New Stock

Over the past few months, every time I seem to reorder stock, something seems to have gone up in price. I’ve been trying to keep my prices the same & have been searching for new suppliers who can provide the goods I want at the price & quality for the standard of English Couture.

To this end, I have had a new supply of Dot & Cross paper in. It is a bit different to the normal dot & cross paper. When I first saw it I was a bit disappointed, but having tried it out I’m more than impressed. As you can see from the photo below, it not only has the dots & crosses of the original paper but division lines, which break up the dots & crosses. Therefore, you still have the lines for the straight grain but they don’t all merge in to one when measuring it up on the fabric. When I’m doing a lot of pattern cutting, I sometimes have to take a break, as the lines seem to merge. With this paper it doesn’t happen. Also it has a smooth finish to the paper which makes it easier to cut, & produces a nicer finish to the pattern. Of course, this ticks the box on price. I’m able to keep the cost at the price it has been at for about 5 years. £4.99 per. 5mtrs.

The other item, which I’m pleased about is my zips. The cost of them has soared over the last few months. Again, I’ve managed to find a supplier who is a direct importer for YKK. The best zips you can buy. The only thing that is different about his zips are that they don’t have a fancy tab on them. You know the bit you pull off & throw away before you put the zip in to your garment.  I have to put a hook tab on them in the shop to hang them on the display rack. You can always tell a YKK zip because on the back of the pulley it says YKK.

He has managed to get me long open-ended coat zips, which match the raincoat fabric in the shop. I can’t buy these from my regular supplier.  They are available in 80cms (32″) 85cms (34″) & 90cms (36″). Again I have managed to keep the price lower than most of my competitors.

Some of you will have been lucky enough to have bought the padded coat fabric, which I had in stock recently, this was probably the bargain of the year at £8.95 per mtr. As usual, I got the fabric at a brilliant price & so I pass it on to my customers.

I will continue to search for the best deals for my customers with all my stock, & keep a look out for some fantastic bargains next year.