My Favorite New York Haunts

I have been asked several times (okay more than that!) about my favorite spots in the garment district. So I finally decided to do a post about them. Now I use to have many more spots but everything seems to be changing and so many shops have just closed down their doors and gone away....

So here is the listing in no particular order of where I like to shop in the NYC garment district:

Metro Textiles

265 West 37th Street

Suite 908

New York, NY

Phone: 212.209.0004

With Kashi and friends at Metro Textiles

You have seen the goods. You have heard me rave. If you are in NYC, visit! Enough said!

Ebad Fabrics

550 8th Avenue

New York, NY 10018

Phone: 212.869.7826

Nabil - the proprietor has the best prices on linen and he always seems to have an amazing assortment of them! If you get a chance to visit his shop, tell him that Carolyn sent you and he will give you a great deal! This is where I purchased the black herringbone linen and I have been buying from him for over 8 years. He is my go to resource for basics. I can find it here, take it home and make it up!

Paron Fabrics

206 West 40th Street

New York, NY

Phone: 212.247.6451

I am so sorry that they closed the Annex. It was a brightly lit treasure trove and even though they have incorporated the two stores into one and the Annex was looking better the last time I was there, I still miss the original. I have been shopping at Paron's since they had their stores on 57th Street. Great pieces of exquisite fabric can be found here for amazing prices. A definite must see when visiting NYC.

Steinlauf & Stoller

239 West 39th Street

New York, NY

Phone: 212.860.0321

This is where I pick up notions...zippers, rayon hem tape, ironing supplies, shoulder pads, plastic crystal hangers. You name it, they've got it. The only thing is that they are only open Monday - Friday until 5:30 pm. No weekends, at all!

Daytona Trimmings

251 West 39th Street

New York, NY

Phone: 212.354.1713

I love this trim store! This is my go-to store for trimmings. I have been shopping here so long that the clerks know me...no small feat since just about everyone comes through here. And of course, Project Runway made them famous but they are still, kind and helpful with not only every kind of fashion & home dec trim but they also carry yarns and pillow forms. If you need it to finish off your garment, they have it!

Tinsel Trading

47 West 38th Street

New York, NY

Phone: 212.730.1030

Web: http://www.tinseltrading.com/

Need a real vintage trim? This is the spot! Don't want to be bothered with a crowd but want good knowledge customer service? This is the spot! When I am looking for something unique and different, I head over to Tinsel. It is a must see spot if you are in NYC and right around the corner from M&J.

M&J Trimmings

1008 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY

Phone: 212.391.9072

Web: http://www.mjtrim.com/Catalog/Category/447.aspx

Shopping at M&J with friends

It's M&J what else is there to say!? Racks and racks of trims, buttons and appliques...braids for days...it can be an overwhelming presence. But go, take a deep breathe and plunge in. But be prepared for an amazing sensory experience!

These are a few of my favorite NYC Garment District haunts. But I have to be frank, I purchase way more fabric on the internet than I do at any of these stores. It is just too convenient to purchase fabric in the middle of the night in my pjs without having to leave home. However, when I am having a bad day at work and need to touch some fabric, the district is just one train stop away from my job and less than 15 minutes to nirvana!

So if you are in the NYC area ~ what are your favorite NYC haunts? And if you are planning on coming to the fabric district any time soon, please feel free to visit my favs but also don't be afraid to go into some of the smaller shops. You just never know what you will find there!