Replies

1. 
   sewelegant | Mar 01, 2008 08:38pm | #1

   I am hoping you get some enlightening replies!  I live in northern San Diego county and outside of JoAnn's and Fabric Town's I am miffed.  There is a delightful shop in LaJolla though called Jayne's Fabrique.  Definitely upscale.  She used to have several stores around the county, but is down to the one in L.J. and I do not get there very often.  There is no web page.  Years ago I lived in Chula Vista and I think there are several places worthy of a visit still there.  We used to have some Mexican discount stores in San Ysidro to frequent and there may still be one.    I heard about "Distinctive Fabrics" at an American Sewing Guild event I recently attended, but have not checked it out yet since Chula Vista is quite a drive for me.

1. 
   Teaf5 | Mar 05, 2008 02:16am | #3

   Thanks for all your suggestions! Northern California lost Fabric Towns ####long time ago, and I can easily hit northern SD county on my way home. La Jolla is close to where I'm staying, so I'll go browse that upscale one, and I'll ask the locals about the Mexican discount stores because I loved them when I lived in Mexico. After my trip, I'll post my results.

2. 
   desigknityog | Mar 03, 2008 06:12am | #2

   I have a great suggestion for L.A.  It's called F&S Fabrics and it's the best fabric store on the west side of L.A  You will be traveling south from S.B.  F&S is on Pico Blvd. and Manning, a short distance E of Overland Blvd.  If you were coming from Pacific Coast Hwy, take the 10 Fwy (the Santa Monica Fwy) East, Exit Overland.  I hope you go.  They also have wonderful Decor fabrics stores in the same vicinity.

1. 
   Teaf5 | Mar 05, 2008 02:17am | #4

   Thanks for your suggestion; I'll add it to my list!

3. 
   ellaluna | Mar 07, 2008 10:17pm | #5

   Los Angeles:
   Compatto Yarn in Santa Monica is absolutely beautiful and they are so nice there:
   http://www.compattoyarnsalon.com/

   And I love Knit Cafe too!!!
   http://www.knitcafe.com/index.html

   If you want to hit the fabric district in LA, that can be fun too. That's where I do most of my fabric shopping because I can usually bargain with the store owners. The garment district is nestled in there too.

   You can make Michael Levine your jumping-off point. They have practically everything, although their prices can sometimes be ... pricey. But while you're in the neighborhood, wander around the streets. Be prepared to pay $5-$10 to park, and when you pop your head into an interesting store, ask them if they sell to the public-- some are wholesale only but will open to the public on Saturdays.
   Michael Levine: http://www.mlfabric.com/

   Oh, and across the street from Michael Levine is their discount store, where you can buy fabric by the pound. And I second the other poster about F&S fabrics. They are awesome.

   Orange County:
   Yarn Lady is insane -- huge store, everything you could possibly imagine in there. I can't go in -- it's too dangerous! It's in the corner of a strip mall with a Trader Joes, Marshall's, ummm... next to a big mall. It's right off the freeway and can be a fun (if dangerous) place to stop between LA and SD.
   http://www.yarnlady.com/

   San Diego:
   In San Diego, I love Discount Fabrics. It's really quirky, and the fabric selection is often bizarre and seemingly without any kind of cohesion, but it's in an old theatre, and that's so cool!
   No website, but their address is:
   3325 Adams Ave, San Diego, 92116

   And while you are in that neighborhood, GO TO DiMilles down the street!!!! They have the best pizza in SoCal. I'm serious. Their pasta is pretty good too, and they always have coupons on their website:
   http://dimilles.com/
   Oh and the carrot cake is CRAZY good. GET SOME CARROT CAKE.

   Have fun!

1. 
   Teaf5 | Mar 08, 2008 12:52am | #6

   Time for me to start printing out all these good suggestions--thank you! I've just had the chance to extend my trip by two days, and all these options sound a good reason to do so. Plus, everyone's good suggestions will help me get through the next two tough weeks before my spring break.