Natural animal fabrics and wool textiles have always been essential standbys in the fabrics trade, and with popular demand consistently turning away from synthetic materials, these types of products are more important for those in the fabric and clothing business than ever before.

As you consider the supplies you need for your business:

1. Look at a wide range of wool fabric, different animal fabric and other textiles made from natural fibers or materials. This category contains everything from the most everyday fabrics to the most luxurious. You need to decide if you want to focus on one end of the business, or if variety best suits your company.

2. Find animal or wool fabric surplus stores online to get the best prices on materials.

3. Find discount animal fabrics and skins online to get better prices and more exotic and unusual materials to wow your customers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Educate yourself about all the wool and animal fabrics available in today's marketplace

Knowledge is the most important tool any business owner can possess. The fabric busines is constantly changing, so it is especially important to inform yourself about the variety of materials available to you.

I recommend: Checking out superstores, such as Trim Fabric, is a good place to start, as they will carry a large and varied selection. An internet search for suppliers who specialize in specific animal fabrics (such as leather) and/or wools (like angora) is also a good way to quickly find some of the more well-known companies, like The Woolmark Company, that carry these goods.

Get great deals from animal and wool fabric surplus stores online

Online surplus and outlet stores are one of the best places to find all the animal-based materials, such as wool, that you need for your own fabrics or clothing business. These businesses must get rid of their leftovers and often sell quality products at rock-bottom prices.

I recommend: Try websites where you can purchase discount animal fabrics and wools, such as the Fashion Fabrics Club. You can search for everything from basic animal fabrics like wool to more expensive offerings like wool crepe and cashmere from the Fashion Fabrics Club.

Look into more exotic or luxury animal fabrics and skins to draw in new customers

New clientèle will flock to you if your business offers them something they cannot get anywhere else.

I recommend: Look into websites that provide unusual animal fabrics and hides such as alligator from Alligater Skins, or if you prefer, check out more eco- and animal-friendly options such as alpaca wool from Thunder Mountain Alpacas.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find your focus. Though wool and animal fabrics is a specialized category of fabrics, narrowing that focus even further can help you to choose the best animal fabric for your particular customer base. Do you cater to a more upscale clientèle that would appreciate access to exotic skins and furs, or do you sell more practical, durable products that your customers use every day?
• •  If genuine wool material, animal fabrics and skins make you (or your customers) uncomfortable, consider going for faux products or some of the wide variety of animal print fabrics out there instead -- you can still get the look you desire without using any actual animal products.