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February/March

Andy what is the best suit material to buy a suit in, canyou name a few brands? wrinkle free is what i am after
Dear Suits: the best fabric for me would be fine worsted wool for year round use. However, I never seen a worsted wool suit that is Wrinkle Free. This designation is usually reserved for more casual suits made with cotton or a cotton/polyester blend. They are chemically treated to be Wrinkle Free. They never look as good, or feel as right as a wool suit. Good Luck, Andy

Hi, Andy,
I have a large bedroom with one small window and french doors leading out to a balcony. The whole wall with the french doors looks kind of naked without draperies to match the one window, but I don't know how to approach it because the french doors open in. I have put lace pleated shades on the window part, but they still look naked. I would appreciate any ideas you could give me.
Thanks. So glad I found this website.
Mary
Dear Mary: hire a decorator. It will be the best money you ever spent. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy.. I wonder if you could help me... I am looking for a manufacturer or wholesaler of stretch fabric or the like suitable for manufacturing designer maternity wear,, preferably in Australia I have been approached to produce a line of maternity wear..and as I am just starting out I would appreciate any help or advice you can give me. I have buyers waiting for my garments..but they must be cost effective, as I am ..at the moment.. a one person buisness
Regards
Katherine
Dear Katherine: Most business start out as a one person business. We have lots of great fabric suppliers listed here in Fabrics.Net. We are not familiar with the Australian textile market. I know that we ship lots of our fabrics to Australia. By contacting the suppliers on the Fabrics.Net site, you will find a willing bunch of companies, always looking to help out a new business. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
Can you tell me about denier?
Dear Jill: "denier" is a French word that describes the thickness of the yarn. Thus, a 15 denier is a light yarn that is used to make ladies lingerie. A 250 denier is used to make luggage. That's it, plain and simple. Good Luck, Andy

Hi,
I just bought a velour suit and I was wondering if you could tell me if velours tend to shrink easily and what the recommended care is. I also have another velour suit which is one size too big, could you also tell me how to shrink it safely without harming the texture or quality of it. Thanks alot.
-Steve
Dear Steve: you didn't say if your suit is a swim suit or a suit and tie, suit. Either way, I'd follow the washing instructions that is on the label. In addition, if it is too big, bring it to a tailor to have it altered. Washing will never bring it to the right size. Enjoy your Velour and Good Luck, Andy

I am an artist/designer also looking for An ultra suede source. I am also looking for a digital printer That can print on ultra suede.
Thanks,
Fran
Dear Fran: for all you need to know visit www.ultrasuede.com and click in the "contact" area. Call someone in your area. The salesman will give you as much info as you need. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I am starting a business embroidering towels for children and want to know if its possible to get towel material that is unfinished, without the ends bound. I trim the towels around the outside so I have to cut the ends off. Is there any chance of getting it straight from the mill? Thanks, Chris
Dear Chris: with most towels being made outside the USA today, you are probably better off, doing it just the way you are. As you grow, you may consider importing your own towels, already embroidered with your designs. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Sirs
I have a 3 piece suite that is quite faded - it is one of the suites that the covers can be taken off. I just wondered whether there is any way of having it dyed a different colour. It is navy blue and would like to know whether you can dye it burgundy and if so how much would it be. Would it shrink slightly or come up patchy being such a big suite. It's a 3 seater and two chairs with pillows. I don't really want to buy a new one as it's very good condition just that the material is faded. Could you let me know.
Kind regards
Joanna
Dear Joanna: to find all the info you need to dye the fabric, visit www.ritdye.com. To recover the suite, visit www.surefit.com. Happy Decorating and Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I was wondering if you'll be able to help me out at bit. I have a 3 piece sofa set that is made of Resin-Bonded Cotton and Polyester Fibre. I would like to get them cleaned but dry cleaning them costs a fortune. Will it be ok if I could wash this material? Hand or Machine, it really doesn't matter. I was also thinking about recovering the entire set. Since I'm an allergy sufferer with a habit of always cleaning, what type of fabric do you think will be best for recovering? Nothing too expensive.
Thank you for your time
Penny
Dear Penny: with all items that are manufactured, you MUST follow the directions given by the manufacturer, lest you completely ruin the fabric. If they say to dry clean, expensive as it may be, then you have to do it. I understand having allergies, as I too suffer. To cover the entire set, visit www.surefit.com. They have a great assortment of fabrics. Some will meet your needs. Look for a tightly woven Cotton, so that you may be able to wash it in the future. Ask before buying. Happy Decorating and Good Luck, Andy

