Where to Buy Fabric by the Bolt -The Ultimate List of Wholesale Fabrics
Posted by Edelweiss Patterns on March 22, 2012
Where to Buy Bolts of Fabric at Wholesale Prices
With so many women rediscovering the lost art of sewing, it can hardly be surprising that so many home sewing businesses are springing up all over the world. And with the advent of Etsy and many other online resources in recent years, stay-at-home moms can become instantaneous business owners shipping their wares to customers halfway across the globe.
But with the rise of cotton and silk prices in the United States, many ladies are finding it increasingly difficult to make a fair profit. If you purchase your fabric from your friendly local fabric store, you can forget about starting up a new business with all the capital you’d have to put into it. Of course there are exceptions to this, but most designers and seamstresses don’t realize that the “wholesale prices” offered at a retail fabric store can still be about twice as much as if they ordered directly from the fabric vendors themselves.
So if you have ever wondered where to buy fabrics by the bolt, look no further! This is the ultimate vendor list for wholesale fabrics, and I am happy to share what I’ve learned over the years about the fabric industry.
Please note that Edelweiss Patterns is in no way affiliated with any of these vendors and I do not receive any compensation for this article from any of the fabric vendors listed. I am writing this post merely in hopes that it will be helpful for those who’ve dreamed of starting a sewing business but have never quite done it, or for the small business owners who are trying to find where to buy bolts of fabric at cheaper prices.
So without further ado, here is the list of wholesale fabric vendors! I have used all of these vendors’ products and I’m only recommending the ones that I’ve found to be excellent quality. Finally, I’ll add a note at the bottom of this article about how to set up wholesale accounts.
Do be aware - You absolutely have to ignore the lack of selection which some of the websites show! The ones I’ve linked to that show virtually no sites to speak of are actually the ones who carry the most exquisite material. Call or email these vendors and insist on seeing fabric swatches!
Logantex Fabrics – My personal favorite source for fashion, bridal, and special occasion fabrics. This company offers the highest quality cotton knits, suiting, synthetic lace, and an enormous spectrum of colors in satin charmeuse, crepe-back satin, matte satin, stretch satin, taffeta, chiffon, organza, polyester lining, and rayon lining. If you are looking for any type of fashion fabric, chances are good that this company makes it! Logantex’s fabrics are much more exquisite in person than their online swatches show – take my word for it!
This fabric is available from Telio & Cie, the finest fabric vendor you'll find!
Telio & Cie – My next favorite resource for fabrics! As far as quality goes Telio actually surpasses Logantex, but their east-Canada location (and subsequent customs delays) make the shipping process much longer. Telio has the most incredible fashion and bridal laces, novelty pieces, and other exquisite fabrics. Most are not shown on their website, but they do have color swatches available for their basic items – fashion knits, linen, stretch velvets, chiffons, satins, taffetas, silk charmeuse, silk shantung, and many others.
Oriole Textiles – An incredible fabric company which carries many hard-to-find materials. Most notable of these is bengaline moire’ (and I think taffeta moire’ as well) in the largest color variety of any fabric vendor. (FYI, “moire” just means any fabric with a watermark. It was used extensively in Victorian clothing and since the late 1990s has been nearly impossible to find – until now!) They also carry lames, satins, taffetas, crepe, stretch velvet, activewear knits, polyester lace, clergy brocade, faille, tulle, netting, and China silk (habutai) lining.
Liba Fabrics – If you are looking for lots of color options (perhaps for a bridal party), this website has dozens of color cards for your perusal! Take a look at their taffeta, linen, satin, voile, faille, poplin, and organza.
Vitex Fabrics - This supplier offers just about every kind of fabric you could hope for, from ginghams, eyelets and cotton polka-dot fabric to lames, dancewear knits, chiffon, satin, and brocade! I highly recommend spending a few minutes on this website!
