FAQ

WHERE IS YOUR FABRIC MADE?

Our fabric is spun, knit, and finished by various mills all located within 150 miles of our Asheville, NC headquarters.

SO EVERYTHING IS USA MADE? FROM THE FIBER UP?

Yes, we’re one of the very few who still manufacture almost everything here in the USA, from the fiber up. We have working face to name relationships with all of our production partners from the farmer, to the ginner, to the spinner, to the knitter, to the finisher. We can tour their factories or farms anytime we’d like.

WHERE DOES THE ORGANIC COTTON COME FROM?

Our organic cotton is purchased by the bale directly from the Texas Organic Cotton Growers Co-OP. For more about the Co-Op and the farmers that it is comprised of, please read more about them here.

WHAT MAKES THE COTTON CROP ORGANIC?

Organic status is obtained through a rigorous certification process that farmers must go through. According to GOTS, “Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third­-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. In addition, federal regulations prohibit the use of genetically engineered seed for organic farming. All cotton sold as organic in the United States must meet strict federal regulations covering how the cotton is grown.”

IS THE FABRIC GOTS CERTIFIED?

No. Our organic certification comes from the Texas Department of Agriculture which is regulated and must adhere to the organic standards set forth by the USDA.

WHY AREN’T YOU GOTS CERTIFIED?

As GOTS was created to regulate the textile and apparel industry overseas with little to no governmental or environmental regulations, we are not GOTS certified. Instead, we receive our organic certification by the bale from the Texas Department of Agriculture which is regulated by the USDA and all of the mills that process the organic cotton into fiber, then to fabric, adhere to the regulations set forth by presiding regulatory bodies of the USA, including but not limited to: US Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, OSHA, US Department of Labor, LEED, etc.

CAN YOU PROVIDE ORGANIC CERTIFICATION?

Yes, we can provide you the organic bale certification upon request. Please notify us at the time you place the order so that we’re able to trace the bale used to the lot number of fabric.

WHAT KIND OF DYES DO YOU USE?

We only use low impact, fiber reactive dyes in our fabric that are not harmful to the environment. This means that they our dyes do not contain any heavy metals or toxic substances. All finishing/dyeing occurs in a closed loop system where the water is constantly recycled. Our closed loop dyeing system uses the least amount of water when compared with all other finishing/dyeing processes in the industry. Our cotton absorbs over 75% of the dye which forms a direct link to the cotton fiber resulting in superior colorfastness and minimal run-off. Bleaching is done with peroxide which is derived from apples.

ARE THERE ANY CHEMICALS USED IN THE SPINNING PROCESS?

Beeswax is used as the lubricant in the spinning process.

IS THE FABRIC PRE SHRUNK?

No. All of our fabric is pre-finished but not pre-shrunk. We recommend performing a shrink test on all fabric before making a marker. As fabric shrinkage varies based on style, a general average for shrink on all fabrics is 5-7%. The only exception to this is our Heavyweight Thermal which tends to have shrinkage of 10-15%. We can provide shrinkage results for full rolls; any yardage less will require a customer-ran shrink test. For minimal shrink, wash cold & tumble dry low.

WHAT IS RECYCLED PET?

Recycled PET is Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate.Recycled PET is derived from melting down recycled plastic bottles and spinning the plastic into yarn. Due to the disastrous effect plastic micro fibers are wreaking on our environment and water supply, we have chosen to avoid any type of plastic or PET in our fabrics.

IS MY FABRIC PFD OR PREPARED FOR DYE/PRINTING?

We recommend ordering our Peroxide White (PFD) if you plan on dyeing though technically all of our fabrics are PFD and could be dyed. Peroxide White will yield the best color match.

