NYC GARMENT DISTRIC FABRIC SHOPPING GUIDE: PART 2, MY FAVORITE FABRIC STORES
For a couple of years now, I’ve dreampt of making a zine about the Garment District, a little handbook for anyone who needs a shopping guide. I always put it off because I didn’t want to deal with making photocopies and listing it online, and then I realized I could reach more people with a simple blog post. I finally posted the first edition of my New York Garment District Fabric Shopping Guide, with a focus on Top Tier fabric stores, the first week of February 2020, right before the Covid-19 pandemic slammed New York City, forcing everything to shut down, and tragically taking the lives of thousands of New Yorkers.
While the pandemic rages on across the United States, NYC has slowly and carefully been reopening. I have been extremely cautious and unfortunately, crushingly anxious. But I’ve been ripping through my stash, and I want to support the businesses I love. So my first stop when I finally ventured out of my apartment? Midtown, baby!
I rode my bike an hour each way, nervous as heck and thrilled to see shops open, albeit for limited hours. There were quite a few shops forced to shutter their doors forever. Many businesses in the Garment District are small, often family owned, immigrant owned, BIPOC owned, selling extremely specific merchandise, and they need our business more than ever! So if you live in the city and feel ready to shop, put on a mask, gloves if you like, keep your distance and be extra polite, and head to Midtown.
This post is about MY favorite fabric stores (trims and notions will be in upcoming posts), it is not an exhuastive or all-inclusive list. My favorite stores are a little on the wacky side and on ground level, so I can peek in from the sidewalk. I relish the thrill of the hunt, the high of finding a bargain, and interaction with the wonderful shopkeepers. If you follow this list, I encourage you to pop in to any and all other shops you pass as you make your way around - never know what you might find!
Without further ado, I’m going to start on 39th street and work my way down, as is my custom. All photos are displayed directly above the shop they represent.
If you use this guide or find it helpful in anyway, please like this post and/or leave a comment below! The additional engagement really boosts my credibility when I ask to take photos and ask questions. Thank you!
A.K. FABRICS
It’s crowded and the aisles are packed with layers of upright bolts. I’ve knocked bolts over! Whatever, they are always nice about it. They’ve got a bit of everything and the prices and service are excellent. I’ve gotten printed cottons, swiss dot, and stretch bengaline here, and have always been pleased with my purchases.
Location: 257 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018
IT’S A MATERIAL WORLD (AKA: H&M FABRICS)
Is it going out of business? Who knows, those signs have been in the windows for *years*. Roll up your sleeves and get in there! This store is not for the faint of heart, but if you dig, you’re gonna find gems. I love the manner of customer service here - helpful with a hint of showmanship. If they know you, they will point out new bolts you might like. If you’re not from New York, they might seem gruff? Don’t be deterred.
The front is usually packed full of shimmering brocades, to the left, behind the counter, where there is almost always some religious audio blasting (and once in a while, a Pomeranian behind the counter), you will find various silks stacked unceremoniously: $9.99/yard 2023 Update: silks are now $14.99). They have glitzy bedazzled stuff in spades, white cotton eyelets and broderie Anglaise, cottons, denims, weird stuff!, stretch velvet, and you know what? Keep walking, yes, all the way to to the back, I know it’s dark. You will be rewarded with coating & suiting and home dec. Haggling welcome, and if you’re a regular, they will offer you sweet deals.
Location: 257 W 39th St, New York, NY 10108
FABRIC HOUSE
If I’m on the block, I’m gonna pop in to see what they’ve got: gorgeous silks, stacked impressively to the ceiling, in an extremely clean, well lit setting. I have never made a purchase here but if I found a silk print I *needed*, I would go for it. Notably, they have ombre dyed silks, with color matched charmeuse and chiffon.
Location: 257 W 39th St # 4, New York, NY 10018
SWAN FABRICS INC.
This is a very narrow, packed shop. There is really only enough room for one shopper (or you and your shopping buddy), but it’s worth it. I will sometimes wait out front until someone comes out before I go in. You may need to ring the bell to be buzzed in, and if the owner is in the back, check out one of the other shops and circle back. He has a bit of everything; the quality is high and the prices are fair. Though the shop is dense, he lets you shop as slowly as you like, and will happily take down a bolt so you can better see the print or have a touch. Sometimes I see the same fabrics at multiple shops, but that’s never happened to me here, it’s a unique, quality offering.
Location: 244 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018
EXCLUSIVE FABRICS INC.
I love this store, it’s a personal favorite. When you peer in, you might think, “Oh, not for me, just sequin encrusted poly satin and bonkers Versace-esque prints". Let this shop be a lesson: stores put the candy up front, and keep the plain stuff in the back. But truthfully, nothing here is particularly plain, I always find something special. Take a hard right at the cutting table and enter the second room, where they have a fantastic (but recently, shrinking) selection of silks for $9.99/yard. I have bought so much silk here over the years - designer prints, freshly arrived, limited amounts. This is a spot where I tell them I’ll take everything on the bolt. Also available: solid color silks, all manner of novelty textured fabrics, brocades, menswear/suiting, solid color linen, all kinds of poly, faux fur, a small assortment of quilting fabric, and yes, many glittering fancy dress fabrics.
Location: 252 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018 (2023 Update: They have moved directly across the street from their previous location, so they are now on the north side of 38th. They sadly no longer carry any silk, but still plenty of good stuff!)
CHIC FABRIC
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I love to shout out Chic Fabrics! They boast a lush selection and wonderful customer service. I am partial to their silks: a delightful offering of charmeuse for $15/yard - pretty much whatever color you need, as well as a curated selection of designer prints. Prices vary but are always reasonable, and shelves are marked (but ask for specific bolt prices, just in case). I head here for silk but as with most of these shops, they offer a bit of everything. Head to the back room to see the full inventory, or ask for something specific and they will help you find it.
Location: 247 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018
GRAY LINES LINEN INC.
Linen. Just linen: handkerchief to upholstery, they’ve got what you need, in a rainbow of colors. Extra wide goods, those striped narrow goods used for toweling, metallic glazed, floral printed, striped. Linen. You know how I like to dye my own colors of linen? I usually buy a large quantity of plain white here, and have my way with it. They wholesale, so if you like, you can purchase bolts, or buy a color card and order from home.
Location: 247 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
SPANDEX HOUSE
I don’t purchase a ton of knits. I don’t sew with them often, and I don’t like having them in my stash because they take up a lot of room (have you ever compared 3 yards of cotton lawn with 1 yard of t-shirt knit?). I tend to buy them for a project I make right away. I will look for them in all the stores already listed, and Mood is usually where I personally have the best luck. But when I was looking for a high quality stretch velvet last year, I searched and searched. My favorite one came from here, and was available in a stunning array of colors. Staff was friendly and helpful. And when it comes to Spandex, they have every print and metallic foil you have ever dared to dream of.
Location: 263 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018
Photo taken in the Before Times, which is why I’m not wearing a mask. You will not be allowed any building or store in Midtown (or anywhere in NYC) without a mask in current times.
If you’re able to make it out shopping in 2020, be safe and have fun! If a visit to New York isn’t on the horizon for you, I hope this at least gave you a moment of escape, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you for being socially responsible by staying close to home. Typing up this guide felt like writing a love letter to a New York neighborhood that has encouraged and enabled my hobbies, skills, and career. The city is constantly changing, so I have faith that there will always be some magic tucked in the streets of the Garment District. Hope you can experience it! XO, Martha
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