How to Acquire and Utilize Deadstock Fabrics Where to Find Deadstock Fabrics

How to Acquire and Utilize Deadstock Fabrics

Where to Find Deadstock Fabrics

Deadstock fabrics are surplus materials that have been overproduced or left unused by manufacturers. These fabrics offer a unique opportunity to create sustainable fashion pieces while reducing waste. Here are some key places to source deadstock fabrics:

Online Marketplaces

The digital age has made it easier than ever to find deadstock fabrics. Numerous online marketplaces specialize in selling surplus materials. Websites like Recovo offer a wide variety of deadstock fabrics from different popular fashion brands.

When shopping online for deadstock fabrics, keep these tips in mind:

• Read product descriptions carefully for information on fabric composition and condition. At Recovo’s marketplace, you can find information fabrics’ traceability.
• Check shipping policies, especially for international orders.
• Look for customer reviews or ratings to gauge the reliability of the seller.

Implement Smarter Stock Management

It is not necessary to purchase deadstock fabrics from other suppliers. Fashion brands can reintroduce their own deadstock fabrics by optimising their stock management. Recovo provide its CiMS circulariy software to reintroduce brands’ acquired fabrics.

By optimising fabrics warehouses management, fashion brands can:

• Reduce costs by reintroducing their own fabrics.
• Free up space in warehouses

Evaluating Quality and Suitability

When working with deadstock fabrics, it's crucial to assess their quality and suitability for your projects. Here are some key factors to consider:

Fabric Composition and Properties

Carefully examine the fabric's composition and properties. Is it natural or synthetic? What is its weight and drape? Understanding these characteristics will help you determine if the fabric is suitable for your intended design.

Consider the following when evaluating fabric properties:

• Natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk often have better breathability and comfort.
• Synthetic materials may offer durability and wrinkle resistance.
• Blends can provide a balance of properties from different fiber types.

Ordering samples of your favourite samples is always a great solution to check them before ordering big quantities. Recovo offers sample boxes to let its clients know how are the fabrics they need to create their collections.

Quantity Available

Deadstock fabrics are often available in limited quantities. Ensure that you have enough material for your project, including allowances for pattern matching and potential mistakes.

Sustainability Considerations

Consider the environmental impact of the fabric. Natural fibers like organic cotton or linen are generally more sustainable than synthetic materials. However, using any deadstock fabric is inherently more eco-friendly than producing new materials.

Sustainable fabric choices can significantly impact your overall environmental footprint. When evaluating sustainability:

• Research the production methods of different fiber types.
• Consider the fabric's end-of-life recyclability or biodegradability.
• Look for certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for organic fibers.

You can also research about innovative and sustainable textile materials to implement circularity into your designing processes.

Purchasing Considerations for Deadstock Fabrics

Price Comparison

While deadstock fabrics are often cheaper than newly produced materials, prices can vary widely. One of the most important benefits of deadstock fabrics is its prices, which are often more accessible than new fabrics. This allow fashion designers to acquire high quality prices at lower prices than if they were new.

Minimum Order Quantities

Some suppliers may have minimum order quantities for deadstock fabrics. Be prepared to purchase larger amounts if necessary, or seek out suppliers who offer smaller quantities. As circular fashion faces overconsumption, deadstock fabrics promote a smarter way of purchasing where brands planify how many meters of fabric will they require to create their own collections.

Incorporating Deadstock into Design Process

Integrating deadstock fabrics into your design process requires creativity and flexibility. Here are some strategies to make the most of these unique materials:

Embrace Limitations

The limited availability of deadstock fabrics can actually spark creativity. Design with the fabric's constraints in mind, creating pieces that showcase its unique qualities.

Creative approaches to working with limitations:

• Use color-blocking techniques to combine smaller fabric pieces.
• Incorporate strategic seam placement to work around fabric flaws.
• Design modular or adjustable garments that can adapt to varying fabric quantities.

Upcycling and Reconstruction

Consider upcycling deadstock fabrics by reconstructing existing garments or creating entirely new pieces from vintage materials. This approach adds an extra layer of sustainability to your designs.

Upcycling ideas to explore:

• Transform oversized garments into fitted pieces or separates.
• Use fabric scraps for patchwork or appliqué details.
• Create new textile products, such as bags, to create engaging products for your customers.

Sampling and Prototyping

Use deadstock fabrics for sampling and prototyping. This allows you to experiment with different materials without the cost and environmental impact of producing new fabrics.

Benefits of using deadstock for sampling:

• Reduce waste in the design development phase.
• Discover unexpected fabric properties that can inspire new designs.
• Create a more accurate representation of the final product's sustainability.

Promoting Circular Fashion with Deadstock

Utilizing deadstock fabrics is a key component of circular fashion, a model that aims to eliminate waste and maximize resource use. Here's how to promote this concept:

Educate Consumers

Inform your customers about the benefits of using deadstock fabrics. Highlight the environmental impact and unique story behind each piece. Sustainable fashion practices can be a powerful selling point for conscious consumers.

Effective ways to educate consumers:

• Create informative hang tags or labels that explain the fabric's origin.
• Use social media to share behind-the-scenes content about your sourcing process.
• Offer workshops or webinars on sustainable fashion and deadstock fabrics.

Collaborate with Like-minded Brands

Partner with other brands that share your commitment to sustainability. Collaborations can lead to innovative designs and help spread awareness about circular fashion practices. Recovo collaborates with fashion brands to produce new and iconic items to promote deadstock fabrics’ high quality.

Transparency in Marketing

Be transparent about your use of deadstock fabrics in your marketing materials. Share the origin of the fabrics and explain how using these materials contributes to reducing waste in the fashion industry. 

Additionally, the new ESPR regulation will require a Digital Product Passport to increase transparency. Recovo is already proving the information required by the DPP for the brands to facilitate this transition. Fashion brands must get used to these new transparency requirements and provide detailed information about their fabric sources.

Best Practices for Utilizing Deadstock Fabrics

Inventory Management

Keep a detailed inventory of your deadstock fabrics, including quantity, composition, and source. This will help you plan projects effectively and avoid overbuying. SaaS CiMS help fashion brands to optimise their inventory management. Digitalising fabric stock is one of the most powerful tools to implement circularity into a fashion brand.

Waste Minimization

Strive to use every bit of the deadstock fabric. Incorporate smaller pieces into accessories or patchwork designs to minimize waste.

Waste reduction ideas:

• Create a "scrap collection" for small fabric pieces that can be used in future projects.
• Offer fabric scraps to local crafters or schools for educational purposes.

Explore zero-waste pattern cutting techniques to maximize fabric usage.