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August Questions

I was soooooo glad to find your website!!! I am new to L.A. and I am interested in starting a line of handbags. I have made a few by hand and sold them. Unfortunately I can't sew very good and I need someone to make a large quantity and make them look more polished and professional. I was looking for some handbag manufacturers in Los Angeles or Southern California. Could you please point me in the right directions?Thanks!!!!!
Dear Aquilla:you may have to spread your wings a bit further than Los Angeles. Visit www.seams.org. They have sewing contractors listed by state. Good Luck,. Andy

Dear Andy,
I am looking for 1950s underskirts, full circle skirts or dresses, I used to make my own but lost the patterns when I was moving, since I live in Dublin there are no shops that sell what I am looking for, I am going to a charity gig next month and I usually dress in my Rock & Roll clothes. I also go to Great Yarmouth for an Elvis Week in September. I put ads in our papers at home but got no reply, I hope yopu can help.
Thank you,
Gemma.
Dear Gemma:visit www.google.com and search for Poodle Skirts. You'll find 1361 sites, all offering the garments you want. We liked the www.heyviv.com site. Brought back a lot of fun memories. Enjoy your new/old duds. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
My creative, artistic three year old got hold of a permanent marker and put a few blue dots on our chaise, which is a chocolate colored polyester fabric, that 'micro-suede' type of material. Any suggestions to remove the dots?
Don
Dear Don: I was wondering how you can see blue dots on a brown sofa? Are you sure it's your son and not something else? Microsuede is supposed to be washable. However, permanent markers are supposed to be "permanent" and should not be allowed in the hands of a three year old. There may be no way to remove the dots. Kids, we love 'em. Enjoy your child and forget about the dots. Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy,
I recently bought a pair of black suede, ballet-flat style shoes. The 8 was too tight, the 8 1/2 slightly too loose, and I bought the 8 1/2. Is there any way I can shrink these a bit without ruining the suede?
-Caroline
Dear Caroline: wear two pairs of socks or stockings. Happy Trails and Good Luck, Andy

Hi. I came across your webpage while trying to find some information. Our cousin dropped off her wedding dress today at our house for safe keeping until her special day... We safely put it away in the closet for no one to see or touch. Upon opening the closet door this afternoon, I noticed that the aluminum hinges at the bottom of the door had pinched the dress and had left what I am assuming is grease! Now we are panicing!!!!! Can you help us?
Thanks and forever in your debt,
Lynne
Dear Lynne; run to your nearest professional dry cleaner and see what they can do. If the first can't help, run all over town or all over Canada till you find one that can help. Do NOT attempt to try anything yourself. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy. I own a small but growing baby clothing company based in Sacramento, Ca. I am currently looking for a different brand of baby clothing (shirts, onesies, etc.) to use for my designs. I would like to find out if there is any way to buy gerber childrenswear in bulk or wholesale. I haven't found any information how to contact the company or a manufacturer. I was also wondering of any trade shows that might be coming my way where I might be able to find some manufacturers/distributors of baby clothing.
Thank you for your help!
Emma
Dear Emma: your timing is perfect. Visit and attend the upcoming MAGIC show for kids apparel. The show dates are Aug.30-Sept 2 at the Las Vegas Convention center. For more information go to www.magiconline.com. Good Luck, Andy

Good evening, Andy...hoping you can help me weed through thousands of hits on the computer....I'm looking for a supplier of cotton quilting weight fabric who will sell wholesale to individuals. I'd like to buy by the bolt, or at least large lengths (at least 10 yards of fabric), for no more than $2/yard. I find places to buy"wholesale" but they are $4/5/6 yard. I sell on e-bay, and usually get my fabrics on sale at JoAnns trying to catch them on sale, or using coupons, etc. It's time-consuming monitoring sales, driving, waiting for them to cut, etc. Would like to find my own wholesale resource to purchase from. Can you help?
Thanks,
Beth
Dear Beth: 10 yards is hardly a "wholesale" purchase. To buy at the best prices you are going to have to buy some larger quantities. Think about attending a wholesale textile trade show. Visit www.fabricshow.com for information about a small fabric show at the end of August in Las Vegas. We are also exhibiting at a small show in Atlanta in September ( www.sefabrics.com). Also remember that Joann's buys in huge quantities. You may be able to spend less per yard buying retail at Joann's than buying 50 yards wholesale at a textile distributor. Good Luck, Andy

hi, I have recently bought my wedding dress for my wedding in October which is 100% polyester. It was in a dress bag for about 2 weeks and when I took it out it has a really strong smell of fish. I have tried to air it - i took it out of the bag and hung it near an open window but the smell is still there. I s there anything you would suggest or should i leave it at the window untill the wedding.
Thank you from Amanda
Dear Amanda: if the odor has not left your wedding dress by now, consider taking it back to the store where it was purchased. There is no reason it should have any odor at all. Congratulations on your wedding and Good Luck, Andy

