Dear Andy,
I hope you can help me. I am looking for a supplier of Ladies Board Shorts. I have tried
looking on the internet for the best prices but hard to find. I was thinking of one on the
Asian Countries, simply because of cost price and shipping it to my Country in the
Caribbean.
Have you heard of any good and reasobalbe suppliers?
Thank You
Dear Tammy: when I visited www.google.com and typed in
Ladies Board Shorts, they came up with 23,100 listings. As I scrolled down, there seems to
be some companies that wanted to export to the U.S. Try the above combination and see if
you can find a supplier there. Good Luck, Andy
Dear Jessie: please get the word out to our readers that we've found a web
site that offers Solar Active buttons, threads, T-shirts and even shoe laces.
Our readers can find them at www.solaractiveintl.com
. It's a real nice
site, the best I can tell. They will be coming out with Solar active fabrics
in about 30 days. We seem to have a lot or requests for this fabric over the
last several years. We wish all our readers, Good Luck. Andy
Dear Andy,
Who should I contact regarding the IFFE show for 2002? When and where will it be held?
John
Dear John: the next IFFE show will be in New York's Jacob Javits Center in
September or October. Visit www.fabricshow.com and
hit the button for
"fabric" for all the details. See you there. Good Luck, Andy
Dear Andy, We went to order replacement slings for our Winston outdoor
furniture and the company discontinued every shade of blue/gray. The salesperson was very
nice and told me that the fabric was called Ebertex or Evertex. I am sure I could made the
slings (they just have a simple turned hem) if I could find a source for the fabric.
Thanks for your help, our patio furniture is currently unusable. Janet
Dear Janet: begin your search at www.ifai.org . Also
search some of the major
search engines such as www.google.com . These are your
two best bets. Good
Luck, Andy
Hi Andy,
I am looking for denim to make purses out off. Could you suggest some good suppliers that
I could buy it by the bolt?
Becky
Dear Becky: you've come to the right spot. Please visit the sourcing area
here at Fabrics.Net. Our list of suppliers are waiting for you. Good Luck,
Andy
I'm making a quillow for my nephew. The quilt part is material with a map of
the world, but I can't find any material with a map of the US. I need about 16"
square for the pillow.
Thanks for your help in finding this material for me.
Nancy
Dear Nancy: we just heard about a new service that searches the web by
images. Try visiting http://images.google.com and
search for the Map of the
U.S. on fabric. We found 13 areas to view. Good Luck, Andy
Hi Andy,
I need to buy already made hair bows wholesale . I was told some where in Dallas, Texas
there is a place to get them . Do you know I can buy them .
Ethel
Dear Ethel: try visiting www.google.com and search for
"hair bows wholesale".
There are over 1800 lisitngs. I'm sure you'll find something there for your
needs. Good Luck, Andy
Dear Andy,
I have two questions for you:
1) Here in Houston, TX some years ago I found a major supplier of dacron and polyester
batting that catered to the quilting industry. I purshased enough to last me 3 years. I
use it to upholster walls and need some urgently.I have lost the invoice and can not
remember where it is or the name of the place. It was in an industrial warehouse area of
the city. I have tried finding them in the telephone directory under quilting supplier,
batting, wadding, fiber fill, ect and have had no luck. This company sold to the local
wholesalers and of course the wholesalers won't tell who their suppliers are.
Would you happen to know the name of the supplier that sells to the local wholesalers here
in Houston.
2) I would like to cover shoes for a fee. Is there a good manual that explains the process
so that the work will look professional?
Thank you very much,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle: A lot can change in three years. Visit your local fabric
retailer and find the batting you like. Then call the manufactuer shown on
the packaging. You may be able to buy it at less cost from the fabric
retailer than you can buy it wholesale. Remember, the retailer is buying a
truck load at a time. Even thouhg you are buying wholesale, I doubt that you
want an 18 wheeler dropping off batting at your home.
In regard to the shoes, I have seen some ads in the back of sewing magazine
that offers info on shoe dyeing and recovering. See if you can get a hold of
some old sewing magazines. Good Luck, Andy
Dear Andy,
I wish to decorate my 10-year-old Ford Escort with giant polka-dots cut from a brightly
colored print 100% cotton fabric. Do you have any suggestions as to what I might treat the
fabric with, either before or after adhering it to the car, to prevent too much fading
from the sun? I was going to glue the fabric pieces to the car and then coat with clear
shellac, but I'm not sure that alone would do the trick. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks very much,
Anne
Dear Anne: after thinking about your polka dots and consulting with other
friends, we've come to this: try calling the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in
Cleveland, Ohio. They have Janis Joplins old VW there. It is all painted
and decorated. The curator may have some ideas for you. Please send us all
a picture of the finished product. I know we'd all love to see it. Good
Luck, Andy
Dear Anne: as an update, please visit www.artcars.com
. You will find a
complete site that will teaches you how to decorate your car. It has photos
of some unique vehicles. We look forward to seeing you on the road of life.
