Replies

1. 
   Beth | May 13, 2005 03:39pm | #1

   The LA Garment District is in the downtown area. There is a website. Try a Google search. You can request a map. I was there recently, for the first time and found it easy to get to and large enough to have plenty of selection.

2. 
   kswolff | May 14, 2005 08:24pm | #2

   The garment district in the downtown area is a great lot of fun. You will find blocks and blocks of stores and can even bargain with some of the proprietors. It's a very international sort of experience. I have been shopping in that area for almost 20 years!

   If you want something a bit more high-end, F & S Fabrics in the West LA area is marvelous (you must check out the button wall with Shirley, the button queen), they carry a large variety of fabrics and the staff is marvelous. Another shop is International Silks (beautiful fabrics, the staff tends to be snotty and you have to watch them when they cut), and just up the street a short distance is Oriental Silks. They offer silks like you won't find many places and the prices are very good. I don't believe they are open on Sunday so you would have to check that out.

   With a little detective work, you can find some terrific fabric sources in LA. And as was suggested already, Yahoo maps or Google maps should get you good directions.

   K :)

3. 
   colleency | May 17, 2005 01:12am | #3

   If you go to the garment district in downtown L.A., which is at around 9th and Maple, I recommend Mike's fabrics. They are at 821 S. Wall Street. The shop is small, but it is clean, tidy, and the owners know their stuff. If you are looking for something specific, you can bring a photo or a drawing, and they will usually be able to help you.

   Michael Levine at 920 South Maple is kind of the anchor store in the fabric portion of the garment district. They have everything.

   If you walk towards the south (at approximately Olympic), you will be in the clothing/shoes portion of the garment district. Be aware that most places do not let you try anything on.

   I second F&S for beautiful (but costly) fabrics, although I am led to understand that they sometimes have some clearance items.

4. 
   Barbaran8 | May 19, 2005 05:36pm | #4

   go to http://www.patternreview.com, click on the store reviews, put in CA for the state, and look through the reviews, then decide where you want to go.

5. 
   Dragan1 | May 22, 2005 03:29am | #5

   Thank you all for your help. I will let you know how my friend went in L.A.

6. 
   shalimar | May 30, 2005 06:40am | #6

   I grew up in L.A. and was gonna suggest the fabric/garmet district in downtown but seems everyone else has.  I would though suggest VRBO.com (vacation rentals by owner) for a place to stay.  You are renting directly from owners and the price is usually quite reasonable. 

7. 
   idamay | Jun 03, 2005 01:28am | #7

   I too grew up in the LA area but now live in the UK but when visiting there last I found that my favorite shop for fabrics was still there after 30 years.  It's not in Los Angeles itself but is in either Redondo or Hermosa Beach.  The name of this fabulous shop is The Cotton Shop.  You should find the address in the phone book or even on-line.  It's a great place and you'll love it.  If you are visiting Southern California there are lots of good places to visit for fabrics- I really miss the like here. 

8. 
   barbaraj | Jun 06, 2005 10:35pm | #8

   For a wonderful selection of wool fabric and tailoring supplies in the Garment District:
   B.Black and Sons, 548 S. Los Angeles St, LA. Less expensive than Michael Levine and two rooms full of beautiful woolens!