Carriage Corners Sew Camp 2018 - Part One

I had the BEST time at Sew Camp! There were eight of us this time - Andrea, from Knit Knac, Bernice (who has attended Sew Camp for her third time!), Cennetta from Magahony Stylist, Coralee who just reads my blog but who is now my new bestie, LaQuana from Made by LaQuana, Nakisha from Dressmaking Debacles and myself.

It was a full house with an atmosphere like a college dorm...we didn't lock the doors to our rooms or just left them open.  We visited each other just because and we had the BEST time!

I took ALOT of pictures and a couple of videos because the trip started with Nakisha and I fabric shopping in NYC, then training to PA to meet up with our Sew Camp sisters. Because I documented everything and I mean everything except for the scrumptious meals that Gaylen served this is going to be a two part recount.  Y'all there are just too many pictures!!!

This post will cover the NYC Garment District and the Fabric Mart shopping pics - because Fabric Mart was off the chain! I'm sure the saying dates me and is no longer cool but I don't care, that's how I felt about the trip to Fabric Fairyland.

The second post will cover the actual Sew Camp activities and information on how to register for the next one and the ones in 2019. 

Day One of the Sewing Vacay ~

Nakisha contacted me after I announced that I was going to Carriage Corner Sew Camp and we worked it out that she would fly to NYC, fabric shop in the garment district and then we would train to PA.

Well Mother Nature didn't like us making plans in the middle of March because the East Coast experienced it's 4th Nor'easter in 3 weeks!  Nakisha was on one of the last flights into the area on Wednesday.  However by the time she got to NYC, everything was closing! Then Amtrak cancelled our train on Thursday! So we had to scramble to get on another one - since they cancelled like half of them!!!

So because of weather drama, we ended up only having four hours in the garment district so we were strategic about her shopping trip.

• Mood Fabrics
• Pacific Trimmings
• Metro Textiles
• with drive buys of Steinlauf & Stoeller and the Around the World Bookstore

We met LaQuana on the train and Gaylen picked us up from the train station.  After a marvelous dinner and a lot of conversation filled with laughter, we headed back to the B&B.  Since it was early enough we set up our sewing machines and I'm almost sure that both of them started working on their projects.  They weren't letting any grass grow under their feet!!!

Day Two of Sew Camp ~

The trip to Fabric Mart...*sigh* is like going to Disney World for Fabricaholics! I know I showed you the fabric shopping from last March's Sew Camp but this version was beyond words.  First there were nine of us descending upon Fabric Mart without fabric budgets! 

All of us with Julie from Fabric Mart

Julie graciously spent four hours with us - touring, cutting, having her team bring bolts from all over the place and even doing a burn test on some of the fabric...

Since I tried my hardest to refrain from the extreme fabric joy, I was able to photograph my fellow campers enjoying the moments. Here are the pics of each camper with their piles of purchases:

Bernice with her pile - hey she was a 3 timer so she showed some restraint!

Cennetta with her "take everything on the bolt" pile!

Coralee who squealed at anything green!

Nakisha with her cut pile - she was the Pre-Cut Queen!

One more of Nakisha waiting with her haul to be cut

LaQuana with one of her two bags - that she had shipped home

...and here is great pic of Gaylen wearing an Ottobre dress made with Fabric Mart fabric...

Sadly Andrea kept adding to her pile so I never got a pic of her and her goods but she's posted them to Instagram so you can see what she bought here!

Even I bought more fabric than I intended too! You know that I said I was only purchasing three pieces - well that's not quite how it turned out.  I bought one piece at Mood...

An appliqued denim border print

...and five pieces at Fabric Mart! 

from l-r: 

ITY border print knit, silky cotton yellow gingham, white linen with black pinstripe, paisley rayon challis, navy double silk georgette w/white pinstripe

However, with all the fabric temptation that was present, I think I showed admirable restraint! LOL!

After a wonderful lunch, we headed back to the B&B, for those that arrived on Friday, machines were set up and sewing ensued until after midnight!

The next post will be about the next two days and all of the sharing, sewing, laughter and frank conversations that happened.

...as always more later!

