Hi Andy, I just found your website. I
have created a men's accessory that I would like to produce and sell. I have absolutely no
experience with getting clothes manufactured. I have found some local seamstress to
produce a few samples for me but I don't know of any companies that can do mass production
(1000 to 5000 pieces per order with quick turn around)
Im looking for a company that can produce the item in leather and cotton - sort, tag,
pack, and ship to stores I get accounts with. My wholesale cost will be around $50 for the
leather item and $25-$30 for the cotton. I need someone who does good work and is
reliable. Someone who can do the things mentioned above at a cost that is half of my
wholesale cost.
I've been told that I will probably have to contract with someone overseas. I have no idea
how to do that and am clueless on how to protect my interests with a company overseas and
ensure the quality of the work.
any companies and contact names you can provide, along with general info that will help me
see clearly what I'm getting into will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Dear K: hang in there. This request requires some thinking to give you the best answer.
I'll have it composed in my mind in a day or so. I'll get back to you then with my full
report. Don't do anything rash until then. Good Luck, Andy
Dear KGross: I've reread your letter several times. First you have to decide if this is
going to be a full time business, or do you want to do this in addition to what you are
doing now. I would strongly suggest that if this is not your next career move, that you
sell the idea to a company that is in a related business. You might be able to sell your
idea through an online intellectual property buying service. Visit www.idea.com. You wrote
that you have no experience getting clothes manufactured. Here is another way to spend
lots of money and lose lots of money. If you really want to sell this item, make a few
samples and take them around to some stores, to see if there is a commercial interest.
Each major retailer will have their own requirements for purchasing. They will require
special labels and packing. If you want to sell to smaller stores, how are you going to
get paid. They will expect credit terms. And you will have to set up a business to handle
their business. Leather and cotton are generally not sewn in the same factories. Where are
you located? There are some major garment centers, around the US. If you are not near
them, you may have to do a lot of traveling to get this business going. You've got a lot
to think about here. Go SLOW. Good Luck, Andy
Dear Andy
I have brought this lovely tartan(red,black) skirt, though i love it to pieces I find it
very had to wear. My question would be is it possible to dye the skirt black and not ruin
it. Any information would be appreciated.
myra
Dear Myra: Either wear the skirt or find someone that will. A tartan skirt is a beautiful
garment and should be worn with a smile and pride. Tartans have been around for years
(since 1538) and each design represents a different Scottish family. If this doesn't
convince you, then visit www.ritdye.com. They have info on dyeing fabrics. But, really
think about it. Good Luck. I know you'll make the right decision. Andy
Dear Sir:
We are looking for animal fabrics mainly, and also selective fabric companies in general.
We have a beautiful large showroom/design center in the Palm Springs area and do a lot of
custom furniture, upholstery, drapes, cushions, pillows, carpet and flooring, etc. We
would be grateful to receive any select free samples swatches or books that you think
would be an asset to both of us.
We use a lot (and are in need of) any whites, blacks, beige's, animal and African prints
and palm trees. Please. We can't use any country, traditional, plaids, etc., and would not
want to take these samples or books away from someone who would benefit from them.
Have a wonderful day!
Sandy
Mission Hills Home Decor
Dear Sandy: try searching the web for decorator fabric wholesalers and manufacturers. Most
often, they sell their sample books to companies like yours, and give you the cost back as
you order fabric. You are in a great location for the type of work you are doing. We
visited there last November and know exactly where you are. Good Luck, Andy
I want to make some cloth diapers I am interested in a layer of waterproof
fabric so that plastic pants would not have to be used What would you suggest?
Dear Diaper Maker: I'd suggest a visit to your local fabric store. They may have something
there that will work for you. You need a lightweight waterproof plastic or fabric that can
be easily sewn and easily washable. If you do not live near a fabric store, try searching
the web. Start right here at Fabrics.Net. We have some great resources here. Good Luck,
Andy
Hi!
