this week in Las Vegas. If you can't attend this show either, I'd say to hold off opening your store until you can make it to at least one wholesale textile show. You'll never be able to stock your store properly, without attending a show or two. Also, you may want to consider opening a web site that sells fabric too. Your small town may not have enough sewers to warrant the expense of retail store. Remember, always invest your time, before you invest your money. Good Luck, Andy

Dear andy, I have a rip in my auto seats which are a velour type (1970 grand national buick). I was hoping to find some type of fabric tape to temporarily cover the split. What tape would you recommend?
Dear Lisa: you've got a "hot" car there. Visit www.hemmings.com and see if you can find something or someone that can help. Visit a local auto upholstery shop and see if they can help out. Happy Trails and Good Luck, Andy

I'm doing a Science project on the effects of laundering on shrinking of fabric. I need 10 sources by Wednesday. Can you help?
Sam
Dear Sam: Gee, I did this same project myself when I was in fourth grade. Of course there were not computers then, so we had to do all the research the hard way. Visit www.textileaffairs.com for some help on your school project and Good Luck, Andy

Andy, you had this request that I think I can help with: "I looking for a pattern for kitchen towel topper (fabric not knitted) can you help??? Thanks, Pam
Dear Pam: what is a kitchen towel topper??? Perhaps one of our readers can help you on this. Good Luck, Andy"

A kitchen towel topper is piece of fabric attached to the top of a small towel. The fabric usually starts as a rectangle, attached to the towel and then the other end is triangular. A buttonhole goes in the triangle end and a button goes on the rectangle end, near the towel.
This enables the topper to slip into a kitchen drawer pull. You do up the button and you have a towel hanging on the drawer (or oven door pull) which does not pull off when you wipe your hands on it. I am sure that you could make your own pattern, Pam. Cut two pieces of fabric in the shape you like, stitch them up except for the part that attaches to the towel. Turn the seams to the inside, press neatly, turning under a half an inch on both sides of the open end. Insert the towel (gathered, if you like) into the open end and topstitch it closed. Add your buttonhole & button.
Judy
Dear Judy: thanks so much for your help. I have now been educated. We needed that. We will pass on your information to Pam. Good Luck, Andy

Hi,
Have two dogs and they love the den. How can I get rid of the odor in this large den rug that is a light beige ? Also the odor is on our leather couches and I can smell the odor in the back room of the house where they eat. The floors in back room are old title. Just wanting to know how to use some good old remedies. Sincerely,
Kathy
Dear Kathy: I'd go and get 1 dozen or so large candles and have them burning all day. I doubt anything else with hide the odor. Judith is our resident "Big Dog" expert and we will pass this on to her. She has more experience with this. We have our cute little poodle and Ernie has no odor. Good Luck, Andy

Kathy, you didn't say what the odor is from. If it is from urine, "Natures Remedy" that you can purchase at a pet shop will help a lot. For other odors, you could sprinkle baking soda on the carpet but you would have to leave it for about 24 hours before vacuuming. There are some products designed to deodorize rugs by sprinkling the product on the carpet and then vacuuming. The leather furniture can be washed off with a mild dish detergent and water (about 1 tsp to 1 gallon). Be sure and vacuum all of the folds and tucks in the leather furniture before shampooing. Taking the dogs to a groomer and having them bathed regularly will also help cut down the odors, pay special attention to the ears where odors can develop.

Having the den rug shampooed by professionals who understand deodorizing will help too. If the odor is from urine, it may have soaked into the sub floor under the carpet but the sub floor can be deodorized the next time you lay new carpeting.

For the tile in the back room, try using baking soda as a rinse after mopping the floor with a floor cleaner.