Joyce Trimmings in the Garment District

Joyce Trimmings is located at 109 West 38th Street which is two blocks from my job. Now I've visited this shop years ago but I barely remembered it since Daytona Trimming and Pacific Trimmings are my go-to trim stores. Gawd, can you imagine how that shows up in Google searches!  Sorry peeps just sewing going on here and nuthin' else! *LOL*

For a shop that's right around the corner from me, you would think that I'd have explored this awhile ago...but no I stuck with my favorites...even visiting M&J Trims which is NOT a favorite of mine. But when I was looking for navy blue lace my favorites and M&J Trim had nothing that I was looking for so I stopped in here.

First can I say that this store is well lit and well stocked. They have everything you need to embellish a garment or even stitch one together - cause the other day I found sewing supplies. 

They have laces, ribbons, zippers, bridal trims, embellished laces...shew! Buttons, boas, fringes...they have a lot of good stuff! I bought the lace for my Ann Taylor skirt here...the rick rack for my Vogue dress and a couple of other pieces that will go in the notions stash.

However, I'm thrilled to have found a new trim resource and it's so close to me that I will be buying more from them...because even though I have a notions stash, I always think of something new that I need.

I hope the next time you're in the Garment District that you will stop by Joyce Trimmings. I'm sure you will be able to find something you need there!

Joyce Trimmings
109 West 38th Street
New York, NY 10018
Phone:  212.719.3110
Website:  www.joycetrim.com

Store Hours:
Mon-Fri:  9am - 6pm
Sat: 10am - 5pm
Closed on Sundays

...as always more later!

The Garment District: A New To Me Trim Store

Yesterday evening I was rushing to meet a friend for dinner.  I'd been at Macy's to snoop shop, got caught up and was late leaving.  I was walking to the subway and diverted down a side street, coming to a dead stop in front of East Coast Trimming.

As I pushed open the door, I thought that I had a few minutes to peruse the stock then come back another day to fully investigate.  However, when I walked into the store, the displays and the charm of the store made me linger.

The buttons and snap area

Bridal laces and trims at the rear of the store

Vintage trims and yardage

The embroidered ribbons

I approached a sales girl and asked if I could take some pictures.  She kindly said yes and as I wandered around the store...more infatuated with each step I took...Donna, the store manager, came up to speak to me. 

One of the things that entranced me about the store was that I felt that I knew or had seen the trimmings before. Come to find out I had.  Donna explained that a lot of the vintage trim was the stock from the old Hyman Hendlers store. This store use to be located at 38th and Avenue of the Americas and was a treasure trove of vintage ribbons and trims.

Vintage silk trims including silk piano fringe

Kewl neon funkiness!

Donna further explained the history of this new store, how she purchases trims and the restoration process of some of the vintage trims. The pieces contained in the store are just awesome.

Now this is the place where you go to get that special trim for a wedding or prom gown...or if you're looking for something amazing to complete an outfit. It's not a Pacific or Daytona where you're buying basics...this is the place to get the trimming/embellishment that takes your garment to another level.

So the next time you're in the Garment District, please stop by and visit Donna and her very helpful and welcoming staff. 

The East Coast Trimming Corp is located at:
142 West 38th Street
New York, NY  10018
Phone:  212.221.0050 or 212.221.0052

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 10:00am to 6:30pm
Saturday: 12:00 to 6:30pm
Sunday: Closed

Or online at:  eastcoasttrimming.com

The online store is not up and running yet. However, there are some great shots of the store's interior and the about us section is really interesting.

I was now 20 minutes late for my dinner reservation but everything was so fascinating about the store...or maybe I'm just an embellishment junkie! *LOL* So as we were looking at one of the vintage ribbon cabinets, Donna asked me which one I'd like and how I would use it.  My first response was to suggest a skirt with the trim added to the hemline.  A very basic and easy to make skirt...then she pulled the ribbon out and cut me 2 yards!

Not only was I soooooo appreciative but you know I thought about that ribbon all the way home and have come up with a totally different use for it. So my to-sew list has been revised yet again to include a garment featuring this amazing piece of silk ribbon. 

Oh one last thing...I did a post on a garment I made pre-blogging days...using ribbons for the jacket front. You can read about it here. See ribbon and trimmings have been a part of me forever!

Now that I've fully disclosed my connection to the store...please go by and check them out!  I guarantee you won't be disappointed!


...as always more later!