EE Schenck - While you don’t see pictures on this site right off the bat, EE Schenck is one of the largest fabric vendors around. Not only do they carry broadcloth, muslin, flannel, batting, wool coating, fleece, craft velour, and a wide variety of “basics”, they are also the main go-to company for lots of quilting fabrics such as Maywood Studios, Cara, Lakehouse, and many others. You can view their easy-to-use first time customer policy here.
Wimpfheimer Velvets – Luxury at its finest! You would be absolutely astounded to see these magnificent velvets in person. These are a bit steep price-wise, but worth every penny! This company offers low minimums, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing a whole bolt.
James Thompson – A reliable source for flannel, burlap, canvas, duck, and buckram!
RocLon Fabrics - This might be the most helpful link for designers, because Roclon offers the cheapest bolts of muslin I’ve found. You can purchase bleached or unbleached muslin in nearly any width.
There are many more fabric sources I can put you in contact with, so if you don’t see what you’re looking for here do drop me a line and I’ll give you some more suggestions!
Where to Buy Heirloom Fabrics by the Bolt
Spechler-Vogel – Spechler-Vogel Fabrics is the creme-da-le-creme of heirloom fabrics. They offer imported Swiss fabrics of the most impeccable quality. A bit pricey, but well worth it! (Voile, Batiste, Silk Tulle, Lawn, Dotted Swiss, Chambray, Cotton Chiffon, English Cotton Netting). This is where Martha Pullen imports all her fabrics from. As of yet this company does not have a website, but you can reach them at: (212) 564-6177.
Robert Kaufman - An American alternative to Spechler, Robert Kaufman offers a few fabrics which can be used for heirloom sewing. Besides Handerchief Linen, Voile, Batiste, and Lawn, they produce the loveliest sateen on the market - “Radiance” (a 55%Cotton/45% Silk Blend) has the most lustrous sheen you’ll ever see and comes in a multitude of rich colors.
Robert Kaufman is also the home to an impressive collection of broadcloths, linens, and quilting fabric.
Where to Buy Silk Fabrics by the Bolt
The supplier which you will probably have the easiest time working with is going to be Telio (mentioned above). They carry the most gorgeous silk charmeuse you’ve ever seen, plus literally dozens of colors of a very lightweight silk dupioni (really closer to a silk shantung).
Silk Safari has the largest selection of silks I’ve seen, and while it is certainly an investment to order a whole bolt from them, their quality is unsurpassed. They produce everything from silk noile to sandwashed silk charmeuse, silk gazar, silk taffeta, silk organza, and resplendent silk suiting (called “Matka/Shimmer”). This company offers beautiful swatch cards, so I’d highly recommend contacting them.
Angus International is the ultimate supplier of silk dupioni! I could spend hours looking through all their color cards of vibrant and pastel silks swatches, and if you are fortunate to obtain some of these cards you will probably find yourself spending a lot of time looking at them as well. This company is usually terrific about getting the fabrics shipped out in a timely manner, so for that reason they are the first source I refer people to for silk dupioni.
Where to Buy Wool by the Bolt
B Black & Sons is what we call a “jobber” (see terminology below), so while their fabrics aren’t usually re-orderable, they are the biggest source I’ve found for wools. Do keep in mind that their website is a full-blown online store at retail prices, so you will have to call up and insist on speaking with a wholesale representative so they understand you are not a regular customer.
For wool coating, Moda offers a terrific Melton wool in a number of rare colors which are way outside the box of typical greys, blacks, and blues.
For wool felt, I recommend National Non-Wovens who supplies some of America’s leading fabric stores.
Where to Buy Wholesale Millinery/Hat Making Supplies
My favorite resource for hat making supplies is www.hatsupply.com . I used their products to make my Regency bonnets when I went to England for the Jane Austen Festival! But they sell all kinds of supplies for various costume eras, and they have a terrific selection of birdcage veiling (English, Russian, and French)!
A Few Words You Should Know about the Fabric Industry
First of all, the most basic terms to familiarize yourself with are “D/R” and “ROT”.
- D/R stands for “Double and Rolled” – in other words, “Fabric on a Bolt”. This is the most standard way that fabric is shipped and usually the most cost effecient way for shipping. However, the fact that the fabric is folded before it’s wrapped on the bolt does mean that there will be a crease down the center of it.