Can you tell me if anyone has tried to dye or otherwise color tyvek suits? I expect the fabric would resist dye and don't know if textile paints would stick to it.
Thanks, Trish
Dear Trish: we have tried to paint on Tyvek and it does work. Try different paints and have a great time. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I have recently bought a brand new jumper made from 100% cotton and have just noticed a small cigarette burn on the material. It has only just scorched it slightly but is in a vary obvious place to the eye. Do you know of any method that I can get this scorch mark out. Please help as I am very annoyed.
Many thanks
Tim.
Dear Tim: return the garment as soon as possible. If it is past the return time, complain to the manager. The customer is always right! Good Luck, Andy

I have 2 grand-daughters who are in beauty pageants I would like to get some information on classes where I could learn to make the pageant attire. Can you help me? Thanks
Dear Grandma: what a nice idea. The best place to learn sewing and to learn about sewing is to visit www.asg.org. This is the American Sewing Guild. Find a local chapter and have a great time. Don't forget to stop back at Fabrics.Net to get all of your fabrics. Good Luck, Andy

Hello, Andy,
I have received as a gift a cashmere pashmina shawl (made in China). The color is a quite intense "baby" pink. Is there any way it could be safely made a paler shade of pink? Or could it be dyed a different color--a deeper, darker color? Thanking you for any advice you can give me,
Rita
Dear Rita: I would not try to alter the color on the scarf. Enjoy it the way it is, or find someone who just loves your scarf, give it to a friend, and buy yourself a new one. This way, you'll have made two people very happy. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I design fine children's bed linens and a majority of my fabrics are quilting fabrics. I have been going to some fabric tradeshows and have not found what I'm looking for at the shows. When I go to these quilt stores online and locally I find many fabrics. Do the retailers go to the shows to find the fabrics or do they work with a rep? Is there a market week where these manufacturers all gather together? Am I just going to the wrong shows? I missed the Houston Show, but I can't imagine all of these fabrics in the stores are from that show. I'm thinking of going to the Kansas show,but before I invest anymore money on trips I want to make sure that this is the appropriate avenue to find these fabrics. Any information will help and greatly appreciated. Could you get back to me soon as I'm getting ready to make arrangements for the May show in Kansas.
Regards,
Alina
Dear Alina: going to trade shows is invaluable. It is always money well spent. We even took the folks from Fabrics.Net to one of the shows we exhibit in, several years ago. I think they would both agree that it helped them too. Visit www.fabricshow.com to find out about the upcoming fabric show in Los Angeles. You just missed the New York Fabric Show and the Las Vegas Show. Quilt shows are good too. There are lots of great web sites that list the names, addresses and phone numbers of all of the textile mills (www.fashiondex.com). Plan a buying trip to New York City and visit them. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I have two handstripped goosedown pillows that my grandmother made for me as a wedding gift(33years ago). They have been in the linen closet for at least 25 years. I had replaced the ticking about that time and occasionally aired them on the clothes line. But they are really flat as pancakes now and I can't plump them up. My question is, is there a way to wash or do something to them to be able to use them again? Or am I looking at throwing them away?
Sincerely,Patricia
Dear Patricia: nothing lasts forever. Replace the pillows. Hope the marriage has lasted as long! Good Luck, Andy

