Replies

1. 
   stitchmd | May 23, 2004 05:00am | #1

   If you can tell us approximately where you are located I'm sure people can suggest stores where you could feel and buy much better fabrics than Hancock sells. Mail order swatches help but don't really show the drape or full patterns of the yardage.

1. 
   thirdnorn | May 23, 2004 08:56am | #2

   I live in West Los Angeles, and I'd LOVE to know about anyplace where I can get fine gauge sweater knits like I see in Macy's INC line. Anyone know where the stores and designers get thier hot little hands on such yummy stuff? (and if you do- I'd appreciate any tips on how to sew with it!)

1. 
   stitchmd | May 23, 2004 04:05pm | #3

   You can enter Los Angeles into the search feature on this board, and you can post a thread about the topic to see if anyone can make recommendations. There are other sewing sites where you can ask as well.

2. 
   SewNancy | May 24, 2004 11:00pm | #9

   There is a whole slew of letters posted on shopping in downtown LA and I think the place my cousin mentioned is listed.  Maybe you didn't look far enough down the lisitings of discussions.

   Nancy

2. 
   Elisabeth | May 23, 2004 05:01pm | #4

   One would think that if there was a Saks there would be a fabric store. This is a fairly new Saks that was dropped into Richmond, Virginia and there are a few independent fabric stores with nice quality fabrics in Richmond but I have found that it is usually not worth my time to go visit them. The selections are limited and seem static with the staples of some wool flannel and some dupioni etc. and are expensive, I can get that stuff online. Richmond is 1-1/2 hours away and I go to visit my daughter who isn't interested in fabric stores so we do other things. (I probably wore her out with fabric stores when she was little.) I go to Hancocks because I sometimes find something fun for very little money and the notions are better stocked than JoAnns.

   G Street is three hours away and I get there less than once a year. I find that I am weary of travel these days and am liking it when the UPS person or the mail person will do the driving for me. Not even G Street as a destination can get me going for the journey and that is truly a bad case of the travel wearies! I would MUCH rather feel and see the fabrics on the bolt, there is no subtitute for that, but the bolts are simply out of reach so I am willing to try mail order so I will have something. My re-entry to sewing is proving to be a shock as far a supplies are concerned!

1. 
   stitchmd | May 23, 2004 09:16pm | #5

   Trust me, you are better off 3 hours away. I live in Rockville, MD and go to G Street every week or two. My stash is impossible. My bank account is anemic.

1. 
   Elisabeth | May 24, 2004 03:45pm | #6

   That's a great way to look at it! If I lived in Rockville I would be at G Street at least once a week and would probably bring home something I couldn't live without every time! The mail order type of buying puts a big control on it. My stash is tiny and is actually shrinking in the fabric drought here and I find myself finishing things that I might have put aside if I had a thrilling new fabric talking to me. Still, I'm really envious of your easy trips to G Street and of your impossible stash! Thanks for putting some humor into the situation, I think the heat and humidity are dragging me down this week.

2. 
   Bernie1 | Jun 25, 2004 10:43pm | #16

   Ha - since I've found the online stores my stash has grown exponentially. I live in No. Va. and don't go to G Street much anymore because I find it's more fun to shop online.

1. 
   Elisabeth | Jun 26, 2004 03:46pm | #17

   Oh no, that is scary! Lately I have only ordered from Thai Silks for others, not for myself since my bank account isn't allowing it. I can see it, though, the irresistable textures and colors of the NY and such online fabrics will make me need more storage space. How do you make room for your expanding stash? A sumptuous stash is like a good drug, isn't it? Probably lots cheaper too. Well, now I feel my pining for a visit to G Street diminishing, this is good. I'm off to Richmond today to visit my daughter and I think I will totally skip the inferior fabric stores there too, excellent!

2. 
   anneelsberry | May 24, 2004 08:40pm | #7

   Britex, in San Francisco, and G Street will definitely have those types of fabrics.  Another good source is to find an independent who buys designer "ends."  My local place (Buttons n Bolts in Tucson) buys Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren and other end bolts at market.  You might also check Thai Silks for stretch silk.

1. 
   Elisabeth | May 25, 2004 05:22pm | #11

   I keep hearing about Britex and they have some tempting pictures online. I need to get used to a new way of fabric shoping. I'm stuck in the past from my Boston days in the early 80's where I could dive into tables full of delicious fabrics. A shop that buys desinger ends is a good idea. I do know of one guy that gets a few things in occasionally and he is not out of the way. I'll remember to check next time I'm in that area. Things are looking up, thanks!

1. 
   ShannonG4d | May 28, 2004 05:28pm | #12

   One more place to look:

   http://www.manhattanfabrics.com

   Be sure to check the "designer" tab at the top.

   Shannon

1. 
   Elisabeth | May 29, 2004 04:13pm | #13

   Oh, that is like a key to the magic door. Between this and Mood Fabrics I have great places to start. Thanks! It is so nice to know that I can acutally get the fabrics that I admire in the magazines and Saks.

1. 
   Lword | Jun 01, 2004 03:12pm | #14

   No kidding Elisabeth and thanks for the mood site!

   Thanks Shannon! I always knew there were a lot of shades of black - of course I go for the cashmere at $75/yard! Wonderful site and I can find some of those similar fabrics in old time clothes at secondhand shops and stay slightly hip. One of the plaid skirts I had in junior high school (ages and dark ages ago) back when my figure was better was made from a similar fabric. Still classic for a straight slit skirt and matching boxy but snug at the waist jacket. No bias for this one with my skills! 

   View Image

   Sku #: 189Color: BlackFabric: WoolPrice: $7.50/yd

2. 
   SewNancy | Jun 09, 2004 04:55pm | #15

   I tried this site and I only get descriptions no pictures.  It is very frustrating.  I e mailed them but have not gotten a reponse yet.

   Nancy

3. 
   SewNancy | May 24, 2004 10:39pm | #8

   I know that mail order is a pain, but when all else fails,  it is certainly better than Hancocks and that ilk.  Try Mood fabrics.  They have a swatch service on line now.  I shop there in NYC and they have an amazing inventory.  Also Paron fabrics.  they have an ad in this issue of Threads.  They send large samples and are very nice.  The problem is that so much that used to be sewn in NYC is sewn abroad now.  My cousin lives near LA and she just told me about a store that benefits one of the design schools in LA and they get designer ends.  I'll have to e mail her for the name.

   Nancy

1. 
   Elisabeth | May 25, 2004 05:03pm | #10

   Mood Fabrics has a nice website. I like their little store maps. It would be nice to just jet up to NYC for a day and do some fabric shopping, make the rounds. Oh wait, I would have to stay more than just a day so I can go to some clothing shops and see what people are thinking about these days. And the museums! I need a week! How good that they do mail order now and send swatches to those of us out in the middle of nowhere. Thanks for the tip.

   I often check labels when I look at clothing. It is scary how much is made overseas. Such a loss of skills and learning for the USA or for any country that outsources clothing manufacturing labor.

   Edited 5/25/2004 10:08 am ET by Elisabeth