So when a really good friend, Gaylen of GMarieSews, asked me to meet her daughter in the garment district to help pick her Mother-of-the-Bride fabric, of course I said yes. We originally scheduled it for last Tuesday afternoon but the weather was so bad that we changed it to today.
I'm so glad that we met today because the weather was perfect! I left home for NYC a little early to stop at a few stores and to savor my time in the garment district...
First stop was Gray Line Linens at 260 West 39th Street. I was there about six weeks ago when I saw these cut out linens...
I really wanted one then but decided to show some restraint. Today I bought this...
...and as I was leaving I saw this shelf...
so the gray striped linen in the picture is a 1/2 yard remnant that they sold to me for $2.50. It will make a great accent piece.
Then I walked across the street to Paron Fabrics. I don't go into this store much, probably because I remember shopping in that store when it was on 57th Street...and it was an AMAZING store then with the 1/2 price store upstairs. I faithfully followed them to 40th Street, when they had a full priced and 1/2 price store. I bought a lot from that 40th Street store but the store on 39th Street breaks my heart. It's so greatly reduced from what Parons once was. Most days I walk on by...but today I decided to wander in.
Everything in the store that's regular price is 25% off...so this came home with me.
I asked for 2.5 yards but ended up with 3 because it was the last 1/2 yard on the bolt for the price of 2.5 yards. And it was a great bargain to boot!!!
I still had time before I had to meet up with my friend's daughter, so I wandered into SIL. I love the threads, hug snug and other things in this store but nothing caught my fancy except for a bottle of Rit Dye, so I headed on across the street to Mood.
It's been awhile since I've been to Mood. I was good on the first floor but I made the mistake of going upstairs. I love the 3rd floor at Mood, truly I do! Of course, a few pieces came home with me.
...that yellow-greenish silky linen is Giorgio Armani and I had to have it! Also, it didn't hurt that I had $37 in Mood loyalty points to use...*LOL*
Don't worry we did get the fabric for Gaylen...you know the whole point for going to the Garment District in the first place! But it was a great afternoon...wonderful company...way more fabric than I really needed to add...but loved having the time to just wander!
...as always more later!
Great finds! I love the cut out linen. I saw something similar recently,online, but can't remember where. It will be awesome to see what you make with it.
ReplyDeleteVery lovely pieces Carolyn.
ReplyDeleteSweet!! Love the last fabric. What color is the dye??
ReplyDeleteKelly green and I'm thinking about dyeing the white cotton piece. Lately I've been wanting something kelly green.
DeleteCan't wait to see it!!
DeleteI am doing a serious drool over the cut out linen! All lovely pieces and the kelly green sounds like a great idea.
ReplyDeleteNice looking buys! ? for you... when you hit multiple fabric stores all in one day do you have a wheeled bag/suitcase you take with you for putting all the purchases in?
ReplyDeleteDenise - a shopping bag was all I needed since I only bought 4 pieces. I honestly do more damage on the internet than I do when I visit the garment district - probably because I don't want to carry it home.
Deleteoh those browns are lovely.....
ReplyDeleteSo envious that you have all these fabulous fabric stores so close to you.... I remember when we had good ones close by when I was a beginner sewer and there were textile mills in the South. I have been reading Threads magazine with their story on the NYC fabric stores so maybe one day I will plan a special trip to indulge! Until then, please continue to let us live vicariously through you and your purchases!!!
ReplyDeletePatricia - my family is from South Carolina and every year as a child we would drive from NJ to SC so I remember all of those textile mills and the outlet stores. Even then I wanted to stop and shop because I started sewing young!
DeleteOh, I'm really curious to see what you make with that cotton pique from Paron's (if that's indeed what it is). I love the checkerboard pattern on it. I had a simpler pique I found there that turned into a robe for my mother but I still have quite a bit more! Sounds like a fun afternoon!
ReplyDeletePeter - it's a medium weight cotton with a little heft. I really want to try dyeing it this week and see what happens. How that pattern will take dye should be really interesting. It is a beautiful piece!
DeleteI bought that same white piece of fabric from Paron's in June. I love it but haven't decided what to make with it. Changing the color sounds interesting. I loved Paron's better before, but the staff is still very nice and I usually give a quick stroll through to see if something jumps out at me. I also bought a blue and white Italian Pique when I was there for a skirt.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun day!
ReplyDeleteYou went to all of my favorite stores in the garment district. You bought some beautiful fabric. I look forward to seeing what you do with it!
ReplyDeleteI admire your admirable restraint. I love what you bought.
ReplyDeleteI used to buy lots of fabrics from Paron when they were on 47th st. I have fond memories of the fabrics I bought in that upstairs room.
ReplyDeleteI do admire your restraint and love what you bought.
I wish I lived closer so I could join you!
ReplyDeleteGreat new pieces and what a fun day.
ReplyDeleteWow, if I lived closed to all those fabrics store I would lose my mind and my job. I could spend hours there. I love the fact you have so many venue to go to and get loss and you will find something to buy.
ReplyDelete