NYC Fabric Store Review: C&J Textiles

C&J Textiles
230 West 38th Street 7th Floor
New York, NY 10018

If you walk in wearing a t-shirt and shorts, you might feel underdressed.  This place is very much a bustling New York City office, with tidy professional "Account Executives" ready to help you.  When you enter, a cheery receptionist greets you, and asks you to state your business.

A beautiful showroom, with walls lined with gorgeous novelty fabrics, and an efficient layout of swatches and colors showing their VAST range awaits.  While a photo-worthy environment, I'm a terrible photographer, and probably couldn't get a good picture in there to convey its fabulousness.

But wait, don't leave - you're not in the wrong place ... psssst... lean in closely....

They have no minimums, the selection of fabrics is beautiful, and the prices are wonderfully reasonable compared to the street-level retail stores.

How would I have ever known this place ever existed, if my own friend hadn't mentioned that this is the best place to get silk solids?  I really don't know.  It seems no web search reveals them. Their website is a real yawner, and doesn't convey the level of quality that is so blatantly apparent when you go directly to the showroom. And, oh, they have so much more to offer than silk solids! See the sample index on the web.

They give you a full price list.  An honest, clear, straightforward price list.  This is eye-to-eye, hand-to-hand business, where they don't care if you are Chanel or Sally Ann - you'll be treated well.  They speak to you as if you matter.  And your business matters.

They also sell high-end novelty fabrics, suitable for one-of-a-kind, very special creations.  The prices of those goods reflect their quality and uniqueness, but if you need it, you will find it there.

Oh, and 81 colors on their color card, okay?  Not for everything, of course... but man, 81 colors????!!! C'mon!

And stuff I've never considered.  Water repellent silk poplin?  They've got lots of stuff. I used to be amazed when I would go to a street level fabric store, ask for something they didn't have, and then thought I was getting special treatment when I'd be asked to wait while an employee would run out for 15 minutes, and come back with some just for me from a "special" local supplier.  But now, I think I'm on to something here...

Now, this isn't really a retail experience like you would get at street level, and it can be intimidating and pressure-filled for people who aren't used to having to clearly articulate their purpose when they enter.  But if you already know what you need, this is a great way to get your fabric online or in person.  And they seem to be wildly efficient.  My friend who gave me the tip is fiercely loyal to this place!