Reader Tip: Best Place for Silk Organza

from Emory via email: 

"I just wanted to suggest adding maybe one comment/fact to your review on Chic Fabrics. They are probably the best source for silk organza in the garment district—$7/yard, always. I'm sure other places occasionally have sales or whatever and you might be able to find silk organza for less, but Chic Fabrics has a good color selection and a consistent low price. Kenneth King recommended that I get my silk organza there when I took an online class with him - that's how I found it!"

If you have tips about shopping in the garment district that you'd like to share here, send me an email at lindsaytdesigns [at] gmail dot com.

Welcome!

Hey, Lindsay T Sews readers, I'm so glad you're here! "Shop the Garment District" is where you'll now find all my Garment District reviews, news and tips. (I'll keep blabbing away about the clothes I make and the other things in my life at Lindsay T Sews.)

"Shop the Garment District" is brand-new and evolving—I'm not even sure I know what I want it to be—but I'd love your input on what I can do to make this site a return destination for those of us who love the stores and services of NYC's Garment District. In fact, I'm looking for contributors, so if you're a Garment District regular (or even semi-regular) and would like to share news and tips or write posts, do let me know. I want this site to have more takes on things than just mine.

I'd love it if you help me spread the word about "Shop the Garment District"; feel free to copy and paste the STGD button on Lindsay T Sews. And check back soon or add this to your RSS feed, as I plan on having a giveaway soon of a not-readily-available dressmaking notion or two. Stay tuned!

Breaking News: Six Steps to Save the Garment District

Mayor Bloomberg announced yesterday six initiatives to help bolster New York City's threatened Garment District. Strategies include Project Pop-Up, an annual competition to promote new and innovative retail concepts, and Fashion Campus NYC, which will provide up-and-coming fashion and retail management professionals with additional opportunities in the industry through business seminars led by industry executives, networking opportunities, and an online resource with information on living and working in New York City.

The program is expected to roll out next year. I'm encouraged, people! Read more about Mayor Bloomberg's announcement here.

A Fresh Take: B&J Fabrics

Tons of waterproof fabric options at B&J Fabrics

I don't know exactly why B&J Fabrics hasn't been on my list of fabric stores I immediately think of when I need more fabric. Maybe it's my perception that they don't carry anything that costs less than $50 a yard. Maybe it's the way the you browse for fabric by looking at "headers" hanging on a rack, rather than by pulling out bolts of fabric from shelves. I always feel a little self-conscious when I'm at B&J, like maybe I need to be carrying a more expensive-looking handbag or wear pricey and uncomfortable shoes.

Rally to Save the Garment Center: "Let's Not Lose This Area"

More than 300 people* gathered at the button on Seventh Avenue today to show their support for keeping jobs and businesses in the Garment District. The rally was organized by Save the Garment Center, an organization dedicated to saving NYC's fashion center. Robert Savage, president of Nanette Lepore, moderated the event. "Let's not lose this area," he pleaded, before turning the podium over to speakers that included Ariana Huffington and designers Nanette Lepore, Yeohlee Teng and Malia Mills. Read more about the event here and here. The following are some sound bites I caught. (I love it when are events are scheduled so I can attend them on my lunch hour; I would have hated missing this today.) 

Garment District Dressmaking Supply Store Closes Doors

This is the kind of thing I absolutely hate writing about: another Garment District establishment files for bankruptcy. Greenberg & Hammer, the 91-year-old dress-supply company on Eighth Avenue and West 37th Street, closed its doors late last month. Signs the store was faltering were there when I visited it for the last time in the summer: supplies were low and no one was available to help me. Read more about G&H's bankruptcy here. If you're looking for dressmaking supplies there's still Steinlauf & Stoller (W. 39th) and SIL Thread (W. 38th).

NYC Fabric Store Review: Elliott Berman Textiles

Address: 225 W. 35th Street, 7th floor, New York, NYC (Go left when you get off the elevator; the showroom is opposite Nanette Lepore's retail administration office)
Phone: 212-764-0180 • 800-609-6072
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm
Online store: Elliott Berman Textiles
Best for: Designer fabrics from Europe at lower-than-you'd-expect prices

You know how when you take a friend for the first time to a store or place you love, and you're always a bit nervous that they might think it's awful and you're off your rocker? That's how it was when I brought AllisonC, Elizabeth and Carolyn to Elliott Berman Textiles today. I visited this fabric showroom in the garment district about two weeks ago, on the recommendation from Cathy whom I met at PR Weekend in May. Well, I loved it. What's not to love?: designer fabrics at better-than-retail prices. But what would my three friends—who all have excellent taste when it comes to fabric—think about it?

Dear readers, I am pleased to report they are as thrilled with Elliott Berman Textiles as I am. They all bought some fabulous pieces which I know they're dying to share with you on their respective blogs (give Allison some time to return to Hong Kong though).

Here's what you need to know about Elliott Berman Textiles: First of all, they are primarily a fabric wholesaler, supplying fabrics to many of the finer fabric stores in the garment district and elsewhere. They also have an online business, and their sales and promotions are very popular among sewists in-the-know. And they'll sell to walk-in customers like you and me—the four of us thought their retail prices were very agreeable. Not to boast, but we know our fabric prices so we can tell when we're getting a good deal. Join their website mailing list and Eugenia says they'll honor any online promotions when you visit the showroom.

And the customer service is exceptional! Matthew, Eugenia and Harvey are friendly and helpful but not smothering. They clearly love what they do.

Did I mention the designer names? Elliott Berman Textiles features Yves Saint-Laurent, Chloe, Gianfranco Ferre, Gucci, Prada, Versace, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, Missoni, Fendi, Laura Biagiotti, Loro Piana, Escada, Chanel, Calvin Klein and too many others to list here. Eugenia was more than happy to let me fondle a Chanel matelassé she saw me drooling over. I love to pet designer fabrics.

Here's Eugenia with a DKNY lightweight brocade that we all agreed would make a stunning trench coat.

These are some of the gernerously-sized swatches Elliott Berman Textiles has on hand to send to its customers. Eugenia says they are more than happy to send swatches to customers who call and describe what they're looking for.

A Marc Jacobs silk charmeuse.

I can't remember which designer this was from; I just know I loved it.