Also: TRIMS

214 W. 39th St., Ground l. M-F 9-7, Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5 212.642.4318 or 212.869.3315

BEST PLACE TO GET ORIENTAL PRINTS

A&M has all kinds of fabrics and trims, including many unique imported Asian silks. The selection that A&M provides is a bit quirkier than others, so we defi- nitely recommend exploring its shelves of international fabrics.

257 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-6, Sat 10-5 212.944.5693, AKFabrics.net

Check them out for wool, silk, cotton, linen, stretch, denim, synthetics, rayon, acetate, taffeta.

Also: COSTUME

268 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-6:30, Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5 212.764.5184

Another resource for fancy novelty fabrics. We’ve read some good reviews about this store – always a good sign.

242 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-6, Sat-Sun 10-5 212.921.5072

Arya is stocked with silks, velvets, cot- tons, nylon, polyesters, woolens, micro- fibers, jersey, acetate, etc. Its clearance and sale bins are a big plus.

Also: BBBBB

215 W. 35th St., Suite 304 M-F 10-6 212.868.3626

Cotton, velvet, microfibers, nylon, polyester, stretch, Spandex in solids.

Also: COSTUME

214 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-7, Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5 212.869.3315

Imported designer fabrics.

Also: COSTUME • LEATHER

525 7th Ave., 2nd fl. M-F 8-5:45, Sat 9-4:45 212.354.8150, BandJFabrics.com

MOST ORGANIZED FABRIC STORE

Small and organized, this is also a great place to go for high-end European fabrics. If you aren’t into rummaging around, this is the place for you. For example, if you’re looking for “cotton plaids”, they’ll be in the “cotton plaids section”. Obvious? Not necessarily so in some other places. But in B&J, every- thing is in its designated place. Instead of being a warehouse style store, many of their fabrics are displayed by big swatches hanging on racks. You won’t have any of that “well if you move these bolts around it could be hiding under here, or maybe it’s up there, let me go get a ladder...” kind of thing. They aren’t always as accommodating about swatching as we would like, but there’s always a way to get what you want. If all else fails, there are designated times for student swatching. Call for the current schedule.

$: Moderate to expensive (because they specialize in natural fabrics)

Also: TRIM

228 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-6:30, Sat 10-6 212.342.0085

B4U carries an array of designer fabrics and trims while specializing in linen. Like Gray Lines Linen, Inc., it houses a collection of European linens in 100 col- ors. They have stretch linen as well. Very accommodating... if you need something specific, they will try to get it for you by the next day.

Also: COSTUME

256 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 8:45-6:30, Sat 9:30-5:30 212.575.5640

The archetypical small shop featuring imported novelties, silks, and theatrical fabrics.

Also: TRIM

260 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9:30-6, Sat 10:30-6 212.366.0133

This small shop specializes in ethnic, mainly Middle Eastern fabrics and trims. Luxurious and beautifully embel- lished, the fabrics they carry are great for saris.

Also: BUTTONS • TRIM

225 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9:30-6:30, Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5 212.398.9451

All types of closeout fabrics and an assortment of buttons and trimmings.

Also: TRIM • home decor

263 W. 38th St., 13th fl. M-F 9-5 212.719.5153, circlevisual.com

This is a one stop resource for fabric trims, cut and sewn products, screened and digitally printed images, and decorative items such as banners, table cloths, curtains, boxes, platforms, and trees. The store is extremely flexible with custom orders and quick to deliver. Don’t be afraid of the thirteenth floor – you might have good luck up there!

Also: TRIM • COSTUME

239 W. 39th St., Ground l. M-F 9:30-7, Sat 10-6:30, Sun 12-5 212.391.1161

What caught our eye in this store was the array of colors of satin they offered. Of course Mood has more, but some- times you need the less expensive prices that a store like City Fabrics can provide. Not everyone cares about using designer fabrics. They have some cool oriental print satins too, something Mood does not.

Also: LEATHER • FUR • Home decore

214 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-7, Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5 212.575.1577

Designer fabrics, leather, suede, fur, upholstery, drapery, lace, crypton super fabrics; they have it all.

What’s Crypton?

(n). crypton super fabric (‘krip-”t ̈n) - a fabulous, new engineered fabric. With its patented process, Crypton is leading the performance textile industry, as it is the only textile that is stain, water, and bacteria resistant. The key to this super fabric is its weaving process coupled with its proven barrier; nothing gets through Crypton to the cushion – nothing. It’s an easy-to-clean fabric that stays fresh, looking better than any other textile out there.

