Replies

1. 
   KBTsewer | Mar 01, 2010 02:33pm | #1

   Many of the fabric shops in Venice had gone last time I was there, BUT there's a very nice one on the Strada Nova in the Cannaregio area.I bought a length of Ungaro silk. Pricey, but beautiful designs.

   Did visit two fabric shops on the mainland in the fishing town of Chioggia ( not far from the fish market) ---reached by waterbus  from Venice. There's also a haby shop in the town on the main street---the town is quite small. Prices good.

   Paris--try the Place Saint-Pierre area which is a 'village' of fabric, haby and trimmings.Nearest Metro station is Anvers.

   Hope this is a start for you--enjoy  the journey.

1. 
   brbrcat | Mar 30, 2010 02:14am | #5

   Paris

   Try rue d'Orsel . Just down from Marche St Pierre there are two stores that sell 'coupons' , 3 metre lengths of materials . They have a wide range of beautiful  fabrics some of which are couture fabrics.  Enjoy yourself.

2. 
   stillsuesew | Mar 02, 2010 02:10pm | #2

   Take money.

3. 
   decoratrice | Mar 04, 2010 09:34pm | #3

   When I was in Florence a few years back, I found two fabric stores in the center city within a couple of blocks of each other.  I got an iridescent silk chiffon for a scarf at one, and at the other, the most charming owner kissed my hand and told me what a discerning eye I had.  Blarney, I'm sure, but I got several incredible pieces there and still wear the jackets I made from them.  Unfortunately, I can't remember the names--the second had been in business since the Renaissance, if that helps.  There is also a shop that carries only passementerie, adjacent to the market.  Have fun!

1. 
   woodruff | Mar 04, 2010 10:41pm | #4

   Re fabric shopping in Paris, there have been some excellent discussions at patternreview.com such as here:

   http://sewing.patternreview.com/SewingDiscussions/topic/33038

   Speaking for myself, in Paris I'd recommend the Marché St. Pierre, a rabbit warren of stores beneath the great church of Sacre-Coeur.  In that district, you'd especially want to visit Tissus Reine and Dreyfus, just diagonally across the street from each other.  You might also want to check out de Gilles, Madame Coupons, and Mauplou (pricey).  In the days of the internet, these can all be googled to give you their hours, their locations, and often a video tour!

   In Italy, there is a chain of remnant stores called Giessi Scampoli (

   http://www.giessescampoli.com/eng/generale.html).  These tend to be in the outskirts of towns, in what we would call strip malls, but I have heard that the prices and quality are really very good.  The website will give you their locatiions throughout Italy.