Fabric by the Metre from India — Wholesale for Designers

Small brands, independent designers and bespoke tailors need fabric by the metre — not finished garments. This is a distinct B2B category from finished-product sourcing, with different MOQ realities and vendor structures.

Category MOQ Realities

Standard commercial cotton fabric: 500m minimum per colour/construction
Silk fabric: 300m minimum per colour
Wool suiting fabric: 200m minimum per Super-S grade
Custom-woven pattern fabric: 1,000m+ minimum
Stock fabric ranges: 100m minimum available at some mills

Fabric Categories Available

Cotton (poplin, twill, canvas, muslin, voile)
Silk (chiffon, twill, satin, dupion, organza)
Wool (suiting, Merino, cashmere, blends)
Linen (Belgian, Indian, blended)
Viscose and rayon
Denim (in wide range of oz and washes)
Technical / synthetic (polyester, rPET, nylon)

Pricing (FOB India, per metre)

Cotton poplin (140gsm) — $2.20–3.50/m
Silk crepe-de-chine (14mm) — $8–14/m
Silk twill (16mm) — $10–16/m
Belgian linen (150gsm) — $12–20/m
Merino wool suiting (Super 120s) — $22–32/m
Cashmere fabric (275gsm) — $65–95/m

Lead Times

Stock fabric shipment: 10–14 days
Made-to-order fabric: 45–60 days
Custom dye lots: +14 days

Small-Brand Sourcing Tips

Ask about stock lots — many mills carry ready-to-ship stock at lower MOQ
Consolidate colours to reduce total MOQ commitment
Consider "seasonal remnant" programmes for exceptional deals
Request full swatch book before committing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum fabric quantity per colour I can order?

Standard MOQ for made-to-order fabric is 500 metres per colour per construction. Stock fabrics may be available in 100–300m lots at premium pricing. Some mills carry "seasonal remnant" stocks at lower minimums. For custom weaves or specialty constructions, MOQ typically rises to 1,000+ metres.

How do I verify the fibre composition of my fabric shipment?

Request an independent fibre composition test (SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas, or Alex Stewart) on the actual bulk lot before shipment. The test verifies percentage of each fibre by weight against the specification. Cost is typically $150–300 per test and worth the certainty — mis-declared fibre content is one of the most common textile import disputes.

What lead time should I plan for custom-woven fabric?

From order confirmation: yarn procurement 2 weeks, loom setup 3 weeks (for new construction), sample and approval 2 weeks, bulk weaving 3–5 weeks, finishing and shipping preparation 1 week. Total: 12–16 weeks for a first custom weave. Repeat orders on the same construction compress to 5–7 weeks.

How is fabric priced — per metre or per kilogram?

Most fabric is priced per running metre at a standard width (e.g., 140cm or 150cm). Some technical fabrics and yarn are priced per kilogram. When comparing quotes across suppliers, verify the width and GSM — a "per metre" quote at 110cm width isn't comparable to one at 150cm width for the same GSM.

About Blueridge Trade LLP

Blueridge Trade LLP operates a dual business model. Our textile division is a direct manufacturer — we own and operate production of cashmere, Merino wool, silk, organic cotton and blended fabric programmes. Beyond textiles, we operate as a trading and sourcing partner for industrial commodities, botanicals, packaging and consumables, leveraging a vetted network of Indian producers.

For international buyers, this means a single consolidated point of contact for both textile manufacturing and broader Indian sourcing requirements — with vertical control where quality matters most (textiles) and network flexibility where it matters most (trading categories).

Fabric by the Metre from India: Wholesale for Designers & Small Brands