Where Do Jeans Companies Get Their Fabric?

How To Source Fabric for Your Clothing Line in 3 Steps (2024)

If you’re venturing into the jeans business or creating a clothing line, sourcing the right fabric is critical to the quality and appeal of your products. Finding custom fabrics that align with your vision can seem daunting, but with the right approach, you can streamline the process. This article will break down fabric sourcing into three straightforward steps.

What is Fabric Sourcing?

Fabric sourcing refers to the process of identifying, evaluating, and acquiring materials for your clothing line. For jeans companies, this often involves selecting high-quality denim, but it can also include blended materials such as cotton fabric, viscose fabric, and even rayon fabric. The goal is to find materials that meet your aesthetic and functional requirements while staying within budget.

How to Source Fabric for Your Brand in 3 Steps

1. Learn the Basics of Fabric Construction

Understanding fabric construction helps you determine the properties of various textiles. Denim, the core fabric for jeans, can be categorized based on its weave type.

Knitted Fabric

Knitted fabrics, while less common for jeans, are used in some stretchy or jegging-style pants. These fabrics are made by interlocking loops, offering elasticity and comfort.

Woven Fabric

Woven fabrics are predominant in jeans production. They are created by interlacing threads at right angles, providing durability. Popular woven materials include cotton fabric, boucle fabric, and linen fabric.

2. Understand the Different Types of Fabric Suppliers

Fabric suppliers can be categorized into mills, distributors, and jobbers. Knowing the difference ensures you source the right custom fabrics efficiently.

• Mills produce fabric in bulk and are ideal for large-scale production.

• Distributors act as middlemen, offering a variety of fabrics, including polyester fabric and chenille fabric.

• Jobbers sell leftover stock, which can be cost-effective for small orders.

3. Visit Trade Shows and Source Fabric Online

Source Your Fabric at Trade Shows

Trade shows are excellent for discovering innovative fabrics, like modal fabric and sustainable denim. Popular trade shows include Denim Première Vision and Kingpins.

Source Your Fabric Online

Online platforms like Alibaba or Hobby Lobby fabric collections make sourcing accessible for smaller businesses. Ensure to request fabric swatches before finalizing your order.

10 Questions to Ask Fabric Suppliers

1. What is the fabric article or item number?

2. What is the fabric weight?

3. What is the fabric content?

Ask about blends, such as rayon fabric or viscose fabric, for softer jeans.

4. What is the fabric construction?

5. What's the fabric width (total and cuttable)?

6. How much does the fabric cost per yard/meter (sample yardage and bulk yardage)?

7. What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

8. How long is the fabric delivery lead time?

9. Where is the country of origin?

Knowing if your fabric is sourced locally or from fabrication shops near me helps estimate delivery times.

10. What are the fabric care instructions?

For example, some denim requires specific detergents like downy fabric softener for maintenance.

How to Source for the 3 Sectors of the Jeans Business

Premium Jeans Sector

This focuses on luxury and exclusive materials, often incorporating unique finishes or linen fabric blends.

Fast Fashion Jeans Sector

Here, the goal is affordability and variety, leveraging polyester fabric and efficient production.

Heritage Jeans Sector

Traditional and robust fabrics, like heavyweight denim, define this sector. Details such as authentic fades are crucial.

Six Denim Designers Discuss the Business of Premium, Fast Fashion, and Heritage Jeans

Understanding the perspectives of industry experts helps you navigate trends and consumer preferences in these three sectors.

The 3 Sectors of the Jeans Business

Defining the Premium Jeans Sector

Premium jeans emphasize craftsmanship, with an emphasis on custom fabrics that enhance the look and feel.

The Opportunities and Challenges for Premium Jeans

While the margins are higher, sourcing exclusive fabrics like chenille fabric can be cost-intensive.

Defining the Fast Fashion Jeans Sector

These jeans are designed for affordability and quick turnaround, often relying on fabric glue for embellishments.

The Opportunities and Challenges for Fast Fashion Jeans

Sustainability concerns and competition are challenges, but consistent styles can drive sales.

Defining the Heritage Jeans Sector

These jeans focus on tradition, using sturdy fabrics such as muslin fabric for durability.

The Opportunities and Challenges for Heritage Jeans

While appealing to niche markets, sourcing vintage-style fabrics can be challenging.

How to Source Fabric for Each Sector

Sourcing Fabric for Premium Jeans: Fabric Features as Added Value

Incorporate unique touches like fabric spray paint or embroidered details for a luxurious feel.

Sourcing Fabric for Fast Fashion Jeans: Find Variety in Being Consistent

Focus on cost-efficient options like polyester fabric or rayon fabric while maintaining a balance of style and comfort.

Sourcing Fabric for Heritage Jeans: Construction and Fade

Select fabrics with high fade potential, emphasizing construction methods like shuttle loom weaving.

How to Source Garment Manufacturing for Each Sector

Sourcing Premium Jeans Manufacturing: The Highest Standards

Premium manufacturing involves precise stitching and fabric treatments.

Sourcing Fast Fashion Jeans Manufacturing: Capacity and Sampling

Fast fashion relies on bulk production facilities with quick sampling.

FAQs

This section answers common questions, such as how to work with fabrication shops near me, choose sustainable materials, or utilize tools like fabric tape for prototypes.

By integrating these insights, jeans companies and budding designers can source custom fabrics effectively to create standout products.