Buying in Bulk? Even if you’re making a retail purchase you might be able to maneuver wholesale prices if you’re buying a large enough quantity. Always ask about student discounts or any other discount you can think of, you never know.

Cash On Hand. Take advantage of the better deals you might get for paying in cash, especially in some of the smaller shops. Negotiate a price, and then ask if they can do any better if you pay cash.

Think Small. Don’t overlook the small mom and pop establishments. Not only can they have unique finds, they are usually less busy than the bigger stores and truly value your patronage. They will often make the extra effort to get what you need even if they don’t have it in stock.

If You Don’t See It... Take advan- tage of the employees who work in the stores-- they are incredibly knowledge- able. Not only do they somehow know where every single fabric is located in their store, they can give great advice on fabric usage, drape, and content. Don’t be shy....explain your project and get an expert insight. And we all know how New Yorkers like to express their opinions.

Second Chances. For all of you indecisive shoppers who get home and realize that you can’t live without that bolt of Sea Island cotton that you left behind, you need not worry! Basically, all of the stores ship UPS, so just call them up, and it’s yours. This is also great if you come to the garment center just to swatch and get ideas. And this leads us to our next fabulous tip...

You Are Special! Having a hard time getting service or swatching? The key is to act important. A little white lie can go a long way. Don’t let on that you are working on home sewing projects. Give the impression that you are sourc- ing fabrics for a design company. Say things like, “When we go into production we’ll need a lot more, but for now we need just a few yards.” Otherwise, some stores may be reluctant to cut you a lot of swatches or assist you in searching for what you want.

Get Organized. Keep your swatches organized by store as you shop! Have the store staple them to a card with their name and number so if you decide in a week that you want to purchase something, you will know exactly who to call. It also helps to take note of where in the store you got the fabric so when you call to order it you can easily ex- plain the fabric to your sales rep.

Call Ahead. Be aware that much of the fashion district is either closed on the weekends or has limited hours. A few quick calls can save you a lot of time.

Going Out of Business. If you are looking for super-cheap muslin, or super-cheap anything for that matter, to drape or make trial muslins (we are not promising you’ll find the best quality) keep your eye out for stores that are “Going out of business”. Their fabric will be drastically marked down. Stock up while you are at it.

What’s New? Stores come and go and it’s always refreshing to check out new sources for inspirational fabrics, etc. Stop by the Fashion Center Informa- tion Kiosk for the latest list of suppliers.