Decoration or Descendants: What Makes Tartan Fabric Special?

Tartans are especially associated with Scotland. To some people tartans are simply a fashionable pattern whereas others believe they emerged as a way of differentiating the clans of Scotland, much like African head wraps can vary between regions. Ultimately they are a type of decorative cloth with patterns that can differ so much by just making a simple change, for instance the amount of stripes vertically or horizontally, the width, colour and the distance between the stripes. The diversity which can come from this has led to various areas in Scotland, or clans, to wear a particular tartan pattern, although it is believed that clan tartans were not truly recognised until later in the 18th century. Originally the fabric pattern would have depended on what the local producer made. So what is the history of tartan and why is the pattern so unique? Continue reading “Decoration or Descendants: What Makes Tartan Fabric Special?”


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Environmental Issues of Fabric Production

Environmental Issues of Fabric Production. There are so many processes which go into making a single item of clothing and to think of how many millions of clothes are made every year! All of these processes use environmental resources, such as fossil fuels for the transportation of fibres grown in one country to where they are manufactured into garments in another country and then sold in another. This is how some of the processes to produce fibres and fabrics can ruin the environment and some of the actions which can be implemented to improve damages: Continue reading “Environmental Issues of Fabric Production”


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Why You Should Know About Sustainable Clothing

It has been a long time coming for everyone to recognise that the environmental and ethical problems of the fashion industry needs to be taken seriously. Whilst change is occurring slowly, it is still not being placed under as much scrutiny as it should. In first world countries most people do not bear the brunt of the chemical pollution and low wages impacting other people’s lives currently and the lives of people in the future. Continue reading “Why You Should Know About Sustainable Clothing”


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Wow! Amazing Fabric Facts

It’s always valuable to learn something new and I bet you didn’t know all of this information. A few of these interesting points highlight some of the innovative research which has been going on in recent years and may start to affect yours and company fabric choices. From remarkable modern fibres to developing sustainable practices, here are 5 fabric facts to pick up on. Also be sure to look out for future posts regarding some of the issues included here. Continue reading “Wow! Amazing Fabric Facts”


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Ways of Using Fabric for your Pets

We love animals at Fabric UK meaning that we don’t stock any real leathers or furs for ethical reasons but we do sell fabrics that can be used for animals! Seeing as we get so many people calling in asking for petwear fabric, it’s about time we dedicate some thought to fabric for pets. But think again if you thought pet bedding and clothing was plain and uninteresting because these ideas are elegant, achievable and purrrrfect for pets.  Continue reading “Ways of Using Fabric for your Pets”


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Testing Fire Retardant Fabrics and Liquid Spray

In collaboration with KBTs fire retardant liquid, we are going to underline the basics of fire resistant fabrics with the addition of a demonstration video. Fire retardant fabrics are important because so many fires are caused accidently. Fire retardant fabrics can be difficult to set alight or they will burn slower or self-extinguish, helping to prevent injury or death. There are also fire regulations put in place for clothing items such as for children’s sleepwear and for work wear clothing in the emergency services and military. Other standards are provided for environments which can be classified as either low risk, medium risk or high risk. An example of low risk include schools and museums and medium risk include entertainment venues. Here are how fire retardant fabrics work and what are the best options for different applications.

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To Pin Or Not To Pin: Which Straight Pins Are For You?

As any experienced sewer will be able to tell you, a god set of straight pins is absolutely essential if you are going to get the job done right. In fact, they are right up there with your needle and thread in terms of things that you need to ensure you get the accuracy and quality that you are looking for from your sewing. However, there are also a whole bunch of different pins available, with all of them serving their own purposes. It can be a little bit intimidating for the sewing newbie, so here we will be giving you a brief breakdown of the different types of straight pins that you are likely to run into. Continue reading “To Pin Or Not To Pin: Which Straight Pins Are For You?”


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Keeping you cool: Top Ten Fabrics for Summer Clothing

Summer is on its way and we are already feeling the heat thanks to what appears to be one of the warmest Aprils in recent memory if early indications are anything to go by. With the warmer weather comes a complete change in wardrobe, which the ardent fabric lover will relish as an opportunity to try out a few new designs to add to their summer clothes collection. With the heat most definitely on, it is crucial that you choose the right fabrics for your project, so here we aim to look at the top ten materials that are perfect for summer clothing. Continue reading “Keeping you cool: Top Ten Fabrics for Summer Clothing”


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How to Wash Your Curtains

The curtains are an oft-neglected aspect of the house when cleaning is undertaken. While some may beat them to get rid of dust, it is comparatively rare that people will go to the effort of washing them properly. After all, it’s not like they get covered in dirt on a regular basis.

This means that Curtainsif they do end up getting dirty for whatever reason, many people don’t know where to start when it comes to giving them a good wash. With this article we aim to provide a few tips that can be used should you find yourself in this situation.

Continue reading “How to Wash Your Curtains”


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The Benefits of Buying Fabric Wholesale

The choice between whether or not to buy your fabrics wholesale really just boils down to simply whether or not you need a particular fabric in bulk. If you only require one or two lengths of a fabric then it is likely the best idea so simply purchase what you need in the traditional fashion.

However, if you do require fabric in bulk, whether it be for a large project or because you wish to sell it on in your own store, then buying wholesale works out a lot better for you. Here are a couple of the advantages of buying your fabrics wholesale.

Cheaper prices

The main advantage of buying anything wholesale is the ability to get individual units for a cheaper price than you would by buying them as normal. Buying in bulk is advantageous for the seller because it allows them to move a large amount of product in a single delivery in addition to providing them with a guaranteed large sale.

In most cases the wholesaler will pass on some of the savings made directly to you. If they are saving on delivery costs then this money can be taken off the bulk order, to an extent, leaving you with a cheaper per unit cost even if the main purchase is quite large.

Establishing a business relationship

Most wholesalers are especially keen to establish business relationships with bulk buyers as it will mean that they have a regular source of income from a customer who is guaranteed to order in generally large quantities.

Because of this they will often provide special privileges to those who buy fabrics wholesale, meaning that the prospect of a business relationship can appear. If you have a good relationship with your wholesaler, wherein both parties trusts the other, you may be able to negotiate prices for certain kinds of fabrics and be given more leeway in regards to payment times and deliveries.

Industry knowledge

For a company to be able to offer fabrics wholesale they will need to have knowledge of the industry. This means establishing connections with suppliers and people with the information needed to get the best possible deals.

This expertise is also of benefit to the person who buys in bulk from the wholesaler. Not only do they get the other benefits that come along with the package, they also often get years, perhaps even decades, of knowledge direct from a source that knows the business inside and out.

Furthermore, remember that your wholesaler is looking to make a profit just as any business who buys from them is. As such they will always be making the effort to source cost-effective solutions that can benefit customers in the long run.

Because of all this buying wholesale can certainly prove advantageous, assuming you need to buy in bulk. As with any purchase, always beware of the possibility of over-ordering to ensure you get the most out of the business arrangement.


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