Why Fabric Is Expensive?
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When I go shopping for , I often wonder why fabric is expensive. The cost mostly has to do with the cost off making the fabric. However, there are a lot of other contributing factors as well.
There are 3 different types of fabric, but only two types sewing enthusiasts are interested in buying.
1)Plant Based: Linen, Cotton
The overwhelming majority of quilters use cotton. Also, a lot of garment makers enjoy making their outfits with cotton or linen. But, both of these materials aren’t cheap to produce.
You need land for plants and they require a lot of water. In addition to requiring land and water, these plants require food (fertilizers) in order to grow and thrive. Land costs, water, and fertilizers allow the plants to grow. But, this growth is soon challenged by pests. So, the farmer then has to invest in pesticides or some other deterrents.
Once you factor in land, water, fertilizer, pesticides, and labor costs, you have an expensive product. We haven’t even discussed weaving the raw material into fabric or the fuel costs required to get the finished product into stores.
2) Animal Based : Wool, Leather
Wool is mostly reserved for garment makers and/or crochet enthusiasts. But, leather is used throughout the year for making bags, belts, and other accessories. Wool and leather are both sourced from animals, which require food, water, and land to graze upon.
In additional to requiring the necessities of life, animals need someone to take care of them. Then too, there is a long process needed for sourcing wool. The sheep has to be sheared, wool washed, made into yarn, and woven into fabric.
Leather, however, requires an animal slaughtering process. Then, the skin has to tanned. All of the processing costs a lot of money.
3) Synthetic: Petroleum based (plastic)
Petroleum based fabrics are the cheapest materials to make. But, sewing enthusiasts and crafters (for the most part) aren’t into the material. Polyester, Rayon, etc.. materials are made from chemicals that leach into skin and cause health problems.
These synthetic materials don’t break down in the land field. Yet, they shred to pieces on wash day. Since crafters spend so much time making the final product, they don’t want the crappy material. The desire for natural fabrics is just one of the reasons why fabric is expensive.
Small Quantities
Large companies buy fabric in bulk, but crafters only buy fabric in small quantities. Deals come from buying in bulk. Since crafters only buy a few yards at a time, the cost ends up being substantially more.
3rd Parties
The average crafter is paying the cost of fabric plus store markup. In some cases, store markup can be as much as 100%.
Outsourcing
The overwhelming majority of China’s cotton comes from Xinjiang. But, cotton coming from Xinjian was banned in the US due to concerns over forced labor. This drastically raised the costs of cotton in the US and is yet another reason why fabric is expensive. (Sanctions went into place in 2023. But, the situation could change over time.)
Labor Strikes & Port Issues
Dock workers continue to strike over automation, pay, and safety. Strike disruptions impact everyone because 40% of goods arrive at ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Since the workers keep going on strike, however, it creates a pileup of non-delivered goods. The less supply available, the more you pay for fabric!
Panama Canal
Climate change is drying up rivers feeding the Panama canal. So, ships can bring in less cargo thru the ports. Hence, prices are driven higher as items sit in the port waiting to be delivered. This creates yet another reason why fabric is expensive.
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