So, I stumbled into this little store, just across from Fashion Institute of Technology, just curious about why this little, lone fabric store stood here, apart from the garment district, out-of-synch with the neighboring restaurants... and once inside I found a tightly packed, floor-to-ceiling smorgasbord of fabric.
Not for the claustrophobic, or for anyone requiring categories, organization, or... ahem... any fabric knowledge on the part of the staffers, the words "fire hazard" and "eclectic" do spring to mind, but so do the words "awesome", "great deals", and "cool".
Too small to take a picture, and probably too small to even bring a friend, this place has small rolls of fabric, likely left over from the larger stores or manufacturers in the area, and are sold at absolute bargain basement prices. They do have lovely things, but you have to be patient and calm to find them. Crinkled chiffon, pretty silks, linens, odd printed cottons - all good for building your stash, making things, or even as muslin when you want to better imitate the feel of the fabric you will be using. It seems the prices range from $2-$10 yd for just about everything.
I can definitely work with that.
Truemart Discount Fabrics
261 7th Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(212) 924-1332
Note: Truemart has undergone what appears to be a wonderful upgrade since that visit, while still a bargain hunter's dream come true! Read about that
here.
Labels: Truemart Discount Fabrics
25 Comments:
Trumart's a few blocks from where I live and it was the first fabric store I ever went to and bought fabric for my first projects, including great denim, cotton lawn, and cotton gingham shirting. It's a little too claustrophobic for my taste but they do have a very wide selection. Great to read about it here!
Whoops -- I mean Truemart.
I've been shopping at Truemart for years. David, the young man in charge, is very nice. His grandfather, who died a couple of years ago, was very nice as well.
But you have to look at the fabric very carefully and know your fabric. If you have a problem and point it out to them they'll make it right, but I prefer to buy from places like Paron, Mood, or B and J.
They're very strictly Orthodox, so it may be a good idea to call ahead.
New York Sewer
Ditto! Fear of death-by-fabric-avalanche generally keeps me away. But for the unafraid, there are some great deals to be had at Trumart!
Places like this give me claustrophobia so I tend to avoid them. However, your point about using the cheap fabric for muslins is a good one.
Thanks for the spelling correction - fixed my error in the post.
I agree - doen't seem that quality is necessarily their focus, which is okay, if you know that going in. A sort of "You like it? Buy it!" philosphy applies here.
You do kinda fear for your life in there, don't ya? A pith helmet with a headlight doesn't seem so extreme of an accessory to have along...
Yes, they definitely make maximum use of EVERY SINGLE INCH of space in there. One of the staffers was actually eating lunch in there when I was there yesterday... Can you imagine????
Is this the place with the one-way circular walkway in the middle of the store? Crowded, yes. Cheap, also yes. And the last time I want, there was a very helpful young guy so at least I didn't feel pressure to purchase there.
Yes, one-way walkway... the word "circular" is almost generous. It is like entering a large, full closet, with just enough room for your feet to walk in a tight triangle that points to the door. No curves, just two, sharp "corners".
I've seen the store across the street from FIT but have never gone in...but this reminds me of so many of the little fabric shops that use to be in the garment district and have now disappeared.
i did once get amazing woven cashmere here for a wonderful bargain price, but the claustrophobia is a huge turnoff; the hours, because of their religious observance, are unpredictable; the quality is beyond hit-or-miss...shopping there really depends on my mood.
Hey... can't say I didn't give you the pluses AND the minuses of this place. Want a bargain AND an adventure? This is the spot!
So true. A bit of nostalgia for us all...
I was in there the other day and it was HOT in there. And of course the one thing I wanted was $15.00 a yard. But it was navy cotton eyelet and I have not found any more attractive or a better price so I may have to go back and hope I can still find it ;)
Truemart is not across the street from FIT. It's on Seventh Avenue, a few blocks south.
New York Sewer
I've had three bad experiences buying fabric for a class.
New York Sewer
By "across the street", I mean your vantage point from the FIT museum, since that is, in fact, how I noticed it. Very short blocks in that area. So no, not literally "across the street", but close enough.
I'll bet if it were climate-controlled, you'd have to pay for it in the cost of the fabric! What's a bead of sweat or two... right?
heh heh... interesting that you tried at least two more times after a bad experience... what was the appeal?
Not much hotter than the little shops in the GD in summer, I agree! I like small jumbled stores like this when I'm looking for fabric for craft projects, where washability or wearability isn't a huge factor. I often find the fabric first & think of the project later. I've been past Truemart in a cab, but next time I'm in the city, I should make it a destination. Thanks for the 411.
You are so very welcome!
I bank nearby, so I dropped in there today (Wednesday). I was literally stepping over people -- and there were only four of us! ;)
Haha!
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