I just saw a post in your column about PUL (polyurethane laminate). can you please tell me
who supplies this? Thanks, --Cindi
Dear Cindi: the fabric you describe that is used for diapers can be purchased, as best I
can tell, from www.poopockets.com. I visited www.google.com, typed in polyurethane
laminate, and up popped 8330 listings. Poopockets was at the bottom of the first page of
listings. They say they sell it in 1/2 yard increments. I hope this is the weight of
fabric you need. You may want to check further into the listing for heavier weight fabrics
for other applications. Good Luck, Andy
Hello Andy,
Im in need of locating additional sewing contracts for my company. I just stumbled on you
site today and enjoyed it. We have many types of machines and large cutting tables to
handle most any jobs. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Ann
Dear Ann: your questions are a little to vague. You didn't tell us where in the country
you are, and what kind of machinery you have. We won't do your work for you. That is, we
can't stop our business to go out and find work for yours. What we can do is give you some
suggestions on how to get additional work for your factory. Good Luck, Andy
Im sorry i was vague. We’re in Tennessee. I want asking for you to find work
for us I was hoping to find sites on the internet and just thought you may have known of
places to look. The machines vary from single stitch, double stitch binders and zippers.
etc. We’ve been building bags ranging from small cosmetic to large soft sided carry
bags. I do thank you for your help or suggestions. Hope i haven’t taken to much of
your time. Thank you Ann
Dear Ann: visit www.ifai.org. They are the Industrial
Fabric Association. Put your name on their lists of supplier and sewers. You may also get
some leads of folks looking for sewing of the types of bags you make or can make. IFAI has
an annual wholesale trade show. The next one is in October in
Nashville, TN. It may be profitable for you to attend. Hope to see you
there. Good Luck, Andy
What are the latest materials/fabric blends for summer and winter?
Dear Muna: for summer we've always liked cotton and linen. These have been favorites for
many years. For winter, wool is nice. So is leather. Visit www.wwd.com
for the latest designer trends. Wear whatever you like, whenever you like. 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
http://albedo.cjb.net
Dear Arlee: thanks for the information. We will pass it on. We need all the help we can
get. This is what makes the "sewing community" such a wonderful place. Have a
Great day. Good Luck, Andy
Andy,
Do you know the name of the label which can be used with reversible clothing? The label
usually has two threadlike strings hanging on each side of it. The label resembles a
swing. The label can swing to the non-wearing side of a reversible garment. If you know
the name of this label or any other label that can be used with a reversible garment
please let me know.
Thanks, Angelia
Dear Angelia: having owned many reversible garments, I must admit, that the labels are
usually in a pocket or some other place they are not ever seen. I've never seen the type
of label you have described. However, here are two web sites of apparel label
manufacturers. Maybe one of them can be helpful
to you: www.alkahn.com and www.shatzusa.com. Good Luck, Andy
dear Andy:
I am planning to start a wholesale fabric business. I will deal in pashmina wool, raw
silk, and angora. I will run the business for my home at lake Tahoe, selling to tailors
and designers. if you could give me any tips on how I can make contacts in India and
Nepal. prices to pay and prices to sell act. ect..
thank you for any and all help you can give me to get started.
Michael
Dear Michael: this business idea is a huge undertaking. I'd suggest you do some basic
homework before investing your money. Travel around to the stores you want to sell to. Ask
them if they are buying the fabrics you want to sell. If you don't want to travel to them,
get a list of them from the web and start calling them up. See what the demand is. My
experience with this type of trade is that they sell the fabrics from swatch books. They
usually work with suiting fabrics and order the fabric in when they make a sale, and not
before. That would mean that you would buy the fabric, have the swatch books made and sit
and wait for someone to walk into a tailor shop and request the exact sample that you are
selling. In the meantime, some of those fabrics/colors will be going out of fashion. You
are better off finding someone that is already importing these fabrics and then try to go
around to sell them to some smaller designers. Plan to attend the New York Fabric Shows
and the Los Angeles Fabric Shows. Invest a lot of time learning the market, before
investing a lot of money. Good Luck, Andy
Dear Andy ,
i am manufacturing and exporting Aprons of all kind and sizes plz help me to find some
importers of aprons
thanks
salman
Dear Salman: visit any search engine and type in Aprons. You'll get thousands of listings.
