Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Bargain alert!

So, I stumbled into this little store, just across from Fashion Institute of Technology, just curious about why this little, lone fabric store stood here, apart from the garment district, out-of-synch with the neighboring restaurants... and once inside I found a tightly packed, floor-to-ceiling smorgasbord of fabric. Not for the claustrophobic, or for anyone requiring categories, organization, or... ahem... any fabric knowledge on the part of the staffers, the words "fire hazard" and "eclectic" do spring to mind, but so do the words "awesome", "great deals", and "cool". Too small to take a picture, and probably too small to even bring a friend, this place has small rolls of fabric, likely left over from the larger stores or manufacturers in the area, and are sold at absolute bargain basement prices. They do have lovely things, but you have to be patient and calm to find them. Crinkled chiffon, pretty silks, linens, odd printed cottons - all good for building your stash, making things, or even as muslin when you want to better imitate the feel of the fabric you will be using. It seems the prices range from $2-$10 yd for just about everything. I can definitely work with that. Truemart Discount Fabrics 261 7th Avenue New York, NY 10001 (212) 924-1332

Note: Truemart has undergone what appears to be a wonderful upgrade since that visit, while still a bargain hunter's dream come true!  Read about that here.
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25 comments:

  1. Peter LappinMay 1, 2012 at 10:38 AM

    Trumart's a few blocks from where I live and it was the first fabric store I ever went to and bought fabric for my first projects, including great denim, cotton lawn, and cotton gingham shirting. It's a little too claustrophobic for my taste but they do have a very wide selection. Great to read about it here!

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  2. Peter LappinMay 1, 2012 at 10:39 AM

    Whoops -- I mean Truemart.

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    1. mimi jacksonMay 1, 2012 at 11:15 AM

      Thanks for the spelling correction - fixed my error in the post.

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  3. AnonymousMay 1, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    I've been shopping at Truemart for years. David, the young man in charge, is very nice. His grandfather, who died a couple of years ago, was very nice as well.

    But you have to look at the fabric very carefully and know your fabric. If you have a problem and point it out to them they'll make it right, but I prefer to buy from places like Paron, Mood, or B and J.

    They're very strictly Orthodox, so it may be a good idea to call ahead.

    New York Sewer

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    1. mimi jacksonMay 1, 2012 at 11:16 AM

      I agree - doen't seem that quality is necessarily their focus, which is okay, if you know that going in. A sort of "You like it? Buy it!" philosphy applies here.

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    2. AnonymousMay 1, 2012 at 9:27 PM

      I've had three bad experiences buying fabric for a class.

      New York Sewer

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    3. mimi jacksonMay 2, 2012 at 7:29 AM

      heh heh... interesting that you tried at least two more times after a bad experience... what was the appeal?

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  4. ClioMay 1, 2012 at 10:55 AM

    Ditto! Fear of death-by-fabric-avalanche generally keeps me away. But for the unafraid, there are some great deals to be had at Trumart!

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    1. mimi jacksonMay 1, 2012 at 11:18 AM

      You do kinda fear for your life in there, don't ya? A pith helmet with a headlight doesn't seem so extreme of an accessory to have along...

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  5. Nancy KMay 1, 2012 at 11:05 AM

    Places like this give me claustrophobia so I tend to avoid them. However, your point about using the cheap fabric for muslins is a good one.

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    1. mimi jacksonMay 1, 2012 at 11:20 AM

      Yes, they definitely make maximum use of EVERY SINGLE INCH of space in there. One of the staffers was actually eating lunch in there when I was there yesterday... Can you imagine????

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  6. Sara NoemiMay 1, 2012 at 11:29 AM

    Is this the place with the one-way circular walkway in the middle of the store? Crowded, yes. Cheap, also yes. And the last time I want, there was a very helpful young guy so at least I didn't feel pressure to purchase there.

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    1. mimi jacksonMay 1, 2012 at 1:12 PM

      Yes, one-way walkway... the word "circular" is almost generous. It is like entering a large, full closet, with just enough room for your feet to walk in a tight triangle that points to the door. No curves, just two, sharp "corners".

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  7. Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)May 1, 2012 at 2:14 PM

    I've seen the store across the street from FIT but have never gone in...but this reminds me of so many of the little fabric shops that use to be in the garment district and have now disappeared.

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    1. mimi jacksonMay 1, 2012 at 6:59 PM

      So true. A bit of nostalgia for us all...

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    2. AnonymousMay 1, 2012 at 9:25 PM

      Truemart is not across the street from FIT. It's on Seventh Avenue, a few blocks south.

      New York Sewer

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    3. mimi jacksonMay 2, 2012 at 7:24 AM

      By "across the street", I mean your vantage point from the FIT museum, since that is, in fact, how I noticed it. Very short blocks in that area. So no, not literally "across the street", but close enough.

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  8. puuMay 1, 2012 at 2:22 PM

    i did once get amazing woven cashmere here for a wonderful bargain price, but the claustrophobia is a huge turnoff; the hours, because of their religious observance, are unpredictable; the quality is beyond hit-or-miss...shopping there really depends on my mood.

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    1. mimi jacksonMay 1, 2012 at 6:58 PM

      Hey... can't say I didn't give you the pluses AND the minuses of this place. Want a bargain AND an adventure? This is the spot!

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  9. Chrissy WeeksMay 1, 2012 at 7:12 PM

    I was in there the other day and it was HOT in there. And of course the one thing I wanted was $15.00 a yard. But it was navy cotton eyelet and I have not found any more attractive or a better price so I may have to go back and hope I can still find it ;)

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    1. mimi jacksonMay 2, 2012 at 7:27 AM

      I'll bet if it were climate-controlled, you'd have to pay for it in the cost of the fabric! What's a bead of sweat or two... right?

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  10. QuiltBMay 2, 2012 at 12:25 PM

    Not much hotter than the little shops in the GD in summer, I agree! I like small jumbled stores like this when I'm looking for fabric for craft projects, where washability or wearability isn't a huge factor. I often find the fabric first & think of the project later. I've been past Truemart in a cab, but next time I'm in the city, I should make it a destination. Thanks for the 411.

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  11. Peter LappinMay 2, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    I bank nearby, so I dropped in there today (Wednesday). I was literally stepping over people -- and there were only four of us! ;)

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