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February Questions

Dear Andy,
I am looking for resources for buying (probally overseas) satin bedding cheap, or at wholesale. Can you guide me in the right direction? Where do the stores get their stuff?
thank you in advance,
Michelle
Dear Michelle: the "stores" have their "stuff" made in China for them. They have paid agents there watching over the production to make sure that when the container is filled with the bedding products, they are to the exact specifications. Bedding is a highly regulated industry. California has just changed their laws regarding flammability and bedding. There are no such things as "cheap" bedding. Make sure you are carrying the appropriate amount of insurance if you are thinking about going into the "bedding" market. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I am looking for an old Calvin Cline designer coat pattern from the 1980'. Do you know a source for something like this?
Rose
Dear Rose: visit www.oldpatterns.com. However, try searching for Calvin Klein, the other Calvin Cline was a notorious bank robber. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy, I got an ink mark on my brand new suede purse, is there anything I can use to remove the mark? Please help….it was a very expensive purse!!! Thanks!
Laura
Dear Laura: visit www.carbona.com. They have the "solutions" to your problem. Good Luck, Andy

andy i am debuting my new line at magic in vegas next month. i want to make sure i have everything completed. do i need an RN number for our clothing? and how do I get one in CA? anything else you can point out would be great..thanks
Dear Patrick: good luck on your debut at MAGIC. I hear that it is a great show. Bring plenty of business cards. I know, that I've run out at times, and it is always a problem getting new ones made while you are trying to concentrate on selling.
You will need an RN eventually, so you may as well start the paperwork. Visit the governments web site at www.ftc.gov. You should be able to apply on line. MAGIC also has an area for textiles. Try walking through there either before or after your show, to get to meet some of the vendors there. You never know who you'll meet. Go with an open mind and have fun. The business will follow. Listen to your customers. They will guide you in your next line. Good Luck, Andy

Hi..I have a few products that have been submitted for trademark and one for a patent. I lived in Asia for a long time and I do not wish to have my products produced outside of the USA. I know my price points will go up...but I am willing to do that to follow my heart. Do you know of any sewing contractors or private label denim groups in the usa that could help me get this going.?
Thanks much
Dear Lavenders: to get your products sewn in the USA, visit www.seams.org. They have a list of sewing contractors around the USA. Call around, until you find someone you like. Then go visit. It's nice to have patent, but I hope you have some money put away to protect that patent. It's one thing to have the patent, and another to enforce it. We wish you Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy
I'm a childrenswear designer who's been running a one-woman show up until now, but would like to find out the first step in getting to market shows. What are the typical steps to being prepared for showing your product at market and taking orders? Do I need to secure a manufacturer first before heading to market? And how about sales reps? I understand they are a very important part of getting your product out there and "seen" by the masses. How do you go about finding a sales rep?
I'd certainly appreciate any insight that you can give me, Andy.
Thanks so much
J.
Dear January: we went to your site and you definitely have a look that will sell.
If you haven't already, get yourself a subscription to Earnshaw's magazine. It is the "bible" of your market. See if you can get them to send you the Annual Industry Directory, which was just published in December 2004. It is just full of very useful information.
Offer to send them a press release about your company and include photos and your web site information. Reps will start to call you.
Think about exhibiting in Las Vegas at the MAGIC show. Visit www.magiconline.com. Talk with the other vendors. They will be a source of lots of information. Get sewing contractors in your area by visiting www.seams.org.
Perhaps some of the other Queen Bees would be interested in sharing booth space with you at some of the Kids Wear shows. Doing a show is always easier when there are more than one person there, although not impossible.
Sales reps will find you at the shows you exhibit at. They are a great source of lots of information. Be cautious. Follow up on their references. Call stores in their areas that they are not currently selling.
Grow slowly. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
My mother put my favorite wool jacket in the dryer. It had been washed and air dried 5 - 6 times prior to this so the shrinking could have been worse. Nevertheless, it shrunk at least an entire size, (from med. to sm.). I've tried a few things to stretch it back. . .but really don't have a clue.
Please tell me you can help!! I DEARLY love the jacket and it's not replaceable.
Thank You
Dear Connie: sorry, but I don't know of any way to bring it back to the way it was. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I recently bought a shirt and did not notice the label said "dry clean only. cool iron" until I got home. (I usually do not buy anything that needs to be dry cleaned, unless I am familiar with the material and know I can handwash it and lay it flat to dry) The material is 80% silk, 17% nylon and 3% spandex. It is bright fuscia and has a slight sheen to it. The brand is INC (international concepts). Is it possible to handwash this? If not, what about using an at-home dry cleaning kit for use in the dryer, e.g., dryell?
Thanks,
Sandra
Dear Sandra: our experience and the experiences of countless numbers of our readers is plain and simple. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS or suffer the consequences. Good Luck, Andy

