Fabric Store Visit: Prime Fabrics on W. 35th

Address: 212 W. 35th Street, New York, NYC
Phone: 212-465-0780
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Online store: none
Best for: One of the few stores open on Sunday

I made a quick drive-by visit to Prime Fabrics yesterday and scored a bright cotton print.

I didn't intend to stop in this fabric store on W. 35th Street yesterday, but the retro cotton prints in the window caught my eye. I bought two yards of the fourth print from the left in the photo above, and am thinking I might cut out some of the big roses and sunflowers and appliqué a dress à la this Lilly Pulitzer dress.

At any rate, what I thought of this Garment District fabric store: It's open on both Saturday and Sunday (points for that); it has a wide variety of fabrics, from laces to suitings to jersey knits; it has a big selection of ethnic prints; and it has a lot of junky fabrics. Don't venture into the far rear of the store unless you've called your mom and told her where you are; the precarious walls of bolts could fall on you and you might have to cut off your arm to escape. There was only one staff member in the store when I was there, and since he was assisting customers I didn't get to ask my usual questions. I get the feeling this is not a store where you're going to get any great deals. For example, my cotton print was $15 a yard, comparable to what Mood Fabrics would charge for it. But if you're in NYC on a Sunday when most of the stores are closed, I'd definitely stop at Prime Fabrics.

Lots of laces in all colors.

My designer label-seeking eye spotted this Missoni cotton print in the store. It wasn't exactly what I consider attractive, but hey, it's Missoni!