584 8th Ave., Ground l. M-Sat 10-7:30, Sun 11-7 212.221.1499

All types of fabrics.

Also: Home Decor • Lace

550 8th Ave., Ground fl. M-F 9-7, Sat-Sun 11-6 212.869.7826

Its two floors hold all kinds of fabric from $0.50/yd. to $50/yd. When we stopped in to check it out we spoke with some of the customers and found Ebad to be a favorite among many of them. One Brooklynite I talked with said she swears by the store, because, as she put it, “They have everything. It’s totally worth the hour commute.” Now that’s loyalty! They have everything from African lace to faux fur and includ- ing velvet, upholstery, bridal and fleece.

274 W. 40th St., Ground fl. M-Sat 10:30-7 212.302.7160

All kinds of fabric and textiles, laces, satin.

Also: HOME DEcore * BUTTONS * Notions

218 W. 37th St., Ground l. M-F 10-6, Sun 12-4 212.216.9136

Come here to rummage through notions, buttons, fabric and fleece blankets. Why not?

257 W. 39th St., Ground l. M-F 9-6, Sat 10-5 212.475.6666, fabricczar.com

BEST PLACE TO GET MEN’S FABRICS

This is the most impeccably organized store that you will ever see and holds the finest menswear fabrics in the city. It’s the only store dedicated totally to menswear fabrics, so definitely make this your first stop. You’ll feel privileged.

Also: Costume

214A W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-7:30, Sat 10-6:30, Sun 11-5 212.944.7016

Elegant costume fabrics are the specialty of this retailer. Costume and designer fabrics in cotton, linen, rayon, acetate, stretch, spandex, vinyl, lace, embroidered, microfibers; costume and designer’s fabrics from India and Korea.

Also: COSTUME

239 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9:30-6:30, Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5 212.391.7504

Super cheap prices and a friendly staff. What more do you need? Because it is so cheap here, this is a great place to come for draping fabrics or fabrics for trial muslins. You can buy the actual weight fabric you want instead of always using muslin. They also have some nice menswear fabrics.

Also: COSTUME

250 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9:30-7:30, Sat 10-7 Sun 12-5 212.354.6193

They have all kinds of designer fabrics and laces; an assortment of beautiful and special novelty, embellished fabrics. Stretch, bridal and designer fabrics, curtain, drapery; silks, woolens, cottons, linen, latin class for DKNY and CKNY, special bridal section, soiree satin, peau de soie, crepe satin, charmuse, chiffon, crepes, taffetas, organza. You really ought to stop by, after all, it was featured in New York’s 50+ Best Little Shops.

554 Eighth Ave., Ground fl. M-F 9-7, Sat 10-7, Sun 11-6 212.764.3260

Natural, Linen, Silk, Polyester; Also available in curtain and drapery sizes.

Also: patterns • Costume • Trim • home decor

270 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-7, Sat 10-7, Sun 11-5 212.869.0235

This shop is stocked with designer fabrics and patterns, your typical small shop variety of sequined, beaded, and embroidered textiles (carries quilting cottons too). Great color selection of silk dupioni at $10/yd and silk charmeuse at $15/yd.

Also: TRIM * Home Decore

239 W. 39th St., Ground l. M-F 9-6:30, Sat 10-6:30, Sun 11-5 212.997.2284

All kinds of fabrics: leather, faux fur, fox, ethnic, sequin, velvet, curtain, upholstery, 90” laces.

239 W. 39th St., Ground l. M-F 9-6:30, Sat 11-4 212.391.4130

BEST PLACE TO BUY LINEN

Like linen? Come on over because this is the store for you. Gray Lines only sells linen, so you can imagine how many different varieties they carry. 100% linen of the European variety. Can’t do better than that. (But if you can’t ind it here don’t forget to try B4U Fabrics, another great linen supplier.)

Also: LEATHER • FUR

218 W. 35th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-7, Sat-Sun 11-5 212.279.2345

Natural and Synthetics Fabrics. Close out sales all the time.

Also: COSTUME • LEATHER

251 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9:30-6, Sat 10-5, Sun 11-5 212.302.2440

Cotton, Silk, Linen, Wool, Leather, Rayon, Acetate, Nylon, Polyolefin, Stretch, Spandex, Vinyl made in Korea, Japan, France, Swiss, India; All kinds of hand cut laces.

Also: LEATHER • FUR

257 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-Sat 10-6 212.221.1020

Designer fashion fabrics, all kinds of fabrics, leather and fur, curtain, drapery, upholstery, and fashion patterns.

