NYC Garment District Maps

The Speakeasy map is constantly updated to show the best the garment district has to offer! If you have more places or thoughts, feel free to share them in the comments.

Because it is still full of secrets, and non-street-level establishments, a plan, a map, and information are truly vital to an enjoyable, efficient trip.

The "Speakeasy map" is a carefully curated, ever-evolving map of garment district stores and services that I have found over many years of creating/designing, selling, buying, learning, and interacting with the many businesses here in NYC. The list is ever-changing, because the district is ever-changing as well!

The payment tab below is for a curated shopping map with descriptions of the best stores (and why I love them). It is $18, and can be purchased online via Paypal.  The map lists many of the places we have visited on various speakeasies, and is ever-evolving. The map will be sent to you as a link, generally within 24 hours of your order. 

You may purchase a map by using the payment button directly below.  Note: almost every order generates an edit these days, since I make sure the stores are still there, offering quality inventory, and still open before sending to to you. 

Garment District "Speakeasy" source Map:

Comment on this page to contact me if you want a custom map for your specific quest!

Garment District Speakeasy Tour - Summer 2024

 

Wednesday, August 21

Speakeasy tour (in person)

10AM-4PM

Psst... Walking tour of quality garment district stores and related services, appealing to both hobby and professional makers, seeking fabrics, notions, etc.  

The itinerary is below. This one's $115, and includes a sit-down lunch, and is a definite "go", no matter how few or many attend, with no change in price. All conditions regarding cancellation or inability to attend below apply, and full refund or future tour if anything beyond my control prevents me from leading this tour (weather, illness, etc.), of course.

Itinerary:

10AM - 1PM - 

Shopping (Will include a specifically selected set of stores with a wide variety of offerings suitable for many different purposes/types of garments, appropriate for the theme of the day's tour. Relevant additional information, suggested additional resources and appropriate on-site expertise will be available.)

1PM-2PM

Lunch (local restaurant reservation for our group, already included in your fee.)

2PM - until end of business day

Armed with your "Secret Map" and your own interest in or desire to visit the many other stores you see or have learned about, you may visit more garment district stores if you wish, and give unique codes (that you'll get from me) to vendors who will give special assistance/discounts.

The cost of this guided, efficient tour is $90 per person. If you use this trip to shop and participate in what the NYC garment district has to offer, you will save at least as much as you are paying in supplies and education, and probably far more.

Wanna come? Click above, send payment, and the details on meeting time/place will be provided.

From outta town? If you need hotel and/or travel help, I will advise some of the BEST NYC secrets I know! Payment is only accepted via PayPal (you do not need a Paypal account), credit or debit card. No cash, personal checks, or additional payments will be accepted on the day of the tour. The trip will involve a good amount of walking, so come prepared in weather-appropriate gear, and healthy.

Regarding cancellations:

 If you have paid and wish to cancel 7 days or more before date - 100% refund

 Fewer than 7 days - 50% refund

 If you don't come on the scheduled date or cancel within 24 hours or less - you will forfeit your refund, but can switch reservation to a future tour date.

 If I cancel a tour for reasons not related to weather, newsworthy acts of God or other emergencies, you are entitled to your choice of a full refund, or a future tour.

CONFLICTED

I have LOTS to say, but Blogger isn't really where I'm being heard these days. There are some stories I would like to tell in a longer format, for sure, but it is tough to promote what I feel is the "NEW" garment district, without scaring some people away.

Basically, it is not really easily shoppable by the tourist or casual shopper anymore.  Now, you pretty much need an action plan, and a real understanding of what materials and tools you can work with. The offerings use more industry lingo than ever before, so now you'll need a lexicon or a patient ear to guide you through. Stores are moving on, moving up, moving out, inventory is changing... but their social media presence is BOOMING!  Why?  Instagram, Facebook, and websites can be a great and relatively low cost way to show people what you've got... that is, if they're listening/looking.

What does this change for me?  Well, my map offerings remain, with updates on new locations and changes... but I think I have to create map "paths" for creatives to follow, to achieve the best outcomes. Buying fabric online is an entirely new challenge, which, when successful, if wonderful!  But when it isn't...  Well, you know.

Recent feedback from people who have long followed my blog tell me that they are looking for more of the district news, events, New York tidbits and enthusiasm I consistently shared on this blog over the years.

I can do that. But here's the deal:

If you enjoy the blog, let me know by sending me an email or commenting on the post, so I have inspiration to keep going.  Interact, please. Deal? 

Look for new map offerings shortly! By 4/30/18, for sure.

Smooches!

Navigating the New York City garment district... you never know what you'll find...

Yes, you can find THIS in the district...

And plenty of fabric stores, too!

Yes, we call it the "garment district", but wandering up and down the Manhattan streets the name designates, you wouldn't be wrong to simply call it the continuation of foot traffic, street traffic, noise, and office buildings, crowded with as many food vendors, corporate offices and novelty retail stores as you'll find anywhere else in this city.  

But...

in-between, behind, and above all of those stores, you will find the magical vendors I so adore.