- ROT stands for “Rolled On a Tube” and is simply any type of fabric which comes on a roll and is rolled on in a single layer. This method does cost more for shipping since it will automatically be an oversized package. Usually only fabrics that are 54″ wide or greater will be packaged this way, but many fabric vendors give you the option for ROT or D/R. One noteworthy factor of the ROT fabrics is that they will not have any crease down the center!
- To sound like a pro, ask them what the “Put Ups” are for the fabric you’re inquiring about. This is the official fabric industry way to ask how many yards come on a bolt.
Next, the majority of fabric merchants are located in New York and close their offices as early as 3:00 pm. In addition, a huge number of the leading fabric vendors are of Jewish descent, so many will be closed for all Jewish holidays. Both of these factors can be important to consider when trying to reach these companies.
How to Deal with the Fabric Industry/ Setting up a Wholesale Account
- First of all, you want to make sure you sound like an industry professional. Most of these websites, even if they sell wholesale state that, “We do not sell to the general public.”
- Avoid sounding like you’re “just starting up” your business at all costs!
- Be sure you have your business license ready when you call or email, and it helps to end with a link to your website after signing off on an email to add a sense of validity to your case.
- Ask what their minimum order is, but don’t be daunted if one company’s minimum is too high for you. Chances are good that the next company you contact will be more willing to work with you.
- I would caution you against using the term “designer” too freely about yourself. The recent influx of wanna-be “fashion designer” students who have little knowledge about sewing or fabrics have given the word negative connotations with fabric connoisseurs! Instead, try saying, “I am the business owner of a clothing manufacture (or whatever your specialty is) company”.
- Also don’t label yourself merely “a seamstress” when talking with the vendors. To them “seamstress” merely means someone who should be shopping at a retail store, and they certainly don’t want to help someone who isn’t a professional!
- Finally, these sources listed above will not be suitable for every single fabric customer. While many of them are terrifically helpful, others get literally 5,000 orders a day and view one more customer as “just another number”. You will need determination to work with the fabric industry, and of course you will need to make sure that you really need the amount of fabric it takes to meet their first minimum order. Some companies have a dollar amount, while others just have a three-bolt minimum for each subsequent order.
- But if the sewing business you have started is to the point where you could go through over a couple hundred yards of the same fabric in a year, I would actually recommend going with an international source. If you are purchasing that large of quantities, it is best to work with the overseas fabric mills directly. Once you reach this point you have the exciting position of being able to choose exactly what weight and color of fabric you want! The greatest resource I’ve found for this purpose is www.alibaba.com – a website which is much like a Yellow Pages of Asian fabric mills. This easy-to-use site has an inquiry form where you can describe what you’re looking for, and within a couple of days you will be receiving quotes and product pictures from dozens of companies all over the Far East! The minimums for using these mills is obviously quite large, but the prices are generally sold at phenomenal discounts and you have the option to choose exactly what you have in mind. The other benefit to using this system is that you know your fabric will be re-orderable, unlike the U.S. fabric vendors who frequently discontinue items on a regular basis.
- I hope you enjoy browsing these websites that I’ve linked to, and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have! Fabric is definitely one of my favorite things, and I hope the information I’ve shared will be helpful to you!
- Happy sewing,
- Katrina
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{ jessica } said,
Can I say thank you enough?! This is most helpful.
Mari said,
This is so very helpful! Thanks bunches!
Sarah Grace said,
Your article is a wonderful resource! Thank you for taking the time to compile this information. I do have one question though. In your list of wholesale fabrics, do you know of any vendors that sell millinery supplies, such as 100% wool felt? I would appreciate it greatly if you could point me in the right direction.
God bless,
Sarah Grace
Traveler in Thyme said,
Also, if you find a fabric at a retail store, take notes of the info on the bolt end, and contact that company to ask about wholesale quantity purchases. Though I’ve found that a lot of the fabric colours and prints available at the home-sewing retail stores are last year’s designer leftovers, not always available this season in wholesale quantities (except for basics like broadcloth, satin, etc.) The definition of “red” changes every year!
