A Dying Art?

Some might say that sewing custom apparel is a dying art. But as my recent design class at Parsons would help prove, I think sewing is experiencing a resurgence, particularly among young women between the ages of 25 to 35. New York City has a pretty good variety of fabric stores (everyone knows about Mood, made popular by the TV show "Project Runway"). Mood has an excellent selection of fabrics, although they can be somewhat pricey. Below is a list of fabric stores in NYC.

Mood Fabrics, 225 West 37th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY  http://www.moodfabrics.com/

Metro Textiles, 265 West 37th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY

B&J Fabrics, 525 7th Avenue btw 37th and 38th, New York, NY  http://www.bandjfabrics.com/

Paron, 206 West 40th Street, New York, NY  http://www.paronfabrics.com/

Elegant Fabrics, 222 West 40th Street, New York, NY

Rosen and Chadick, 240 West 40th Street, New York, NY

Gotta Knit, 14 East 34th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY

And of course if you need buttons, trims, studs, appliques, etc., you have to go to the ultimate candy store...

M&J Trimming, 6th Avenue and 38th Street, New York, NY   http://www.mjtrim.com/



In New Jersey, finding apparel fabrics is even harder. However, below is a list of stores that carry fabric, albeit mostly decorating/upholstery fabrics. (courtesy of bergen.com)

Broadway Fabrics
265 Main St., Hackensack; broadwayfabrics.com
Though its specialty is theatrical fabrics for dance schools, it stocks all types of fabrics, as well as trimmings and buttons.

Calico Corners
465 N. Franklin Turnpike, Ramsey; calicocorners.com
At this location for 20 years, Calico Corners, part of a Pennsylvania-based chain, specializes in decorative fabrics for the home, but also offers custom window treatments, reupholstery and new furniture.

Fabric Discount King
329 Broadway, Westwood; 201-664-2293
In business for 39 years, the store does custom work and sells mostly home-decorating fabrics, with a small amount of apparel fabrics as well.

Fabric Factory Outlet
326-D S. Washington Ave., Bergenfield; 201-439-9570
This store specializes in home-furnishing fabrics (slipcovers, upholstery, window treatments).

Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts
36 Interstate Shopping Center, Route 17 South, Ramsey; joann.com
Part of an Ohio-based chain, this store does an especially brisk business in quilting material and home-decorating fabrics.

Paramus Fabric Center
70 Route 17 North, Paramus; 201-843-7640
Cousins Larry and Mike Grapin own and operate this family business, which carries a wide variety of apparel fabrics, upholstery fabrics, notions, trimmings, threads, vinyl and foam.

Noris Fabrics
1320 Route 23 North, Wayne; norisfabrics.com
Owner Noris Lopez stocks fabrics, trimmings, notions and buttons. If she doesn’t have what you want, she says, she can get it. The store also offers sewing classes.

Acme Country Fabrics
24 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Pequannock; 973-696-1784
Especially known for its quilting materials and supplies, this store also carries sewing and embroidery machines.