Organic / eco fabrics

[MyDecozo]

I think this cropped up a few months ago.......found this site who have obviously found suppliers around the UK and the world. They supply by the metre on a retail basis but may supply trade on request. Some fabrics have matching wallpaper.

[urlnew:qwt0v4uf]http://www.organic-furnishings.co.uk/fabric.html[/urlnew:qwt0v4uf]

[Louise]

Re: Organic / eco fabrics

Ian Mankin have also started to supply a limited range of British organic fabrics - tickings and plain self-stripe.

http://www.ianmankinonline.co.uk/org...rics-183-c.asp

[Rosie]

Re: Organic / eco fabrics

What do you think of the prices of http://www.organic-furnishings.co.uk/fabric.html?

[Louise]

Re: Organic / eco fabrics

Out of the league of most of my customers.......the Mankin ones are more reasonable, but not marketed as 'designer' which may explain it.

[lisaharland]

Re: Organic / eco fabrics

I hope you don't mind me adding something. We (at Harlands) work with small suppliers who have higher costs in production and for the fabrics that come from oversea costs for delivery and import taxes have to be covered too. The higher costs of our fabrics is because they are organic and fairly traded which currently means higher productions costs. Individual designers are recognised for the work they put into designing and producing these lovely fabrics and are paid a fair price by us because we appreciate the work that goes into each run... not high cost because they are designer. Textile designers struggle to get paid fairly for what they produce. We do keep in line with prices from convention fabric suppliers at the higher end of the market but the designers we work with get the bulk of the profit.

PS. its great that Ian Mankin are now making organic fabrics!

[Rosie]

Re: Organic / eco fabrics

Hello Lisa,

It's always good to have the fullest picture possible regarding things like this. We are all fully aware of the price of quality and perfection (and in this case, the extra benefits of an environmentally friendly product).

As curtain makers we spend at lot of our time trying to convince each other of the true value of our work. Sometimes it's hard to understand why clients are prepared to pay 'big bucks' for fabrics only to then quibble at the make up cost. We walk a fine line when helping clients choose fabrics....Too high a ppm and they'll want a less expensive make, too cheap and the fabrics may not perform well or be consistent and may not make up well.

We are all trying to make a living and have to direct clients according to their means. Perhaps, as the profile of organic/eco products is raised, more customers will elect to go down this road and, as a consequence, the products will be more widely available and more affordable too.

[lisaharland]

Re: Organic / eco fabrics

Hi Rosie,

I think designers and makers are greatly undervalued. I am conscious of the amount of work that goes into curtain making and the same fair trade value should apply at UK pricing. You should get paid fairly for the amount of work that goes into making curtains and blinds.

With regard to the cost of fabrics we are a company at the higher end of the market so our prices reflect that but we also supply fabrics from £18 per metre although currently our best selling fabric is one of our most expensive. With conventional fabric/home furnishing companies there are higher, middle and lower ends of the market and organic/eco has this too.

The reason we have chosen to exclude the cheaper fabrics from our online shop (although we do show to clients) is because we would prefer that people go direct to the smaller UK companies if ordering online so that they make more profit per sale as there isn't much of a margin for them on the lower cost fabrics when they sell trade to us.

companies worth visiting are:

http://www.drapersorganiccotton.co.uk
http://www.hempfabric.co.uk
http://www.thehouseofhemp.co.uk
http://www.greenfibres.com

Also rather wonderfully Vanessa Arbuthnott is in transition and launching an organic range shortly. Gorgeous!

http://www.vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk/

[Louise]

Re: Organic / eco fabrics

Thanks for the links Lisa - I was not aware of any of these companies.........although I have used Vanessa Arbuthnott before.

[Rosie]

Re: Organic / eco fabrics

Hello Lisa,

Sounds like we're all singing from the same hymn sheet really. It astounds us all at what people will accept and pay for in 'Famous Names' stores, without a second thought. I will take a look at the extra sites you've listed and suggest them if appropriate - I promise!

[lisaharland]

Re: Organic / eco fabrics

Hi again, all of the companies mentioned sell to trade and supply sample sets. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the range available.

Lisa