NDN Fabrics
Co-op
Quality fabrics with Native American Indian, Southwest, Mexico, Spanish, African and multicultural themes; Upholstery and Drapery Fabrics; Patterns and Iron-on transfers; plus specialty gifts and books.

Sometimes the reason for changes within our lives are not understood until after we are wading mid-stream; and so Lu McInturff found herself on a firmly standing foundation when mid-life brought her to the home of her now 92 year old Elder Grandmother.  After much cleaning and home repair, she decided to place a good portion of her 30 year Native American fabric collection on e-bay.  Wow!  Not only did the fabric sell quickly, but her e-mail inbox was filled daily with questions of, "Where has the fabric gone?"

This peaked Lu’s interest, and so her quest to find out ‘what happened to the fabric?’ began. She found out that WalMart had produced a news-release which stated that within two years they would be closing the fabric departments in all of their stores, which will leave just the independent fabric shops and Joanne's as fabric sources.  WalMart stated that many people were no longer sewing, making sewing a lost art that fabrics were moving to the internet.  In addition, NAFTA had allowed 8 American fabric manufacturers to leave the USA for places like Korea, China, Japan, etc.  Those newly re-established have held back Native theme fabrics farthest from their reach while churning out those fabrics that will sale the quickest to pay-off their move abroad.

There was enough e-mail interest for Lu to know that if she combined monies from all interested parties, she could call enough manufacturers, and meet the qualifying initial purchase needed to establish an account. “There were many people needing to purchase fabrics at a wholesale rate so that they could earn more at PowWow, make better lodge dresses & ribbon shirts and many, many honor blankets”. So, the NDN Fabrics Wholesale Cooperative was formed and was given a 501-c-3 to help others, both on & off Reservations, establish business through their own purchase of wholesale fabrics, and also earn a little by selling through e-bay's NDN Fabric Co-op. 

Says Lu - “We decided not to charge a handling fee on any of our items. In addition, we attempt to save you every dollar we can towards shipping, even if it takes a day longer to ship to you, we will first have you the better price for you to choose from. We have accepted cash, but also accept postal & international money orders”.

Today, NDN Fabrics Co-op’s online store www.NativeAmericanFabrics.com features a fine selection of quality fabrics with Native American Indian, Southwest, Mexico, Spanish, African and other multicultural themes along with books, special gifts, upholstery, drapery, iron-on transfers and patterns. They also carry nature and wildlife themed fabrics, wholesale lots,

Lu’s ‘Heritage Sewing’ Column
Native American Medicine Wheel Quilt Block or Applique Pattern - Making a Medicine Wheel is very easy for someone who sews, especially for those who make quilts. Read more and learn how to Sew a Native American Medicine Wheel Quilt Block.