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hello Traveler in Thyme,
It is true that the info on the ends of the bolts will usually tell you what the vendor was, and that can definitely clue you in to where to find it. However, many of the companies are known as “jobbers” – they have no resources for re-orderable fabrics themselves, but are merely brokers who buy up designer remnants. Still, if you are set on the exact fabric you saw in a store, the bolt info is a good idea to keep track of.
Thanks for sharing!
Katrina
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hello Sarah Grace,
So glad you enjoyed it! Yes, the best place (that I know of) to purchase wholesale quantities of wool felt is National Non-Wovens (http://www.nationalnonwovens.com/Applications/c&h.htm) and their same store but in smaller quantities can be found here: http://www.commonwealthfelt.com/ This is the company which supplies America’s largest fabric store, and I have some of their felt myself to make 1950s hats with. : ) As far as hat supplies go, my favorite resource is http://www.hatsupply.com which is rather difficult to navigate but has the most phenomenal variety of hat making supplies at very reasonable prices. This is the company I used for making my Regency bonnets to take to England with me. Hope this answers your questions, and let me know if you have any more.
Happy sewing!
Katrina
Sarah said,
Hi Katrina,
Where can one find a supplier of tricot for making slips? I have asked at all the common fabirc stores in my area (MN) and no one even knows what I am talking about! (Except for one older lady who remembered when it was sold and what it was for.) Any help would be appreciated! Thanks for all your help and tips on the blog here.
SARAH
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hello Sarah,
Yes, the tricot you’re referring to is available from Spandex House (http://www.spandexhouse.com/index.php?nId=1), one of the best suppliers of stretch material around. Make sure you look for 40 denier, not 15 denier tricot which is completely sheer. Currently they only offer 15 denier in nylon, but poly/spandex tricot is available in 40 denier on their site I believe.
Happy sewing!
Katrina
melissa said,
Great list- thank you! Do you have any info on resources for wholesale home decor fabrics by the bolt or bolt-end? Thanks!
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hello Melissa,
Glad you liked it! Yes, the best source I know of for home decorating fabrics is Barrow Industries (also known of as Merrimac Textiles). Barrows has a terrific line called “Gallery of Wovens” which is known of as a “cut program”. This means that rather than purchasing a whole roll, you can have any yardage amount cut off as small as one yard. Their main website is here: http://www.barrowindustries.com
But I would highly recommend using their terrific search page to see the fabrics they offer: http://www.barrowindustries.com/webConn1a.asp
Hope this helps!
Katrina
Bridgit said,
Hi Katrina,
I’m desparately looking for outdoor fabric for chair pads and cushions, can you lead me to a website please.
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hello Bridgit,
The best outdoor fabric that is supposed to withstand the weather and sun is called Sunbrella. They are not exactly cheap, but I’ve heard terrific reports about their materials, and they do offer quite a wide range of colors and patterns. Their main website is here: http://www.sunbrella.com/, but you might find it on sale by doing a Google search for “Sunbrella”.
Hope this helps!
Katrina
Bobbie said,
Hello. I have been looking for rosette taffeta everywhere. I know fabric.com has some but looking to buy other styles. Any help will be appreciated,
Bobbie
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hi, Bobbie!
You might try looking at these fabrics here: (http://www.fabricdepot.com/index.php?page=CatalogPage&pageid=119192) They are much more of a satin rose than taffeta rose, but this just might work! I know this same store does actually carry what you’re looking for, they just don’t have all their fabrics listed online. Try emailing them for information on similar fabrics, or if they send you a swatch with all the fabric info you can try ordering directly from the vendor.
Hope this helps!
