This could be interesting - we'll see!

[baileyuph]

Using a link provided by, I think June, to Silverton Fabrics and looked around and what caught my attention is or was:  Limited yardage only available - black damask and camel print for $385.00 a yard.  Obviously it was bought as a close out becaue yardage was limited to real low for $70 per yard.

Several thoughts which included - why would anyone pay 70 bucks a yard and all they can see is a picture and limited yardage, like I said three or four yards not in one piece but two.

It can't be felt and not really appreciated by the computer picture, therefore who on earth would buy it, especially at $70 a yard.  The list of $385 didn't mean a thing to me, call it $499.99 a yard what difference does it make.

That is the background for the question:  "What is the most expensive fabric you have ever worked with?"

Any of you ever jumped on something like this or had customers who did?

What does a $385 per yard fabric feel like?

Some of you who support ID or Decorators might have come across such an experience.

Gene, you come to mind.  Any experience to share?

During the traditional days, expensive high quality tapestries was the medium I enjoyed working with, and at the time those fabrics could be bought for around $40 or so.

Let us hear your story.

Doyle

[MinUph]

We have worked with some fabrics in the 500 600 a yard range. I don't remember "what they felt like" Probably like a 50 a yard piece. I tend to not think about the really high priced ones to much. I'm sure I drool all over it. LOL. Actually I try to not think about it much so I don't get to nervous working with it.
Most are from far lands not with a C in the beginning and an a at the end.
As for the piece your speaking of. It is common to see suck a thing online. It's called inventory. As it declines and companies realize no-one else will buy it they drop the price.

[JuneC]

I distinctly recall a lady by the name of Gail, way back when I first found this forum - maybe 2005 or 2006 - who did upholstery in Palm Beach.  She mentioned a job (don't recall the piece of furniture) where the fabric was $1200 a yard.  As I recall it was hand-stitched crewel embroidery.  I've done a lot of embroidery in my life and if I were to cover a 54 x 36 inch piece of fabric, I'd want $1200 for it as well.

June

[baileyuph]

People pay that kind of money without seeing the real deal, only a picture?

It isn't easy for me to evaluate fabrics at any cost from only a picture.

Perhaps buying bargains from a picture, but a $385 yard fabric for $70 bucks still requires seeing the real deal for me.  Not too sure I would want to sell fabrics in that altitude to a customer without them seeing a sample.



Doyle

[chrisberry12]

Hi All,
I work with $300-$600 a yard fabrics all the time. Some are really nice and some not. Most of them are high grade linens and silk from all over the world. Most of the people that use the discount sites go to the designers or are designers themselves and have the fabrics in their books so they can touch feel and smell, whatever. Then they go and buy at the discount sites because it is cheaper then cost. I have had fabric come in several pieces and you work with that. They usually tell you how big the pieces are, so you can let the designers know if it will work. The only thing I would worry about is flaws and dialot differences. That $70 fabric was $385 I bet, but is left over from a job or end of a bolt or even discontinued. Fabrics fabric and if you have enough what's the problem. Get out there and order some expensive discounted fabrics and play with them, pillows, ottomans, bags, pair of shorts... Have fun and gives you a feel for what the rich folk play with

[baileyuph]

Most of the people that use the discount sites go to the designers or are designers themselves and have the fabrics in their books so they can touch feel and smell, whatever

That is what I expected, so most designers or decorators or upholsterers expect sales from a computer screen.

I have furniure customers who order a yard of each fabric seriously being considered just for review.  It is hard enough to visualize a project from a small book sample, customers I have dealt with, most anyway don't just jump in the water.

Fabrics can have a suggested retail price, the reality is what is actually paid?  I have heard business people comment on this site that they sell but don't markup fabrics because the wholsale prices are expensive.  Therefore that gives some clarity to understanding that the price paid often does not approach even normal whosale due to flaws and end pieces.   To follow, flaws and ends, down low enough would attract sales from a picture, which supports the theory that Price sells.

Sounds like furniture prices, it is always on sale, never sells for list.

