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How Do I Choose the Best Wholesale Fabric?
To choose the best wholesale fabric, consumers should check the fiber content of the material or ask for a picture of it when shopping online before completing their purchases. The type and appearance of the fabric can also be determined by requesting small samples from the wholesale discounter. This will help avoid situations in which crafters purchase inferior materials that are unsuitable for the project at hand simply because the pricing is low. This type of bargain pricing is available at local crafting stores, big box supply stores, and through Internet ordering.
The term wholesale fabric can be used to refer to any type of discounting applied to various weights of material. This can include cottons, silks, brocades, fleece, and many more. This type of fabric is often sold by the yard instead of by the quarter yard as is available in most fabric and crafting stores as a form of compensating the distributor for the bargain pricing. A larger percentage of the price may be reduced for individuals willing to purchase full bolts of material as well.
Shoppers will benefit from examining the fiber content of the wholesale fabric prior to purchase. Low quality materials are frequently placed in bargain sales areas. These materials unravel easily, shrink or pucker during a wash cycle, and are prone to thread pulls during sewing. Most material manufacturers print the fiber content of their products on the ends of the bolts of fabric. Unlabeled materials and unknown fiber contents should be avoided.
When shopping online for wholesale fabric, crafters should always locate a picture of the item being sold before agreeing to purchase it. The online seller's description of the fabric may vary greatly from how the purchaser would describe it. Most sewing projects, such as clothing design, quilting, and upholstering, among other hobbies, depend upon exact color and material matches for completion. Purchasing the wrong fabric in the wrong shade, rendering it unusable for the project in question, can quickly eliminate the financial savings that purchasing discounted fabric initially offers.
Some retailers are willing to send consumers small fabric swatches prior to purchase. This can be a valuable tool to use for individuals who are interested in purchasing large quantities of fabric that total one or more bolts. Bridal parties and party planners who require exact material and color matching information prior to an event, can also benefit from receiving these types of fabric swatches.
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![A shirt made with organic fabric.]()
By: Alexandra KaramyshevA shirt made with organic fabric. -
![Examining fabric swatches or samples can help consumers pick the best wholesale fabric.]()
By: oillio29Examining fabric swatches or samples can help consumers pick the best wholesale fabric. -
![When shopping online for wholesale fabric, crafters should always locate a picture of the item being sold before agreeing to purchase it.]()
By: Sandor KacsoWhen shopping online for wholesale fabric, crafters should always locate a picture of the item being sold before agreeing to purchase it.
Discussion Comments
The fiber content of a fabric will determine the comfort of the garment when you wear it. Usually, in a market store, the fabric content will be on the end of the cardboard form that the fabric is wrapped around.
You must sure to ask the sales people, as sometimes the form is re-used and does not match the fabric. If you are purchasing fabric from a web site, the information should be displayed with the fabric. In case you find fabric that the fiber content is unknown, it can be tested by burning it.
@KoiwiGal - It really depends on what the person is looking for though. I mean, in some cases you just want cheap wholesale fabric, and the quality doesn't matter all that much. What you should look for is the best for what you want.
There's lots to take into account. Not just quality, but also point of origin and whether the fabric is organic.
Is it for resale? Your customers might be looking for a bargain themselves, rather than the best quality they can find.
Cheapest isn't always best, but the best quality fabric is not always the most suited for each project.
@browncoat - I agree, it can be difficult for beginners to know good stuff from bad stuff when they are first starting out.
Personally, I think you won't go wrong with some kind of class if you have no experience. Simply so you can feel lots of different kinds of fabric. Or, if you are going to buy online, go to a fabric store and check out which ones are the most expensive and if you can, get the stores people to explain why.
You don't have to buy, you can just say that you are price checking.
I would also recommend forums, but remember that there's no reason not to email someone who recommends a wholesale fabric distributor and ask them why they think it's a good one.
First hand experience, even someone else's first hand experience, is invaluable when it comes to this kind of thing.
It's really a good idea to try and get a sample before you buy. Often they will send you a box of samples for a small price, sometimes only the cost of shipping.
Another really good way to find out where you can get good quality fabrics is to have a look on forums online.
Try sewing specific forums, but you might also want to have a look on artist forums and crafting forums.
Often they will have a sticky thread with a bunch of wholesale fabric suppliers, or you can ask which ones they recommend.
If at all possible I would go and see the actual fabric in person though, or at least see a really good quality photo and know what you should be looking for as well. It's no good judging the fabric if you don't know quality when you see it.
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