Katrina
Deb said,
Dear Katrina…..I stepped into your blog, by searching for fabric-by-the-bolt info & trying to find a source for inexpensive tulle, for use in Set Design for next year’s Passover Feast. You are a darling, and I am so very impressed! Not only with your tutelage on the fabric industry, but with you as a person. You remind me so much of myself at your age. But, that’s another story, for another blog. I’ve now spent several hours perusing your blog and am thrilled to have found your sew-along on the fifties Walkabout Dress. I have been mumbling & musing for over a year about how I wished designers would market dresses from that era for todays consumer. I had no idea there was a whole sub-culture of vintage dailies out there. Thank you for creating this blog & for raising the bar on sewing vintage for today; I am inspired! I haven’t seem in ages, but I now plan to get back to it & try my hand at this pattern. My figure is now officially, “50′s”!!! I look forward to future episodes of your blog & the possibility of interaction.
P.S….I whole-heartedly agree…the Karen Grassle dress was set aside by God, just for you. Isn’t He an awesome Father? He sees the tiniest of desires in our hearts & personally places them in our hands.
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hello Deb,
Thank you for such a sweet comment! The Passover celebration sounds like fun (I’ve celebrated Passover every year since I was a little girl, but I never thought to decorate with tulle). The biggest supplier I’m aware of for tulle by the bolt is Falk Industries. They carry a huge color selection, but I have to admit that they’re not always very prompt about getting orders shipped. Because of the large volume of orders they process you will probably need to order well in advance.
However, Falk most likely has a minimum order. So unless you want to purchase a large quantity of tulle, you might be best off to just to buy an entire bolt from a regular fabric store that offers wholesale pricing on full bolts. My local fabric store, for example, sells fifty yards bolts at 40% off the retail price of $1.99 per yard. One thing I keep in mind while shopping for tulle is that a color which looks dark on a bolt will look infinitely lighter once you only see one layer of it. So in order for tulle to really show up in decorating, you either need to use many layers of it or use a darker color than you might usually consider.
Do let me know if you have any more questions about this!
About the rest of your comment – oh, thank you! I remember the first time I discovered historical costuming sites online, and I was enraptured! Because femininity and flattering clothing are often times missing from the modern woman’s wardrobe, it is so refreshing to see big, pouffy skirts and ladylike dresses! I really wish I could wear 1950s dresses every day, and if I keep sewing at a steady rate that might be realistic in another year or so. : ) I am so blessed to have a large “stash” of fabric (much of it inherited from a woman who lived by the rule, “Whoever dies with the most fabric wins.”) And I am beyond thankful to the Lord for the Little House television costume! I still can’t believe I own it. : )
Well, thanks again for the encouraging comments, and I hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy sewing,
Katrina
mary said,
Hi Katrina!!
Oh my Lord, I am so blessed to have found you and the information you provided for us. I was so over whelmed with trying to find fabric suppliers.Having it all in one site, saved me hours of searching.
We need more people out there like yourself, that love to help people.
WOW!! What an amazing Women you are!!
Blessings!!
Mary
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Thanks for the encouragement, Mary! I’m so happy to hear that it was a blessing to you! Do let me know if you have any more questions on the subject. : )
Happy sewing!
Katrina
Sunshine Stitching said,
Thank you so much for this wonderful information. I am currently starting a new business but I don’t know how to find wholesale dealers for yarn and thread. Would you happen to know how to find any of these dealers?
Thanks Sunnie
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hello Sunnie,
Sure! I know for a fact that Coats & Clark sells wholesale to business owners as long as they have a business license/tax id number, and their contact information can be found here: http://www.coatsandclark.com/Contact+Us/
While their yarns might not be the most “posh” sorts (like some of the smaller specialty companies), they still have a wide variety, and their thread is my personal favorite for all-around sewing.
Hope this helps!
Katrina
Sunshine Stitching said,
Thank you so much for your help. Sunnie
Bracha said,
Thank you for this very informative post! I am looking for quality soft cotton patterned and solid fabrics to use for childrens’ bedding. Do you know where the best place is to buy this in bulk? Do these places also wholesale ribbon?
Thank you!