Dear Andy, I am a manufacturer of different items on which we use grosgrain acetate ribbon. Is there a tool that we can use to cut the ribbon which will "seal" the ends.
Jennifer
Dear Jennifer: short of a heat knife, try using a pinking sheers. Good Luck, Andy

i accidently washed a rayon dress and it shrunk about 1 1/2 inches in length. i was thinking about ironing it but the outer layer is a crinkle type fabric. it has a rayon lining which did not shrink. any advise?
Dear Lazy W: buy yourself a new rayon dress and a pair of eyeglasses. The new dress will replace the one you washed, and the new glasses will enable you to read the care instructions on the new dress. Good Luck, Andy

Please help.............I have just added bleach and hot water to a shirt and it is now completely yellow.
Fabric is 75% cotton and 25 % polyester.
Is there any way to get it white again?
Pleading
Jill
Dear Jill: visit www.textileaffairs.com. "You'll wonder where the yellow went, when....." Good Luck, Andy

Hello I am looking to start making and selling t-shirts with my own designs on. However, is it legal to buy cheap t-shirts with other labels in and then sell them? Do i need to remove the label? Where can i buy t-shirts with no label? Thanks for your help! T
Dear Tom: reselling T-shirts is done all the time, legal or not. Ever speed? You will not be able to buy T-shirts without a label, because producing them requires them to be labeled. However, you can just as easily remove those labels, and maybe add your own. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy,
Could you tell me the difference between ballistic and polyester fibreloc? I am trying to compare luggage.
Thank-You,
Jenise
Dear Jenise: visit www.ifai.com. They are the web site for the Industrial Fabric Industry. Perhaps one of their experts can better answer your question. Happy Trails and Good Luck, Andy

we have a microfiber suede sectional and the kids got oily butter on it. How can this be removed? Usually a damp rag takes out all problems but not this time.
thanks
Colleen
Dear Colleen: first thing is to "remove" the kids to the kitchen and explain to them that food needs to stay in the kitchen where it can't harm the furniture. Second, visit www.carbona.com to find a good cleaner for the butter. Good Luck on teaching the kids and Good Luck with the sectional. Andy

I am trying to make teddy bears for charity and would like to use a fabric like what Ty uses for their line of "Pluffies" designed for younger children. Unfortunately, I have no clue what this fabric is or what would even come close. It is soft, cuddly, durable and washable. If you have had the opportunity to handle a "Pluffie", could you please tell me what kind of fabric I am looking for? Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
Cassie
Dear Cassie: unfortunately for you, Ty makes all of their products in China or in assorted various foreign ports. The fabric you seek is not generally available on these shores in small lots. Visit our sourcing area here at Fabrics.Net. There are other fabrics that will meet your needs. Try felt or plush nylon, or plush felt. Good Luck, Andy

For the life of me I cannot remember the name of the fabric I'm after. It is very much like paper, but doesn't tear...any ideas?
CLAIRE
Dear Claire: you're thinking of Tyvek. For more information on this product, made by DuPont, visit www.tyvek.com. Good Luck, Andy

Can I launder at home, in cold water on delicate cycle, an item of clothing with:
67% Polyester
29% Viscose
4% Spandex
Dear Karen:"I plead the fifth". What does the care label say to do, as far as the washing instructions? Follow them and you will have no problems. Good Luck, Andy

Hi Andy is there any way/product to Repair/preservation Doll oilcloth shoes? Thanks so much!
CC
Dear CC: "oilcloth" over the years has meant different fabrics to different mills. To some, it was a woven cotton that had been "oiled or waxed". To some others it was a printed vinyl, as is most of the Oilcloth sold today. There was also printed cottons that were laminated and sold as "oilcloth". The best we can tell from the pictures available on the web, the vintage doll shoes may be a laminated woven fabric. There is no way to restore the fabric. It can be replaced with a more modern version of a similar fabric. 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.