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April Questions

Hi Andy,
I just bought a pair of 100% polyester. I went to iron them and kept the iron on too hot. Now I have a small spot that is very shinny. I washed them again and the shine spot won't come out. Is there any way I can get rid of the shine>>> Please help me.
Judy
Dear Judy: there is no way to cover the shine. Time to do your part for "the economy". Buy another pair and learn from your mistake. Don't worry, we all make them. Good Luck, Andy

Andy how do I stop fine fabrics from fraying after they have been sewn ? Donna
Dear Donna: if they are sewn properly, fabric should not fray. Good Luck, Andy

Where can I find plastic or vinyl (the disposable type) of camoflauge tableclothes for an army graduation party. Thanks, Kelly
Dear Kelly: try your local Party store. Good Luck, Andy

Hello, Andy
I am in the process of opening a boutique in my home town, and I was wondering if there was any info you give me on finding designers to sale their collections @ wholesale pricing.
Thank You,
Adriane
Dear Adriane: years ago I would have sent you to The International Fashion Boutique show. That show still continues under the name Industry 212. Look them up on the web. The next show is June 2-4, 2004 in Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy!
We are needing the cardboard cores that come in the middle of a bolt of fabric, we can get a few from the local Walmart, but we need more like a couple hundred of them within the next 2 months. Any idea where I can find these things? I don't even know what they are rightfully called which has made searching for them on the internet next to impossible. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Beth
Dear Beth: buying these cores in small quantities may be difficult to find. Visit your local fabric store and see if you can get some from them. If you find a textile service company that can double fold your fabric, they can supply you with the boards as well. Good Luck, Andy

Andy,
I would like to start my own business selling curtains/window treatments, factory closeouts and/or purchasing direct from a wholesaler. I want to sell ready made items for all rooms at a reduced rate. Perhaps incorporating matching kitchen towels, placemats potholders, etc. Could you steer me in the right direction?
Thanks,
Jo
Dear Jo; as with all buying, there is not one easy answer. You are going to have to invest a lot of time and money. Attend as many wholesale trade shows as you can. There are shows in Las Vegas coming up called The Merchandise Show, as well as shows in the South for the Home Furnishings market. Get yourself a subscription to www.hfnmag.com (Home Fashion News) and study the ads. Call the companies. Visit them. That's the only way to get the best deals. Good Luck, Andy

DEAR ANDY,
I AM GETTING MARRIED IN MAY AND MY FIANCE'S MOTHER'S BRIDAL GOWN FROM 1940 WAS FOUND AFTER SHE PASSED AWAY THIS PAST DECEMBER. IT FITS ME PERFECT!!! HOWEVER, IT HAS TURNED YELLOW FROM AGE. IT IS PURE LACE AND WAS PURE WHITE AT ONE TIME BUT TIME HAS NOW YELLOWED IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE CLEANERS AND THEY TOOK OUT AS MUCH YELLOW AS THEY COULD. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WILL TAKE OUT AGED YELLOW ON LACE. IF NOT, CAN I DYE IT WHITE? THANK YOU.
Linda
Dear Linda: enjoy the dress the way it is. What a beautiful idea to wear that dress and honor his mother. May your wedding day be filled with happiness and bliss. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I am looking for flame retardant material to sew pajamas for my 4 year old daughter to wear this summer I am having trouble locating material and I don't want to use just any material for safety reasons. I will need approximately 1.5 yard per pajama (4 pairs). Any suggestions?
Renee
Dear Renee: for safety's sake, buy store bought PJ's. It's the only way you can be 100% safe. Anything else would be a comprise and a risk that is not worth taking. Enjoy your daughter and give her an extra hug. You can always make her a tutu for fun. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy: I am looking for a source for Vanity Fair Nylon Tricot fabrics. I have a home business and sew lingerie which I sell on eBay. I would like to buy wholesale in lots of 10 to 20 yards of various colors in 40 denier non sheer and 20 denier sheer fabric. I live in Wyoming and do my purchasing through the mail. I have found one small source but the colors are very limited. Being a home business I cannot buy in large quantities and going through a manufacturer is not possible. Any help you can provide would be appreciated. thanks, Sheila
Dear Sheila: 40 denier tricot as well as 15 denier tricot have never been available in "retail" fabric stores. There has never been a great deal of demand for these types of fabrics for the home sewing market. There are a few web sites that offer 15 denier, and these companies buy the fabric in large rolls, when it is available. Try www.laceheaven.com We, besides spending part of my time working on the Ask Andy column, sell those fabrics on a wholesale basis. Our rolls sizes are 200 yards, and based upon the current market, do not stock colors. Part of your job will be to find the tricot, or to grow your business to where you can afford to buy larger quantities of fabric to support your own needs. I wish I knew of some companies that would have what you need. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy:
Could you please give me the formula for stiffening sheer curtains using epson salts and water?
Thank you so much for your help in this matter.
Sincerely,
Lavonne
Dear Lavonne: sorry, my chemistry days are far behind me. Anyone with the answer? Good Luck, Andy
Hi Lavonne, I don't have the recipe either but try www.theclotheslinebook.com to see if anyone there has the recipe.
Judith