Now contact each one of them and try to sell them your Aprons. It's as simple as that.
Good Luck, Andy
This is probably common knowledge, but I sure don't know it. I've seen garments
that have deorative elastic sewn right onto the edge of the fabric. I need to know the
right way to do this myself.
Thank you in advance,
Raichou
Dear Raichou: I don't do any sewing myself. Maybe one our readers, or Judith, can help you
here. How about it Judith? Good Luck, Andy
Raichou, the stitch you are looking for is called the cover stitch and is found on
sergers. You can also use your serger and the cutters to serve the elastic on and trim the
excess at the same time. If you have a sewing machine store in your area, you can ask them
to demonstrate this for you.
Hope this helps!
Judith
Hi
I am manufacturing Car floor mats and I am looking for bias bindings or edgings. I do not
want to use vinyl anymore.
Thanks for your help.
Haig/Haig Industries
Dear Haig: visit www.bobbin.com. You should find some companies that make bias bindings
from your fabrics. Or you might be able to find a machine there that can make the bias
binding for you. It all depends on how much money you want to spend. Also, speak with the
salesperson that sells you your
carpeting. He may have some leads for you. Good Luck, Andy
Dear Andy-
I recently purchased a hand-made cotton bath mat, made from Lily brand cotton yarn which
is labeled colorfast. I've tested some strands and it is colorfast. Unfortunately, time
has darkened two of the corners. I'd like to wash it and would like to know how to get the
best result. I'm concerned that the strands will flatten and not be as fluffy if it has to
air dry. (It was crafted by tying twenty strands of yarn into a bunch and then stitching
these bunches to a heavy canvas backing.) Any suggestions?
Many thanks-
Angie
Dear Angie:
The mat can be washed in a mild dish liquid and air dryed. The strands may not be as
fluffy. Another way to dry it would be to wash it and lay it out on the grass on a sunny
day. Directly on the grass, nothing under it. There seems to be some kind of reaction in
the sun and on the grass that brightens
the fiber. Andy
Hi,
I am trying to recover a 1950's 45rpm record player. It is an RCA. The case is wood and
the original covering looks to be the same as might be found on an old suitecase. The
vintage phonograph and radio sights have no information on how to go about finding
replacement fabric for restoring. I am trying to keep it a original in pattern design as
possible. Do you have any suggestions as to where I might find what I am looking for?
Thank you for your time.
Mark
Hi Mark,
We have two people answering your question to "Ask Andy". First, Joan who writes
our Vintage Fabric column says:
1. check flea markets and other collectible stores for large or several small suitcases
with similar covering which can be removed and used on his recorder. 2. check with
upholsterer who can probably suggest an alternate or a place that sells old coverings.
Then from Andy:
Dear Mark: I know exactly what you are looking for. However, these types of vinyls were
not generally available to the public. You may have a better time finding another record
player of the same era, one that does work, and swapping the mechanisms. "Rock and
Roll is here to stay" Good Luck, Andy
What does the word pleather?
Dear Maureen: pleather is plastic leather. A leather substitute that looks and feels like
leather, and is man made. Saves some cows.Moooooo. Good Luck, Andy
Hi Andy:
I am looking for a particular fabric. It is called Trigger 60 poplin, leaf green, 65%
polyester, 35% cotton. I live in Sarnia, Ontario which across the river from Port Huron,
Michigan. Can you help?