Unless you have specifically ordered Greige Goods. Unless specified “Greige,”our fabrics have been washed, scoured, or washed-and-scoured before being put on a roll. These fabrics are PFD or “prepared for dye.” Other fabrics, labeled “Greige,” go directly from the loom to the roll without being prepared for dye. If you plan to dye or print on these fabrics you will need to wash and prepare them first. As a general rule, recommend pre-washing and drying your fabric prior to dyeing, printing, or cutting patterns, and using clothing detergent and high-heat drying to ensure that any fabric changes occur before the fabric is used. We recommend machine wash cold & tumble dry low with a phosphate free soap.

WHAT ARE WASHING INSTRUCTIONS?

For maximum longevity, we recommend machine wash cold & tumble dry low with a phosphate free soap.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE FABRIC SPECS?

Fabric specs are located in the product description on both collection and individual product pages per style (towards the bottom underneath the product photo). 

WHAT IS THE LINEAR WEIGHT OF YOUR FABRIC?

We use square weight instead of linear; square weight details are located in the product description on both collection and individual product pages per style (towards the bottom underneath the product photo). 

WHAT ARE THE PRICES OF YOUR FABRICS?

Cost varies depending on style and colors; natural and peroxide/PFD fabrics are less expensive than colors. We offer tiered pricing, which means that the larger the quantity that you buy, the larger the discount. You can view a consolidated price sheet for our current styles HERE

WHAT DOES 20/1, 30/1, ETC. MEAN?

20/1 (or 20 Singles) refers to the yarn count of the fabric. This is the unit of measurement that defines the gauge fineness of the thread. The higher the number, the finer the thread which creates a finer, softer fabric with more drape. The terms are used several ways, i.e. 30s, 30/1 and 30 Singles. They all mean the same thing.

WHAT’S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF 2 x 1 or 1 x 1 WHEN USED IN THE STYLE NAME (EX. 1 x 1 BABY RIB)?

This number signifies the width of the “peaks and valleys” of the knit. This type of knitting allows the garment to have more stretch to it. The higher the peak number, the higher the stretch. For example, 2x1 means the "peaks" are twice as wide as the "valleys".

WHAT DOES TUBULAR MEAN?

Tubular fabrics gets their name from being knit on long cylindrical tubes as opposed to their Open Width counterpart that is knit into flat sheets. Tubes are knitted from cotton and other materials in the needed dimension for the apparel.

CAN YOU MAKE ANY OF YOUR FABRIC TUBULAR OR OPEN WIDTH?

Yes, we can make any of our open width fabric tubular and any of our tubular fabric open width as long as you meet the 4+ roll minimum.

CAN I ORDER A CUSTOM COLOR?

Yes. Custom colors can be ordered in quantities as little as 7 rolls for solids and 14 rolls for stripes. They require a 30% deposit up front. For custom colors, we will need to do lab dips and there will be a $50 lab dip fee assessed for each color. To initiate the process, you must mail a TCX pantone to:

Spiritex Fabric

ATTN: Custom Color

2004 Riverside Dr.

Suite TT

Asheville, NC 28804

Once we obtain the lab dips, we’ll send them back to you for approval before we begin production.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO TURN A CUSTOM COLOR?

Generally custom colors can be turned in 8-10 weeks from the date we receive the TCX pantone.

CAN I CREATE MY OWN FABRIC FOR YOU TO MANUFACTURE?

We are always interested in new ideas for organic fabrics to add to our own line. If you’ve used a fabric that was sourced from another supplier and you would like us to create it through our own domestic network or if you have an idea that you want to pull into reality– just ask! (Note: minimums for custom knitdowns will require a 30% deposit up front and will require a 2,000+ yard minimum.)We can do custom blends & weights.

For a speedy proposal, please email sales@spiritex.net with your goals and timelines. Also, mail a small cut of the fabric you wish to create domestically and organically to:

Spiritex Fabric

ATTN: CUSTOM KNITDOWN

2004 Riverside Dr.

Suite TT

Asheville, NC 28804

Ordering FAQ

WHAT IS YOUR MINIMUM ORDER?