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hi, Bracha,
Sounds like you’re looking for a number of different suppliers! For wholesale ribbon, the most standard vendors are Offray and May Arts. I don’t know what their wholesale policies are, so you’d have to research that. If your order doesn’t meet their minimum, you can usually buy spools in wholesale quantities from your local fabric stores.
For the children’s soft bedding material, do you mean sheeting or flannel? Good quality flannel is usually much easier to find than fine sheeting, and vendors for flannel include A.E. Nathan, Robert Kaufman, and Michael Miller. All of these companies offer collections designed with children in mind, so hopefully this points you in the right direction!
Bracha said,
Thank you
Linda said,
Hi, Katrina
Thank you so much for the breakdown. This is so very helpful. This was really great of you.
Lyn said,
Thank you so much for listing all of these vendors with various materials.
I am looking for premium colorful cotton material to make hospital gowns. I then donate them to the local cancer center or make them for patients that request them. Since I am using my own funds I am always trying to find the best price per yard. It takes about three yards per gown and I am currently purchasing from local fabric stores. I find that using the premium cotton material used in quilting works best.
Any info would be greatly appreciated. Again, thank you for sharing all of your research.
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hi Lyn!
This sounds like a wonderful project. I’m not sure which brand is running the cheapest these days, but the highest quality cotton prints I have seen are made by Lakehouse, Michael Miller, Timeless Treasures, Moda, Robert Kaufman, and Maywood Fabrics.
However, if you find that these vendors have minimum bolt requirements that are too large for your liking, one of the best small-scale vendors is EE Schenck, who has a very small order requirement and generally has excellent customer service.
Melanie said,
Thank you so much for this informative post! I am starting to look for wholesale sources for dressmaking, I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. And I just love your patterns! They are so beautiful. Now I will have Julie Andrews I stuck in my head.
Edelweiss Patterns said,
I’m so glad it is helpful for you, Melanie! I’m always happy to answer questions about this subject, and I often have the Sound of Music stuck in my head, too!
Happy sewing,
Katrina
Kate said,
Hi Katrina!
What a beautiful website you have created and your fabric article is just wonderful! Thank you so much for taking the time to share various vendor information with your readers!
I am in the process of creating a men’s tie business and am looking to purchase woven silk Jacquard to make the ties. Do you know of any vendors who carry woven silk Jacquard?
Thank you so much for your help and time!
Kate
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hi Kate!
Hmm… I think I remember that either Rimmon Fabrics or Silk Safari made silk tie material. I think I’ve given the links to both of these vendors in the article above, but let me know if I didn’t!
Hope this helps,
Katrina
Elle said,
thank you for such a comprehensive list. I saw the above question about tricot, and I’ve looked at the spandex house site before, but my question is this:
when I find vintage slips at estate sales, etc. the tricot is so smooth and lovely. The tricot I’ve purchased from my local Hancock fabric store has very noticeable ridges (not smooth texture), and has very little stretch. Not sure what denier it was…
I like to use this type of fabric underneath layered dresses that I create, and it really needs to have some stretch.
Would you suggest trying a stretch charmeuse instead?
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hello, Elle!
Well, I’m not sure what quality of fabric Hancock sells, but it sounds like it is definitely not the type I’ve used from Spandex House. Of course you would want to feel a sample before purchasing any, but I’ve been able to find the kind you are looking for through them – the material that is smooth and does not have ridges.
You could use a stretch charmeuse in place of tricot, but I’ve found that most stretch satins have a sort of rubbery feel, and most charmeuse colors don’t come in stretch, it seems. In addition, the cost of satin is usually much more than what you can buy a good tricot for, so it might be worth finding a supplier besides Hancock that offers good tricot.
Hope this information helps!
Happy sewing,
Katrina
sweetpeajenny said,
Thank you for the lovely blog. Would you know a place for wholesale pillow forms, either down or non-down. Also, invisible zippers? You mentioned Coats and Clark, they may have zippers there?
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hi there!
