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August Questions

Your just what I need, someone that knows fabric's. I'm in the begining stages of putting together a new product which will involve a material very much like pantyhose material....something very stretchy yet strong....being able to see threw the material is okay and preferred. If my idea works, I would be wanting to purchase this in large quantities. Any sugestions? Thanks for your time....Gary
Dear Gary: sounds like you may need a 15 denier nylon tricot fabric. It is not quite as thin as the pantyhose fabric, but may be more readily available. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I just bought a sparkly knit evening dress and jacket made of acetate and spandex. Is there something I can safely spray on the fabric to keep the glitter from shedding everywhere? What about hair spray?
Dear Marietta: don't worry about the shedding. Don't spray it with anything. Go out and have a good time. Think of the glitter as sharing your happiness with everyone you meet. Think how wonderful you look and feel in your new evening dress. Smile and Cheers. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I just bought a really cool retro Bears football jacket and its made out of 100 percent polyester. It's an extra large (bought on ebay) and I need to shrink it but I don't know if just washing it in warm/hot water and drying it will do the trick. Any advice?
Jon
Dear Jon: either take it to a tailor and have it professionally sized to fit you, or leave it the way it is. Shrinking is not tailoring. Good Luck, Andy

hey andy i have a black 100% cotten shirt and i cant shrink it i have tried gettig it wet and then putting it in the dryer but that does not work. please help me shrink my shirt thanks alot Andy
Rodney: forget about shrinking the shirt. Have it tailored to fit, or "grow" into it. Or, buy a new shirt, one that FITS. Happy Shopping and Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I am starting a new business and found your website. Maybe you can help me out. I am looking for fabric shows on the east coast that I can go to and buy wholesale. I have my business license and am ready but can't seem to find a show where I can go and buy fabric that is not in the stores. If you can get me in the right direction I would appreciate it. Thanks for any help.
Sincerely,
Jeanne
Dear Jeanne: your timing is perfect. Visit www.material-world.com. Their, wholesale only, trade show will be at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, September 28-30, 2005. See you there! Good Luck, Andy

Hi I have some old bedthrows that are beautifully hand embroidered and would like to advertise them for sale but I can't tell if they are just cotton or linen?? how do you tell?? many thanks
Dear Di: there is no way to tell without a lab analysis, which I know you are NOT going to do. Just advertise them as being made of "natural" fibers and leave it at that. Good Luck, Andy

Hi thanks for coming back to me ~ shall I pass on a tip to you that I've since been told by a linen merchant!! The water test. If it's linen, pouring a little water on it at a slope the water will run down more readily than if it's cotton it will be readily absorbed on the way down! How's about that then ~ giving Andy a tip! Bless you thanks again Di

Hi Andy,
I would like to take some original designs I have and make them into oilcloth/vinyl tablecloths. Can you recommend a manufacturer that isn't too expensive? Preferably in Los Angeles but I suppose it isn't necessary. Many thanks.
-Alicia
Dear Alicia: some of the fabrics being offered as "oilcloth" are a printed vinyl, and some are a laminated printed polyester/cotton blend. To do a custom print on the vinyl, would require an order of about 10,000 yards. To do a custom polyester/cotton print in small quantities, would require you to have the fabric printed on a sample production machine. The cost per yard would be about $500 for the first yard, and slightly less per yard for an additional 10 yards or so. Then, you would have to have that fabric laminated with a PVC coating. Unless you are doing this as a business, it is going to be Very expensive. Keep the good ideas coming and Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy- I am trying to get an antique look on fabric that is too bright- do you know of any companies that can do professional dying for cut yardage or do you have any suggestions for the best way to do something like this with bulk fabric?
Dear Rebecca: contact Sherry Smilo at www.fabricdyeing.com. or call her at 831-336-2488. She can do what you want/need to be done. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
I have a suit jacket that was sitting in my car that I totally forgot about! Once I remembered it, I realized there was a stain that had developed just from sitting in there so long. I guess you can call it a weather stain. I took it to the dry cleaners and they couldn't get it out, so I was wondering if you knew of anything that would help me out. Please let me know. Thank you!
Katie
Dear Katie: sounds like the sun faded the fabric. Nothing you can do. Happy Shopping and Good Luck, Andy

