We’ve devoted each chapter of this book to a certain category of fashion supplies. Many stores carry more than one type of product and it into several categories, so you might find some of them in more than one chapter.

A general note from the authors about the nature of garment district retail fabric and supply stores:

The garment center (or as the publish- ers of this book like to call, “the fashion district”) is mainly comprised of small Mom and Pop establishments. In fact, most of the shops listed in this book fit into this small business category.

In general, these stores tend to special- ize in one thing or another (e.g., type of fabric), but also carry some assortment of the basics as well. At first glance, they all appear to be very similar. As you begin exploring them, however, you will realize, as we have, that each one is a gem, unique in its own way. Hopefully this book will help you distin- guish between the shops until you have the experience to be judgmental and choose your own personal favorites.