Replies

1. 
   Danielle_in_NYC | Dec 30, 2000 07:55am | #1

   *
   Check out the Garment District around 38-40 Streets between 5th and 8th Avenues and lower Broadway around Grand Street. I've only been to a few places in the Garment district- my favorite is B&J at 263 West 40 Street. Phone is 212-354-8150. Keep in mind that many stores only do wholesale (some do wholesale and retail) and pretty much all of the places cater to the industry and aren't open on weekends or after 5 pm weekdays (B&J is open 9-4:45 on Saturdays!).

   For beautiful ribbons, go to Hyman Hendler at 67 West 38 Street bet. 5-6 Aves. Very expensive but truly beautiful. For much cheaper ribbon, but a smaller selection, cross the street to So Good, where the employees are all men and are likely to call you "sister" in an endearing way.

   I'm just getting started sewing myself and am discovering new stores every day. Whenever I get a chance, I try to go to a JoAnn's because they have everything in one place. Unfortunately, there are no JoAnns in NYC and no other place where you can get a variety of sewing things (fabric AND notions AND trimming, etc.). At least as far as I know. Any other sewing New Yorkers out there?

   Danielle

1. 
   Sarah_Kayla | Jan 01, 2001 10:37pm | #2

   *Dear Sarah -I wrote a very long and very opinionated message about just this subject about a year and a half ago. Check out the archives. It should be there. Otherwise, let me know more specifically what you are looking for and I will probably be able to tellyou where to go.Sarah

1. 
   Jaye_Joyce | Jul 10, 2001 03:13am | #3

   *Since most people just aren't computer savvy enough to find information in the archives, I took the liberty of reposting Sarah's message from 1999:Sarah Kayla - 03:12pm Jan 13, 1999 EST (#1 of 2) Dear Ghillie, The garment district is between Times Square and Penn Station - an easy walk from either. Manhattan is layed out on a grid. Many of the stores that you will want to visit are between 7th and 8th Avenues, between 38th and 40th streets. Trimming and Millenery are further east (between 5th and 6th Avenues and a block or two further south) Fur is further south. There are dozens of stores. Many all carry the same stuff. They are staffed by Indians and Pakistanis and sell lots of glitzy stuff. It is worth going in. Yes, there are stores that are wholesale only. however there are many lovely stores that welcome everyone. 40th street is a bit fancierand i would be sure to check out Trebor, Parstex, Paron (and their half-price store two doors away), New York elegant fabrics, Rosen & Chaddick, and the temple of fabric -B&J. On 39th I would go into Daytona trimming, Liberty Fabric (no connection to Liberty of London) and Steinlauf & Stoller (notions and dressmaking supplies), Modeani is across the street and run by nice folks. 38th has Spandex House (they carry wild stuff) a place that carries leather and a tiny kosher lunch counter that you enter through a loading dock ( they sell terrific schwarma) Just walk up and down the blocks and go in where ever you can. Additionally you may want to go to LP thur on 23rd street - they have an oddball selection and good sales. Their quality is all over the map. i don't know the lower East side very well so i can't give you much advise there. The neighborhood is safe so have fun. Let me know where you go and what you think of it. Sarah

1. 
   Sarah_Kayla | Jul 20, 2001 06:32pm | #4

   *Dear Jaye -Thanks for re-posting my message. Since that posting Trebor has bit the dust. Burlington is gone too, but their quality was so icky and the people who ran it so nasty that it is no loss. New York Elegant fabrics is gone too.The gentrification of the times Sq area ios a mixed blessing for the fabric district. Other places to drop by - next door to B&J is an Indian owned fabric store. They carry sari fabrics and chinese brocades. Additionally on 39th , past Steinlauf & Stoller towards 7th avenue there is s atore (forgive me i have no idea of the name with great prices & remnants. the remnants are $1/yd. They also have 36" italian silks for $3/yd and chinese brocades for $9/yd. The guy who runs it is a good guy (honest yardage)If you want to go on a bit of an adventure - take the #7 train out to Jackson Heights in Queens. Get off at the broadway stop. There are about a dozen sari stores all on one block, several indian restaurants with really reasonable prices and amazing jewlery stores. It feels like a visit to India. The prices for a length of sari fabric (6 yards) ranges from the mid teens to several hundred dollars. it is worth the token. Your eyeballs will be very very happy. Yes the subway is safe. Your fellow passengers will be working folks and families.

1. 
   Sarah_Kayla | Jul 20, 2001 06:32pm | #5

   *Dear Jaye -Thanks for re-posting my message. Since that posting Trebor has bit the dust. Burlington is gone too, but their quality was so icky and the people who ran it so nasty that it is no loss. New York Elegant fabrics is gone too.The gentrification of the times Sq area ios a mixed blessing for the fabric district. Other places to drop by - next door to B&J is an Indian owned fabric store. They carry sari fabrics and chinese brocades. Additionally on 39th , past Steinlauf & Stoller towards 7th avenue there is s atore (forgive me i have no idea of the name with great prices & remnants. the remnants are $1/yd. They also have 36" italian silks for $3/yd and chinese brocades for $9/yd. The guy who runs it is a good guy (honest yardage)If you want to go on a bit of an adventure - take the #7 train out to Jackson Heights in Queens. Get off at the broadway stop. There are about a dozen sari stores all on one block, several indian restaurants with really reasonable prices and amazing jewlery stores. It feels like a visit to India. The prices for a length of sari fabric (6 yards) ranges from the mid teens to several hundred dollars. it is worth the token. Your eyeballs will be very very happy. Yes the subway is safe. Your fellow passengers will be working folks and families.