Also: TRIM

242 W. 38th St., Suite 704 M-F 10-6 212.719.2100

Silk, wool, cotton; blends, solids, prints, lace, embroidered, bridal, theatrical, dance, curtain, drapery, upholstery; beads, laces, ribbons.

Also: LACE • TRIM

205 W. 37th St., Ground fl. M-F 11-6 212.730.8855 latebloomersantiques.com

This is one of the few places where you can get vintage textiles.

244 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 10-6, Sat 10-5 212.840.8804

All kinds of fabrics. Stop in and see.

584 8th Ave., Ground fl. Mon-Sat 10-7:30, Sun 11-7 212.221.1499

A variety of fabrics, lots of bright colors and sequins. Probably a good shop if you’re a belly dancer.

237 W. 35th St., Ground l. M-F 8-6 212.290.0418

Fashion fabrics at close out prices in- cluding silk, wool, cotton, linen, acetate, velvet, rayon, nylon, stretch, vinyl.

Also: home Decor • trims • leather • fur • lace • notions

225 W. 37th St., 2nd-4th fl. M-F 9-7, Sat 10-4 212.730.5003, moodfabric.com

BEST VARIETY/SELECTION TRENDIEST HOME FURNISHING

This 25,000 sq/ft fabric mecca is first on our list for good reason. It is THE place to go in NYC for fine designer fabrics. But buyer beware – it is not unheard of to lose half of your day wandering its three floors. It is a great place for slow or browsing shoppers to visit and that’s not just because of the air conditioning. Unlike a few of the smaller stores, you never feel rushed or pressured by employees looking over your shoulder trying to persuade you into making purchases.

So why is this our favorite store? It comes down to selection, quality, and staff.

Selection: Mood carries a huge (and we mean HUGE!) selection of high end European fabrics handpicked from today’s top designers such as Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Perry Ellis, Marc Jacobs and more. If there isn’t enough

fabric on the bolt you want, just ask if they have more in stock at their ware- house. Return visits are a must if you’re in the neighborhood because they always seem to have new fabrics com- ing in from Europe. The lace section is fabulous with incredibly decadent finds, ranging up to $400/yd., and the novelty silks, chiffons, cashmeres and metallics, are to die for. And did we mention the tweeds...?

Quality: We’ve found that in fabric stores, a large amount of goods can mean a sacrifice in quality, i.e., low end junk we wouldn’t use for doll clothes. In Mood’s case however, they have somehow managed to not only have a lot of fabric, but actually a lot of GOOD fabric. You will find mostly natural fab- rics here. If you are desperately seeking sparkly polyester, you have come to wrong place my friend. But tacky synthetics aside, if you can’t find it here, you probably wouldn’t want it anyway.

Staff: Knowledgeable, creative and accommodating, Mood’s employees are simply a great resource. If you have something in mind that you need but you’re not exactly sure, flag down a Mood staffer instead of wandering around aimlessly. They’ll save you time in narrowing down your search. And don’t be shy about explaining your project, they give great advice. If only there were Mood employees for all of life’s little problems.

$: Moderate to pricy, but totally worth it. *Great for a last stop on your shopping excur- sion – they’re open evenings until 7pm!

261 W. 35th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-7, Sun 10-7 212.631.0970

Fabric, fusible interfacing, and lining.

Also: COSTUME

227 W. 40th St., Ground fl. M-F, Sat 10-6, Sun. 12-5 212.631.0970

Nice selection of fashion fabrics, cos- tume fabrics, trims, patterns and bridal.

Also: COSTUME

239 W. 39th St., Ground l. M-F 9-7, Sat-Sun 10-6 212.221.9705, NeonFabrics.com

All kinds of fabrics; laces, beaded, poly, cotton, linen.

222 W. 40th St., Ground l. M-F 9-6, Saturday 10-5 212.302.4980

Sequins, Fake Fur, Shirting, Cotton, Silk, Linen, Wool, Stretch, Laces, Synthetics, Rayon, Acetate, and Taffeta.

Also: LACE

253 W. 35th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-7, Sun 10-7 212.268.7770

Fine fabrics, wovens.

Also: home decore • trims

242 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-6, Sat. 10-5 212.944.0491

O&B carries primarily traditional home furnishing fabrics and trims, but has a wall of dress fabrics as well. Specializes in brocades, cottons, and novelties from France, Switzerland, and Italy.

$ Prices are cheap to moderate ($1- 80/yd.)

