Fabric Trim, Cording, Fringe, and Sewing & Quilting Supplies

SHIPPING REFUND POLICY CHANGE: Dove Originals Trims refunds excess shipping if we can mail your package more economically. In the past we have refunded cash directly to your credit card or to your PayPal account. But with increased credit card processing charges for refunds, we will now issue your refund as a store credit. This means that your actual refund will be higher since there is no deduction for processing fees. When you make your next purchase, your credit will be automatically applied to your total. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

DOVE ORIGINALS TRIMS IS A DISTRIBUTOR FOR WM WRIGHT COMPANY AND CONSO. We can supply you with any Wrights or Conso products that are currently listed by them. Additionally we can sometimes obtain discontinued trims. We stock a significant number of Wrights and Conso trims, but if you don’t see what you need please contact us with your request. If you can provide us with the 10 digit SKU (shown on the label), we can likely order the item for you.

JUST IN! BULK ROLLS OF 1/2 INCH DOUBLE FOLD BIAS BINDING TAPE: Dove Originals Trims now stocks 50 yard spools of double face 1/2 inch bias binding tape in 13 pretty colors. Bias tape is ideal for covering the raw edges of fabric and adds a nice decorative touch. Since it's cut on the bias, curves can be encased with no wrinkling or pulling. We also offer bias tape in 145 yard spools for even more savings. Special color orders are no problem, so if you don't see the color you need, simply contact us.

WOW! We were really delighted to see the MVV Style article featuring "Jersey Shore" star Snooki wearing a shirt customized with our glitter gold letters. Snooki was photographed in this adorable shirt reading "Brunette Mafia" at the Wrestlemania XXVII press conference, and she looked just great! Why not customize a shirt for your next big event?

WRIGHTS NEW BLANKET BINDING COLORS ARE HERE! And they are beautiful! We now have in stock all 10 new shades including kiwi, helio, neon red, aquamarine, blue jewel, blue haze, paradise pink, and 3 ombre shades of blanket binding in pink, blue, and green.

FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS FOR COTON! Cotton prices have risen faster than the price of gold, and crop watchers were fearful that recent bad weather in West Texas- heavy rain and hailstones- might have severely damaged the crop. The USA is the world’s biggest exported of cotton, and West Texas is a major producer. It appears that the crop received only minor damage, which is very good news for apparel and trims manufacturers in China.

MORE BAD NEWS FOR COTTON: West Texas, a major US cotton producer, was hit by golf ball sized hail yesterday and more than 2 inches of rain, raising fears that the cotton crop will be damaged as it was two years ago after bad weather hit the region. Cotton needs to be dry prior to harvest so delays are likely in getting the crop to market, but there’s also the fear that mud and runoff will discolor the cotton and reduce its value. In the current tight market for cotton, any deviations in production are cause for concern. The amount of loss will not be known for several days. Cotton is a major component of fabric trims.

COTTON AT HIGHEST PRICE SINCE 1870: Cotton prices have climbed 56% in just three months, officially the highest price ever recorded since records began to be kept in 1870. Retailers are alarmed at the thought of having to charge higher prices at a time when the US economy is still in a precarious state. Accustomed to more than 20 years of cheap cotton, manufacturers in India, China, and other areas are now scrambling to locate sufficient cotton supplies to keep their factories operational. The steep rise in cotton prices is the result of supply interruptions due to flooding and other weather related problems in cotton producing countries, world demand in emerging markets, and a weak dollar. Expect cotton prices to go up as we move into January and for cheaper synthetics partially to replace cotton in fabric and trims. Here at Dove Originals Trims, we are already seeing trim blends that were 55 percent cotton and 45 percent polyester change to 35 percent cotton and 65 percent polyester. If you like 100% cotton, it’s best to buy now.

WILL INCREASING COTTON PRICES AFFECT TRIM AND APPAREL PRICES? Cotton prices leaped 35% this year, outstripping even the increase in gold. According to the Department of Agriculture, cotton consumption will outstrip production for the fifth year in a row. Increasing prices for cotton goods or a lowering of the amount of cotton in apparel and trims seems likely, as manufacturers strive to retain profitability. But the weak economy is another factor as it makes it that much harder to increase prices. Just in time inventory may work to the detriment of retailers, as they may be forced to either raise prices or absorb higher costs to keep shelves filled. From Kelly Evans of the WSJ, 9/23/10

COTTON TOPS $1 A POUND: Awhile back we reported that cotton prices were on the increase due to bad weather and floods in China and and Pakistan, major cotton producing areas. China is the world's largest grower and importer of cotton, and delayed harvests and worldwide demand have cut into China's supply. It's expected that China will need to import about 55% of the cotton they need this year to keep their factories humming. This is good news and bad news for the USA. Since the USA is the world's largest exporter of cotton, growers and producers are shipping at a busy pace; but USA consumers might feel the pinch of increased prices on imported goods containing cotton.