Hope this helps!
Judith

Hello Andy,
I love to read your responses to the questions on your web site, because you get right to the point.
So my question is this, If I have a clothing garment and take it to a Sewing Contractor to have 10-50 prototypes made, what kind of protection should/could I have in order to avoid them stealing my idea before I can even get it to market?
Is there protection in the contract I sign with them? A very professional counselor advised me to get a trademark instead of a patent, what's your opinion on this?
thank you
Jean
Dear Jean: my experience with contractors is that they are not interested in being in the garment business. They are only interested in sewing the garments. You have little to fear. A trademark is a good idea. It's hard to patent a garment, unless it has something special that makes it very unique. Also, to defend that patent, if someone copies you, will become a very expensive ordeal. Save your energy for going out and selling your samples, so that you can get some real orders. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
My family and I are opening a small (20 room) inn in Wisconsin. we'd like to use duvet covers on the duvets but haven't been able to find any we really like or that are durable enough for repeated guest use/washing. We are thinking it might be wise to have them made but are not sure where we can purchase fabric wide enough to be sewn into covers. We don't want to use bedsheets, we'd like a custom look...any thoughts about who could show us fabric and possibly make the covers? Companies as far as Chicago are OK.
Thank you,
Molly
Dear Molly: contact a local interior designer. Let her get what you need. You should be concentrating on the inn. The interior designer will know where to get the fabric and where to have them made. They may also bring you some other cost saving decorating ideas that you may have not thought of as yet. We always try to use professional contractors whenever they are available. In the long run, they are very cost effective. Please send us a note when you open. We'd like to share your information with our readers. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy:
We have recently purchased two sofas in off white wool from Denmark. Should we spray these with a fabric guard of some kind or does wool have enough repellancy that it doesn't need it? Can you recommend how we should care for these sofas to keep them looking good.
Rita
Dear Rita: yes, Scotchguard or some other protectorant is a must, especially if you have kids or pets around. Contact the company from which your purchased the sofa to see if they can apply it or recommend some company that will. I'd suggest that you not attempt this yourself. Enjoy your new sofas and Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I recently purchased a couch and loveseat that are red ultra suede. I noticed that after sitting for a while my clothes had become discolored! Does this usually happen with suede fabric or are our couches defective? Also, is there a treatment that can be applied to prevent this? I really love the couches but I don't want to ruin my clothing. Please help!!
TBM
Dear TBM: the color should not be transferring from your couch to your clothing. Call the store where you purchased these and complain. Follow up with a letter in writing. There could be a problem with the Ultra suede fabric. If there is a treatment that can be done, the furniture store or the fabric supplier should do it at their expense, in their facilities. Don't let them apply these chemicals at your home. Also, if you put this purchase on a credit card, notify the credit card company as soon as possible, both by phone and in writing. Send all snail mail, "return receipt requested." Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy-
I'm looking for wholesale companies in Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale or Miami areas that have the best prices for fabric to be used in fabricating tablecloths. Any ideas- a web search revealed little and the wholesalers don't seem to advertise in the yellow pages.
Any help is appreciated!!!
Jeff
Dear Jeff: you'll have to expand your search area. The locations you mentioned are nice to visit and may be a nice place to live, but the number of fabric suppliers in those areas are very limited or non existent. Try searching here at Fabrics.Net. you didn't say what kind of fabric you need. Many different fabrics are used for tablecloths. You'll need to be more specific. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy
I have been searching for 7 years for a certain type of material. I have a pair of leggings that are smooth on the outside and fuzzy on the inside. The material looks a lot like sweatshirt material with a slight stretch. I sent them to china and they said the material was brushed french terry with lycra. They made me a sample but it wasn't as thick as my material and it was too stretchy. Is there any way you can help me and they cut a piece out of my leggings and ruined the only pair I had. I can mail a sample if you thnk you could identify the material. If I knew exactly what I was looking for, I might have better luck locating it. I contacted the company that made the leggings and all they could tell me is they thought the material came from Indonesia. I want this material desparately. Please help me if you can.
Thank You Very Much!
Miss OJ
Dear Miss OJ: Desperately seeking French Terry? Try the want ads in Women's Wear Daily? How many yards to you want? Why not contact a major mill and have them make you 6,000 yards or so, in any color you want. Visit the International Fashion Fabric Expo starting tomorrow in New York City Jacob Javits Center. At least two of the writers from Fabrics.Net will be in attendance. I'll be wearing my Ask Andy badge. Jennifer Thompson Miller, our dyeing expert, will be there as well. Or, visit our search area here at Fabrics.Net Good Luck, Andy

