Can anyone help me I live in the UK and have a trip planned to visit the USA in late September. I will be in Manhatten for three night, Maui for 6 night and San Fransisco for 4 nights. I plan to do some fabric shopping during my trip. Can you recommend good fabric retailers I could visit during my stay?
I understand that New York has a big garment district does anyone know where it is?
The fabric does not necessarily need to be very cheap but a wide selection would be good. I am not looking for anything in particular although I would like some patterned satin to make a long evening skirt.
I need to plan my fabric shopping in advance so as not to bore my husband too much!
Replies
If you search the archives, there is a Threads article on shopping in the NYC garment district. Basicly, it is between 7th and 8th Ave and from about 34th street north to about 40th. Mood is the store that Project Runway contestants shop. There are also reccomendations on wwww.patternreview.com including several references to Metro Textiles, ask for Kashi.
Happy shopping.
Nancy
Thank you for your help I will definitely try the stores you mention and let you know how I get on.
I have not seen the programme 'Project Runway' is it about sewing. I thought it was probably about the models not the clothes?
Definitely Mood's in the fabric district - one of the biggest, and BJ's. If you are in Conn. Banksville is off the Merrit Parkway and they have a website (Banksville Designer Fabrics). If you are in the Washington, D.C. area there are several G Street Fabric locations including one in Rockville, Md. Michael's has A Fabric Place outside Baltimore and you can look him up (michaelsfabrics.com). It's a rather large store with several rooms of very nice fabric. If I think of more I'll post.
I will have to go to Moods as more than one of you have recommended it. I hope they haven't put their prices up due to television exposure!
I will keep the other places you recommend in mind when planning where to visit for our next holiday.
Thank you.
Oh, to be fabric shopping in San Francisco once again --- I can suggest Britex Fabrics (very expensive), Satin Moon (expensive) and Stone Mountain & Daughter (this is wonderful). Do you need a fabric butler? Have fun!!
Thank you for your recommendations. Not sure I can manage a fabric butler as I am more concerned about excess baggage and getting all my purchases home. Is Britex Fabrics located centrally. I was in SF about 10 years ago and visited a lovely fabric store but do not remember the name. I did not buy anything as I was unprepared - this time I am organised.
Britex is in Union Square (definitely centrally located). It's four stories of fun (not, perhaps, for one's budget) for the fabric lover with one entire floor for buttons and lvoely trims. Satin Moon is a much smaller store that was featured in Threads magazine quite some time ago. If you can manage it, Stone Mountain is worth the effort - they have great fabric and good sales staff. Enjoy!
I am sure Britex is the store I have been to. I am amazed that it is still there. In the UK so many of our fabric outlets have closed and we are dependant on buying fabric via the internet. I do miss the opportunity to touch and feel before I buy. Thanks again.
It is hoped that you enjoy your trip to the States. With regard to excess baggage that translates to fabric, I suggest that you take the fabric to one of the local postal or shipping stores and have the representatives to help you box and prepare the package for shipping to you, or someone that you know will be there to receive it back home.
A friend and I did this when fabric shopping in NY and it worked out well. And, of course we did not have to tote fabric with us while traveling. The down side of this solution is that you do not get to fondle the fabric when you return to the hotel room at night, you have to wait until you get home :-)
Thanks for the suggestion I will investigate. I think that there may be a value limit on parcels from the USA to England or I will have to pay tax on my parcel. But I am sure that it will still be cheaper than shopping at home.
Lucky you!
I would add another store to the list for San Francisco: Poppy Fabrics in Oakland. They have mostly interior fabrics, but I have found some beautiful linens and they have a nice selections of fancy silks (tucked, embroidered, etc)
Enjoy your trip!
Juliette in Texas
Thank you for your recommendation. I think I will be having a good trip. I will need to keep a few days free when I get home to turn my purchases into new outfits!
I agree with Wanda about shipping your fabric home. Besides not having to carry it around, you won't have to worry about something in your luggage spilling onto it. Plus, I'm wondering how the customs and security inspectors will react when they open up a fabric stash...
While In San Fran go to "Britex fabric" on Geary Street, I believe, just off Union Square.
Also "Boca Bargoons" in Hayward Calif in the East Bay area on Hesperian Blvd. Might be about 30m min drive from San Fran.
GOod luck Marcia
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