Found: Big Selection of Wool Knits at Mood

An entire aisle is devoted to wool knits at Mood.

Mood Fabrics in the Garment District has really increased the amount of knits it now sells in the NYC store. Previously I went on and on about all the cotton jersey knits there; now I'm enthralled with all the wool knits available. Mood has carried wool knits as long as I've been shopping there (religiously for the last three years), but their inventory has really increased lately. There's doubleknits, jerseys of all weights and colors, sweater knits, cashmere, and silk blends. If you're thinking about making a cardigan or wrap for fall, pay a visit to the top floor of Mood while the pickings are so fabulous. Tell 'em Shop the Garment District sent you!

Wool sweater knits in stripes and interesting weaves...

Wool doubleknits in fashion's hottest colors...

Missoni? So new these bolts haven't even been tagged yet.

Botani Expands, Adds Leather Department

Botani Trimmings is wooing the handbag design market with a sophisticated new leather department.

[Apologies for going so long between posts. I've been on vacation in the antithesis of New York City—rural northern Maine.]

Botani Trimmings, known for its luxury trims and buttons, has expanded and added an extensive leather department to woo the handbag design market. The Garment District store is now an entire block wide, with entrances on W. 36th and W. 37th Streets. According to Botani's website, handbag sample making and production are available without minimums.

This new leather department is an attractive addition to the Garment District. If you're thinking about handbag design or sewing with leather, I'd add Botani to your list of must-visit suppliers.

Speaking of leather, I've been thinking about sewing with leather this fall and so am trying to make it around to the places that sell leather in the Garment District. I've been to Leather, Suede & Skins on W. 35th and to Mood's small leather nook, and I plan to visit Leather Impact on W. 38th soon. A complete write-up to follow here.

Readers, have you ever sewn leather before? Any tips you'd care to share here?

You can get leather overload at Botani—there's so much to see.

Reptile looks are hot for fall.

Watching Project Runway with Mood Fabric's Sauma Family

Robert Stolarik for The New York Times

The New York Times recently ran an online feature about the Sauma family, owners of Mood Fabrics in New York's Garment District. Read the entire article here.

"What began as a family store has become an empire with a wholesale division, a home décor wing and a Web site started last year to supply internationally. The expansion is partly helped by the show, which does not pay to film in the store in exchange for mentioning Mood on air. (Yes, designers do pay for the goods they carry out.)" —The New York Times