Orders of single swatches and swatch sets, or as little as 1-yard and as much as 10,000+ yards or even more can be placed through the website. Please note that in stock yardage is consistently rotating and is largely meant to be used for sampling. You are welcome to order what we have but it is strongly advised to place a PO for production yardage and to not rely on our stock for your own production needs.

We regularly stock Black and Natural in all of our styles; however, colors are seasonal and are primarily ordered for our own private label use and once they’re gone, they may not be reproduced. While we’re happy to yard out what we have available seasonally, many colors often times require a minimum of 7 rolls for solids and 14 rolls for stripes. This seven roll minimum can be mixed and matched between two styles. Ex 5 Rolls - Blueberry - Heavy Terry (10356) & 2 Rolls - Blueberry - 1 x 1 Baby Rib (20390)

HOW DO I GET WHOLESALE PRICING OR A PRICE BREAK?

The cart will automatically update/calculate the pricing based on the quantity you purchase. A list of price breaks can be seen in the grid within each product page. A convenient list of our fabrics and their price breaks can also be found as a PDF here.

CAN I ORDER A SAMPLE SWATCH?

Yes, all of our fabric is available in sample swatches by clicking the "order sample" button within the product page. Swatches are 3" x 6".

HOW DO I PLACE AN ORDER?

Orders are placed directly through the site or via a Purchase Order emailed to sales@spiritex.net. For production orders we require a formalized PO or website order with all relevant billing and shipping information before we’re able to process your order. When you have decided on a product that you wish to purchase, click into the product page then on the box located to the right of where it says “Quantity.” Type in the quantity desired. The cart will automatically adjust the price based on the quantity ordered. For a sample swatch of any of our fabrics, simply click the box entitled "Order sample." After clicking “Add to Cart”, you’ll be directed to the checkout page where you can either continue continue shopping, or checkout.. If you wish to remove an item from your cart, click the “Remove” button. When you are through shopping, click “Checkout” to proceed to checkout. Then follow the prompts to enter your shipping information and payment.

WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT?

We accept: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Paypal, and e-checks.

WHEN WILL I BE CHARGED?

If the item is in stock, you will be charged when the order is placed. If you're asked to submit a PO, a 30% deposit will be required up front with the remainder due when the good are ready to ship.

HOW CAN I CHECK MY ORDER’S STATUS?

When your order is processed and shipped, a UPS or USPS tracking number will be uploaded to your online account. To check your order’s status, log into your account and click on “view order status.” Here you will be given your tracking ID. You will be able to use this number to track the status of your shipment at any time by going to www.ups.com or www.usps.com and entering the number in the appropriate field. We do not share your email address with anyone.

WHAT IF I AM NOTIFIED OF A BACKORDER OR OUT OF STOCK STATUS?

We won’t ship an incomplete order without contacting you first. If an item on your order goes out of stock between the time the order is placed and when it is processed for shipping (as it does sometimes happen), we will contact you to offer alternatives, if any. We will also give you any information about back-ordering the item, if this is possible.

 WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL OR CHANGE MY ORDER?

There may be some instances where we are unable to modify your order, we apologize for any inconvenience and will do our best to assist you. If you need to add items to your order, please place a separate order for any item not in your original order. If you need to cancel the order or change quantities, please contact us via email at sales@spiritex.net For product return instructions please see the Shipping & Return Policy. Custom orders and orders that require a deposit can not be canceled but larger quantity modifications may be possible

Shipping FAQ

Status updates

Upon confirming all shipping and billing details, an e-mail confirmation will be sent to the email address you provided. You can also check the status of your order by logging into your account. Click on "view order status" to review order status and to obtain a tracking number.

How can I change or cancel my order?

Please call us at (828) 585-6822 or email sales@spiritex.net immediately after placing your order to make any changes. There may be some instances where we are unable to modify your order, we apologize for any inconvenience and will do our best to assist you.

When will I be charged?

If the item is in stock, you will be charged when the order is placed. If you're asked to submit a PO, a 30% deposit will be required up front and the remainder due when the goods are ready to ship.