Hi Andy,
Wow, Happy to find your website. I am a quilter and sell my handmade quilts for $1,200 - $3,500. I am interested in however, reproducing my quilts and getting into more of the mass market vs. just the collector market. I want to investigate small reproduction runs - limited edition - and larger production runs. I have search the web, but I am a bit confused on where to start. Any insight would be helpful.
Thank You,
Kim
Dear Kim: consider attending or exhibiting at the Surtex show in New York in a few weeks. Visit www.surtex.com. That show and the other exhibitors will give you all the education you need, and more. Good Luck, Andy

My painter spilled white oil paint on my red wall-to-wall carpeting (I'm not sure if it's wool or nylon). We tried removing the paint with thinner, but it only left large white spots. What to do? Thanks.
Call the painter in and get the name of his insurance company. Let them deal with it. Good Luck, Andy

Hi, Andy my name is Joan and I have lost weight and have 3 or 4 100% rayon blouses I just love. Is there some way to shrink them without ruining them. Would sure appreciate your advise.
Joan
Dear Joan: congratulations on losing weight. The best way to show off your success is to treat yourself to some clothes that fit your new body. Either have the blouses tailored or buy some new ones. Shrinking will not work. The only thing that you can shrink is your body size. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
Please help me find suppliers for the 1680 Ballistic Nylon.
My thanks in advance for your help.
Vinny
Dear Vinny: I found this great company on the web called Emtex Inc. Based upon their sourcing ability, they should be able to find what you need. Seriously though, visit the Industrial Fabric site at www.ifai.com. Their annual trade show is in Pittsburgh this year in October. You should consider attending. Also, George Little Management, www.glmshows.com is putting on a sourcing trade show in May in New York, www.sourceny.com. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy I wanted to know how fast a 100%cotton T-shirt burns and what fabrics make it burn.
Dear N: just because a T-shirt is 100% cotton, the weight of the fabric as well as the construction of the shirt, will determine the burn rate. To get the correct answer to this question, the shirt should be sent to a textile lab for proper testing. Good Luck, Andy

HELLO ANDY,
I'M BERNARD NEEDING TO FIND A DIAPER MANUFACTURER THAT WILL MAKE TOWELS &WASH CLOTHS FROM DIAPER FABRIC. AND WHERE CAN I BUY A BOLT.
Dear Bernard: diaper fabric is made to order for every manufacturers. You cannot "buy a bolt" anywhere. As far as sewing contractors, visit www.seams.org, to find one in your area. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
We recently purchased a wool rug, the problem is it won't stop shedding . Hoovering it hasn't worked, It can be seen all over the house is there a way of stopping this problem other than getting rid of it completely!
Sincerely Dudley.
Dear Dudley: do it right and return it from where you purchased it. 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.