#nyc garment district

[vicious-cosplay]

NYC Garment District Haul - Ico

Again this was from a trip a few weeks ago but I am getting on top of photographing now. Going to love doing super cheap/simple cosplay.

All of the fabric photographed here is from Hameds:

Poplin in black, grey, white, off pink, and super light cyan (tabard), red linen (shirt), and brown suede (belt). I’m going to dye the some suede blue for his bracers, and then tea dye my leftover white linen for his pants.

[lovejoker]

Recommended NYC Fabric Shopping Guide

Thank you! And no problem at all! The NYC Garment district is an amazing source of fabric but it can be a little intimidating if you've never shopped around it before because it is big! The streets 40th~36th btwn 7th and 8th ave are the main area all lined with fabric stores. There are a few that are my favorite places and that have their specialties which I'll list in particular:

A&K FABRICS (257 W 39th)- This is my GO TO store. They have an especially great selection of cotton satin, cottons, suiting(both wool and poly), satins, and lining. They have a lot of just basic fabric in all different colors and weights. The staff running it is super helpful and if you dont see something, or need more than what's on the roll they have a backstock!

Spandex World (228 W 38th) - Great selection of spandex in every color, and especially good for all types of leather/vinyl look spandex! 2nd floor has a lot of different weight knits in every color!

Spandex House (263 W 38th St) - Biggest selection of spandex in every shade and weight, shiny and matte! Also has a few good leather look spandex, and also has a lot of vinyl. I go here for all my milliskin spandex especially. Also has a selection of knits upstairs but I like Spandex World's selection a bit better.

H&M Fabrics/It's a Material World (257 W 39th St) - This place has a HUGE selection of all assorted types of fabric. And they're really cheap. It's kind of random what you will find there(I've gotten stuff for Brobot,  nice wool, and also cotton) but they carry all the basic fabrics so it's definitely worth a shot to look at. It's really a hit or miss place and depending on who's working they can be a bit unhelpful, but I've gotten some good deals so I always stop on in if i'm on the lookout for something.

Preview Textile Group (225 W 37th 11th floor) - Typically a wholesale company, they also cut by yard. You can look from their selection of swatches in the cabinets behind the wall with the couch and then bring your selections to the front to order. They specialize in silks, satins, and chiffons. So go here for your fancy basic fabrics! They have the same shades in each fabric so you can easily match them together, and a very wide color variety. Prices vary depending on quality or type but it's reasonable overall for nicer fabrics and they give discounts to students.

Pacific Trimming (218 W 38th) - Trim and notion store! Literally has every kind of button, stud, snaps, buckles you could want. Lots of closures of all types. Some zippers, hit or miss trim. 

Daytona Trimmings (251 W 39th) - Big selection of ribbon, bindings, trim, lace. Basic zippers and buttons. Dye, stuffing, thread. Has two cute  pet cats! Very helpful, and give student discount.

 SIL Thread (257 W 38th) - Sewing supply store. Huge selection of zippers of all kinds(2 way, reg, metal, invisible, ect) in almost every shade. You can get it cut easily to a custom size in minutes while you pay. Every shade of thread(check thread type). All basic sewing needs and more: rulers, pins, tools, paint, pattern paper, ect. Staff is really helpful. 

Steinlauf & Stoller (239 W 39th) - Boning, gromets, bodice and tailoring supplies ect. Jonathan Embroidery (256 W 38th St) - Buttonholes, embroidery, patches.  Global Leather (253 W 35th Floor 9)  - Leather skins and trim, student discount

There are many other stores but these are just my regulars. I usually go to these first and then wander around if I can't find a specific thing. Things to also remember:

Most rolls of fabric are about 60" wide as opposed to the 45" wide you find at places like Joanns so more fabric for your buck and space for your wide patterns! 

You can sometimes haggle on fabric if the price isn't printed(Not the spandex stores or Preview listed) especially if you are getting multiple yards. Just be polite!

Don't trust signs outside stores saying sales or 'Going out of Business clearance'  because they are always there it's just a trick to get you in. Not saying that they might not have something good just that their "sale" price is their normal price.

Hope this can be a little helpful! Between my design work, cosplay, and fashion schooling I basically just live on these streets haha ;; Happy shopping!

[creativenotes4u-blog]

The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire Documentary

Will premiere on HBO, 21 March 2011, 9:00 pm.

NYTimes article link

[creativenotes4u-blog]

NYC . Save the Garment Center

The Fabric of the Garment District

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

6:30 pm

Museum of the City of New York 

1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street

Reservations Required!

link

Company Overview There is no other garment center in the world like ours. The Garment Center is the soul of midtown New York City, and the backbone of the NYC fashion industry.

Mission

To protect New York City's garment center from becoming another yet commercial district.

Join here