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March/April:

Andy,
As the stretch fabric market continues to grow, I know that these fabrics are being used in many new innovative ays. Do you know a good source to find out what different types of markets stretch fabrics are being used, as well as the approximate share of the market they are being used in (i.e. knit shirts 5%, dress pants 2%)?
Thanks in advance for any information you may have on this.
PS I am not a student, I too have already done my homework!!
Dear Josh: for the best handle on the trends on both fabric and fashion, the daily bible is Womens Wear Daily. Either subscribe to the publication or visit their web site. They can be found at www.wwd.com. The newspaper is
published by Fairchild Publications. Read it daily and get a handle on the pulse of an industry. Good Luck, Andy

I am looking for some thick felt for some projects I am doing. I don't like how thin the felt squares are in the store. I want it think kind of like the "Storyteller" products. Do you know where I can buy some? JuDean
Dear JuDean: you've come to the right spot. We have lots of sources right here at Fabrics.Net that have Felt available for sale. Start your search here. Good Luck, Andy

I'll give it a try. I purchased a fabric 6 years ago from Fishman Fabrics in Chicago. It was a tapestry with a movie theme. Have you any idea where I can find it, Fishan no longer carries it. I'm not sure if its even manufactured anymore. Thanks for your help.
Dear Movie Buff: for any of these specialty prints, begin your search right here at Fabrics.Net. We have a great resource database. Some of our listed suppliers may have exactly what you are looking for. Good Luck, Andy

I have two barrel chairs that are an ugly color of green in a velvet-like fabric. Is there any fabric dye on the market that I could use to change their color - even if it's only to brown? I can't afford new chairs or even slipcovers - which don't usually work well on barrel chairs anyway.
I would apprciate any info you can give me!
Pat M.
Dear Pat: for the best info on the web concerning dyeing fabrics, visit www.ritdye.com. Good Luck, Andy

Hi my name is David. Recently I have surf your website for information about Lacoste but cant seem to find it. Could you kindly update me on the information about Lacoste as the information will be only be used in a project about textile. Information about yarn types, construction and different kinds of fiber content and other useful information. Thanks
Dear David: if you read French, visit www.lacoste.com. The Lacoste shirts were popular in the 50's as one of the first most popular branded items. The company expanded into other clothing items and the Lacoste brand remains
today. Lacoste as a stitch for a fabric has always been a knitted light weight polo shirt fabric with a surface interest or texture. I don't have the exact definition here at hand, but any good textile dictionary should be able to define the "lacoste" stitch. Hope this begins to answer some of your question. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I am doing the computer work for my Mom! She has been looking for Miss Minnesota Double Knits, but since her source went out of business, she has not been able to find another source. Do you know where I can get Miss Minnesota Double Knits? Is the fabric still made?
Thank you,
Shirley-Ohio
Dear Shirley: I grew up on double knit fabrics in the 70's. I never heard the term "Miss Minnesota" double knits. There was a chain of fabric stores called Minnesota Fabrics that has since been bought out by one of the other
remaining chains. Maybe the buyer of double knits at Minnesota Fabrics coined a Miss Minnesota brand that still is around today. Maybe one of our readers can shed some light on this. We have lots of sources for double knits fabrics here at Fabrics. Net. Begin your search here. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I purchased a Batik cotton that when prewashed still stayed stiff and did not hang in a drape. I have since prewashed it several times in HOT water, with each wash water leaving a colored waxy ring around the tub of the washing machine. I have concluded that there is still wax left (or at least some ) in the fabric. When first taking it out of the dryer it is soft and pliable but after cooling (2 minutes) it is again stiff and board-like. After five or six washings it is somewhat less stiff but not as I would wish it to be. Is this likely the quality of the fabric and/or wax and is there any other solution to making it more pliable? Thank you for you anticipated response. Gail
Dear Gail: sounds like your garment does still have the wax in it. What does the washing instruction label say? Can you call the store where you bought it? I'd continue to wash and try to remove the wax. Several more washing may
be in order for that soft hand you want. Good Luck, Andy
I've had good luck having wax removed from fabrics that are batiked by taking it to a dry cleaner. I had once wax resisted an 8 metre chunk of velvet and the dry cleaner did a wonderful job---tell Gail that may be her best bet!  It may not be cheap but it does work.   Arlee, Albedo Artclothing

