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From: bridesmom
Date: 01-28-2006, 05:34 PM (1 of 12)
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My wonderful DH has offered my services to make 200 duffel bags, with the drawstring top for our church's homeless ministry. I figure I can get two bags out of 1 metre (39") of 150mm (60") fabric, they'd be about 28x36. I'm thinking heavy canvas or duck, or even a water resistant ripstop fabric, but I need 100 metres (108 yds) of the stuff. Color isn't really a factor but having it shipped is going to be really expensive and the only store near by is Fabricland that I don't think is going to work for this. Anyone got any bright ideas? Cost is a big factor in this as well, but I want them to be durable. They will have a webbing strap and handle along the side as well. And I'll need 4-6 large grommets per bag as well as the rope for typing it closed. THINK USN SEABAGS. Where do I get fabric, bulk grommets, rope, webbing in bulk???
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-28-2006, 09:04 PM (2 of 12)
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What about "decorator" fabric...(ie, the extra wide heavy fabric they use for curtains and some upholstery). We have 'bolt end/fabric' wherehouses here. Do they have anything LIKE that in Canada ??? Generally you can get LOTS of fabric that NO ONE wants for very little money. It might be the answer for your project.... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 01-28-2006, 11:24 PM (3 of 12)
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That's a good idea Chrys. I need something that is going to be heavy and hopefully washable or else dark enough that you can't see the dirt, and not easily fraying. But there isn't anything much like that around here that I know of.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 01-28-2006, 11:28 PM (4 of 12)
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What about jean fabric? That would be fairly durable. Maybe there is some place that you can get it cheap...e.g. seconds??
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 01-28-2006, 11:36 PM (5 of 12)
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Just a thought...have you been to Fabricland lately? They are currently having their yearly sale which ends Jan. 29. Maybe you would be able to find something at a discount price? http://www.fabriclandwest.com/On_Sale/sale.htm TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-29-2006, 12:19 AM (6 of 12)
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www.all-about-fabrics.com (Canadian fabric places) how about Goodwill ??? (you have GoodWill in Canada ???) you can get LOADS of used clothes for very little money and try that... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: KayTee
Date: 01-29-2006, 12:20 AM (7 of 12)
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Couple of ideas for you: depending upon where in B.C. you're located, and if you're near the water somewhere, maybe you could find a sailmaker - that would give you large amounts of fabric and save you the shipping costs. Or, what about a place that sells tent and awnings.......that would be heavy like canvas, probably will also be in large sizes. If you do end up going with fabric from Fabricland, they do have the ability to give you additional $'s off because of the quantity. |
User: KayTee
Member since: 12-06-2002 Total posts: 98 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-29-2006, 12:55 AM (8 of 12)
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www.bestcutfabrics.com They're here in the US, but don't say if they ship to Canada. They have upholstery fabric starting at $4.95 a yd. (they're in Wisconsin). They have a 1-800 number for you to call. Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: DorothyL
Date: 01-29-2006, 08:30 AM (9 of 12)
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I would think heavy denim would be a good idea. If you ask, the fabric store might be able to special order for you. I don't know how things work in Canada but here I would suggest having the church contact them and explain it is a charity project and you might get a discount or tax break. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-29-2006, 12:07 PM (10 of 12)
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In Oklahoma City there is a shop that handles all kinds of commercial fabrics. They have uphostery (fabric and foam), outdoor awning fabrics, fabrics for making tents and tarps, just about everything you can imagine. It is so large that you can drive through it. It has outdoor fabrics on one side of the drive through and uphostery on the other. I've gone there for decades for commercial zippers by the inch, strapping, cording, etc. It is a wonderful place. I'm sure that it is not one of a kind. However, those shops are usually well known only by the people who need them. You might call a local uphostery shop and see where they get their fabrics and notions.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 01-29-2006, 11:28 PM (11 of 12)
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I'm heading over to a little place across the river tomorrow to see what he can offer and then checking around in and around Vancouver for some wholesale/outdoor fabric places but you've sent some great ideas, will be checking them out. I like the denim idea but our local fabricland has very expensive denim and a very light canvas fabric so they are out.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Sancin
Date: 01-30-2006, 04:01 PM (12 of 12)
Hi Bridesmom - How about finding a fabric you can use and then negotiating a price for the fabric? Ask "what kind of discount can you give me on this?" (see Shopping Bags program on TV!). I have a friend that has never paid full price for anything. The bags are going to charity and some stores will 'go along' with the concept. I doubt that Fabricland will unless you talk to the manager. Staff at FL don't seem to have a lot of freedom to make independant decisions  . How about stores that sell sporting goods? The store you bought the ski jacket fabric? That store that is down over the railroad in Coquitlam? (many seniour moments this am  ). Are there still Army and Navy shops around in Vancouver or New West? There used to be (giving my age away) a canvas store in New West where years ago I bought fabric. Try looking in the phone book for stores in low income areas - often willing to give good deals, just to get rid of fabric, especially heavier weight winter goods at this time of year. Good Luck and let us know how you make out. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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