It was a great day. We formed a small huddle at our meeting spot, where I explained how to navigate the wild fabric adventure upon which we were about to embark.
Normally, I would keep the secrets of a Speakeasy, but since there won't be another until Fall, and so much of it is "right now" information, I will happily share this time...
I am writing this post in real time today... just for fun... so this post will just be continuously updated as I write. Enjoy... and if you comment or ask questions, I'll see them, because I'm right here!
So... what did I tell the group in the huddle?
I told them what to do/not to do when they find a fabric they love, how to know if they are getting a good price, different ways to tackle common pitfalls of the district, and got a feel for what they hoped to see, and where they had already been.
Our first stop was Paron Fabrics. Why? Because they currently have a 40% off sale! Deeper than their usual 25%, and in my scouting before the weekend, I saw some of the dreamiest things I could imagine! A lovely, cozy striped jersey that defies description (one of the tour participants bought it - there may not be any left by the time you read this), a random eyelet in a great, magical coral shade, some heavenly silk prints, and a delightful silk ombre that had one of the tour participant's name all over it!
Was that the most fun? Nope... not yet...
There is a new trim store in the district, gradually filling in inventory. Very neatly organized and of great appeal to the creative brain, the shelves are full of interesting buckled, crystals, beads, and embellishments of every kind. A tour participant who makes costumes was particularly interested in the crystals.
But personally, I loved these buttons...
Normally, I would keep the secrets of a Speakeasy, but since there won't be another until Fall, and so much of it is "right now" information, I will happily share this time...
I am writing this post in real time today... just for fun... so this post will just be continuously updated as I write. Enjoy... and if you comment or ask questions, I'll see them, because I'm right here!
So... what did I tell the group in the huddle?
I told them what to do/not to do when they find a fabric they love, how to know if they are getting a good price, different ways to tackle common pitfalls of the district, and got a feel for what they hoped to see, and where they had already been.
Our first stop was Paron Fabrics. Why? Because they currently have a 40% off sale! Deeper than their usual 25%, and in my scouting before the weekend, I saw some of the dreamiest things I could imagine! A lovely, cozy striped jersey that defies description (one of the tour participants bought it - there may not be any left by the time you read this), a random eyelet in a great, magical coral shade, some heavenly silk prints, and a delightful silk ombre that had one of the tour participant's name all over it!
Was that the most fun? Nope... not yet...
There is a new trim store in the district, gradually filling in inventory. Very neatly organized and of great appeal to the creative brain, the shelves are full of interesting buckled, crystals, beads, and embellishments of every kind. A tour participant who makes costumes was particularly interested in the crystals.
But personally, I loved these buttons...
The store is called Lauren Trimming, Inc. and they welcome both retail and wholesale customers.
Contact info below:
Lauren Trimming, Inc.
247 West 37th Street
New York, NY 10018
Conversations with the participants in that store led me to suggest our next stop, not originally in the plan, but necessary because we started to talk about possibilities in leather and suede:
Leather Suede Skins
251 West 35th Street
Suite 1100
We headed upstairs together, amid mumbles of "How would I even know this is here?", waited to be buzzed in, and breathed a collective gasp at the magic we found inside. They always have fun stuff inside. Once many years ago, I found this fabric, and made myself a baguette, to which my daughter is now desperately attached...
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| The baguette... |
And while exploring options, it became abundantly clear that the group needed to see Manhattan Wardrobe Supply. What a fantastic place for all the notions, supplies, and tools you never thought you needed. Wanna feel some fantastic elastic? You have to feel it in person to understand... They also have a great website, and run many great sales on the website! Don't feel left out, New York City Folks... You can even buy things on the website and come by to pick them up! When I go there, i go for the wonderful bust support products they have, that help me make swimsuits that can make the well-endowed look like rock stars!
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| I made this (years ago) for a HH cup - with some help of supplies found at Manhattan Wardrobe Supply |
So, by then, it was time to eat. Over lunch, we talked about many things, and I gave specific suggestions for places to fit each person's quest. I also included some who would be particularly fun right now, because of specific things they have to offer, and mentioned the places EVERYONE knows about, if they still had energy for that afterward.
When we finished lunch, we headed over to Pacific Trimming, where people were happy to find inspiration and purchased embellishments, zippers, buttons, elastics, and such.
Pooped and happy, we ended our day at Pacific, and bid each other a very satisfied adieu!
Wanna come on a Speakeasy? Updated info can always be found here!
Okay, I'm done with this post now. Got questions or comments? Let me know in the comments below!
So happy you found Lauren Trimmings - they had just opened in May when I visited NYC . The were THE nicest people - hope they do well
ReplyDeleteI hope they do, too! And I hope their enthusiasm remains!
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