Deadstock Fabrics

Of all of the fabrics we sell, the majority (around 85%) are sourced as deadstock. Deadstock fabrics are the leftover fabrics of brands and manufacturers who have over ordered fabric, or textile mills that have overproduced. End-of-line, mill overruns, cancelled orders or designer excess are some of the common phrases used when describing deadstock fabrics. When they remain within the system, these fabrics generally become waste, destined for landfill or incineration where they generate greenhouse gas and other toxic emissions. The Pulse of the Fashion Industry 2018 report states that a quarter of the fashion industry’s resources are wasted in leftovers of fabric and garment production every year! Around half of this so called 'waste' includes yarns, with the rest made up of greige (undyed) fabrics, cut pieces, roll ends, defective fabric pieces, and or course, garments.

Origins + Transparency

We are fortunate to have been in the textile business for over 25 years, and over this time we’ve formed close relationships with some of the best designer deadstock suppliers, both internationally and locally, in order to bring our community a unique and eclectic range of high-quality fabrics. Deadstock fabrics are notoriously difficult to trace and these trusted long-term relationships provide us assurance of consistency in quality and ethical manufacturing. Some of our deadstock fabrics are sourced from local New Zealand and Australian fashion designers, and others from designers, agents and mills further abroad in New York, Japan and China. We're constantly working to supply our customers with as much information about the origins of our deadstock fabrics as we can, and you'll find this information written on our swing tags in stores, as well as in our product descriptions online.

What Makes Deadstock Fabric Special?

Transforming this so-called ‘waste’ into new wearable garments as a sewist using deadstock fabrics at home helps to break the chain in a cycle of waste, which we think is a big win! Not only are those fabrics kept out of landfill or incineration, but they provide our customers direct access to some of the incredible prints, textures and styles produced by the worlds leading designers. That lush silk satin, playful cotton poplin print and snuggly wool coating you've spotted in one of our stores recently? Chances are, its a deadstock fabric! Our evolving array of deadstock fabrics in store provides an ongoing treasure hunt for many a seasoned sewist, with lots of these rolls one-of-a-kind and never to be seen again. To make it easy for you to locate deadstock fabrics in our stores, we've given them all colour coded swing tags. Shopping online? Simply check the product description for the term 'Designer Deadstock'.

Our Liberty Deadstock Fabric

Our Liberty Fabrics are supplied directly to us from Liberty of London and are sourced as mill overruns or end-of-line deadstock. This means we hold an array of incredible prints in a wide range of fabric styles - everything from Tana Lawn and Saville Poplin classics to a range of silks, swimwear styles, corduroy and sweatshirtings.

Liberty is a member of both EU REACH and the BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) and Liberty fabrics are also OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.
EU REACH is a regulation of the European Union, adopted to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals. REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. Further information can be found on their website here.

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) exists to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in, and better for the sector’s future, by developing Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity. The BCI and Innovation Fund is a global program designed to support the Initiative in its goals of reaching five million farmers in key cotton-producing countries and have Better Cotton account for 30% of global cotton production. For more information visit their website here

Each of our stores (including online) have a unique range of Liberty prints available, many with short-ends and one off rolls; a true treasure hunt awaits! Check out Liberty Fabric in your nearest store and online today, and head to the blog for Liberty inspiration.