My item is back-ordered, what does that mean?

We will notify you of estimated ship date or if it is sold out and we can not fill your order. If you're notified of a back order status and don’t want to wait on the backordered items, please email sales@spiritex.net with your order number in the subject line. In the body of the email write, “I’d like to be refunded for this order.”

How long until my order ships?

Items in stock will be shipped within three (3-5) business days.

If you're asked to submit a PO for fabric not currently in stock, turn time is typically 6-8 weeks for black, natural, and peroxide white (PFD). For colors existing in our library, turn time is 8-10 weeks. Custom colors * take 10-12 weeks. *See Custom Colors

How will my order be shipped?

All orders currently in stock will ship out within 3-5 business days from the date of the order (unless the order is placed on the weekend). We do not ship out on Saturdays or Sundays. We will ship via the method you choose during check out. Production orders will take 6-10 weeks and shipping will be coordinated based on order size when the goods are ready to ship

We will only ship via USPS priority or UPS to ensure the delivery of your merchandise. USPS is used for small orders (less than 10 yards and sample swatches). USPS will not ship fabric rolls.

If you have a UPS shipper number that you’d like us to use, please check “Pick Up” in the shipping options and include the shipper number along with the address attributed to the UPS account in the order notes.

UPS will not deliver to PO boxes.

USPS will not deliver fabric rolls. We can't ship anything over 10 yards via USPS.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes-we ship internationally. We will work with you and your own broker to coordinate pick ups. Any additional duties and taxes assessed by customs is the customer’s responsibility. Please be aware that all international orders, no matter which shipping option is used, may be subject to additional duties, import taxes, brokerage or customs fees upon delivery. These fees are calculated by customs officials, and are difficult to estimate prior to shipment. Packages may take longer to get to international destinations, and we are unable control or prevent this type of delay.

Returns FAQ

How do I make a return?

Spiritex will accept uncut defective merchandise within 14 days with a 30% restocking fee. Return authorization is not required. Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer unless proven defective. We do not accept returns that have strong odors. Please keep your purchases away from pets, smoke, and perfume until you are sure you want to keep them. Please ship back to us the item(s) you would like to return via your preferred shipping method, with the original invoice number, and indicate whether you would like to exchange it for another item of if you would like to return it all together. Items will be refunded in the manner of the original payment. You are responsible for return shipping and the 30% restocking fee.

Color matching is not guaranteed. To ensure that the color is what you want, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO VERFIY, prior to purchasing yardage. You can order samples and sample swatches to ensure that your screen is portraying the color correctly.  

Please note, packages must be returned by a carrier that can provide guarantee of delivery. Spiritex is not responsible for packages lost during return shipment. We suggest using USPS Priority, UPS, or FED EX for reliable delivery with tracking numbers.

Returns less than a full roll will not be accepted unless proven defective. While we strive to manufacture the highest quality knit fabric, defects occur sometimes. Industry standards allow a 5% defect rate.

If you feel a roll is defective, DO NOT cut into the roll. Please contact sales@spiritex.net if you encounter a defect.

Fabric returns that are not defective will be responsible for return shipping and a 15% restocking fee.

***USPS WILL NOT SHIP FABRIC ROLLS, ANYTHING GREATER THAN 10 YARDS IS CONSIDERED A ROLL***

Send Returns to:

Spiritex Returns

2004 Riverside Dr. Suite TT

Asheville, NC 28804

How long do I have to make a return or exchange?

Spiritex will accept unworn or defective merchandise for return or exchange within 14 days of shipping date. Most returns are processed within ten business days of receipt in our warehouse. We will send you an email confirming that your return has been processed.

How will my return be credited?

Your return will be credited back to the original method of payment used to make the purchase. If you paid with a gift certificate a new gift certificate will be issued for the amount of the credit and emailed to you.