Dear Andy,
For crafting purposes I'm looking for a type of material that has the same resemblance as pantyhose but can be bought by the yard. It has a "flesh-colored" appearance that can be used for doll faces, arms, legs, etc. Can you help me with the name of this item. I'm in Texas and have had no luck finding it. Thanks a million!
Joan
Dear Joan: you want a 15 denier nylon tricot, although I have sold flesh colored double knit polyester for this same application. Try the search area here at Fabrics.Net for the tricot fabrics you need. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
What happens if you hand wash wool trousers that says DRY CLEAN only on the label? Can you in any way hand wash trousers that have a DRY CLEAN ONLY label?
Kind Regards,
Tony
Dear Tony: you CAN hand wash them, but you may never be able to wear them again. The labels are on the garment to protect the garment. Dry Clean them and get to wear them and enjoy them another day. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy:
I am looking for some mill ends that are only 3" 6" 12" wide, for making rag rugs. I purchased some of this from a little shop out of Pampa Tx a few years ago at a little shop called "The Rag Nook" . The last Tornado that came through there took it away and now I have no other source for buying these small of mill ends. Can you help.
Dear Doris: search right here at Fabrics.Net. We have some of the best fabric companies listed anywhere on the web. One of our advertisers probably has exactly what you need. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
We are looking for a silk tulle and English net wholesale supplier. Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you.
Dear Catherine: I know that several of the companies listed here at Fabrics.Net has the English netting that you want. Try our search area first. As far as the silk tulle, try Evelyn Forstyhe Creations at 201-865-8962. They are in Union City, New Jersey( in case either the area code or phone number has changed). The silk tulle is very expensive and begins to "degrade" almost immediately. Good Luck, Andy

Who are some main manufacturers of pleather apparel?
Dear Tad: "pleather" today is used in so many different industries, that it is hard to pinpoint exactly what you are looking for. It has been used for ladies vests, belts, bags, lingerie, and costumes. Visit www.google.com and search "pleather apparel". You'll get a list of at least 230 web sites to check out. I just saw pleather being sold all around the recent International Fashion Fabric Expo in New York City on Monday of this week. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I have a small mail order business selling 80 to 100% wool fabric. It is hard to find resources to purchase wool. Could you help me out. I can easily get to New York City. I purchase right now from a couple of jobbers but I'm looking to add more. I can purchase 100or more yards depending on the wool. I tried to call for the T.I.P guide at the number 212-947-4600. That was in one of your articles. Any help I would be happy with. You have already supplied mewith lots of great info.
Thank-you,
Betsy Reed from Heavens To Betsy
Dear Betsy: There is another publication besides the T.I.P. guide. It is the Fashiondex. They also list lots of jobbers of fabrics. It is hard to find wool fabric due to the fact that so few wool garments are still made in the U.S.A. Have you searched the web for wool fabrics? More importantly, have you searched the Fabrics.Net site? We have some of the best resources to be found anywhere. There may be some sleepers in there that have exactly what you are looking for. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I read your answer to Marta regarding home-cleaning of her Ramie garment and I took mine to the dry cleaners, just like the manufacturer's tag said. Only one problem--they won't touch it! So I then took it to another cleaners and received the same answer!
Apparently, my garment, which also has see-through sleeves/overlay of another fabric and beaded embroidery on the sleeves and front cannot go through their processes? One store told me that the beading and see-through fabric would melt and the other told me that they would not be held responsible for however my dress ended up!
Can you tell me what, if anything I can do? I've thought of trying a home dry-cleaning product rather than laundering it, but I don't know if that would be safe.
There must be something I can do--why would anyone manufacture a garment that cannot be cleaned?
Thank you for any enlightenment you can bring to this situation.
Sincerely, Deanna
Dear Deanna: you have some choices. First is to find a cleaner that specializes in Wedding gowns. They will know how to handle the beading on your blouse. It may cost you $15-or $20 to have it cleaned properly. These very fancy beaded blouses are made to be worn on special occasions. They are not really intended as day wear, and they are not really intended to be worn one time and cleaned. They figure you'll wear it several times, in a year or so and then have it cleaned, if at all. The manufacturer is thinking that after one or two years the style will change anyway, and that you've gotten your use out of the garment. If you can't find a cleaner nearby that does wedding gowns, try the Internet for a professional dry cleaner. Good Luck, Andy

