How to Source Fabric for Your Clothing Line
How to source fabric for a clothing line — where to find suppliers, how to evaluate quality, and tips for negotiating with fabric mills and distributors.
Where to find fabric suppliers
Fabric sourcing depends on your production volume and location. Here are the main channels:
- Fabric trade shows: Texworld, Première Vision, LA Textile, and regional shows
- Online fabric marketplaces: Swatchon, Alibaba (for mills), FabricLink
- Local fabric districts: LA garment district, NYC garment district, Guangzhou fabric markets
- Manufacturer recommendations: Your factory often has existing supplier relationships
- Deadstock and surplus fabric dealers: Lower minimums, unique fabrics, more sustainable
How to evaluate fabric quality
Always request swatches before committing. When evaluating fabric, consider:
- Weight: Measured in GSM (grams per square meter) — request the exact spec
- Hand feel: How the fabric feels when you touch it — soft, crisp, smooth, textured
- Stretch and recovery: Pull the fabric and see if it returns to shape
- Pilling resistance: Rub the fabric to test for pilling tendency
- Color fastness: Wash the swatch to test for fading or bleeding
- Shrinkage: Wash and measure the swatch to calculate shrinkage percentage
Understanding minimums and lead times
Fabric minimums vary widely. Stock fabrics from distributors may be available in quantities as low as 5-10 yards. Custom fabrics from mills typically require 500-3,000 yard minimums.
Lead times also vary: stock fabrics ship in days, while custom fabric production can take 4-12 weeks. Plan your fabric sourcing early in your production timeline to avoid delays.
Specifying fabric in your tech pack
When you have selected your fabric, document it precisely in your tech pack BOM. Include fiber content, weight in GSM, construction type, width, supplier name, reference number, and any special finishes. This ensures your manufacturer orders the exact fabric you specified.
If you are using Skema3D to create tech packs, specify your fabric details in your design description. The AI incorporates your fabric specifications into the BOM and construction notes.