Frequently Asked Questions
CAN REGULAR CONSUMERS PURCHASE PRODUCTS DIRECTLY FROM YOU?
Sure! We do not hold a large amount of inventory, but we do offer make-to-order sales for all our throws with 2-6-week lead time. Visit the Native Spun Shop to place your order. As our retailer base grows, we will add a WHERE TO BUY section to our website to support the sale of their styles.
WHAT DOES “TO THE TRADE” MEAN?
It typically means sales taking place between the manufacturer of a product and another business. Otherwise known as business to business or B2B sales. Most of our sales fall into this category with sales to both residential and hospitality interior designers as well as specialty retail stores.
DO YOU HAVE AN OPEN LINE COLLECTION OR IS EVERYTHING CUSTOM?
We do have a few styles shown in our shop that we would consider open line, and we continue to develop new designs and experiment with new yarns, weaves and colors. We are not currently stocking high volumes of products, so all large quantities are handwoven to order. This means we work with our customers to develop products to meet their specific and unique needs and make them to their specifications.
HOW DOES THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS WORK FOR TRADE ACCOUNTS?
We present to the customer styles we have already developed to get a feel for what they like. This gives us a starting point, but the process can move in a dozen different directions from there. In many cases, it is simply a matter of re-coloring an existing design and confirming the finished size. In other cases, we discuss needs and expectations with the customer and develop a brand-new style to meet their design aesthetic.
HOW LONG DOES THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS TAKE?
There are many variables to consider here. The process can move rather quickly if all parties are responding to questions and providing timely feedback. Often, decisions can be made in a single meeting. Other times, designers need to present memo samples to their clients, and the process can take a little longer. We do our best to adapt to the needs of the customer. If they have a hard deadline, we do everything we can to meet it.
WHAT ARE YOUR PRODUCTION LEAD TIMES?
Again, there are a few variables to consider. How large is the order? Do we have yarns available, or do they have to be ordered from an outside vendor? What is currently running in production, and when can we get your order on a loom? Typically, orders of 12-48 throws will ship in 4-6 weeks, but our goal is always to get your products out to you as quickly as possible.
HOW WIDE CAN YOU WEAVE?
Our looms are 60” wide, but our product is slightly narrower. To get the softness and loft expected in a throw blanket, we wet, spin, and commercially dry our throws as our finishing process. This pre-shrinks the throw and makes it incredibly soft. Final widths vary by weave structure and fiber type making most finished throws 40-50” wide.
HOW MANY YARDS CAN YOU PRODUCE IN A CONTINUOUS PIECE?
Using our standard warp set-up, we can produce roughly 50 yards on a full warp.
WHAT IS YOUR MINIMUM ORDER QUANTITY for custom designs?
In general, it’s a full warp, but we will consider a shorter warp with an up-charge and can sometimes combine orders to share a warp, although that’s never guaranteed and can cause increased lead times.
HOW MANY THROWS CAN YOU GET OUT OF A WARP?
That depends on the finished length of each throw and the construction’s shrinkage. In general, we will get 20-24 throws out of a single warp for a standard 72” long throw, but if we’re making a throw to go across the foot of a king-sized bed, we may only get a dozen out of a single warp.
What does pricing grade mean?
Since our throws are all made to custom specifications including size, color and finish, final pricing is determined during the development process. Pricing Grade is a way for our customers to know how the throws price out relative to one another. For example, a grade D throw would be less expensive than a grade G. Grades do not reflect durability or quality but instead take into consideration the complexity of the design, how difficult it is to weave and finish and how expensive the raw materials are. For price estimates, shoot us an email.
I’M A DESIGNER, AND I DON’T NEED 24 OF THE SAME THROW. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
We understand and have structured our pricing and minimums to allow you the flexibility to build your own program. For example, if you have a client needing less than a dozen throws for their project, and you don’t have a need for additional throws in the near future, we have a designer program with an opening order minimum of four (4) throws. However, if you are working with more than one client, or you have a retail storefront or website, we have a stocking dealer program for an order of a dozen throws. Regardless of your immediate need, we would love to work with you to develop a program. Drop us a line at orders@nativespun.com, and let’s find a program that works for you.
how do I care for my throw?
We include a sewn-in label with specific care and cleaning instructions on each throw, but our goal is for most Native Spun throws to be machine washed and either air or tumble dried. We hate harsh chemicals, so dry cleaning should be a last resort. Refer to the sewn-in label on your throw for specific instructions, but below are a few examples:
Native Spun Performance Throws - Machine wash, cold water, with bleach if needed according to instructions on the bottle, tumble dry on low heat.
Native Spun Performance Throws for Hospitality - Machine wash, cold water, with bleach if needed according to instructions on the bottle, tumble dry on low heat. Hospitality throws are finished at a higher temperature and can be dried at 160 degrees Fahrenheit if needed to kill germs.
Native Spun Natural 100% Cotton Throws - Machine wash, cold water, tumble dry up to high heat on a home dryer. This is typically less than 140 degrees for an electric dryer. Temps may be higher on a gas dryer, so use caution to avoid extra shrinkage.
Native Spun Heirloom Throws or Cotton/Animal Fiber Blends - Handwash or machine wash, cold water, gentle cycle and hang to dry.
is it really ok tumble Dry solution-dyed acrylic?
Most solution-dyed acrylic items should be air dried to avoid shrinkage, but we use commercial drying in our finishing process to make our solution-dyed acrylic performance throws soft and luxurious. This pre-shrinks the throw so future laundering is not an issue.