Reader Question Time: Where to Find Home Decor Fabric

Essex sofa from West Elm

Reader Candis asks: "Any upholstery shops in the Garment District?"

While NYC's Garment District is the mecca for fashion fabric, I wouldn't make any pilgrimages here solely to buy home decor fabric. That being said, there are a few places that do sell home dec fabrics for upholstery, window treatments and other home fashion applications. Mood Fabrics has an entire level and staff devoted to home decor fabrics, and you can find some gorgeous things here. Ebad Fabrics on Eighth Avenue has a small selection of home dec fabrics at bargain prices. And last week I discovered that Prime Fabrics on W. 35th is dedicating its upper level to selling home dec fabrics and trims. They are adding new inventory daily.

If you're open to considering fashion fabrics, then your options expand exponentially. Not so long ago I shared a cutting table at B&J Fabrics with two interior designers who were using a thick gray wool to cover some club chairs. M&J Trims has a very large selection of home decor trims and accoutrements. I'd check out the stores on W. 39th Street too, just because you never know what you'll find there.

Am I missing any other home decor sources in the Garment District? Let me know!

Prime Fabrics on W. 35th near Seventh Avenue now has home decor fabrics on its upper level.

More home decor fabrics at Prime.

Reader Question: Quality Silk Fabric

A reader asks:

I read much of your blog regarding fabric stores in NYC, but I wasn't sure exactly where to start. I am looking for a good/best quality heavy silk fabric to make a dress to wear to the office—like a slubby shantung. Where would be the best place to start of something of that ilk?  —Christa

Dear Christa,

Silk is one fiber that's easy to find in NYC's Garment District. Mood Fabrics, B&J Fabrics, NY Elegant Fabrics and Rosen & Chadick Fabrics all have decent selections of silks, including slubby shantungs. Prices will typically start in the $20/yard range and go up to $50/yard or more, depending on the weight of the fabric. However, on W. 39th Street you can usually find silk shantung and other silks for prices far lower than those at the bigger stores. These days I am loving the beautiful silk prints and solids at Chic Fabrics, including charmeuses by Tahari and Nanette Lepore that I believe are around $12.95 a yard. (If I can find the right blouse or tunic pattern I am definitely going back for a couple of yards of these.) Other stores on W. 39th carry silks as well, so you may want to start on W. 39th first—look for bargains—before you proceed to Mood and the others I mentioned.

Reader Question Time

Herald Square Thursday morning

Let's take some reader questions on this snowy day, shall we?

Cindy actually thinks spring will come this year and would like to make dresses for her daughters out of Liberty of London fabrics. She wants to know here to get Liberty fabrics... 
Well, Cindy, as reader Puu pointed out, you can buy Liberty prints at B&J Fabrics and NY Elegant Fabrics. I also found a couple of bolts this week at Rosen & Chadick. Occasionally you can find a bolt of Liberty here or there at random stores throughout the Garment District.

Cidell had a whole barrage of questions, but that's not surprising because she's been sewing like crazy lately. First, she asks where to get belts made out of fabric... 
Botani Buttons makes fabric belts, but that's the only place I know of off the top of my head. Readers, have you had fabric belts made in the garment district?

...Snaps and grommets installed? 
Steinlauf & Stoller. Judy [I think that's her name? Correct me if I'm wrong] will install snaps and grommets while you wait.

...Where to have fabrics professionally pleated? Regal Originals, 247 W. 37th St # 3, (212) 921-0270. I met the owner of this custom finishing supplier at a Save the Garment Center rally and he agreed to an interview, which I plan on doing soon.

...Where to have scissors sharpened while you wait? Martha Stewart says have your scissors sharpened by NYC's Henry Westpfal, 115 West 25th St, even if you have to mail them to the shop. I don't think you can get while-you-wait service there but you can probably pick your scissors up the next day. I have seen some service shops on W. 38th between 8th and 9th that advertise they sharpen scissors, but I can't vouch for them or guarantee they can sharpen on the spot.


Now here are some of Cidell's questions I have no clue about. Please reply here if you know the answer:
...Where to rent industrial sewing machines?
...Where to take a class in sewing machine repair?
...Where to take hat-making class?

That's all for now. The streets of the Garment District are empty as I post this--now's time to finagle some bargains for yourselves....

Readers Questions: Where to find linen and silk lycra

Believe it or not, there's a lot I don't know about the Garment District. Rather than take a guess and pass on misinformation that will live forever, I'd prefer to open up reader questions to STGD readers. So please, if you know the answer to questions posed on this site, raise your hand and leave a comment!

Laura asks:

"Do you know of any good shops for linen shopping? I am most interested right now in looking at some stretch linen (sort of an oxymoron) to see how it handles and drapes. I remember seeing a "linen-only" shop on 36th or 37th a couple of years ago. Any insight?"

Hey Laura, I know B&J Fabrics has a decent linen section because I just looked at it last week. What about you, readers? Any recommendations for linen sources?


Snow asks:

"Help! I'm trying to find silk lycra printed fabric. I purchased a DVF blouse and to my horror it had a metal zipper in the back that wasn't flattering and incredibly cold. I had to return it but then I decided I'd make my own blouse, but I'm having a really hard time finding silk lycra in prints. Any suggestions?"

Snow, Mood Fabrics has a ton of silk lycra prints. This would be my starting point. You could also check Elliott Berman Textiles. Chime in, readers, if you've seen silk lycra prints elsewhere in the Garment District.
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Wondering where to find something? Send me an email at lindsaytdesigns [at] gmail dot com. If I don't know the answer I'll post your question here on STGD.