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December/January

Where can i find a pea coat that comes to the waist and is beige or off white in color Ive looked everywhere and I cant find one.
Dear Gurley: they don't make a pea coat in the style you want. Consider having it custom made. Seasons Greetings and Good Luck, Andy

I recently bought a 550 fill Goose down jacket with a guaranteed 75%+ down content. Home care is allowed with the recommendation of down-compatible detergent, a very light load, and a large front-loading washer. In some places I've read that adding a sneaker could be helpful.
Can you recommend commercial soaps or detergent that would fit the description of "suitable for down".
Thanks,
Stan
Dear Stan: call the manufacturer of the garment. Personally, I'd have it done professionally by a good dry cleaner. Any problems become theirs. Seasons Greetings and Good Luck, Andy

I purchased a beautiful white silk blouse last year. I have followed the care instructions and only had it dry cleaned. However, it is no longer white - more a yellowish tint - probably from the drycleaning fluid. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I washed it. It came out beautifully, but it is still the yellowish color. How can I whiten it? Please let me know.
Thanks.
Dear Friend: silk turns yellow as part of its natural aging process. Nothing you can do, except enjoy the blouse the way it is. Seasons Greetings and Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
My daughter wants to make something with some heavy drapery material that was given to her, and is looking for some 3/4" grummets. Where can she get hold of that sort of thing. We live in Naples, Fl. Is there any where in this area, or nearby, that could furnish such a thing?
Thanks,
"Mom"
Dear Mom: try your local Home Depot or any good hardware store. Also, try a marine supply store, located usually around any boating area. Good Luck, Andy

How do you stop a pleather garment from peeling?
This sounds like a trick question. Actually, once it has begun to peel, there is not much to do, except start shopping for a new garment. Good Luck, Andy

Andy,
Long shot, but I just purchased a leather sofa set, of a 3 seater and 2 single seaters. After having a few friends round, I noticed the following morning that the arms of the sofa's were creased.
Is there a way to remove these creases?
Ash
Dear Ash: hang a nice blanket over the arms, and enjoy your new furniture. Good Luck, Andy

Andy, can you tell me how to get rid of a scorch mark on polyester/lycra? The suit coat is 95% polyester and 5% lycra. My iron was too hot when I touch the coat. The suit is new and never worn.
Dear Herman: sorry that you scorched your garment. Think about replacing it. There is nothing you can do to remove it. Good Luck, Andy

I would like to dye my coat a darker color,possibly a dark brown or dark blue. The material of the coat is,shell:85%POLYESTER,15% NILON. LINING BODY:100 %POLYESTER THE ORIGINAL COLOR IS BEIGE. THANK YOU,hayesyo
Dear Hayesyo: visit www.ritdye for all your answers to these complex dye questions. Sometimes the different yarns will take the dye differently. Don't expect all the blacks to be the same color. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I am looking for wholesale quilt vendors. I want to begin carrying quilts in my retail gift shop in NC. I am willing to travel to the midwest or anywhere within 6 hours to cut down on shipping charges.
Do you have any other suggestions for a unique item that would catch customers eyes?
Thank you.
Continued success.
Pat
Dear Pat: Today is your lucky day. There is a trade show coming to High Point, NC January 6-9 at the Market Square Textile Tower. For more information call 336-885-6842 or visit their web site at www.itma-showtime.com and inquire about the Showtime show. Additional information about shows and other items of interest is at the Home Furnishing News web site www.hfnmag.com. It is a great newspaper, and if you don't already subscribe, you should. Happy New Year and Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I am an American of African descent and have been struggling with the idea of viable business opportunities in west Africa. An idea that occurred to me is a clothing factory for making (what I presume is) uncomplicated mass produce clothing such as T-shirts, underwear, etc. These clothing will all be sold locally and therefore must be inexpensive. I believe this idea may be viable for the following reasons: Such clothing are currently being imported (as such they are very expensive; cost of local labor is very minimal; my sister owns a local custom clothing factory (primarily women's high fashion).
Could you point me in the direction of where to research this idea further? I will need information on where to source materials, particularly fabrics, types equipment, patterns, etc... any ideas and/or suggestions you may have will be very helpful.
Best regards,
Akin
Dear Akin: unless you have lots of money that you don't care about, begin your journey by spending some money on taking some textile courses at your local university or community college. Getting the fabric is simple enough, but the cost of first quality fabric, shipped to Africa, to make into garments, make exceed the price the buyers can afford, even with inexpensive labor. You first have to determine what they can afford to pay. Also plan on attending some fabric shows. Visit www.fabricshow.com to find out when the next one will be held. Machinery is also available by attending some shows and learning what each machine does and how it operates. Visit www.bobbin.com for a list of machinery dealers. Spend your time learning before you spend your money. Look for a financial backer. Visit the United Nations in New York, and speak with the African delegates. See if they have some ideas. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I am in the athletic apparel business and I have been using some sweatsuits that are made of 100% Acryllic material through a supplier. Although they are very warm and comfortable (almost of a pajama comfort) they tend to shed extremely too much from the inside before being washed after the 5th time.
Is there anyway to correct that? Maybe somehow making the fabric shed less, but still keeping the comfort it provides?
I would appreciate any insight.
Thanks.
J-Shine
Dear J: after visiting your web site and spending some time there, based upon what I read, it seemed to me that you were making the garments yourself. Be that as it may, the acrylic your supplier is giving you may be of a lesser quality than you really want. Plan on attending the next fabric show. For information, visit www.fabricshow.com. They are held twice a year in Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Also, you may want to "walk" the Licensing show with your Watcheme and Ceeme characters. There may be an opportunity there for you too. Good Luck, Andy

