Welcome to Week 4, Day 22  of My Dad vs. The Algorithm. The Waffle Menu. 🧇 Alex  (left) loves the Baby Waffle  for a refined, premium look. Ira  (center) sticks to The Classic  for that Saturday morning coffee vibe. Whether you want Micro or Chunky, the right texture adds instant value to your brand. Today we are celebrating Texture. When people hear the word "Thermal," they usually picture old-school white long underwear. But in the fashion world, Thermal (or Waffle Knit )

As colder seasons approach, the demand for textured, insulating layers skyrockets. For clothing brands committed to domestic production, sourcing the perfect thermal knit fabric is often the biggest hurdle. Whether you are designing heavy-duty winter wear or cozy loungewear staples, the fabric foundation is everything. At Greene Textile , we specialize in knitting premium thermal fabrics right here in Los Angeles, California. By keeping production local, we ensure top-tier qu

When it comes to choosing the right fabric for your clothing line or design project, understanding fabric weight is like having a secret weapon. It tells you how heavy or light a fabric feels, which affects everything from comfort to durability. But how do you measure fabric weight accurately? And what does it really mean when someone says a fabric is "12 oz"? Let’s dive into the world of fabric weight and unravel these questions together. Understanding Fabric Weight Guide: W

When I first started exploring fabrics for my designs, rib knit fabric quickly became a favorite. Its unique texture and stretch make it a fabric that feels like a trusty friend - always ready to adapt and support your creative vision. Whether you’re crafting cozy sweaters, stylish cuffs, or breathable activewear, rib knit fabric offers a world of possibilities. Let’s dive into why this fabric is so versatile and how it can elevate your clothing line. What Makes Rib Knit Fab

When it comes to choosing the perfect fabric for your clothing line or design project, lightweight jersey fabric stands out as a top contender. Its soft texture, breathability, and stretch make it a favorite among designers and brands looking for comfort without sacrificing style. Today, I want to dive into the many applications for this fabric, especially focusing on the delicate and airy qualities of tissue jersey fabric. Whether you’re crafting casual wear or elegant piec

When it comes to sourcing fabrics for your clothing brand or design project, finding a reliable and innovative textile manufacturer can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But what if I told you there’s a gem right in Los Angeles that combines quality, speed, and customization all under one roof? Today, I want to take you on a journey through the unique offerings of one such standout player in the industry. Let’s dive into what makes this manufacturer a top choice

When it comes to choosing fabric for your clothing line or design project, the options can feel endless. But if you want something soft, breathable, and versatile, 100% cotton jersey fabric often stands out as a top choice. I’ve worked with many designers and small brands who swear by this fabric for its comfort and durability. Let’s dive into why this fabric is so popular and how it can elevate your creations. Why Cotton Jersey Fabric Uses Matter for Your Brand Cotton jerse

Welcome to Week 3, Day 21  of My Dad vs. The Algorithm. Today we are talking about The Recipe. We see a lot of brands claiming "Made in USA" because they have a sewing room in downtown Los Angeles. But when you look at their fabric, it was knit, dyed, and finished overseas, then shipped here on a boat to be stitched together. My dad, Ira, calls this "The Frozen Pizza Method." Ira’s Take: "If you buy a frozen pizza from Italy and just heat it up in a New York oven, did you 'ma

Welcome to Week 3, Day 20  of My Dad vs. The Algorithm. Today we are talking about Structure. We recently had a customer try to make a classic Golf Polo using our 30/1 Combed Cotton Jersey . They called us after the first sample was sewn, upset that the collar looked "sad." My dad, Ira, didn't even need to see the sample to know what happened. Match the vibe to the fabric! 🏄‍♂️⛳️ As Ira explains, Jersey  (left) is the "Surfer"—relaxed, soft, and drape-y. Pique  (right) is th

Welcome to Week 3, Day 19  of My Dad vs. The Algorithm. Today we are entering the Rib Cage Match. A designer recently sent us a sample of a heavy 20oz Hoodie. It looked great, but the cuffs were loose and floppy. They asked: "Why doesn't the cuff stay up? It's the same color as the body." My dad, Ira, took one look at it and sighed. They had used a fine 1x1 Rib  on a heavy sweatshirt. Ira’s Reaction: "You sent a boy to do a man's job. You used a T-shirt rib on a Hoodie. A 1x1