Andy,
I have been looking for cute, high quality denim totes that can be embellished with fabric to make some of those super-cute diaper bags/totes that are so popular right now. I am having a very hard time finding nice denim tote bags that would work. Can you help?
Thanks,
Carson
Dear Carson: these bags are made by friends of mine at JanLynn and can be purchased in many fine crafts stores. Find a Michael's or AC Moore store near where you live. Visit their web sites and Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I hope that you can help me to find distributor for 100%cotton tea-towel made in India. I am in Canada.
Thank you!
Sladja
Dear Sladja: contact the Indian Embassy in your country. They will be happy to find you a supplier. You may want to consider attending some of the wholesale Gift shows as well. Good Luck, Andy

I bought an evening gown that is black nylon material. The gown has long see-through sleeves and is a turtle neck. It fits great and I love the dress….there is only one challenge! They glued silver glitter all over it in a lined, squiggly pattern that overtakes the simplicity of the dress! How can I either cover the silver glitter and make it black so it is less noticeable, or how can I remove it all together? The cleaning instructions read: "Dry Clean Only", so sending it to the cleaners, won't assist in removing the glitter. I would love to wear the dress, but I just hate what they did to it. Do you have any suggestions other than getting rid of it?
Thanks,
Carole
Dear Carole: I'm sad that you don't like the dress the way it is. I sell this same type of fabric every day of the year. Nothing you can do will remove the glitter. We can't figure out why you bought it in the first place. Try selling the dress on Ebay, if the store will not take it back, and take the funds and buy yourself the dress of your dreams. Happy Shopping and Good Luck, Andy

I recently purchased a shirt made of 77% polyester, 20% nylon, and 3% spandex. I washed the shirt and it appears to still have the wrinkle marks from being folded up. Will simple ironing get these out or do I have to do something different? I thought the wrinkles would disappear after washing.
Thanks for your help.
Wanda
Dear Wanda: the wrinkles should have come out in the wash. Try wearing the shirt, if it is not excessively wrinkled, and maybe they will come out in a few more washings. If not, return it where it was purchased. Good Luck, Andy

hello,
I am doing a term paper for class and I need information on homespun wool. I would like to know if there is a way to spin dogs hair or any domesticated pets hair as well as lamb. Please send me any information regarding homespun wool.
Thank you very much
Kimberly
Dear Kimberly: visit www.google.com and search "homespun wool". You'll find 16.500 web pages with some information you need. Dog hair, and maybe even cat hair can technically be used for home spinning. The shorter the hair, the more difficult it is to spin. Good Luck, Andy

Andy:
I am trying to add lining to a skirt and suit jacket. What are the most efficient ways to perform that operation?
Thanks!
Dear Darren & Noel: we've passed your question on to Judith, our resident sewer. She can answer the question. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Darren and Noel,
If the skirt and jacket are ready to wear or already sewn together, you will need to make a pattern of the skirt and jacket and then use the pattern to construct the lining as you would with any skirt and jacket pattern. You will need to visualize the lining pattern for the jacket being attached to the front and neck facings as well as the hem. The skirt is easy, just make a lining the same as the skirt and attach it to the waistband.

If you have not previously made a lined skirt and jacket, this will be a huge challenge, one that may require an alterations person.

Sorry I couldn't reply in more detail but word descriptions without sketches is almost impossible.

Judith
The Fabrics Network

 

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.