Fabric stores are a real problem for us sewists. Since about the mid 80's (at least in my part of the country), they have been gradually closing and/or decreasing in number and size. It's an industry that's loosing interest and popularity each year.
I understand from the point of view of most American women who either think they haven't the time to sew, or they think they can't learn or they think they will never have enough time to learn how to sew, that the only option left is ready-to-wear.
But they really don't get what they want when they shop. And they don't understand the inordinate amount of empowerment we sewists have in turning a dream into reality! So it sometimes baffles me the lure and attraction of ready-to-wear.
And then I have to remind myself that I am no so used to seeing my dreams become reality; I am so empowered to dreaming up what I really want (right now I'm working on a culotte/pants/skirt idea), that to go "shopping" (another word for resigning oneself to another designer's dreams) is so far down the line of what I want, that if they were to give garments to me, I wouldn't take them.
So with that "dreamy" warped perspective, I would rather hunt for fabrics to make my dreams come true. Here's my current list of favs:
Nothing beats putting my hand on the fabric or seeing it on the bolt, so visiting my local shop is always high on my list, but alas, they are bound by the local market, which is heavily influenced by read-to-wear and that dreaded happy hands from home look. So sometimes I have to travel to the closest major metro area, Dallas. There is an very fine shop in Dallas, Fabrique, which I adore, but takes a whole day to trek there and back, but for some of my customers (and when the "dream bug" hits very badly), this is a fix.
Then there is mail order. I can not tell you the excitement when I see that manila envelope from Vogue Fabrics by Mail every season. I can't wait till after dinner (OK so it's not after dinner, it's as soon as I can get upstairs and tear into it), and I can poor through it dreaming of this or that with my hand on the fabric. I've been to their big store in Evanston, IL and it's also dreamy.
Fortunately, there are more and more online sources...one of my favorites that I'm just beginning to try is Gorgeous Fabrics. Ann even offers a personal service, and I imagine that once I get to know her, she will make recommendations as she will know what I love. An old standard is Britex, although they have sort of an odd "we'll sample to you, you pick out, and send back to us" policy. There are some others that I order but not on a regular enough basis to give a good enough report about. Spoonflower is another source - you can have your own design printed up....ooooooo a whole new idea!!!! They even have a contest every week and you can buy the contest winner's entry for that week at their Etsy store.
I was lucky enough to go to Hong Kong in the early 80's and developed a relationship with one of the "Chinese Friendship Shops". They sold a selection of fabrics for very cost efficient prices! I had to be careful though, the solids were a great buy, but the prints sometimes lost a lot in the translation from Oriental to Occidental. So their selection was limited, especially if I wanted that fabulous piece. I still have that relationship today, and order from Mr. Wong regularly.
But let's face it, nothing beats the New York Fabric district. I'm sure I would feel the same way in LA, but I'm just most familiar with the NY fabric district. To be honest, when I'm in NY (aka la-la-land), I'm not even sure of the names of the shops - there are so many. I just want to see the fabrics.
I'm constantly searching for very fine fabric shops and particularly those that can serve either through the internet or mail order or phone order. I realize that I'm an anomaly, but such is life. I'm not really interested in going to be just run-of-the-mill stuff, when there's so much more exciting fabric out there.
So give it up - what are your favorite stores? I'm always looking for a new fix!
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To answer a few questions from the Tribeca Shirt/Jacket:
I do have an excellent stash (another blog) and this fabric came from that stash.
There is a local shop that makes a very fine attempt at doing some fun things with fabric. They have gotten to the point that they will call me when their rep comes by, and I will encourage them to get some pretty marvelous things, but for a really fine and extraordinary fabrics I have to go to the closest large metro area or the grand place of all: NY Fabric District!!!