State of Cotton FAQ

Dear associates, stakeholders, customers, and friends of Spiritex,

We are immersed in challenging times. I am sure those words resonate with many and are redundant to all. However, I am not speaking directly about the pandemic, but rather the cotton industry supply chain. While the pandemic has cut its swath through the textile industry as it has through all industries, it has been a series of over-arching events and factors that have affected cotton fiber prices and procurement

1) Cotton situation in China: It was discovered that the Chinese cotton supply chain has been accused of using forced minority labor (Uighurs) in their largest cotton producing region (Xinjiang). This led to backlash from the Chinese government against several large multinational companies. In turn, this has created unprecedented demand for US grown cotton and put tremendous stress on US cotton commodity prices. Subsequently, conventional cotton prices have risen to nearly an all time high. Here is a link regarding the Xinjiang cotton reality: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-56533560

2) Organic cotton demand: There is incredible demand for US-grown organic cotton fiber, which is primarily from West Texas. For years, the most reliable quality organic cotton has been from our friends at the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative (TOCMC). We are proud to have been purchasing, by spinning mill proxy, from the co-op since their inception. We are grateful that these resolute farmers have been principled and stuck with the mantra of organic cotton through thick and thin. We are 100% supportive of the Western Texas organic cotton growers. However, demand is now outsized relative to supply, and although we maintain high status in their pantheon, there are others that also need to be served, reducing our accessibility.

3) The 2020 cotton crop in Texas was below expectation, is in short supply, and the crop was bereft of highly graded cotton for combed fine count yarn: Organic cotton is a very finite resource. Conventional cotton that is produced with GMOs and GOTS prohibited chemical fertilizers usually yields a greater harvest. However, as you know, that comes at a price to people and the planet. The 2020 crop year, a dissatisfying year in many aspects, was also a poor year for organic cotton yield. Since organic cotton is subject to the whims of nature, results vary year over year. Unfortunately, the current crop year (2020) was far from a "bumper crop". Instead, it was below average while demand is at a high. Here is a link describing the land planted to bales yielded per acre from the TOCMC farms. Please bear in mind that conventional GMO cotton can yield 4 bales per acre, which is about 4x what the West Texas organic cotton growers yield! https://www.texaslandcan.org/local-resources/Texas-Organic-Cotton-Marketing-Cooperative/34735

4) Organic cotton fiber price has risen over 75% since 3rd quarter 2020: While there is scarcity and difficulty procuring fiber and consequently yarn, it is hard to ignore the economic fallout of this state of affairs. Cost is greatly affected and compounded by working losses at every stage of production. Recent increases from dyers and finishers also impact prices as they struggle to procure raw materials for their stage of production. Everything from spinning cones, dye tubes, dyestuff and packing materials have risen dramatically in recent times. But few things have gone up as dramatically as organic cotton fiber costs.

Spiritex is very mindful of the balance between our prices and the consumer markets that are ultimately served. We have absorbed many internal price increases in favor of the end users. We have recently raised our prices modestly to defray a small portion of those costs. In a further attempt to defray raising costs and prices, we have made an internal decision to use a small percentage of imported GOTS certified yarn in our product line. Although the same pressures affect organic cotton prices abroad as well, there is still a price distinction. There will be no concession to quality as we will only purchase the best combed GOTS certified organic cotton available in the market. Our commitment to a domestic supply chain will ensure that this imported cotton does not exceed 25% of our usage. We will, of course, continue to knit, finish and otherwise manufacture 100% of our fabric in the Southeastern USA. Everything we produce will still be considered and can be labeled, "Made in the USA". We're hoping that organic cotton prices will deflate as our current pricing is unsustainable for us, even with a small percentage of yarn produced abroad.

Speaking personally for Marylou and myself, we have been producing 100% organic cotton, made in USA products since 1991, which was the inception of commercially produced organic cotton production anywhere. We take this very seriously and appreciate and value the continued support of our customers.

Thanks much for sharing in our organic cotton and USA Grown + Sewn vision,

Daniel (president and co-founder)