Yes, Coats & Clark is definitely the top source for zippers, though YKK has just as big of a selection. As far as pillow forms go, hmmm… I’m trying to remember which company that was that does that. I think American Foam & Fiber may be a good option, though Hobbs is a really good source, too. Keep in mind that I haven’t ordered myself from these companies, but they supply the largest fabric store in America. So I do know that their products are top-notch!
Hope this helps you!
Katrina
Elle said,
thank you for your quick response Katrina!!
Edelweiss Patterns said,
You’re welcome, Elle! I’m happy to help.
Dawn said,
Thank you so much for this information. I am totally new to the fabric / textile business but trying to create a consumer product that will be wrapped in fabric. It needs to be a durable fabric that does not soil easily but comes in many styles and patterns. Was thinking of nylon, coated canvas, pvc or microfiber. Any guidance on these fabrics meeting these qualities and where I could source these wholesale? Any guidance would be appreciated!
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hello, Dawn,
I’m glad this information was helpful for you! I guess before I can give you and educated answer I will probably need to know what sort of product you are making that will be wrapped in fabric. Depending on how heavy it is and how it will be displayed, you could need many different types of fabric for various scenarios. So if you let me know some more specifics I’m sure I could give you some suggestions!
Dawn said,
Thank you for your response. It is sun glass holders that I am trying to wrap in fabric and come in a variety of patterns – chevron, polka dot, etc. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hi Dawn! Well if you’re looking for lots of prints, you will probably have to stick to a cotton print fabric or a home dec canvas weight fabric. Most other types of fabrics don’t come in a wide range of styles, but only seem to come in solids. I think that Waverly or PK Lifestyles carries lots of heavier home dec prints, but the cheapest way to go would probably be a 100% cotton quilting weight fabric. Other than that, there are some really cute vinyls and oilcloths that they’re making in fun polka dots and designs nowadays.
Hope this helps!
Katrina
Stacey said,
I’ve sat here and read all the posts and have gotten lots of advise. After visiting a fabric shop in Miami yesterday, I have confirmed, that I am in over my head! But it seems as though I may have found my saving grace. Aka; Katrina.
I know what I want to make, however my lack of knowledge for fabrics have crippled my ability to pursue this adventure.
I am in search for a material that has support,a hugging quality, soft/smooth (not silk or satin)….maybe it would be better to tell you what I am wanting to make and you advise your professional opinion.
I need a fabric to make a panel sewn into a pair of pants and to put a large button hole in it. The button hole would be about 2 inches long but having an opening not as a slit but about 1/2 inch round opening. The material needs to be soft to skin but hold it shape. Much like a bathing suit bottom. Lycra? The difference between Lycra and Spandex is the hold?
I don’t know if you are able to understand my confusion. But if somehow you did, ANYTHING is appreciated.
Another question, where/how would I find a person that I could sit down with to explain this to, that has all the knowledge of all the different fabrics available? I think I am getting confused between manufactures and buyers.
With all the wonderful viewers on your blog and your help, I am in high hopes my cloudiness will dissapear and my sun will shine.
Stacey
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hi, Stacey!
You’re definitely on the right track! A swimsuit material or athletic knit (usually nylon/Lycra blend) sounds exactly like what you’re looking for! While these fabrics used to be hard to find, there are now dozens of websites that sell stretchy but thick fabric which is just what they make swimsuits out of. If you need to buy smaller quantities, my suggestion would be to go to a local fabric store and feel the different weights so you know which will work best. If you need to buy it wholesale, you will find a huge selection from Spandex House Fabrics.
Hope this helps!
Katrina
Donna said,
Such a nice blog with helpful information. I make harnesses for small dogs and I will certainly check into the sources you mentioned. I have two questions. A while ago I purchased some “silky scrubs” scrub tops and I love the bright colors and the fabric how it sheds dog hair. It’s a 100 percent polyester fabric. I can’t get the silky scrubs in the patterns I want now and I have been searching for a similar fabric with bright patterns. Can you give me a lead on that. I also need to purchase Velcro wholesale as well. Is there a good place for that?
Thank you for all your help!
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hi, Donna!