Andy,
I recently stumbled across a web page for a large fabric store in lower Manhattan. I was searching for draperie / upholstery fabric, but the store was advertising floors and floors of fabric - and claimed to be the place interior designers went to first.
Would you have any suggestion as to what this store might have been? I wish I had saved that url!
Thank you
Judy
Dear Judy: visit www.abchome.com. It's one of the best places in New York City to visit, for the types of things you seek. Happy Shopping and Good Luck, Andy

Hello Andy:
My daughter is in cadets and we ironed on some badges. Then we found out there were actually put on in the incorrect position. Just about 1 cm or so. When we removed one of the patches to place it a little higher some glue was left on the uniform and will show. How do we remove this mess?
Karen
Karen: try calling the company that made the badges. I doubt there is much you can do. Always follow the old carpenters adage "measure twice, cut once". Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I have created a line of children's clothes which I am trying to manufacture. Manufacturing is a new venture for me and a friend has encouraged me to try and show them at a local mega-market the end of March. I"m not sure if this is possible but I'm going to try.
My original designs were constructed from fleece fabrics and ribbons/trims from Hancock's and Jo-Anne's (retailers). Here are my questions:
1. How do I find Jo-Anne's, Hancock's Wholesale contacts (Or other fleece wholesalers)?
2. Where do I go for care labels and company name labels..affordable, classic/simple?
3. I have located a few commercial sewers in the Dallas metroplex thru the yellowpages....do you have any other recommendations of where to find made in USA sewers?
4. I am looking for ribbons and trims wholesale....any suggestions?
Any other advice I would welcome.
jlrc
Dear JLRC: these are good questions, in that I have the answers to most of them, so without further delay, here we go.......
1-there are several very good wholesale fabric trade shows that you should attend. Next week in Las Vegas, during the MAGIC show(wholesale apparel), they are having an area for fabrics. Visit www.fabricshow.com to sign up. In Miami Beach, March 16-18, will be the Material-World Show. Visit www.material-world.com. That show is only fabrics. The MAGIC folks also do two fabric shows a year in New York, called the International Fashion Fabric Expo.
2-search the Internet for labels, or ask some of the companies you meet at the "fabric" shows. We found www.namelabels.com to be a nice web site.
3-Sewers: we get this question often. Visit www.seams.org. They have a list of almost every commercial sewer in the USA. Do YOUR part to keep, Made in the USA, an important part of our economy!
4-Ribbons and trims: there are thousands of companies selling these products both online and direct. You'll find some exhibiting at the trade shows listed in question 1.
Good Luck, Andy

Hello, I live in new york and i want to start my own clothing line, I attend F.I.T i am, still cluless as to how to start I have so many ideas I just need help getting down I would like to work with a design team but I need some good start up info, i am currently doing my research, any help with be greatly appreciated. thanks andy,
monique
Dear Monique: you are well on your way. Attending F.I.T. is a great start. Speak with your teachers. Talk with your guidance counselor. Being right there in the heart of the American textile industry, can only bring you closer to your dream. Start small. Graduate and get a job in the industry. Learn the trade from a working point of view. Ask a lot of questions. The American apparel trade needs new blood injected into our system.
Don't rush into anything. You will need money to start a company. You will need money to sustain it.
Talk to your fellow students. Some of them may be interested in becoming a part of your team. We look forward to meeting you at some of the fabric shows where we exhibit. I may even be wearing my Ask Andy button. Good Luck, Andy

Is it appropriate to wear a black velvet dress at any time during the year, or should it only be worn in the winter or during the holidays? I have a sleeveless black velvet and silk dress that I would like to wear on a cruise in February. Would that be appropriate?
Dear Janet: I must admit that I have never work a black velvet dress or any dress for that matter. I did wear a skirt once, but that is another story. We conferred with three gals, whose opinion we value. They include my wife, of 35 years, and two designers. Their opinions follow:
1-"I am really not sure about this one. The cruise is in winter (February,) but velvet is a warm fabric, even though it is sleeveless." a Florida designer
2-"And the answer is....OF course it is okay to wear black velvet during the year! It's a gorgeous, sumptuous and sexy material and makes you feel great and also the people around you feel great! If it's a warm February, then sleeveless is ideal - finish it off with a brightly colored wrap - could be crocheted, in an open stitch....showing skin is fine. If it is cooler - then if sleeveless - finish off with a rich pashmina or shrug....
HAVE FUN with your clothes and create you own fashion statement! By the way, winter in white is gorgeous too!" California Designer So there you have it: Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
My girlfriend and I are avid scrapbookers wanting to start our own paper line except using fabric as our paper. We are unsure of the process it takes to stiffen a piece of fabric to use like a piece of paper. Would it be more cost effective to use a liquid stiffening process or a paper backing process? How do we go about finding a fabric manufacturer who would be willing to print our designs? OR would be willing to let us use their fabric and designs. We have all these ideas, but we are at a loss of where to start, any info you can supply to us with would be ever so greatly appreciated!!!!
Thank you for your time,
Wendy
Dear Wendy: these are all great questions.
First, I think that you need to do some more research.
We recently, came across a company, while exhibiting at The Special Event Show, that can laminate fabric to paper. Visit their web site www.permalin.com. I'd also suggest you work with a consultant in the craft and paper industry, that may be able to guide you along the path. Maureen Barten can be reached by writing her at mbarten@purpleQ.com. She has many years of knowledge in the market you are trying to go into.
Consider attending the upcoming Craft and Hobby Industry (wholesale) trade show. It opens February 12 in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit their web site at www.chashow.org. We look forward to seeing you there. We will be in booth 3125. Come by and say hello. Good Luck, Andy