I was inspired to write this post after reading a great note from one of my blog readers today.  In it, she wrote:

...back in March, I traveled to NY from DC/BALTIMORE area on a trip that had been planned for months. I had your map in hand and I had gone through each store description, made lists of hours, lists of exactly what I was looking for, prioritized stores by times etc. I had one day in the GD, as me and my BF had the other days together to do other activities. One other detail...I was sick as a dog with a sinus infection, but determined! Your map saved me! I hit 19-22 stores in one day, came back with (or shipped) fabric and hard to find notions, dyes, zippers, bra making supplies etc. Thank you so much...your maps are the BEST! 

I thank you for that...  You made my day.

I am very happy to give people the information they need, and love keeping updated maps available to all who want to plan shopping trips to the district, even if you use the information to lead your own group! I created the maps from my own experiences in the district, and offer guidance regarding the strengths of the stores featured on them.

The maps are meant to be research and navigation tools, portable and easy, but not meant to be blown up and printed out, as it would be too crowded, and the locations need to be "clickable" to be useful. 

My suggestion, especially if you are uncomfortable using a smart phone or I-pad "on the go" to help you navigate, is to choose your destinations before venturing into the district, using the map to create a plan.  It is easy to get overwhelmed while fabric shopping, paralyzed by choices, and frustrated by looking in many places for one illusive find.

So, if you need/want a map, you can find the one to suit you here, or a garment district tour to suit your needs here.

Sending creative love and encouragement to everyone who reads this... Carry on!

Does low price = low quality?

At Metro Textiles with Kashi - I blurred the ID # because I might need to buy more!

If you've been to many stores in the garment district like I have, I'm sure you have noticed the wide variety of prices you can pay for fabrics and notions.  I have profiled so many stores on this site, ranging from the very low priced, to the high priced, and the difference(s) may not always be effectively conveyed here in the blog.

So, what's the difference?  There are many.

Location, location, location. Well, real estate is a big one.  If a vendor has a great space in a great spot for foot traffic, they have to pay significantly more in rent (unless, by some miracle, they made a great deal on a very long lease long ago), and maintain a great environment for shopping.  It is a bonus if they also offer a great quality, well curated selection of fabrics, in an easily navigable store.  See NY Elegant as an example.

Unusual location.  Maybe you have to jump in an elevator, climb a staircase, or visit streets outside of the district to find them, but it is worth every step... See Manhattan Wardrobe Supply , Leather, Suede, Skins, and Fabrics & Fabrics as examples.

Relationships is another big one.  Businesses that have been around for a long time, and have great relationships with vendors get great fabric who have a great understanding of quality.  They may be able to offer great quality at a better price than you would otherwise pay, but that quality if invisible to you if you don't have your own fabric education.  See B&J and Rosen & Chadick as examples.

Knowledge/education. If you want something that washes/launders well, recovers beautifully, doesn't fade, and lasts a long time, there are some great vendors who can show you which fabrics they know to perform well.  You won't know this until you try it yourself. I like to cut two squares of the washable fabrics I buy and send one though the wash with my regular laundry in the same color family.  I then compare the size and look of the two squares to determine how I will care for the fabric after using it.  This is especially important when combining different fabrics in one garment/project. See Rosen & Chadick and Sposabella as examples.

Exclusivity.  When a fabric store offers exclusive fabrics other vendors can't obtain, you will pay what the store needs to charge in order to continue doing business.  That's just an economic fact. See Elliot Berman and Mendel Goldberg and as examples.

Specialty goods.  Some fabric vendors offer a narrower range of fabric types, but they REALLY know what they know.  See Graylines Linen, Spandex House, Mokuba, Buttonology and C&J (and so many more!) as examples.

"Closeouts" or just the last of it...  Some fabric vendors are buying "what's left" from their suppliers, probably at a wonderful price, which they then pass on to you. But if you want to reorder some of the same fabric in the future, you may find yourself unable to do so.  If that is the case, buy more than you need, and cut (if you can't get to sewing yet) before it's too late to get more, if needed.  If you wait too long... well, that's the price you pay! See Metro Textiles and Paron Fabrics as examples.

Fantastic Quality.  Some stores just have better fabric than you can otherwise find.  See Mendel Goldberg and Elliott Berman as examples.

Questionable quality.  Some fabric vendors simply sell poor quality goods.  This is very easy to learn the hard way.  I simply don't feature those vendors on this site, but I make a point of not insulting anyone here, either.  Keep in mind that some vendors offerings don't really speak to me, so I don't feature some whose offerings I personally don't understand/appreciate, but really, it may or may not not be a quality issue.

So, how do you know what a fabric store is all about?  Ask them!  Most will be happy to tell you what kind of business they are running.  

And, a warning... this being New York City... some will more than happy to tell you where you can go with your *bleepin'* questions....

Need a map to help you navigate the district?  You can buy one, here.

Taking a break... (an August breather)

It's a beautiful day outside.  Why don't you go out and play?

-My mother 

I'm taking a break until September.  I may comment or post sporadically before then, but don't count on it!  You may still purchase maps and book Speakeasies, if so inclined.  Any related questions will be answered.