Andy,
I found a great polyester soccer jersey on ebay and purchased it. Unfortunately, on the inside of the jersey there are a number of spots where some sort of adhesive has gotten onto the fabric. I am not sure if it is a glue, or some sort of resin. The stains are soft, not hardened. The resin is resistant to regular washing and spot treatments.
I would love to wear the shirt, because it is a vintage ATARI logo soccer sponsor shirt, but I can't until I can clean it. Do you know of anything that will dissolve resin or soft glues from polyester without destroying the fabric? These jerseys are hard to come by--I am willing to try extreme measures!
Heath
Dear Heath: visit your local fabric or craft store. They sell a product called Kiss-off. It removes all kinds of strange stuff. Let us know how it turns out. Good Luck, Andy

I live in Chicago, and I would like to learn how to sew/tailor clothes professionally. Where can I go to learn how to do this?
Dear Ida: try your yellow pages of your local phone directory. Also, visit the Internet for sewing classes on line. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy:
How do you recommend removing stains from an antique christening gown (circa 1895) made of batiste cotton. The stains are on the lace yoke and appear to be from infant spit-up.
Thank you,
Cynthia
Dear Cynthia: my best advice would be to leave it alone. Anything you do could comprise the garment. You could bring or send it to a professional cleaner of antique fabrics or call your local museum for a recommendation.
Good Luck, Andy

Andy, I saw your web site and I am wondering if a snug fit angora/wool sweater can be stretched to fit a bigger size, particularly in the length from shoulder to waist. Thanks
You can stretch that sweater. If it is clean, immerse it in a sink in room temperature water, not hot, not cold. Remove sweater from water and roll in a thick towel to remove as much water as you can. Next, layer several towels on the floor (best to do it over carpet.) Lay the sweater on the towels and starting at the top using straight pins at 1-1 1/2" intervals begin pinning the sweater down, stretching it to the desired length as you pin.
The reason carpet is the best place is that it gives you a surface to insert your pins that will hold. The pins need to be that close together so that you do not create ripples once the sweater dries. It may take several days to dry so be patient.
If sweater is soiled, follow as above except use a mild dishwashing liquid in the water. Rinse sweater then continue process. Remember, always use room temperature water.
Good luck!

Andy,
My wife and I have somewhat of a disagreement. I have some red plaid flannel boxers and I see nothing at all wrong with wearing these comfortable clothes with a tee shirt in our yard. My wife insists these are boxer underwear and that everyone who sees me knows that I'm outside in my underwear. My question is whether she is right. She says that females can wear flannel shorts but that when males wear them they are underwear and everyone knows
it.
Dear RR: I'll have to side with you on this one. It has become a fad in recent years for girls to wear all kinds of clothes outside that for years were really unmentionable, no less unwearable in public. Times have changed,
a lot. Wear whatever you please in public, as long as you feel comfortable. Remember that while you wife probably wouldn't walk around in her bra outside, put a little print on that bra and call it a bathing suit, and see
her parading around the beach as if she were fully dressed. Good Luck, Andy

"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."

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