Can you please tell me if there is anything that I can use to get the scorch marks off polyester/ Thank you
Noel: scorch marks mean that the fabric is burned. There is nothing you can do, except replace the garment. Happy Shopping and Good Luck, Andy

I have some 60% cotton/40% polyester blend twill trousers that I recently received. When my wife washed them the first time, she dryed them on "Permant Press" which is the 2nd Hotest setting our dryer has... Later we read the label and noticed it said, "low heat". Now the pants seem to have lost their 'wrinkle free' look? They come out of the dryer even on 'low' quite in need of an ironing. Are they forever going to need ironing? Have we ruined them?
Dear Arthur: yes, your pants are "cooked". But at least you've got pants. Think of all those poor souls without pants. Next time, read the label first. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy
I have some new 100% cotton sheets (made in China) which are stiff, scratchy and uncomfortable. I have tried to soften them with (a) diluted sulphuric acid wash and (b) strong alkaline wash. Neither method has done any good. The sheets sound like paper when you run your hand over them and when you turn over in bed, the friction between your clothes and the sheet makes it difficult to move! Hope you can help.
Audrey
Dear Audrey: return the sheets and buy new ones. Nothing you can do is going to make those sheets worth sleeping on. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy!
I was wondering if you knew what type of cardboard(?) is used for the construction of handbags? I would like to make handbags with a firm construction and others just to stabilize the bottoms. Do you know what type of material would be best and where I could find it at wholesale prices?
Thanks so much!!
D
Dear "D": visit www.baglady.com. They have the information you need. Good Luck, Andy

We have a microfiber couch that has been sprayed with Scotch Guard. One of our puppies had an "accident" on it and now we are afraid that it will stain. How can we get it out? And will it hurt the couch to Scotch Guard it again?
Thanks.
Dear Gert: the Scotchgard should have protected your couch. It should not be necessary to redo the couch. Visit www.scotchgard.com with any additional questions. Good Luck, Andy

Hello! My name is Marty. I would like to ask your opinion on the best place to get fabric. We want samples sent to us by mail, we can make our choice of which ones to buy, then we will order them. We are just starting a small business and would like to buy fabric at cheap rates and be able to sell to other people also. This business will be a part of the house and many friends want to buy from us but don't have the time to shop on the internet themselves for bargain rates. It is just a small business but we are excited about it... I have searched for hours trying to find a reliable retailer that can send a HUGE variety of fabrics instead of just a few. This business is very likely going to prosper and grow because many people are very interested. Thankyou for your time . Yours truly, Marty and Heidi
Dear Marty: sounds like you want to start a business, but don't want to invest in any inventory. There are companies, that will for a charge, send you a variety of samples. You have to understand, as will your customers, that some of the fabric may not be available, even though you did receive the samples. The least expensive goods, are always offered "subject to prior sale". There are some companies that have a continuous supply of certain types of fabrics, like printed cottons. As long as the supply is continuous, the prices will not be "cheap". In those cases, you may be able to buy some sample cards, and try to sell off the sample cards. Since you are buying in small quantities, you will be paying high prices. Register to buy fabric here at Fabrics.Net. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy
great sight thanks ! I am looking for a super rich looking jewel/bead/stone/rock/wood encrusted fabric to make some really eclectic small pillows Any ideas ? I live in Phoenix Az
thanks !
Joel
Dear Joel: visit your local craft store. Pick up some beads. Take a walk in the desert out near "The Boulders" and find some nice stones, maybe some old wood. Visit your local fabric store, and pick up a nice woven silk from India. Then attach the beads, glue the wood and stone, and there you'll have it. Your own custom creation, that will always bring a smile to your face, knowing that you made it. Happy Designing and Good Luck, Andy

hi looking for ways to get odors out of vintage coats and handbags any tips? Thanks
Dear Gene: personally, I think the vintage odors, are part of the charm of the vintage items. You may want to bring the coats to your local dry cleaners to see if they can refresh them. As far as the handbags, try some lightly scented sachets. They may work. Good Luck, Andy

Andy,
What is the best way to shrink blue jeans? I have a pair that are about 1 size too big, but I really love them! Is there anything that I can do to get them to significantly shrink?
Thanks,
K.
Dear Krysta: you will not be able to get them to shrink to fit the way you want. Here are your choices: sell them on Ebay and buy a size that fits or have them taken in by a professional tailor. Happy Shopping and 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.