FAQ

Welcome to Frances Dickson Studio. We cut and ship every order from our studio in Vancouver, B.C., to customers worldwide. Here are answers to the questions we hear most often. If you don't see yours, we're always happy to help at hi@francesdickson.com.

Ordering & Cutting

How is fabric sold?

All of our fabrics are sold per 1/2 metre, so a quantity of 2 gives you one metre. Our laces are sold per metre.

Will my fabric be cut in one continuous piece?

We always do our best to cut your order in one continuous piece. For lengths of 5 metres or more, continuous cuts aren't guaranteed, so please reach out before ordering and we'll confirm whether it's possible. You can also leave a note at checkout with any cutting requirements.

Can I change or cancel my order?

Cancellations can usually be processed within 12 hours of ordering. Please email us at hi@francesdickson.com as soon as possible. After that, we may be unable to change or cancel your order, so please review it carefully before submitting.

Our Fabrics

How wide are your fabrics, and how heavy?

Widths and weights are listed on each product page. As a guide:

  • Jaipur hand block printed cottons: 106 cm / 42" wide, 90 gsm
  • Cotton Schiffli eyelet: 106 cm / 42" wide, 110 gsm
  • Organic cotton cambric: 112 cm / 44" wide, 73 gsm
  • Organic cotton voile: 112 cm / 44" wide, 58 gsm
  • Organic yarn-dyed shirtings, ginghams and plaids: 137–167 cm / 54"–66" wide, 70–130 gsm
  • Cluny laces: 1.3–3.5 cm wide

Are your fabrics certified?

Certifications are listed on each product page. Our organic cotton cambrics and voiles, and our Nautical Stripe and Navy Stripe yarn-dyed cottons, are GOTS and OEKO-TEX® certified. Our other organic yarn-dyed shirtings, ginghams, plaids and linen are OEKO-TEX® certified.

Why does my block print look slightly different from the photos?

Our Jaipuri Bloom fabrics are hand block printed by skilled artisans in Jaipur, India, using traditional wooden blocks. Due to the hand-printed nature of these textiles, small variations in print and colour are to be expected and celebrated. They are marks of the fabric's authenticity and artisanal origin.

What kind of lace do you sell?

All of our laces are Cluny laces made in the UK, including our Valenciennes and Nottingham styles. They're 95% cotton and 5% nylon, in edging and insertion widths from 1.3 cm to 3.5 cm.

Will the colours match what I see on screen?

We do our utmost to represent our fabrics accurately. Each fabric is photographed in natural light, and colour descriptions are carefully written. However, screens and devices vary in how they display colour, so we can't guarantee an exact match to what appears online.

Do you offer swatches?

We don't offer swatches at the moment. Each product page lists the fibre, width, weight and opacity, and every fabric is photographed in natural light. If you're unsure about a colour or texture, just email us and we'll happily help you choose.

Care

How should I wash my fabric?

Care instructions are on each product page and come from our manufacturers and distributors, so please follow them closely. Most of our cottons call for a gentle cold wash and a low iron. Our block prints should be line dried and ironed on the back. Our seersucker ginghams should not be tumble dried, to prevent shrinking and damage to the puckered texture. Our embroidered shirting should be washed in a laundry bag.

Should I pre-wash my fabric?

Yes, we recommend pre-washing your fabric before cutting and sewing, following the care instructions on the product page.

Shipping

Where do you ship?

We ship worldwide from our studio in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, including to Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond. See our Shipping page for full details.

How much does shipping cost?

  • Canada: $10 CAD flat rate, free on orders of $150 CAD or more.
  • United States: $10 USD flat rate, free on orders of $199.99 USD or more.
  • All other countries: calculated at checkout, free on orders of $1,000 CAD or more.

How long until my order ships?

Please allow 2–5 business days for order processing and packing. Delivery times depend on your address and carrier.

Which carriers do you use?

We ship mainly with Canada Post, Chitchats and Purolator, with UPS and FedEx as backup carriers. Every order ships with tracking.

Will I pay duties or taxes?

U.S. orders ship with all duties and tariffs prepaid, so you should expect no additional charges upon delivery. Customers in all other countries outside Canada are responsible for any duties or taxes charged on delivery.

How do I track my order?

Once your parcel has shipped, you'll receive an email with tracking details so you can follow its journey.

My tracking says delivered, but I can't find my parcel. What should I do?

Please check around your property, lobby or mailroom. Canada Post also leaves a pick-up notice after a failed delivery attempt, in which case you'll need to collect the parcel in person from your nearest post office. If you still can't find it, or believe your package has been delayed or lost, please contact us and we'll gladly help investigate.

Returns

Can I return or exchange fabric?

Due to the nature of our products, all fabric sales are final. Once your order is placed and the fabric has been cut to your specifications, we are unable to offer refunds or exchanges for other products or colourways. Shipping costs are non-refundable.

What if there's a problem with my order?

If you've received the wrong item or there was an error in your shipment, please get in touch at hi@francesdickson.com. We'll make sure the issue is corrected promptly and fairly. Please note we cannot accept returns or issue replacements for fabric that has been altered or damaged by incorrect washing or laundering.

Gift Cards & Contact

Do you sell gift cards?

Yes. Our gift cards come in $50, $75, $100, $150, $200 and $300 amounts. They're delivered instantly by email with easy-to-redeem instructions and have no additional processing fees.

How can I contact you?

Email us at hi@francesdickson.com or use our Contact page. We're always happy to answer questions about colour, texture or care and help you choose the right fabric for your project.