Also: COSTUME

260 W. 40th St., Ground fl. M-Sat 9 -5, Th 9-7 212.768.3266, paronfabrics.com

BEST DEALS

Don’t get all snooty because this is a “clearance” store. After all, it’s Paron’s clearance store and you wouldn’t want to miss what could be some of the best deals in town. Whenever Paron updates their stock, they move some fabric next door to Paron Annex and mark it down to 50% off! All of it, every day. As long as you don’t mind your Chanel tweeds or $70/yd. silks to be “so two seasons ago” this store is essential to stretching your designing dollars. It’s the Century 21 of the garment district.

Also: pattern • costume • leather

260 W. 40th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-5:45, Th 9-7, Sat 9-5 212.768.3266, paronfabrics.com

Yes it’s a small store, but think of it this way: they have all of the nice stuff with all of the junk weeded out. It’s true: if it doesn’t measure up to luxury standards, they don’t sell it. They seem to put more care into hand picking the fabrics to carry than many other stores and there- fore do half of your work. You’ll end up choosing from only the best design- ers such as Chanel, Isaac Mizrahi, Bill Blass, Calvin Klein, Tamotsu, Anne Klein, Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan, and Ralph Lauren.

Need a few more reasons to shop here?

• The knowledgeable staff is fluent in Russian, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Hebrew, Portuguese, Brooklynese and certainly communicated clearly with a couple of students from Ohio.

• Constantly updated stock.

• Their motto: “If we don’t have it, we’ll find it.” Not a myth, we’ve seen it happen. Even by the next day.

258 W. 39th St., Ground l. M-F 9-6:30, Sat 10:30-6 212.997.3900

Domestic upholstery and drapery fabrics. Specializing in chenilles, sheers and trims. On site decorator and drap- ery workroom.

561 7th Ave., 2nd fl. M-F 8:30-5, Sat 9-4 212.869.0142

This store is impeccably organized and has two large floors full of fabric. It’s like a mini-Mood and may someday be just as fabulous. We shall see.

225 W. 37th St., Suite 403 M-F 8-6 212.947.1322

There are two cool things about this store. One, they have close out prices. Two, they have some eco-organic fabrics. Cool and cooler. Carrying Cotton, Linen, Wool, Laces, Rayon, Stretch, and Taffeta.

Also: TRIM

214 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-6:30, Sat 9-6, Sun 12:30-5 212.398.0215, royalfabric.com

This is a large store that offers every- thing including laces, beaded laces, trimmings, silks, linen, organza, cotton, linen, wool, and vinyl. They specialize in silk shantung embroideries, organza and chiffon embroideries, and silk taffetas in great striped designs. Two thumbs up for this beautiful assortment!

242 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9-6, Sat 10-5:30 212.921.5592

Lace, tapestry, silk, brocade, drapery, and home furnishing.

Also: home decor • lace

237 W. 35th St., Ground fl. M-F 10-7, Sat-Sun 10-6 212.239.3415

They carry lace, tapestry, silk, brocade, drapery, and home furnishing, but its’ the handwoven silks are what sets this store apart from the others. They also carry a lot of lace voile.

Also: notions • Buttons• trim

580 8th Ave., Ground fl. M-F 9-7:30, Sat 10-7, Sun 11-6 212.921.2129, shaikhfabric.com

Little establishment offering various fabrics, zippers, trims and buttons.

Also: TRIM

244 W. 39th St., Ground l. M-F 9-7, Sat 10-7, Sun 11-5 212.764.4116

Specializes in European haute couture fabrics, lace, and trims. Most of their silks are made in France, England, Italy, and India.

Also: patterns • trim • Home Decor • Notions

554 8th Ave., Ground fl. M-F 9-7, Sat 10-7, Sun 11-6 212.764.3260

You can ind a little bit of everything here... zippers, faux flowers, fabric, trims and a small selection of old, used pat- terns. If you like to rummage around for deals and treasures, this is your store. Fabrics come in drapery sizes too.

270 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 10-5 212.997.8570

They have all kinds of fabric including poly chiffon, charmuse, satin, crepon orgenza, cotton, linen, China silk, taffeta even tissue lame and men’s suiting.

570 8th Ave., Ground fl. M-F 9:30-7:30, Sat 10:30-6:30 212.921.1867

Vogue specializes in eveningwear/spe- cial occasion fabrics, very embellished (beaded, embroidered, sequined) and fancy. Think: prom. It’s all polyester, so it’s pretty and pocket book friendly.

Also: COSTUME

257 W. 39th St., Ground fl. M-F 9:00-6:30, Sat. 10:00-5:30 212.840.1492

Importer of exclusive novelties. They say that they specialize in silk, woolen, velvets, laces, linen, embroideries, cotton, sheer, brocades, theatrical and bridal fabrics, plaid, silk blends.