I'd like to make my own fabric-covered toys. I'm looking to purchase
a particular type of fabric that is soft, thin, 100% polyester and
sticks well to Velcro hooks. I've seen this fabric used in various
products from Tiny Love (www.tinylove.com).
The answer to this question should include:
* The name for this type of fabric (e.g. Veloba, Aloba, etc).
Note that I know about "loop/Velcro compatible" fabrics such as
Veltex. These are not appropriate for toy making. Also, its not a
"felt" fabric as it has a tricot structure.
* A source to purchase small (10yd) quantities of this fabric. |
Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
29 Jan 2004 18:22 PST
Hello arman0 -
Is this the kind of fabric you're seeking?
http://www.tinylove.com/pages/catalog.asp?PageID=261&prodID=81
jbf777
GA Researcher
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Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
29 Jan 2004 18:45 PST
Let me rephrase that: is the fabric on these toys the kind that you're seeking?
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Clarification of Question by
arman0-ga
on
29 Jan 2004 19:28 PST
Dear jbf777,
I don't have that particular product with me. The two that I know use
this fabric are:
http://www.tinylove.com/pages/catalog.asp?pageId=74&queryTerm=crib
http://www.tinylove.com/pages/catalog.asp?pageId=129&queryTerm=motion
Another product that uses the same type of fabric is:
http://sassybaby.com/sassybaby/finditem.cfm?itemid=220
-arman
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Clarification of Question by
arman0-ga
on
30 Jan 2004 03:32 PST
FYI, Based on my research it seemed that what I'm looking for is some
sort of Aloba (Alova) fabric. Please note that I've tried Alova
Suedecloth from joann.com and it doesn't stick to Velcro hooks. So,
apparently, not all Alova fabrics will work.
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Clarification of Question by
arman0-ga
on
30 Jan 2004 18:35 PST
I'm hoping that the source that's found for this fabric has them in
bright colors which can be used in toys. i.e. like those from Tiny
Love. --- thanks.
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Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
30 Jan 2004 18:40 PST
I believe I have found a source in Asia. Would that be OK?
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Clarification of Question by
arman0-ga
on
30 Jan 2004 18:52 PST
Asia is OK. But, they should be willing to sell small amounts and
ship to me (in the US) in a reasonable amount of time (e.g. 2-3
weeks). They can consider this a sample purchase (i.e. low qty now,
lots more later) in which case it might be OK.
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Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
31 Jan 2004 16:33 PST
The manufacturer I have found specializes in fabrics for toys, among
other things. They say that any order under 3000 yards requires a
$200 surcharge due to costs incurred with shipping overseas.
Would this be a problem?
Also, they inform me that a brushed nylon finova fabric, similar to
Alova, would be what you need for adhesion to Velcro.
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Clarification of Question by
arman0-ga
on
01 Feb 2004 00:59 PST
Hello jbf777,
The fabric used in the toys I mentioned is 100% Polyester. This
fabric is not intended for use with Velcro hooks. However, it works
well enough for my application. Of course, if I can get brushed nylon
in the same thickness, texture, colors and price range (in large
volume) as polyester then that's fine. However, its hard to tell if
it'll work for me without seeing some sample material. By the way, I'm
OK with paying the surcharge.
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Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
01 Feb 2004 12:52 PST
I'm waiting to hear back from them. Will let you know shortly.
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Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
01 Feb 2004 20:46 PST
They want to know what kind of quantity you'd be looking at
purchasing... they said it can't be too small. Also, they said
delivery should be about 25 days. They can dye any color you want.
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Clarification of Question by
arman0-ga
on
02 Feb 2004 10:20 PST
As per my original question, I need this fabric in small quantities
(10yds). I'd like to purchase 10yds in 4 different colors for the
prototypes I'm building. I'll order it in large lots if it goes into
production. Regarding 25 days needed for delivery, its a bit too
long. But, I guess I can live with it.
|
arman0 -
If you choose to rate this answer, please ask for any clarification
you may require (such as needing a different supplier) beforehand.
Thanks for your understanding.
I've tracked down a supplier in the states. They're called
Performance Textiles, Inc. The gentleman I spoke to is named Bill
Gerrow. I explained your needs, and he said he should be able to
supply what you're looking for in small quantities. It might be
difficult to get the precise color you'd need at the smaller quantity.
But that should not be a problem with larger quantities.
You'll want to send a fax to his attention with exactly what you're looking for.
