How is it that I’ve been living in Massachusetts for (almost) five years and I’ve never been to this store until now? Granted, Fabric Place Basement has only been open for two years and the original Fabric Place closed shortly after I moved here in 2008, but still. This gem has been hiding under my nose.
I popped in after work to pick up some buttons for my Beignet skirt and a seam ripper since I snapped mine in half while trying to open up buttonholes on said skirt, and the minute I walked downstairs into the retail space I was stunned. It was huge! There was a section for fashion fabric! Home dec! Quilting cotton! Even yarn! I was skeptical though – the name “basement” implied in my mind that I would find cheap, low-quality fabric of the cheesiness variety.
Hell to the no: it’s really nice stuff! After I found what I came in for, I started making my way up and down the aisles and that’s when the drooling began. I found gorgeous poly prints that would make great blouses, fancy fabrics (without glitter – glitter does not transform fabric into evening-appropriate, JoAnn’s), rolls of pure silk, and leather hides. The home dec, not that I’m into it, was impressive (you can buy fabric from the Shabby Chic line!), and the quilting cotton consisted of really nice stuff from Windham Fabrics and Rowan, just to name a few.
If you’ve been reading my site for awhile, you know my obsession with knit fabrics – I love them and can’t quite seem to get enough. Well now, I don’t think that’s going to be a problem since I’ve found Fabric Place Basement. There was a rainbow of knit jersey, ribbed knits, sweater knits, ITYs, and even 100% lambswool knit fabric. Um, yummy and drool worthy!
But looky what I found:
Sarah’s fabulous Missoni dress popped into my head the moment my eyes landed on this funky zig-zag sweater knit. I pulled the bolt out to see what the price was and noticed that it was labeled “Designer Knit Fabric.” Now, at $6.99 a yard, I don’t think that it actually is a Missoni, but nonetheless, it inspired me to make a fun dress that would be great for transitioning from winter to spring – some kind of simple scoop neck dress like Sarah’s dress. And you know what? I’m still going to call it my “Missoni Dress” when I’m done!
This fabric will be a test as to the quality of what it sold at the store, but I’m crossing my fingers that all goes well since I see Fabric Place Basement as a good substitute for running to JoAnn’s for notions and the selection is much more diverse. It’s nothing compared to fabric shopping in NYC but it’s pretty great for the suburbs, especially when it’s so difficult to find a place that sells dressmaking fabric. If you’re in the Boston Metro area, I highly recommend checking them out.
This tired old question again. How much Fabric Store is needed to do anything at this late date? Well said Lucinda Campbell, they are falling into the age-old trap of timidity in the face of an insidious enemy that has no such qualms about lying and other underhand tactics. Dimwits.
I shop there all the time. I love it. Check out their web-site for coupons. You can also sign up for e-mails and they will send them to you. Have you tried Sewfistcated? They are in the same place the old Fabric Place used to be. This is truly basement shopping and I find it to be hit or miss but I have found some gems here as well. If I'm headed to the Fabric Place Basement I always stop into Sewfisticated. I don't always find something there but it is on my way. They also have a huge wall of knits.
I have yet to go to that location – I tried the one in Somerville when I was living in Boston and never found anything I liked.
Ooh, that knit looks cool! Can't wait to see what you make!
Thanks! I'm thinking about adapting the oh-so-fabulous Renfrew pattern into a dress – I really want a basic dress shape to showcase that fabric and I don't have a pattern quite like what I want in my stash.
i stumbled across your blog looking for grainline's moss mini reviews… i happen to live in the metrowest area, and now i'll have to check out that fabric store! i've been to sewfisticated, but haven't heard of the other. awesome!
Seems like everything you might need for sewing is all placed in that store, usually it is kinda hard to find a fabric store that offers all sorts of fabric and when you found one the designs are not that good or the options are limited.