Replies

1. 
   Barbaran8 | May 12, 2005 05:33pm | #1

   Vancouver Washington, or Vancouver Canada?  'Cause for fabric shopping, you're actually better off in Vancouver Washington....  there's the Pendelton seconds store in Washougal, the Jantzen seconds store near Pearson airpark, and then Portland has the Mill End store, and Fabric depot, and Josephines, etc....

   Vancouver Canada just has some great sari fabric shops in the East Indian district. 

1. 
   Susannah | May 13, 2005 03:06am | #2

   Hi Barb

   Vancouver Canada.  A fairly short visit, mainly on the way to Vancouver Island, but with 4 days in the city.  It is sometimes hard to get a holiday that achieves the right balance of wilderness/nature experiences for my husband, and shopping for me!

   the sari fabrics sound interesting - will check them out

   regards

   Sue

1. 
   FitnessNut | May 14, 2005 06:58pm | #3

   I'm sure that Vancouver, Canada, has lots more to offer than just a few sari shops. After all, it does have a fairly healthy garment industry. What you need to do is check out the location of textile wholesalers and suppliers to the industry in the yellow pages and then visit the area (this usually works best on foot). Ask plenty of questions and you're sure to be directed to the type of stores you're interested in. Sorry I can't be more specific, as I haven't visited Vancouver, but this is what I do in Toronto or Montreal and other comparable cities.

1. 
   Susannah | May 16, 2005 05:44am | #4

   Thanks, Sandy

   with the wonders of the internet, I will try to chase up some of the leads you suggested.  I don't have anything specific in mind to purchase, but I do like to check out what is available.

   One of the trends I have noticed in Australia is the disappearance of fabric shops.  Those that remain are often focussed on craft rather than garment sewing.  Given that I don't want to resemble a patchwork quilt, I like to grab any opportunity to check out lovely fabrics for garments.  Also, my daughter has an end of school year dinner to attend (in November) and we were interested in finding something a bit special for that.

   regards

   Sue

2. 
   Alexandra | May 16, 2005 05:29pm | #5

   Vancouver has several Fabricana shops with some very lovely fabric.  I always put it on my list when I'm over on the mainland.  Check the yellow pages or 411 online for the locations, directions aren't my strong point. 

   Have a wonderful trip.

    

3. 
   user-37718 | May 16, 2005 06:45pm | #6

   Try Dressew on east Hastings at cambie, they have been at the same location since the fifties.  THey have a huge selection of trims, zippers and buttons.  Their fashion fabrics are not the most trendy, but it's a great place for lining, denim, and other basics. However you can find some real gems of fabric but you have to hunt for them.

   Butons/Buttons on Cordova @seymour has a wide selection of funky new and vintage buttons.

   Gala Fabrics on Granville and 16th has beautiful Silks and Wools in an amazing variety of colours - not  a place for bargains, but worth checking out. note: their store in Victoria is bigger.

   As previously mentioned, the Indian fabric shops on Main around the 6500 block can be lots of fun to poke through and you can find some truely gorgeous embrodered fabrics.

   If you're willing to head out into the burbs, Fabricana has some lovely good quality fabrics at good prices.

   If you are interested in notions, A Great Notion, a mail order notion comapany has there store in langley and has every sewing gaget you could dream of in stock.  THey also have a great collection of sewing books to browse through.

   A small but good fabric store is Laura's fabrics in White Rock - there is also a good beach - at low tide it goes out for 1/2 mile.

   Fanny's and fabricland - the two chain stores, have been in a price war for a while - and Fanny's has just gone into receivership.  So I don't know if the prices will continue to be valid - but each week one of the pattern comapnies is discounted. Vogue $4.99 each and the other comapnies $2.50 each.

   If you are interested in Quilting stores Thread Bear in North Vancouver, and Wineberry Fabrics in Surrey are both great stores.

   Hope this is helpful feel free to email me for more info.

   Pamela

    

1. 
   raven99 | May 18, 2005 04:55am | #7

   Fanny's has gone into receivership? Dang! My local Fanny's has a sign in its window that its closing its doors, but I thought it was just that one store.And Sue, that "going crafty" trend seems to be happening here in Canada too. I'm so tired of seeing calico in the fabric stores. There used to be a terrific store near me that carried wonderful high-end fabrics: silks, swiss cottons, italian wools, irish linens and the like. I wish I could have supported that store single-handed. And as if thats not bad enough, the state of online fabric stores that ship out of Canada is dismal! Once you figure the exchange rate, shipping and customs charges to an online purchase out of the US it gets frighteningly expensive for medium range fabrics, let alone anything higher end. These days when I'm out and about and happen upon a great fabric, I buy it even if I have no immediate plans for a particular garment. I've always done that to a certain extent, but now its more an act of desperation and panic!Marion