Doyle

[chrisberry12]

Hey Doyle,

I always mark up the fabric. In the past I worked for a company servicing x-ray equipment and someone at some point decided not to mark up the x-ray machines so now that is the standard. So now you have to figure you are giving away either labor or mark up, so in the end you are not making any money.
None of my customers buy from online fabric pictures alone, every monitor is different so you can not trust what you are looking at. They might come to me or someone else, find out what the pattern and color is and then go online and find for less. I can't compete with that and I don't even try.
I actually had a customer that wanted new foam in his retro studio couch, he researched and found Albany Foam and Supply. This is my supplier. I mark up my foam same as fabric. I lost the sale because he saw my wholesale prices. That is just not right!!! Oh Well, moved on to the next customer. Not going to loose sleep over it. I think for the consumer the internet is a great resource but on the business side it can hurt us but it all works out in the end. Happy upholstering

Chris

[bobbin]

I have no problem working on COM.  I don't charge a cutting fee.  I may rethink that in the future, but for now?  I don't care that much.  I tend to regard fabric sales as "frosting". 

I have a Dixon book, 2 Sunbrella books, and a vinyl sample book.  I have two 3 ring binders specific to vinyls and upholstery fabrics from a company I like very much for marine work; they contain very basic sample cards.  They have been terrific about sending me useful samples upon request.  I refer customers to their website because they don't publish retail prices.  Whenever I receive samples (they're uniformly sized) I immediately grommet the upper left corner and have managed to accumulate a nice assortment of commonly used colors/textures/quiet prints that appeal to many customers.  I have deliberately stained the lower corners of some samples to "test" the stated care instructions and see if they really work.  I try very hard not to test the patience and time of the sample room and try to  to keep any sample requests to a limited palette and specific to a particular job!

[JuneC]

I've purchased hundreds (maybe thousands) of dollars worth of vinyl, ultraleather, ultrasuede and some woven prints from 3 or 4 online discount sites.  In all cases, the vendor has been more than willing to send me a swatch in the mail at no cost.  They are rewarded with repeat business and I get a great deal on fabrics.  I don't see the issue...

June

[bobbin]

I don't pay any attention to the price tag of the goods to be used.  If I did, I'd likely throw up and never have the guts to pick up the shears.  ;)

When I estimate a job I usually do a little schematic and play around with how to place the pcs. to be cut.  It does take some time, but it also helps "put me in the zone" and I include that time in the final estimate.  Over time, I've found that to be best option for me.  And when the goods arrive I know precisely where to start the lay-out and the cutting.  It's different with vinyls because "grain" isn't so narrowly defined (and I tend to over order yardage with vinyls more than with wovens). 

[baileyuph]

Bobbin,
Great way to collect effective samples, get what you need and will sell.

Doyle

[CindysCustomInteriors]

In my experience the person who would buy this fabric off the internet had already  seen the sample in my showroom,  or had a sample sent to them by me.They choked at the price and went on the internet to see if they could find it for less. Then the frosting on the cake is when they call me to gleefully inform me of their great find.
Most of my customers understand that how I stay in business is a markup on the fabric, but some of them just don't get it. I had one lady leave my showroom, go to Joanne Fabrics and call me to tell me that Joanne's was having a 40% off sale and that I should inform all of my customers..Yea that's what I'll do...  . I have a 2500 s.f.  showroom/

[gene]

Years ago I had fabric that had real genuine gold threads in it. I don't know what it cost per yard but if I were to get that same fabric today I would certainly go through my garbage can and get down on the floor to pick out/up all the gold threads I could find.

I'd be like the bar owners during the California gold rush. Many of them got rich by sweeping up the gold dust on their floors.

I think when the gold rush ended in 1855 it was another 100 years before bar owners had the inclination, or even the thought, to sweep up their floors.

gene

[gene]

I will add that I have a few IDs who are only interested in the latest and most expensive fabrics for their homes and their customer's homes. I'm sure there are many more like this in the big cities.

gene

[kodydog]

Those $385 a yard fabric are for a very unique customer. The type person who thinks nothing of dropping $1000 for a designer dress or $500 for a purse. They love name brand products and most wouldn't dream of going behind there ID back. They love to entertain and show off there latest project.

I cannot blame the people who find a fabric in someones sample book then spend hours shopping around town or on the internet to find a better deal. I'd do the same thing. But these people are not in the same class.

We have had plenty of customers shop inline for fabric. Sometimes at our suggestion. And usually with great success. They also shop for names they recognize.

Here is another good site. Notice that all there pieces are brand labeled. Its an easy site to cruse through but all short ends.

http://www.fabricguru.com/?gclid=COzd0t-Zl70CFaVxOgodzioAAA

More and more people are going to sites like this because its so dang easy to shop at home. And like June said if your the touchy feely type you can order a sample.

There are still plenty of people who need help when it comes to color or print selection and if your a designer these are the people you need to attract.

We decided many years ago the sample books took up to much space, to much time and the prices were no longer competitive.