His fax number: 336-275-8866
Phone number: 336-275-5800
Web site: http://www.perftex.com
When you're ready for signicantly higher quantity production (few
thousand yards), you'll most likely want to source overseas for
considerable cost savings. The company I've talked with in Korea is
called Protexco. They prefer only shipping 3000 or more yards (around
$1.20 per yard) at a time.
Harry Koo is the rep I've been dealing with there. Email is harrykoo@unitel.co.kr.
SUITE A-402,HANSUNG BLDG,609-24,KURO-DONG KURO-KU Seoul, Korea (South) 152-050
Tel : 82-2-2636-4096
Fax : 82-2-2636-4087
Contact : HARRY KOO / Direct : 82-2-2636-4096
Homepage : http://my.ecplaza.net/protex
There's another company called Han Young Fabric:
Woo Young
http://www.wooyoung.com/
Their website says they work in similar fabrics.
Selected search strategy:
"Fabric brokers"
alova OR tricot fabrics
textile wholesale |
Request for Answer Clarification by
arman0-ga
on
06 Feb 2004 10:22 PST
Unfortunately, it looks like Bill Gerrow of Performance Textiles
(who's a really nice gentleman) won't be able to help me. He has
forwarded me to someone else who hasn't answered my email. So, I
really don't consider this questions answered yet. sigh.
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Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
06 Feb 2004 10:57 PST
I apologize for the inconvenience! Rest assured, you won't pay for
this answer until it's satisfactory.
Can you tell me why he won't be able to help you? And did he refer
you to another company? Can you tell me who?
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Request for Answer Clarification by
arman0-ga
on
06 Feb 2004 12:25 PST
Bill left me voice mail after I called him and sent him a fax. It
wasn't clear from the his message why he wouldn't be able to help me.
He referred me to karljr@gateway.net. I only have an email address
and he hasn't replied to my message.
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Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
06 Feb 2004 14:07 PST
I'm not sure I understand your needs completely, because when I got
off the phone with him, he was fairly convinced that he could supply
what you're looking for. Can you tell me what you said in the fax? I
basically relayed to him what we've been talking about... a velvety
type, either Alova, Velboa, brushed nylon (which he specifically said
he could get) fabric sufficient for use in toy-making.
jbf
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Request for Answer Clarification by
arman0-ga
on
07 Feb 2004 01:09 PST
copy of fax to Bill ...
Dear Bill,
As per our conversation, here are the details on the type of fabric that I need:
· I'm looking for a 100% Polyester fabric that's typically used in soft toys.
· It?s a Tricot fabric and is fairly thin.
· It sticks well to Velcro hooks although it wasn't designed for that purpose.
· I need this fabric in 4 different colors (hopefully bright colors as
this is for toy prototypes). I would like to purchase 10 yards of
each of these colors.
· This is not a requirement, but it would be great if we could find a
double-sided version of this fabric.
Thanks a lot for your assistance. Please call me or send me an email
if you have any questions.
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Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
07 Feb 2004 21:55 PST
Thanks. I'm not completely sure why he forwarded you over to this
other individual, who I'm assuming still hasn't gotten back to you
yet? Unfortunately Bill is out the office until Thursday, but I'm
going to try to talk to someone else there on Monday. I also have a
couple other contacts to try.
Also, is the Tiny Love fabric *exactly* the fabric you're looking for?
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Request for Answer Clarification by
arman0-ga
on
08 Feb 2004 20:37 PST
Right, Karl hasn't responded yet.
Also, the Tiny Love fabric is exactly what I'm looking for. But, I
can settle for something close.
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Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
09 Feb 2004 10:06 PST
Try this:
Mike Misino
FAB Industries
212.592.2823
FAB Industries is an actual mill. Mike is expecting "Arman" to call
(whether or not that's your first name, you can use it as the
reference point for our conversation). Mike tells me he should be
able to meet your needs. They actually have sold this type of fabric
for use on toys. Karl used to work for this company.
Should this not meet your needs for whatever reason, please let me
know. Sorry again for the inconvenience.
Thanks,
jbf
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Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
09 Feb 2004 10:56 PST
I've talked to another gentleman by the name of Mike Biles. He says
he knows just what you're looking for, but unfortunately smaller
yardages are only available in stock colors such as tans, greys,
whites, blacks, etc. Higher quantities (~3000 yards) are available in
the bright colors. It would be a good contact to have at least for
your higher quantities, or if he possibly has one or two colors that
might work for you in the smaller yardages:
Mike Biles
336-852-3332
336-312-5666 cell
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