Good Luck, Andy
Hi Andy
Can you recommend any local or international trade shows where new silk quilts (with silk
wadding) are likely to be found?
All the best, Tiki
Dear Tiki: We don't know of any trade show that specializes in Silk
Quilts. Visit www.google.com and type in silk quilts.
There are 19,500
listings there. Have a great time finding exactly what you want. Good Luck,
Andy
Hello
I am trying to find, a supplier for material to make cheer skirts, actually what I am
looking for is the braiding or trim piece that has two or more colors on it that it sewn
on to the skirt. If you could help me it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Lisa
Dear Lisa: try visiting our trim suppliers here at Fabrics.Net. We have some of the best
anywhere. Let us know if we can be of help. Good Luck, Andy
Hi Andy,
I was wondering if you know where I can buy the Burberry fabric or something that looks
similar. I live in Miami, FL and I would very much like to make some cushions out of the
fabric.
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
Alexandra Hill
The only place you can buy Burberry is from them. Anything similar would be an
infringment of their pattern. Visit their store and see if you can buy the pillow from
them. Good Luck, Andy
Dear Andy,
I am living in Chicago and I just start my small business selling pillows of my own
designs. I need a lot of pillow form with different sizes and forms. I search the internet
and couldn't find any. would you please give me advice or pointing me to the right
direction?
Many thanks.
Phoebe
Dear Phoebe: visit any major fabric retailer and find a product you like.
Copy the name and information off of the package and contact them directly.
Most business are looking for new customers. Good Luck, Andy
Hi Andy,
My kids Josh and Joey have a turtle named Betty. Anyway, Betty likes
to make a nest in gold and silver lame. Everyone thinks this is very
cute. I'm just worried about what happens when the sun reflects the
metallic finish.... do you think this could cause Betty to be sun burned?
Mo
Dear Mo: I hope you have some shade trees in your pond for Betty. Too much
sun will probably have a negative impact on her life in Los Angeles. Have
the kids remove the lame and add some rocks and build a nice quiet cave for
Betty to wallow in. Lame is no way to treat a turtle. Good Luck, Andy
Please let me know if there is a technique for removing safety pin holes put in
crepe from the dry cleaners. Maybe pressing or stretching?
Dear Nancy: first try calling the cleaners. Stretching may help, but do it
VERY gently. Make sure your hands are clean. Good Luck, Andy
Dear Andy,
Can you tell me where I can find The Campbell soup Kids iron on
Transfers? I have been looking for them everywhere..I had some about 30 years ago. Thanks
Norma
Dear Norma: you could try Ebay or you can visit www.google.com
and search
for Campbell Soup kids iron-on transfers. Thereyou will find 63 listings.
Have a good time searching. Good Luck, Andy
Hello Andy!!
I am looking for heat sensitive fabric, a pvc that changes colour when
touched!
I have actually found a black pvc which changes to blue and green, in a
fabric shop in London, but it is very expensive (£70 a metre!!)
I am wondering if you know where I can locate this fabric (possibly in other colours and
to buy wholesale).
I am based in the United Kingdom
Thank you very much ,
Bree
Dear Bree: first I'd visit www.google.com and search
"heat sensitive PVC
fabric" where we got 2210 sites to visit. Also visit www.ifai.com
and search
their web site too. Good Luck, Andy
Dear Andy, I have a pair of cotton velvet curtains which I would like to
clean. Could I tackle the job myself? I know that most recommendations are for velvet to
be drycleaned,but the brochure that came with the curtains has a highlighted
recommendation that because of siliconed and crease-resistant finishes currently applied
to velvets all chemical sprays should be avoided during any steaming or cleaning process
and my concern is that I lose control over the process once I commit the curtains to the
cleaners. Most grateful for any advice you can give. Alice
Dear Alice: bring the brochure that came with the curtains to the cleaners.
Have them professionally dry cleaned. The cleaners are insured in case there
is a problem with the curtains after they clean them. At least you have some
insurance they will be done right. Good Luck, Andy
Would you be able to help me find a factory / manufacturer to produce
heavily rhinestone beaded formal dress gowns or bridal gowns?
