FAQ @ PositivePatchwork.com

What can you expect from each piece you purchase from positive patchwork?
You can be assured that each garment has been sewn using a 5-thread industrial serger and top stitched (when necessary) using a standard sewing machine. You can also expect that high stress areas such as pockets are sewn over and over again on the corners to be sure that they won't pull away.

All appliques are also satin stitched which means that we use a tight zig-zag stitch around each piece of an applique to be sure that they will last through many washings.

All fabrics are pre-washed to be sure that little or no shrinkage will occur.

You can also expect the following, it's our guarantee!
*Pockets are always lined
*Bodices are always lined
*Straps & fabric drawstrings are 4 layers of fabric thick
*Seams won't fray away
*Elastic is always sewn down into waistband in 3-4 places to be sure it doesn't roll
*Garments will last for several years depending on wear & tear!

PRICING

How do you determine what to charge for each item?
We determine our prices using a very simple equation: Cost of materials (including thread, elastic, fabric, dyes, etc.) + Cost of labor (which is what our time is worth). We spend a lot of time pricing fabric & supply companies to find the most cost efficient way to buy materials. We try to buy materials when they are on sale as well.

There is so much care and effort that goes into making each piece of clothing. There are so many steps to making something whether it being applying wax (and then removing it!), dyeing fabric, cutting squares for patchwork, cutting and sewing a garment or just stitching around appliques. It is all a very long process and we feel that our time is valuable and, therefore, we feel that each item of clothing that you will see on this website is well worth the amount that we are asking. We urge you to shop around on-line and see what others have to offer but we guarantee that our clothing is of the best quality and is sold at bargain prices!! If you see something that you like but can't afford it right away, just ask about making payment arrangements, we'd be happy to!

RECYCLING!

Do you use new or used fabrics?
We know that this might be a concern for some people because there is a lot of used clothing out there that can be used to make new garments BUT we use all new fabrics......we also thought that it was important for us to add this little tidbit of information...NO FABRIC GOES TO WASTE! Yes, all the fabric that we purchase is new BUT we have such an attachment to our materials that we save each piece that can be used, even if it is just for smaller squares, making fabric drawstrings, appliques, whatever! OK, I admit, I have a FABRIC ADDICTION!! Why is this good? Because nothing goes to waste and by using the scraps of materials, sometimes we can create whole fabrics which can be used to create a super unique garment!!

Custom Sizes

What is your policy on custom order sizing?
Although we try our very best to make the most perfect fitting custom piece for you there are times when we may over-shoot the measurement or even make it too small. We do guarantee that we will come close to the measurements that you specify but we cannot guarantee perfection. We will ALWAYS make good on a custom order but there are
no refunds on custom orders, only exchanges or adjustments at no extra charge. Please be sure to read the instructions and diagram carefully on the custom order page to be sure that you send us the proper measurements. If you have any questions about this process, please e-mail us!!! If a customer sends us the wrong measurement information, we will still make good on the custom order but it will be the customers responsibility to return the *un-used/worn* garment to us, pay the 20% restocking fee as well as pay for return shipping on the corrected custom garment(s).

Custom Colors

How close are the colors in actuality after they are dyed compared to the color chart?
As close as we can get them! This is one of our favorite options for custom orders because YOU get to choose from a large selection of colors for your custom made garment. We always try to get the color exactly as you may see it but some computer monitors are set with different contrast in colors, etc. so the color that you see may not always be the color that we see but this has never been a problem with customers. If you choose a color that we know for a fact isn't anything close to what you might see, we always let you know!! We use low-impact fiber reactive dyes which means that the dyes react with the fibers in the material. We use no harsh chemicals which is so much better for our Mother Earth!! It is also important to know that although we do wash the garments in very hot water and an industrial detergent that washes out the excess dye as well as sets the dye, sometimes bleeding will occur. It is always best to wash with like-colors the first time washing your dyed garment.