Andy , could you tell me how to order plain scarves, tee shirts and ties for men so I can paint on for the derby?
apreciate your help
Thanks Norma
Dear Norma: visit www.fabricstodyefor.com and www.jacquardproducts.com. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I recently purchased some vintage cotton quilt fabric. I didn't recognize the "J. Manes Co." printed in the selvage of several pieces. The fabric looks to be 1930 - 40. Any information on this textile manufacturer would be greatly appreciated. The patterns of this fabric are fascinating, I've not seen prints like this before.
Thank You,
Melody
Dear Melody: so much has changed in the textile industry over the last several decades, that unless one of our readers knows of this company, it may be impossible to find any information. Enjoy your new fabric purchase and Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
What's the difference between Angora & Mohair? Please let me know if the following care content is valid? 50% wool, 30% Angora Mohair 20% Nylon, the mill had advise me Angora hair is goat hair. Thanks in advance for your help.
Diana
Dear Diana: from my research, Angora is rabbit hair. Mohair is goat hair. Together they make a fine combination. Enjoy your new garment and Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I'm sewing a shawl for my wedding gown from exquisite beaded silk. How is it best to store the shawl after the wedding? I've heard of silk storage bags but haven't been able to locate any.
Thank you,
Janna
Dear Janna: fold it over and place it in a nice quite dresser drawer. Then wait for it to yellow over the next several decades, hoping the next generation will want to wear it too. Good Luck, Andy
Hi Janna,
Just to add to Andy's answer. Locate acid free tissue paper and place the tissue on the top and inside of the shawl, then roll the shawl and place it in an acid free box. For more information on fabric storage please see Joan's Vintage Fabric column at http://www.fabrics.net/joan300.asp Joan also lists places to purchase acid free products for storage.
Judith

Hi Andy, how's u?
I'm interested in costume so I decided to create a collection (college) of garments based on Queen Amidala (Star Wars). I want to use man-made fabrics, as well as natural but I'm worried that certain fabrics won't be durable enough for costume. What fabrics are best for the wear & tear of costumes, and are safe in the wash?
*Kate*
Dear Kate: I'm not up on my Star Wars costumes. Lots of different fabrics are used today for these types of garments. Having just returned from the International Halloween and Party show, I must admit that every fabric under the son was used in one capacity or another at that show. Remember that "costumes" are worn infrequently and you can use most any fabric because of this. They usually require little washing or laundering. Unless, of course, you plan on wearing your costume every day when you travel to a distant galaxy. Good Luck, Andy

I am looking for burgundy/red sofa-loveseat slipcovers. Any suggestions as to where I can find them???
Dear Friend: visit www.surefit.com for the best selection. Good Luck, Andy

I want to make some pants for hiking. I live in Arizona and it can get very hot. I've checked some of the hiking stores and noticed that fabrics used for hiking apparel include cotton and nylon blends, cotton, polyester and spandex blends, supplex nylon twill and nylon canvas. I've checked fabric stores in our area and can't find any of these blends. I guess the nylon helps the fabric to be quick drying. I found some 100% nylon, but it doesn't have the body that the pants in the stores have. I found some fabric that is cotton and polyurethane...it's a little stretchy like spandex, is of a good weight and is most similar to the hiking pants I've seen in the stores. I'm most concerned with finding a fabric that is sturdy since it will be washed a lot, is quick-drying so I won't feel drenched in perspiration and has enough body so that it hangs well, is comfortable and doesn't look bulky. Do you know anything about polyurethane blended with cotton? Will it hold up well and not be too hot? I don't want to go through the effort of making these pants only to have them be too hot or uncomfortable. Thanks.
Dear Hiker: my best suggestion, in this case would be to buy a pair of pants already made. I've seen some great pants that will fit all your needs in the travel magazines. The specialty manufacturers have fabrics available to them that are not available to you as a home sewer. There is no sense in substituting a fabric that will not perform. Happy Hiking and Good Luck, Andy

Dear andy
I ' am looking for a source for inexpensive vinyl, that would be dust proof to buy wholesale .. please advise a good manufacture.
Regards, Deb
Dear Deb: try our sourcing area here at Fabrics.Net. Good Luck, Andy

hi Andy
I am looking for a supplier of Kevlar material in various colours suitable for the making motorcycle racing suits can you help
Regards
Graeme
Dear Graeme: visit www.ifai.org. They are the Industrial Fabric Association. One of their members probably has the fabric you need. 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.