Dear Marina: most of the heavy beading is done overseas. Try visiting
www.alibaba.com and become a member there. You can
probably find what you want from one of their other members. Good Luck, Andy
Dear Andy,
I'm a retired retailer interested in starting a new business. I've had no
fabric experience but I think I see an opportunity to sell unpholstery and
drapery fabrics. I need information on operating such a store and fabric
resource contacts. Thanks for any help or guidance.
Dear Joel: the upholstery business is different from just a regular fabric
store. A lot of retail upholstery fabrics at sold by upholsters themselves.
They buy the sample books from various mills and the cost is applied to their
orders. Then there are the retailers that buy closeout patterns and remnants
and offer them for resale. There is a huge furniture show in the Carolina's
each year. I will try to find out the name of that show for you. There are
several small chains that are doing this type of fabric selling. Maybe you
could contact them to become a franchise of their operations.
This question is so open ended that we could go on for a long time. So just
let me wish you, Good Luck, Andy
Dear Andy,
I am interested in starting a children's bedding line. I think there is a huge demand in
my town. It's difficult finding unique quality bedding for children. I found these very
special fabrics on the internet that I think would be great for children's bedding.
However, I don't know how I can buy these fabrics wholesale rather than retail. Do I need
to go to a mill or a wholesaler and where do I find this particular source for this
fabric? I have a woman who sews, but I think it may be more cost effective if I could find
a sewing room where the labor may be more reasonable. How do I find a good sewing room or
work room? I live in the suburbs of Chicago and I'm thinking of starting small by word of
mouth, and see how desired this bedding really becomes. If it becomes successful, I will
probably sell in volume. Could you please help me with some information on how I can best
get started in this small business venture? Any suggestions will help. Thank you for your
time.
Thank you,
Alina
Dear Alina: I am always for the small business person starting a business.
However, the course you have chosen could be perilous. Bedding has to meet
many federal requirements for flame retardancy. The bedding must be tested
and retested. The fabrics must be FR. Then the sewing must be FR. You must
be heavily insured even if everything has passed. There are wholesale trade
shows that you can visit. The next large one is in New York in October. You
can find out about attending by visiting www.fabricshow.com
. Good Luck, Andy
I live in Santa Barbara Calif and sew Fiesta dresses. I have been to the
garment district in LA and finding cotton polka dot material is getting harder and harder.
Depending on the color, I usually buy it in at least 15 to 20 yard rolls but most of the
time, I will purchase 50 to 100 Yards or more. Do you know of anyplace that has good
quality cotton or cotton blend polka dot material for anywhere from $1.50 to $3.00 a yard.
I do have a re-sale license and I buy in bulk.
Any help you can give me will be appreciated.
Thanks
Gloria
Dear Alice: you've come to the right web page. Begin (and end) your search
right here at Fabrics.Net. Some of the suppliers listed here have the fabric
you want. When you find what you want, buy in bigger quantities, so that you
are not always searching for fabric. Tell your supplier what you need.
Visit a wholesale fabric show. There is one coming up in New York in October.
Visit www.fabricshow.com to register. Good Luck,
Andy
Andy, I'm following my dream and opening a sewing shop for children's
clothing. I'm looking for sources of good quality heriloom fabric such as
pima cottons and imperial broadcloths and batistes. What companies are available from
which I can order this type of fabric wholesale? How do I contact these companies?
Thanks,
Jennifer
Dear Jennifer: the best single place to find your suppliers would be at one
of the major textile trade shows. One is coming up in October in New York,
called the IFFE. You can get info and register by visiting www.fabricshow.com . Los Angles has its own show in
October. It is smaller than the New York show. Of course, you can begin your search right
here at Fabrics.Net. We have a lot of suppliers that will sell you small(er) quantities on
a wholesale basis. Keep asking them questions. Good Luck, Andy
Hi Andy: Great website, already bookmarked! Hope you can help me, I have search
and search the web for a wholesale distributor specializing in European Designer shawls,
scarves, wraps in general. At this time I'm mainly interested in the Burberry line. I
search Yahoo U.K., under burberry wholesale, I also tried Google, and no luck. Burberry's
site is not open yet, so there is not way to email them and at ask them if they have a
distributor in New York. I'm interested in either an importer in the USA or a wholesaler
in the U.K. HELP!!!! Norma
Dear Norma: there is no Burberry distributor. They have an exclusive line and
they keep it that way be determining the stores they want to sell (and those
they don't). As far as Shawls, we've had lots of companies visit our site
from India and around the world wanting me he help sell their shawls Search
the Ash Andy column for old questions regarding shawls. Maybe you can hook
up with one of those companies. Also, visit www.alibaba.com
and search
there. Good Luck, Andy
