LA was a blast! Not only did I get to hang out with a fun group of seamstresses all weekend, the fabric shopping was incredible. These were my favorite places:1. Michael Levine (920 Maple Ave)
This is a huge store (60,000 square feet according to their website) that literally has everything.
We were there for nearly an hour, and I hadn't even covered half the store yet. A few of us returned later, I think we were there another hour but I still didn't cover everything in this place! The quality is good, and the prices are incredible.
I went crazy for knits here. Basic cotton jerseys were $3/yd, I also got some organic cotton/lycra for $4/yd and a metallic-coated grey sweatshirt knit for $5/yd.
Left to right:
orange animal print cotton voile - $4/yd
navy stretch cotton gabardine - $3/yd
yellow/white/black floral stretch cotton woven - $3/yd
chain print silk jersey - $15/yd
2. Fabrics Fabrics (403 E 9th St, I think)
No, you haven't died and gone to heaven. You are at Fabrics Fabrics, my friend.
Many of the fabric shops in the Fashion District are teeming with polyester, and it would be easy to walk right by Fabrics Fabrics thinking it's one of those places. Don't make that mistake! This place is filled to the rafters with bolts of unique, quality, natural fiber fabrics, and the prices make it impossible to leave empty-handed. Great sales staff, too.
Clockwise from top:
red/blue print cotton voile - $3/yd
snakeskin print wool/mohair jersey - $12/yd
whimsical print silk charmeuse - $12/yd
3. Mike's Fabrics (821 Wall St)
Mike's is a small, bright, well organized shop, with friendly sales staff and killer prices.
dotted print silk charmeuese - $5/ydThat was it for the fabric purchases. And I stayed (just) under my $200 budget.
Carrying around all this fabric was made easier with the help of this awesome Envirosax bag that all PR Weekend registrants received.Next time I'm in LA, I'd like to visit:
B Black & Sons - What kind of place closes at 3 pm on a Saturday? B Black & Sons.
Mood - Located in a different neighborhood, we just didn't have time to fit it in this time.
More fun:
(left) Showing off our blouses; (right) Learning couture techniques in Susan Khalje's class
Cidell & PR founder Deepika with a Pucci-esque silk jersey at Fabrics Fabrics
There were over 50 PR members in attendance, and it was truly a treat to hang out with such a fun group of like-minded women. There were a lot of comments like, "Isn't that a Vogue dress?" and "Oh, the Burda wrap top!" Big thanks to Deepika for starting it all and "hello" again to everyone who attended! The weekend went by way too fast.
More Fashion District photos:
31 comments:
tfs the pics
your fabric choice are beautiful, you pick such beautiful printed fabrics, you guys looks so happy!
It really looks like a blast! The pictures are appealing and I'd damn myself for your fabrics' choice. It is awesome!
Thanks for all the photos, looks like so much fun. Can't wait to see your creations from your wonderful fabric purchases.
I am SICK with jealousy!
I cannot even get a plain old cotton/ lycra knit that is worth sewing with round my way, and look at all that delicious stuff!
What beautiful fabrics!!!! Glad you had a good time!
I wanna go back!!!! Thanks for being just as fun and generous in real life as you are on line.
Wait a minute. Is that Markie Post, the actress?
Your PR weekend looked like so much fun! I wish they would have one in the southeast.
Your trip looked like so much fun. The fabric stores are to die for.
Super jealous of the trip AND the fabric. Cant wait to see what you create with all your great finds (and the deals oh my goodness!)
Christina, it was fun to meet you. You are as lovely in person as in your photos. I am so copying some of your outfits :) We really did have a blast didn't we? I miss you guys already.
I just recently found your blog; your entries and photos are great!
Uhm, what is the PR weekend exactly? Is it some invitation-only or must-register-to-attend event?
I love the fabric you bought! Such great fabrics and prices. Did you have to haggle or were those the regular prices?
(Sorry for all the Qs!)
Hi Joyce, PR = Pattern Review, an online sewing community: http://sewing.patternreview.com/, and PR Weekend in LA was an organized event where members could get together to shop for fabric and talk sewing!
Actually I did not haggle, those were the regular prices. I don't think you can bargain at Michael Levine. You could at the other places probably, if you're buying significant yardage.
Oh it's so fun to see everyone's picture - it was a pleasure to meet you! I need to get my pictures posted on my blog, but unfortunately I'm coming down with a cold and feel awful (lack of sleep over the weekend obviously didn't help!).
beautiful fabric choices you made. I glad you guys had a wonderful time. Can't wait to see what you sew up.
So jealous! I must go next time!
Thanks for sharing, looks like everyone had a great time. I especially love the prints that you bought and can't wait to see what you do with them!
Like kids in a candy store it seemed! What great fun and gorgeous fabrics too.
Christina - finally someone with some pictures of a fabric haul! I was beginning to think that I would have to join one of these to teach you guys how to really shop! ROTFLOL! Seriously though you got some amazing pieces and I'm glad that you had such a good time! Isn't Cidell a trip?!
It looks like you all had such fun and that fabric is so lovely! Can't wait to see what you whip up with all that fabric!
So envious! And the fabric looks fantastic--can't wait to see what you do with it.
Beautiful fabric! Looks like you had loads of fun.
Oh fabric buying it is soo fun- especially if one feels like one made a bargain. I bought so much recently too that I am ashamed of posting the fabrics ;).
yes, I will be a shamless copier of whatever you make. I'm letting you know ahead of time:) Your coat you wore all weekend has me obsessed with a spring trenchcoat to try and make. It was great meeting you. gosh, how did I miss Fabrics Fabrics........?:)
Wow, Christina!!! What a fabulous time you've had and all those TDF fabrics!!!!
It's really great to hear that you had such a fantastic time on your weekend. And what a wonderful thing to get to meet all the other bloggers. I LOOOVE what you bought and those prices are amazing. You truly have a good eye and they are also a great selection of wonderful natural fibres. I can't wait to see them made up.
Wow, you got some great fabrics. And it looks like you all had a great time!
Wow! I am so jealous. Looks like you had fun. I would have had a hard time sticking to the spending limit...
It was a great weekend! We really needed Friday and Saturday for shopping! B Blacks was great and I bought zippers there for 35 cents!
Awesome fabrics and prices. Thanks for the info. :) Do any of these stores have email addresses? The websites only have the phone numbers listed.
-Elizabeth-
Wow, looks like you had a wonderful time. Great fabric!!! And you got a lot within your budget - great job!
OmGosh I'm staring at your recent purchases with emerald eyes...lol. Looking forward to your plans for each fabric.
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