While clearing out my grandmother's house after she died two years ago, we came across a number of cotton towels, bed linen/clothes which are all handmade. Some of the pieces are really nice and I would like to keep them and show them off a little. The problem is that, especially the bed linen and towels, have rust marks on them and although I tried bleaching them, the marks are still there. A friend suggested I wash them often but would this deteriorate the material?
Thanks
Sharon
Dear Sharon: your Grandmother was a smart lady. She put away the stuff with permanent stains on them. I'd say to leave them they way they are, and fold them in a way that hides the stains but shows off the beauty. Enjoy your new found treasure and the memory of your Grandmother. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy
I have an iron glaze mark on a pair of trousers, I have tried re-dying them to eliminate this glaze from them - did not help.
Please can you tell me how this can be done.
Sheila
Dear Sheila: the Iron glaze marks are from the iron burning the fibers of the garment. Time to buy a new pair of trousers. Next time, let the dry cleaners iron them. They have more experience, and if anything goes wrong, they are insured, so you get a new pair free. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
My wife received a rayon sweater for Xmas and didn't read the care instructions, which required dry clean only. She washed it in cold water but it shrunk to about half of its original size.
Is there anything that can be done to return it to its original size?
Thanks,
David
Dear David: try regifting it to someone that can fit into the sweater and go out and buy your wife a new one. The lesson will be good for both of you, Seasons Greetings and Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
What is the best way to make a rolled hem in tulle? (A rolled hem like you see on wedding veils). Do I need to use a stabilizer, and what kind of stabilizer would you suggest? Thanks for any help you can give me on this.
Allison
Dear Alison: Judith will be helping you on this question. Good Luck, Andy
Hi Alison, trying to describe the rolled hem process via email is difficult. There are several good books on bridal sewing that you can find at your book store or library. Tulle doesn't fray so rolled hems or finishes on tulle aren't necessary, unless you like the look of them.
Judith

Dear Andy,
I put my favorite wool pants in the washer using warm water. The woman who sold them to me told me that they were machine washable. Now they have shrunk a little. I have heard that you can wash them again with hair conditioner and strech them out? Help. Thanks
Katie
Dear Katie: take them back to the woman that sold them to you and get a refund or replacement. She gave you bad advice. Next time bring them to a professional dry cleaner. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
Any idea where one might find slipcovers for bedspreads?
Sounds strange I know. However, my wife is from Europe and they are common there. And she will not let me throw out the old bedspreads.
We could call her family in Europe and get them, but they were not very attractive nor comfortable.
Thanks in advance,
Respectfully Yours,
Dan
Dear Dan: try your local Bed, bath & Beyond or Linens 'N Things. We actually have our bedspread in a cover too. Must be my wife's' European heritage. They are also called "comforter covers". We wish you restful sleep and Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy
I received as a gift a nice scarf & glove set, made of Wool or Angora. The white scarf "sheds" on my black winter wool coat. Is there any way of stopping the shedding of angora/wools? Thank you.
Dear Timothy: no way to top the shedding. After all the hairs shed, all you'll have left is the memory of the scarf. Enjoy the gloves and stay warm Good Luck, Andy

dear andy,
I am interested in selling computer generated fabric designs to small companies. I have no idea how I can sell them to small companies and I need some advice on how to go about it.
Tahnk you Anita
Dear Anita: what type of small companies would buy your designs? What are the applications? There is a textile show that features artists designs for the textile market. Visit www.surtex.com. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy
My sister is very fond of mohair but she seems to be allergic to it. Can the wool be treated (eg by dry cleaning?) so that it won't trigger her allergy?
Thanks very much
Anne
Dear Anne L if your sister is allergic to Mohair, dry cleaning has it's own chemicals that she may even be more allergic to. There are some great synthetic Mohair on the market, The look and feel of Mohair, without the allergic reaction. Good Luck to you both, Andy

Hi Andy! I washed a 100% cotton sweater today and laid it on a white towel to dry flat. As per the instructions on the label, I shaped it to its original shape and then left it. A few minutes ago I decided to check on it. It was still damp but I tried it on anyway. It was huge! Totally stretched out at the waist and in the length of the arms. I know it's not dry yet, but I don't see how it can shrink back to its original shape by the time it does dry. It's my favorite sweater! Any ides as to how I can get it back to normal????
Denise
Dear Densie: by now your sweater should be dry. If it has not shrunk back, FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS!. Wash it and let it dry, BEFORE you put it on. Let me know what happens then. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy, I'm looking for wholesale suppliers of top quality sea island cotton, egyption cotton for men's shirts also wrinkle resistant fabric with nanocare coating for men's pants. I live in Toronto, Canada. Thanks
Tannyk
Dear Tanny: to buy truly at wholesale prices, you are going to have to travel to some wholesale textile trade shows. Visit www.fabricshow.com to find out info on the next one. You can begin your search here at Fabrics.Net. We have one of the best sourcing areas available anywhere on the web. Good Luck, Andy

I am the new caretaker of a museum in Maine that houses many signicant gowns and costumes. Most are displayed on mannequins in an upright position. Some actually touch the floor, which is painted. The facility is an old house that has been converted into a museum. I was researching using cedar planks, ones that are interlocking used as closet liners to deter varmints and bugs. Would this be a good choice? My husband thought that he could make stands to elevate the gowns from the floor and place these cedar planks wrapped in acid free tissue paper under the dresses. I can not find any info to the contrary. My goal is to do no harm. Any thoughts or info on this matter would be most helpful. Thank you for you anticipated return email.
Bonnie
Dear Bonnie: I'd call the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and speak with their conservatory department. There are many good museums that have costume collections. Speak with them directly. 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.