There is nothing like having a best friend who also has a love for sewing.  Well, I’m blessed to have such a friend.  Each year Kelly and I plan a fabric shopping trip.  This year we choose NY.  In my opinion there is no place that compares so far to fabric shopping in NY.

 

Now,this is not our first time fabric shopping in NY.  Our first trip was with Patternview about 2yrs ago.  We had the best time meeting fellow sewer’s, the workshops and of course the fabric shopping.  However, on that trip I made 2 mistakes. First, I did not pack the proper shoes to fabric shop at that level.  Second, I did not put together a list.  Therefore, the fabric that I brought didn’t have a purpose other than being pretty.

This trip to NY, I was totally prepared.  I made a list of items I wanted to purchase. I packed minimal gear because the goal was to get my purchases home without paying extra for a heavy suitcase. Of course there was a backup plan, FedEx.  Now, here is what you should know about me.  I always pack too much.  If there is a packing 101 class, I should be front and center. Also, this is the first time in my adult life that I have ever traveled with only two pair of shoes. What an adjustment for me.  But, I was proud that I was able to adapt for this fabric mission.

Instead of staying in NY, we decided the stay in Philadelphia (Philly) and commute to NY via train each day.  We decided to do this for cost and just to experience something different. 

So, Thursday we arrive in Philly.  We got settled and headed to Fabric Row.  Fabric Row was interesting to me. It reminded me of the family store fronts I saw growing up in Chicago. You can tell at one time this was the hub for textiles.  Unfortunately, we arrived late in the afternoon, so we only made it to a few stores. 

  

Friday we headed to NY.  The agenda for Friday: Daytona Trims, Sil and Threads, Parons, Metro Textile, NY Elegant Fabrics, Mendel Goldberg Fabric, B&J’s and Rosen & Chadick. Saturdays agenda,Mood fabrics. Yes this was an aggressive schedule.  But, we made it to all the stores except Mendel Goldberg.  In a way I’m glad we didn’t make it to Mendel’s. With all the beautiful boucle’s and printed silk charmuese, I probably would have ended up transferring some funds and having to eating PBJ for the next month.  Ok, here is what I brought home.



Beautiful wool plaid from Philly’s fabric row.  For the life of me, I can’t remember the store.  I think it was Albert Zoll, but not sure. Anyway, I remember that the fabric prices were not marked. You had to negotiate the price.  I negotiated $10/yd. For this piece, I thinking a sheath dress with faux leather trim.



Supplex was on my list. Spandex House had what I wanted. I’ve begin an exercise regimen and I decided that is not a reason to look bummy.  So, I’m planning to make a couple of exercise outfits.

Paron’s was having a 40% off store wide sale. Oh my goodness. But I think I did pretty good. From left to right, a beautiful silk ombre, a cream lightweight wool, a semi floral silk crepe and a printed silk charmeuse. 

Sweater knit from Metro Textile. My thought is a cardigan style sweater coat with faux leather trim.



The next set of pictures are from Mood’s. I purchased knits for tops and worsted wools in basic colors for pants.  I’ve wanted a red wool skirt and found the perfect piece. I was also looking for cotton for another trench coat. I also found a unique piece of wool denim. The cream and plaid were mentioned above.



Then lastly, I brought picot trims from Daytona Trims and seperating invisible zippers from Sils.

 

Before we said farewell to Philly, we had cheese steaks from Jim’s. Absolutley delicuous!!

 

Well, I did make it home with everything, no extra fee’s and stayed on budget. (just barley) WooHoo!!!

 



 What’s next on  my Fall sewing list?  Wool pant’s in the wool’s I purchased from Moods.