Fabric stores?

So I found a couple of threads on the Park Slope board about fabric stores, but nothing in the PH/CH forums. Are there any decent ones in our hood? I need to make curtains for my new place.

There used to be some really cheap ones on Bridge Street down off Fulton Mall, but last time I was there, many of them had closed. In the city, go to Fabric Kingdom on 8th ave. around 38th st. Incredible fabrics, great prices.

StaceyJoy, I shoulda known you'd have the skinny on this. I will have to check that place out. Hell, if I'm gonna go to midtown maybe I'll haul off and go to Mood too and make a little Project Runway pilgrimmage out of the trip!

I can't wait for the new season!!!

I went to Mood for the first time a few weeks ago (bought lilac wool boucle for a spring jacket - good thing I sewed it fast because its already too warm to wear it most days!). It was FANTASTIC.

For curtains, though, check fulton fabric on bridge st - they're close and they have some nice interior fabrics really cheap.

Did you find Mood pricey?

does anyone know a seamstress? I'm such a retarded shape/size that finding a suit that fits me well is sorta like finding a four-leaf clover. except maybe I have an easier time with four-leaf clovers. so since y'all know lots about fabric, etc, maybe (*hopes*) you know something about ppl who sew for a living?!

alafairnadia wrote: does anyone know a seamstress? I'm such a retarded shape/size that finding a suit that fits me well is sorta like finding a four-leaf clover. except maybe I have an easier time with four-leaf clovers. so since y'all know lots about fabric, etc, maybe (*hopes*) you know something about ppl who sew for a living?!

a woman I know got a suit made by a Chinese tailor in NoLita/Chitown. I think it was Elizabeth St, but I'd have to chase her down to find out.
It looked like a men's place, but they were totally nice to her, and she got one fly suit out of it . . .

all this fabric shopping sounds fun . . . I just got a couple yards of kimono cotton from Pearl River for a little project, but you're talkin' hardcore . . .

Should we organize a fabric hunt in the garment district? Ever been to P & S on lower Broadway? Also excellent.

sje wrote: Should we organize a fabric hunt in the garment district? Ever been to P & S on lower Broadway? Also excellent.

oooo, I could go for that. are those wholesale only places?
I need something to cover my sofa for the summer . . .

I'd be interested! I'd always assumed that places like Mood would be wholesale only.

sje wrote: Should we organize a fabric hunt in the garment district? Ever been to P & S on lower Broadway? Also excellent.

That sounds fun! I'm in, depending on when it ends up happening; gotta wait to get my deposit back on my old place before I can do it.

There's no rush, we can go anytime.

Hey, just FYI, gang... y'all should go ahead and organize a fabric trip for whenever works for you; I think my schedule's going to prove to be sort of difficult for coordinating with everyone else. Sorry if I derailed the momentum on this!

In PS, 3 Peddlers on Lincoln can get you just about anything in terms of fabric, and they'll sew it for you too if that's what you want - reupholstry, drapes, etc.

sje wrote: Should we organize a fabric hunt in the garment district? Ever been to P & S on lower Broadway? Also excellent.

I know someone who also goes to Paragon Fabric. There are also quite a few fabric and notion stores in Boro Park -

stacey wrote: [quote=sje]Should we organize a fabric hunt in the garment district? Ever been to P & S on lower Broadway? Also excellent.

I know someone who also goes to Paragon Fabric. There are also quite a few fabric and notion stores in Boro Park -

Maybe there is a fabric-shopping-followed-by-dim-sum extravaganza in the cards . . .

sje wrote: Did you find Mood pricey?

Well, I didn't really check prices on too many things, just the fabric I wanted. I think it was pretty fair - I paid a good amount, but it was a a really lovely, high-end fabric, plus there was like a foot and a half left on the bolt which the guy just let me have and didnt charge extra for!

I got one of my projects sorted today at "purl patchwork", a quilting store in Soho. Cotton prints for $8 yard. No bargain, but some stylin' stuff.

It's 147 Sullivan St, just below Houston

I'd like to go to a fabric store at some point to buy a small quantity of fabric to experiment with.

on that note, can anyone recommend a good "starter" sewing machine?

I went to Mood after work today in search of curtain fabric. Hoo boy, I have a LOT more respect for the Project Runway contestants after being in that place. It's heeyuuuuge. Didn't find what I was looking for, but the staff was really helpful and nice, and I don't know whether it's pricey because I don't know what's standard for various fabrics. It's worth checking out just to be awed at the sheer amount of fabric and to eavesdrop on drag queens picking out fabrics for their next gowns ("This is gorgeous, but I need more sparkle. MORE SPARKLE!").

Yeah, isn't mood fantastic?

My most favorite online fabric store (yes, I am lazy lazy lazy and work long hours) is reprodepot.com. They do all kinds of great retro prints which are fun for summer skirts and housewares (curtains, napkins, etc)

arielbl wrote: My most favorite online fabric store (yes, I am lazy lazy lazy and work long hours) is reprodepot.com. They do all kinds of great retro prints which are fun for summer skirts and housewares (curtains, napkins, etc)

Yes! LOVE Repro Depot--I got this fabric for my dining room chairs there:

That is so funny! I have the larger version of that print as curtains (straight cafe curtains) in my living room and kitchen. Matches my green couch and really lightens things up. I was gonna use the leftovers to make pads for my kitchen chairs when I had time.

Would someone mind publishing the address for Mood? Thx

It's at 225 W. 35th, between 7th and 8th Aves., on the 3rd (and 2nd, and 4th, but entry's on the 3rd) floor.

apollonia666 wrote: It's at 225 W. 35th, between 7th and 8th Aves., on the 3rd (and 2nd, and 4th, but entry's on the 3rd) floor.

'

thx!

FYI, y'all... I just found this PDF online of "A Sewer's Guide to New York City" from Threads magazine. It's a couple of years old and it would be a little more useful if they included store hours and cross streets, but it's still pretty nifty:

http://tinyurl.com/znmhz

Okay, here's what I discovered yesterday: 39th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues in the Garment District has like 15 or 20 fabric stores. Holy cow. I shopped for something like two hours before I found this awesome embroidered silk organza that I made curtains from and hung over sheer matching panels I got at Tarjay. This pic doesn't quite do them justice because they're really shimmery in sunlight and it's so grey and ucky today, but here's the finished result:



Before you think I'm Martha Fucking Stewart, though, I should admit that the homemade ones are about 18" shorter than the store-bought sheers and one of the homemade ones is about 4" shorter than the other one.

They look great! 39th between 7th and 8th is my favorite fabric shopping place, but sometimes they don't have what I want for making clothes from (like I picture something in my head and can't find something that exactly matches it...) which is why I'd love to visit Mood one of these days.

alafairnadia wrote: I'd like to go to a fabric store at some point to buy a small quantity of fabric to experiment with.

on that note, can anyone recommend a good "starter" sewing machine?

they are kind of all the same, except some are more $$$ with way more stitches. i would say go cheap and basic (like straight stitch plus zigzag for sure but don't worry about the rest so much..) also, stick to singer or kenmore. ...i am curious as to what other might say, though. oh, or come next door and use mine if you wish! 8)