I have a tuxedo shirt that needs a new collar. Do you know who does that repair. I live in ft. Lauderdale, FL thanks, Gerry k
Dear Gerry: you can take your shirt to a local tailor. In today's apparel market, shirts are usually replaced when the collar wears out. Be prepared to spend more to replace the collar than to buy a new shirt. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
We are building a large trade show structure that needs a dark blue skin over a portion of an aluminum 20'x 20' pyramid. Because of the topology of the surfaces involved the fabric will be in 12 foot lengths with a 45 degree twist. Probably should not stretch. Because of the location it must be fire retardant and because of our desire to block out portions of intense ceiling lights it needs to be able to block light. Can you suggest fabric types and sources? Thanks, bill
Dear Bill: contact www.rosebrand.com. They have exactly what you need. Call them at 800-223-1624. We used to deal with Ilene Rich. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I have just started some research for a partner who is interested in starting a pocketbook business which is unique in his idea. He has asked me to do some research for him. A manufacturer for the Laminate How to get this done? Where? and so forth. I am new at this and pulled your site from Google. Please advise me as soon as you can, if you might be a contact for us or direct us to a company that we could work with. Sincerely, Carol A.
Dear Carol: visit www.fabrite.com. I've known this company for many years, and they are "good" people. Good Luck, Andy

DEAR ANDY,
WE ARE A SMALL CONTRACT SEWING FACILITY IN TN. WE WOULD LOVE TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE ITEMS YOUR WRITERS ARE WANTING PRODUCED. THEY CAN REACH US AT 423-663-4164.
THANKS SO MUCH.
TAMMY
Dear Tammy: if you are not already, get yourself listed at www.seams.org. It is the National Association for the sewn products industry. A great directory of all sewing contractors in the USA. We often send our readers there. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I was supposed to embroider for a friend 3 initials for a wedding veil. A seamstress made the veil, then my friend brought it to me, for the monogramming. After doing the monogramming, I was ironing it, with a ironing cloth, top & bottom, next thing I know the tulle has been scorched. The more I have tried to repair it, the bigger the hole has gotten. It is about 2 inches above the monogramming, quite noticeable. the hole itself has become about 2 and a half inches long, and less than a half of an inch deep. Is there ANY way to repair this, and it not be seen? I have never made a veil before, and that is where it looks like I am headed. Cannot stand the thought of showing this to my friend, who is already on the edgewith her daughters wedding. Your help is greatly appreciated, AR
Dear AR: contact the seamstress that made the veil. I don't know of any way to repair the whole. You may have to start over with a new veil. Embroider the initials on a separate piece of fabric and attach it to the veil. Doing anything else is courting danger. Good Luck, Andy

dear andy...... my cotton work shirts smell like mildew.... i have tried several different detergents and put clothes in the dryer as soon as they are done washing......any ideas? Bob
Dear Bob:
"tell them to try Fabreze-works on smoke it should work on mildew...also maybe to try Clorox in the wash" This from my "better half". Good Luck, Andy

I was hoping you could help me find a fabric. I'm making some soccer blankets. I need them to be extremely waterproof for sitting on the wet ground. But, also breathable to use blanket to cover up. I will be using a fleece for the other side. I know Gortex is great, but very expensive. I'd like to use something for between $5 - $10 a yard. I hope you can direct me to a fabric and hopefully a website to order from. Thanks for your help. Candi
Dear Candi: don't give up on Goretex just yet. You may be able to get at deal on that fabric. Visit www.rosecitytextiles.com. Good Luck, Andy

Andy, My daughter loves the new jean look which is the destroyed look, sandblasted etc. Also the look with the holes in the jeans. I refused to pay full price for a destroyed paid of jeans. we went to the thrift store and got 3 pairs and i want to make them look old and greenish color too, how do I do that. please e-mail me back Thanks, Judi
Dear Judi: call me old-fashioned, but I'm with you. Why pay a lot of money to make your jeans look like they were run over by a truck and dragged through the mud? But that is the fashion. So let your daughter wear the jeans, every day, until she graduates from college or grad school. By that time, they will be the "perfect" pair of jeans. Good Luck, Andy