MORE ON NYC RUNWAY SHOWS AND TRENDS IN TRIMS: As noted, trim colors and designs often take their lead from fashion designers. And the word from the designers showing their creations in NYC this week is lighten up and loosen up. Skinny, minimalist looks appear to be out, replaced by long, flowing, and bright. Drapey looks are in, and I’d expect this trend to carry over into trim lines, i.e., uncomplicated, comfortable, but dramatic in terms of color. I expect to see more use of silk and light weight fabrics in drapes, pillows, and other home decorating items, and I’d expect home décor trims to reflect an elegant but lighter look.

BRIGHT COLORS ON THE RUNWAY: We may all be awaiting the gray of winter, but New York’s fashion week has opened with a burst of color on the runways. And since home decorating colors often reflect trends in fashion, we can expect bright, beautiful and rich trims to be in vogue this coming spring. Gone are the safe colors such as black, beige, and gray; in their places are vivid turquoise, raspberry, bright white, orange, bold blue, and yellow. The feel will be light and breezy, mix and match. More to come as trim manufacturers begin to reveal their spring color lines.

WRIGHT’S DISCONTINUED TRIM COLORS: Colors of some Wrights trims (lip cording and/or gimp braid) have been or will be discontinued shortly: delft blue, grass green, peacock, bronze, and white (gimp). Trim colors go in and out of fashion and are usually replaced by new shades and color ranges. Dove Originals Trims currently has a few reels of some of these products left in stock, but we expect them to sell out quickly. We do, however, carry similar colors from other manufacturers. 7/30/2010

COTTON PRICES ON THE RISE: Cotton prices in the world market have increased significantly, now up over 55% from a year ago. When transportation costs are taken into account and rising prices for the petroleum-based synthetic materials used in the production of many fabrics and trims, prices will invariably rise. And steep discounts from retailers will be more difficult to find.

China is the world’s largest producer of cotton. But extremely bad weather has damaged the cotton crop in quality and amount being produced. It’s likely that some Chinese manufacturers will be forced to purchase cotton from other countries in order to keep their factories operating. Look for rising prices on items with high cotton content or for manufacturers to increase the percentage of synthetics in blended fabrics and trims.

QUICK FLASH: Conso has Introduced the Arbor Collection, inspired by the opulent interiors of 19th century manor houses. This collection combines drape, sheen, color and texture in a comprehensive trimmings range of classic beauty and elegance. Collection colors include birch, magnolia, willow, balsam, maple, and black cherry. Available now. Click here for more information.

At Dove Originals Trims we realize that many of our customers are also small business merchants. So we are pleased to bring you the following report on trends in home decorating.

In 2008 home decorating trims took their lead from apparel with classic colors, lace, glossy leathers, fur, glitter sequin trims, and beads inspiring new directions in home fashions. Click here to read more about the latest fashions in home decorating and about the manufacturers who influence these directions.

Dove Originals Trims is happy to share with you some of our favorite home decorating projects and sewing tips. We hope that you'll find this information helpful.

• DIY Potting Table For The Garden

Besides sharing my favorite craft, home decorating, and sewing tips and projects, I also also enjoy sharing my favorite recipes. I love to cook, and I love to create new recipes and variations on old standards. I hope you enjoy these. Bon Appetit!

• Easy Summer Squash Casserole

At Dove Originals Trims we're always looking for interesting blogs and websites to share with out customers. Click on Dove Originals Trims' favorite websites and blogs to see some of our personal favorites.

And consider joining other Dove Originals Trims customers and friends by linking to us. Any website whose business relates appropriately to ours is welcome. If you are a retailer, guild, club, blogger, craft or sewing education site, I hope you’ll join us.

How does this work? Email us a description of the highlights of your web site and your business and suggest an appropriate category, i.e., home decorating, crafts, fabric, etc. Send this information to us at doveoriginals@cox.net.

Dove Originals Trims will then list your web site in our LINKS WE LIKE section with the brief description of your business that you prepared. For complete details, please click on the blue highlighted link above.