Thanks in advance, Nancy
Dear Nancy: you didn't say if you needed 1 yard or 100,000 yards. However, I'd first try
our sourcing area here at Fabrics.Net. We have some of the best resources anywhere on the
web. We have lots of friendly folks that may be able to recommend a source if they
themselves don't carry this style and fabric. Good Luck, Andy
Andy:
When was terry cloth first manufactured? What fabric was used for beach towels in the late
1800s and turn of the century? Was terry cloth used then or huckabuck or another material?
Thank you.
Mary
Dear Mary: I'll have to do some more research to find out the history of Terry Cloth. I do
know that bathing as an activity was not too popular at the turn of the century. Folks,
especially women, would never dare expose themselves in public, enough to do
"public" swimming. Toweling probably developed as did "bathing suits."
Let us know if your find the answer. Good Luck, Andy
Which of the synthetic fabrics are biodegradable, if any?
Thanks,
Caitlin
Dear Caitlin: You've won the award for the best question of the year. It really gives us
all an opportunity to learn something new. I visited www.google.com and searched
"biodegradable fabrics" and learned there were 8700 listings. Went down the list
and read that some fabrics made from both corn and polypropylene are biodegradable. For
additional information, I'd suggest you too visit google. Good Luck, and thanks for
teaching us all something new! Andy
Dear Andy,
I'm trying to start my own clothes line. I don't want to design them myself, I just want
my own name brand clothes. Can you gave me advice on how to get started
Thank You,
Ms. Fashion
Dear Ms. Fashion: the best advice I can give you is to take some business courses at a
local university or junior college. Then you will begin to understand the complexity of
your question. Do you have money to invest in your new business? Where will it be located?
Who will sell the garments? To what markets? Think about it some time and let us know how
you are doing in school. Good Luck, Andy
I have just purchased fabric for new curtains. It is a very deep color, which
is exactly what I need. Is there anything I can do to insure that the color does not
lighten when it is washed? I have heard that adding vinegar to the water will set the
original color; is this correct? And if so, how much vinegar to a washer load? The fabric
is 100% cotton, so of course I will use cold water. Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely, ADC
Dear Audrey: First, hang the curtains and enjoy them now. If it is a deep color, you may
not have to worry about the color coming out from the wash, The Sun may do that anyway.
Contact the manufacturer of the fabric. Don't worry about becoming a chemist and adding
vinegar and other things to preserve the color. You could always buy more fabric and stash
it away for the next time. However, styles, colors and decor changes over time. By the
time the color is removed from the curtains, you may be into other styles and
colors. Good Luck, Andy
Andy,
I am looking for silver lace that I can cut apart for appliques on a wedding dress for my
daughter. It would have to be raised enough that it would not ravel. Can you recommend
some place that I can order from? I'm planning to put the silver lace over different parts
of her dress done in white satin.
Sincerely,
Jo Ann
Dear Jo Ann: try the sourcing area here at Fabrics.Net. We have some of the best places on
the earth to find and buy the fabrics you need. Make some phone calls and tell them you
found them at Fabrics.Net. If they don't have it, maybe they can recommend someone that
does. Good Luck, Andy
Dear Andy:
Hi, i am getting married in May 2002 and looking for purple camouflage to make a vest and
wedding dress cover for the reception. I know that I have seen it out there, but haven't
been able to find any. Any chance you could help me out? Thanks for your help!
Hunter in love,
Tammy
Dear Tammy: Congratulations on your marriage. Anyway, in regard to the camo, please search
the fabric source area here at Fabrics.Net. We have some of the best webtailers anywhere
on the Internet. Good Luck (on your marriage and in your search). Andy
Dear Andy,
I recently learned from my local professional drycleaners that my request for starch in my
coly/potton or poly/rayon clothing is moot because the cotton blend clothing won't
"hold" starch. Is this true? I appreciate your assistance very much.
Thank you,
Lewis
Dear Lewis: this if the first I've heard of this. I know some folks have their shirts
starched, and lots of times they are made of polyester and cotton. Try another cleaner in
town. Good Luck, Andy