The official Velcro website (where stores order wholesale from) is here. However, most local fabric stores will offer you a 40% discount if you purchase a whole, unopened box of Velcro! This might be the best way to go as I don’t believe that Velcro sells to the public unless they’re placing an enormous order.
As far as the polyester goes, what exactly does the “silky” fabric feel like? Is it similar to a lightweight satin? Is it a knit or a woven? Polyester can be any number of things, so I would need to know more about the material before I can recommend a source for it. In general, though, you will probably find that it’s difficult to find a lot of patterns in polyester. My guess is that a faille or satin has the greatest chance of being available in print form, but obviously satin would have the potential to snag which is not a plus if your working with dogs.
Let me know what you had in mind and I’ll try to determine what you’re looking for!
Katrina
Julia said,
Thank you for all the helpful information! I have recently started a home business making children’s travel bags. I am making them out of canvas duck material. I don’t need the wide home decorator fabric. I use solids and prints, but have trouble finding chevron prints. I would like to offer a consistent line, but fabrics are not available consistently. I would like to know if there is a wholesale source for me? Thank you.
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hi, Julia!
Unfortunately all the canvas weight chevron prints that I can think of are, in fact, home decorating width materials. I believe that PK Lifestyle fabrics offers a wide range of chevron prints, but they are (I’m pretty sure) 60″ wide.
Hope this helps!
Katrina
Kate said,
Hello, Just wondering about purchasing wholesale eco fabrics for home decor. Hemp, bamboo and organic cotton.
Looking for 60″ and wider widths.
Thanks for the wealth of information:)
Kate
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hi, Kate! The only company I can think of that sells a variety of organic cottons, hemp, bamboo, etc., is Robert Kaufman. You can see their page about it here, but I don’t know if any of these materials are available in 60″.
Hope this helps!
Katrina
Nicole said,
Hello, would you have any idea where I might find polyester minky and/or cotton chenille.
Brittnie Wiggins said,
Wow. What an amazing article! I think it’s great that you are shedding some light on the whole textile buying process! I was wondering if you had any resources for knit fabrics? Specifically printed knit fabric? Thanks in advance!
Regards,
Brittnie
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hello, Brittnie!
Yes, the two best sources for knit fabrics of all descriptions are Telio & Cie, as well as Logantex (both companies are listed in the article above with links to their respective sites). I should mention that printed knits don’t usually last longer than one year in the fabric industry as trends change so often, so if you find a print you like it’s best to buy it up while it’s still available.
Hope this helps!
Katrina
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hi, Nicole!
Yes! Shannon Fabrics is the place to get a HUGE selection of “minky” fabrics. You can see their website here:
I highly recommend their products, and this is definitely the “official” minky supplier.
Happy sewing!
Katrina
Ann said,
What a great resource! I like others have run into the roadblock of where to buy wholesale fabric. I’m looking for modern fabrics. The first being printed sheers (sort of a white on white) for curtains. The second is a cotton (you may call it a cotton duck) drapery fabric. Can you please help? Thank you so much!
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hello, Ann!
I must admit that home decor fabrics are not my area of expertise as I’m almost entirely a fashion sewer, but the cotton duck I certainly know where to find! It’s made by James Thompson (there’s a link in the article above), in lots of different colors.
Hope this helps!
Katrina
Ann said,
Thank you Katrina!
charmaine sylvan said,
hi
I have just read your advice and find it very helpful. My interest is in draperies and bedspreads. Do you have any advice you can give to me with regards to the cheapest buy? This is materials like brocade quilt(fabric) heavy satin.
Greatest Thanks
Charmaine
Edelweiss Patterns said,
Hi, Charmaine!
Yes! An excellent source for brocade is Oriole Textiles (here’s the link to their brocades page). I have been using their fabrics for years and have always been impressed with the results.
As far as heavy satins go, Oriole, Logantex, and Liba Fabrics all make great heavy satins. (There’s a link to each of these brands in the article above.) They all carry slightly different colors and finishes of satin, so I’m sure one of those brands could supply what you’re looking for.
I hope this helps you!
Katrina
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