Hello: Glad there is someone to ask ! I have a long piece of crocheted work done in my grandmother's time, which has yellowed totally. I was wondering how I would be able to at least whiten it a bit, so that it does not look dirty. It is about the length of a three seat chesterfield and about 2 feet wide. Thank you for your time and thoughts on this... Anne
Anne: the best advice I can give you is to "do nothing". Enjoy it for what it is.... an antique piece of history. Consider the yellowing, part of its normal ageing process. Enjoy it and be happy that you have it. Good Luck, Andy

How do you get wrinkles out of sheers? I bought a pair and can't seem to get the "package" wrinkles. I tried ironing but no luck.
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Llewellyn
Try finding the manufacturer of the drapes or contact the place where they were purchased. You can always bring them to a dry cleaner. Good Luck, Andy

I have a fur stole I would like to line a raincoat with. Do you do that kind of work?
MA/D
Dear Alice: I personally don't do "that kind of work". You should look for a professional tailor in your area. Good Luck, Andy

Hello Andy, I am in the process of starting a business from home selling baby items like bibs etc... My question is where do I find drawstring cord? I have spent a few days searching for where to find much less to know the exact name of what it is called. It is very soft and Im sure its cotton. You can almost see the weave pattern in it if you pull it left to right. I am sending you a picture of this so you can see. I hope you have some idea or know of where I can find this. I already tried the company on your website that does childrens notions...
Dear Maria: visit www.ifai.com. The Industrial Fabric Association trade site will have some member that produces what you want. I hope you are not planning to use the cotton draw string on a bib. When dealing with items for kids, there are very strict U.S. Government rules. Make sure that you or your attorney has reviewed all the regulations. Visit www.cpsc.gov to find out some basics. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy, great webpage!
I have a sofa upholstered with that microsuede material. It's supposed to be easy to wash, but it sure tears easily. My cat was sitting on the arm, fell off, and in doing so cut a nice slice through the microsuede. I was wondering what is the best way to repair it? Any ideas?
Thanks, Andre
Dear Andre: cats with claws belong outdoors! Get yourself a nice pillow or throw and try to hide the tear. Happy Decorating and Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy, I have a bathing suit top (tank style) that is light pink with a black trim on the top. Either the black trim or the black from a pair of sandals bled onto the pink in spots and streaks when they were wet and put into a bag together after being at the beach. First I tried hand washing it using Spray'n Wash and detergent. Then I tried Carbona color run remover - letting it soak overnight - and the streaks and spots are still on the pink. The suit is 81% nylon and 19% lycra spandex. Do you have any advice for how to get the spots out - or what to use to dye it pink (if possible) or black if that is the only way to get rid of the stains. I spent a lot of money on this suit as it is hard to find bathing suits for a full-figured woman these days - and I only got to wear it once before this happened. I would appreciate any help you can give me immensely. Thank you. Sincerely, Ms. Sam
Dear Mrs. Sam; try calling the manufacturer of the bathing suit. You've already done all that you can do. Happy Shopping and Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
How does the "little guy" afford to have your own design printed on fabric, say 2 yards 36 wide. Is there not a company out there that can do it cheaper? Say you wanted to do your print on a scarf? Would it cost as much as what you said in your feed back about designing your own fabric? How does one buy cheap fabric with a print on it for some times $ 12 a yard when it costs around $500 to print one yard? What about China or oversea's? Can a small company print your design at a reasonable price without printing up 1,000 of bolts of fabric to bring the cost down? If no company out there, then this would be the business to get into, reading about feed back of alot of people that would like to design their own printed fabric. thank you
wen
Wen: some companies have figured out a way that a consumer can print their own fabric, using their ink jet printer. Visit www.junetailor.com and select Printer/copier fabrics. 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.