Welcome to Week 3, Day 18  of My Dad vs. The Algorithm. Today we are talking about Sourcing Etiquette. We often get emails that say: "Hi, I'm starting a brand. Please send me swatches of your best fabrics. I don't know my quantities yet." This sounds harmless, but to a manufacturer, it’s a red flag. Not because we don't want to work with you, but because we don't know how  to work with you. My dad, Ira, has a simple rule for sourcing meetings. Ira’s Reaction: "I don't care if

Welcome to Week 3, Day 17  of My Dad vs. The Algorithm. A new customer recently called Ira in a panic. They had calculated that their t-shirt yield exactly to exactly 1 yard . They ordered exactly enough fabric for 500 shirts based on that yield. When the cutting was done, they were 75 shirts short . They assumed we shorted them on the fabric. Ira had to explain the concept of "Working Loss." You don't pay for the cookie; you pay for the dough! 🍪 As Ira demonstrates, the "we

Day 17: Why Do My Pants Get Baggy? (The "Lazy Cotton" Theory) Welcome to Week 3, Day 17  of My Dad vs. The Algorithm. Today we are talking about The Baggy Knee. A designer recently asked my dad, Ira: "I want to make a skinny legging, but I want it to be 100% Cotton because my customers hate synthetic fabrics. Can you recommend a heavy cotton that won't bag out at the knees?"  100% cotton has stretch, but it likes to take a nap once it's stretched out (hello, baggy knees). If

Welcome to Week 3, Day 16  of My Dad vs. The Algorithm. Today we are discussing the Golden Rule of Manufacturing. My dad, Ira, recently took a call from a distressed customer. They had cut 500 yards of fabric into t-shirt panels, and then  noticed a recurring knitting defect (a needle line) running through the pieces. They wanted to return the cut pieces for a refund. Ira had to give them the hard news. Ira’s Reaction: ""The fabric is always the scapegoat. The sewing machine

Welcome to Week 3, Day 15  of My Dad vs. The Algorithm. Today we are talking about The Edge of the Roll. A designer recently emailed my dad, Ira, in a panic. They bought 500 yards of fabric listed as 60 inches wide . They made their marker (the cutting layout) exactly 60 inches wide . When the cutting room rolled out the fabric, the edges of the pattern pieces were falling off the fabric or hitting glue lines. The designer asked: "The receipt says 60 inches. Why can't I use a

Welcome to Week 2, Day 14  of My Dad vs. The Algorithm. Today we are talking about Handfeel vs. Ethics. We often get emails from designers who receive our swatch cards and say: "I ordered the Organic Cotton swatch, but this feels just like the regular cotton. Did you send the wrong one? I thought Organic was softer." I asked my dad, Ira, why people expect Organic Cotton to feel like a cloud compared to "regular" cotton. The difference is in the field, not the fabric. 🌿 Ira a

Welcome to Week 2, Day 13  of My Dad vs. The Algorithm. Today we are doing some "Dye House Math." A customer emailed my dad, Ira, frustrated because they ordered 1,000 yards of our Heavyweight French Terry from stock, but they received two different lot numbers. They wanted to know: "Why couldn't you just give me 1,000 yards from one single lot?" Buying off the shelf? You might get a mix of Lot A, Lot B, and Lot C. 🎲 If you need consistency for a large order, submit a Produc

Welcome to Week 2, Day 12  of My Dad vs. The Algorithm. USA vs overseas fabric manufacturing cost Today we are answering the most Googled question in our industry: "Why is US manufacturing more expensive than overseas?" I showed my dad, Ira, an email from a customer who was torn. They loved our quality, but they had a quote from a mill overseas that was significantly cheaper per yard. Premium USA Quality. In your hands in 21 days. 🏁 Ira and Alex show off the reality of "Los

Welcome to Week 2, Day 11  of My Dad vs. The Algorithm. Today we are discussing Yarn Composition. A few days ago, a designer asked my dad, Ira, if we could take our standard white fabric and "dye it Heather Grey ." Ira’s Reaction: "That’s like asking me to bake chocolate chips into a cookie after  I already took it out of the oven. You can't dye 'Heather.' Heather isn't a color you add at the end; it's a recipe you start with at the beginning." Here is the technical differenc

Welcome to Week 2, Day 10  of My Dad vs. The Algorithm. Stop listening to "Internet Specs"! If you ask for a 400 GSM t-shirt, you aren't getting heavyweight apparel—you're getting a rug. Today we are tackling the "Language Barrier" of the textile world. I showed my dad, Ira—who has been manufacturing knit fabric in Los Angeles  since 2001—a tech pack from a new brand. They wanted a "Standard Summer T-Shirt" but specified the weight as "400 GSM." Ira’s Reaction: "400 GSM? That