Replies

1. 
   Palady | Mar 16, 2009 12:20am | #1

   >> ...  fabrics and patterns they carry ... <<    First hand comment here because I was there with my daughter.  Just about all I looked over were on rolls rather than bolts.  Some hand hanging tag info, others were without.

   Selection ran the gamut and was surprisingly large from the outside look.  Knits.  Wools.  Blends.  Wovens in solids, patterns, & plaids.  Fleeces.  Patterns were limited.  As were Notions.  MO.  But there was choices. 

   To my knowledge, the owner's husband has the automotive service that is nearby so the building/property is in the family.  She goes to New York City's 7th Avenue at least once a week.  If memory serves daughter & I were there early Spring.  April 2008?

   After getting back to MA my daughter figured out she'd like to have more of a brown knit she purchased.  My assignment, if I chose to accept it (I did), was to return to Fabric Fix & buy more.  I was in NH at the time.

   When I walked in I went to the section I remembered my daughter fidning the roll.   ABSENT!  After I paused to recheck my being in the right spot (I was), the person in the store asked  if I needed help.  When I asked "how did you know?"  She replied "by the dismay on your face."  Now to me. that intuitveness spoke volumes!

   After my explanation, she moved from the counter directly to the spot the roll had been moved.  Ah - a sales person who KNEW the stock!  I expressed my joy at her response.  That's when I learned about the owner going to NYC.  She had just returned and they had changed the all around a bit to make room for the new. 

   I was doing my errand about 2 or 2 1/2 weeks after the joint visit with daughter.

   If you choose, you can open the Google page and make your decision as what you want to open.

   http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Fabric+Fix+only+Manchester+NH&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=

   Should you decide to take the trip, please post and let us know what your thought.  Opinions do vary.

   nepa

   ETA - If I may ask, from where would you be traveling?   You could call the store and ask after a particualr choice if you have one in mind.  You could probalby discuss a want and have it resolved after a NYC trip by the owner.  Ask the question.  There's a 50% chance of getting the answer you want to hear.  I truly feel the people there know.

    

   Edited 3/15/2009 5:26 pm ET by Palady

1. 
   BellaGabriella | Mar 16, 2009 02:18am | #2

   Actually I live about 1/2 hour away. My problem with some fabric stores - actually, any store - is if the fabric / clothing arrangement is utter chaos, I get anxious and can't find anything and usually end up leaving. Stems from my anxiety. Good for the checkbook though.

   I may still check it out, I'll be in Manchester next weekend. If I do I'll post back.

   Thanks for the rundown!

1. 
   funkyjazzdesigns | Mar 16, 2009 03:31pm | #3

   You mentioned that you will be in Manchester on the weekend; you should know that Fabric Fix is not open evenings and they are open on Saturday only until 1:00 pm and are closed on Sundays.

   The fabrics are arranged/grouped in the store by type.  As someone mentioned already, almost all are on rolls.  These lean up against an aisle center support and each other.  It sometimes takes some maneuvering to get through a row, especially if their stock level is full.  Perhaps if you go with that in mind you won't get stressed about that type of arrangement. 

   I find the staff there to be knowledgeable and very helpful, most, if not all of them, have worked there and in the fabric business a long time.

   And, as was mentioned, the pattern selection is VERY limited - just one spinner rack of patterns.  They do sell some thread, zippers, elastic, interfacings, buttons, machine needles, and some other misc. notions but there is nothing like the notions wall in Jo-Ann Stores.  You'll find unusual treasures from time to time. 

   I love going to this store because I find great fabrics that I can't find at my local Jo-Ann Store and, again, the prices are excellent.

   One last note; in August they have an annual tent sale with LOTS of fabrics marked $1, $2, $3, $4 a yard.  Give them your email when you visit the store so that you will get notice of the sale date.

   Have fun shopping there,Christine

1. 
   Palady | Mar 16, 2009 08:27pm | #4

   It's most gracious of you to add your thoughts to the all of Fabric Fix for BellaGabriella.  Especially the store hours.  When I read her plan for the w/e, I was going to post she open the web site and note the hours.

   Also, your mentioning the need to move some rolls to access others was important for her to know.  When I was there, the back room fabrics were stacked.  I neglected to mention this in my first reply.  Was it always this way when you've been there?  From your post, I'd gather you're a frequent shopper.                                     Clarifying the patterns & notions offered was intuitive because these may be important to her as well.

   Thank you for the heads-up on the sale & being contacted.                                       I'll have to check with my daughter and ask if she wants the store to have her e-address so when I'm next there I can leave it.  Since I'm in PA, mine would be less beneficial.  Daughter is in MA and it might be of use to her to know when the sale goes on.

   If I may ask, do you know how long the store has been in business?  Have you been a customer for a length of time?  My daughter found out about it from a sewing friend.  When she suggested a visit I was at the ready.  I've long enjoyed fabric shopping.  Other stores as well.  Like Hardware.  Outlets.  Second Hand.

   Oh, mentioning the last, I noticed, and have seen ads in the Nashua Telegraph & Hippo published out of Manchester, for the Thrift Store that I passed on the way to FF.  Are you a Thrift looker?  If you've been in this one, I'd appreciate reading your thoughts.

   nepa

1. 
   funkyjazzdesigns | Mar 16, 2009 09:41pm | #5

   I don't know how long Fabric Fix has been in business.  There was a similar store in Manchester for many years and when that one was closing the Fabric Fix owners opened theirs.

   I am indeed a frequent shopper. 

   I've not been in the thrift store that you mentioned.  I do sometimes, not often, visit thrift stores.  So I don't have any information to give you on that one. 

   Happy fabric shopping,Christine

2. 
   Sewista | Mar 17, 2009 01:28am | #6

   For many many years there was a store in Manchester on a corner of Valley Street run by Harold Levine and his wife. They and the staff really knew their fabrics. Mr. Levine would go on shopping trips to NYC and Mrs Levine worked the store with her employees. This was a FAR from elegant place but the deals that could be had, oh my! When Mrs. Levine passed away, Mr. Levine kind of lost interest and one of his employees bought the business. She took with her the other staff and re opened in the gas station that is now know as Fabric Fix. This is one of those places that you never know what you will find. One day when I was there, the owner's husband drove in from NYC with an incredible haul of faux fur. He let me dig thru it and I left a very happy, fur laden customer. The staff here is VERY knowledgeable. Sometimes you will find unbelievable laces, silks,cashmeres, trims, you just never know. Make sure you look under the tables. That is where the zippers, FOE, and interfacing is stored. Beautiful buttons can be found there as well. It is just a great Mom & Pop fabric store and I highly recommend. I live in upstate NY, near the Canadian border, and I make it my business to go there whenever I am in the area, about every two months. Last trip I found they has some awesome lycra cotton sateens and I bought some. I hope to make trench from one. So go and have no preconcieved notions and have fun. Let us know what you buy. Bunny
   http://lasewist.blogspot.com/

3. 
   funkyjazzdesigns | Mar 17, 2009 05:54pm | #7

   Hi Sewista,

   I think you intended your reply for BellaGabriella or Palady rather than me.  I already know all that information, I just made my response shorter with less detail.

   Christine

4. 
   Sewista | Mar 17, 2009 06:52pm | #8

   Thanks for the correction, appreciated.Bunny