new york shopping

[mlsdesigns]

mummy and i are planning a trip to new york in october (my main reason isn't really so i can go to AGPNY!!) do any of you have experience fabric shopping in the big apple? where's good to go? also, what do we HAVE to do/see when we're there?!
as far as me goes, i have finally been able to make some headway with my apathy, thanks to gemma, i made a list of small achievable things and managed to tick off 5 yesterday, that's really good for me at the moment! the bear i have been trying to make now has a completed head! and with any luck he will be finished by the end of today!
my need to make the ice blue 1860s visiting and ball gown ensemble is getting even stronger! i think it's all katherine's fault! her new bonnet and plans for her sheer are sooo gorgeous :)

Comments

[my-stitching.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking about you this morning and wondering how you were doing. I'm afraid I am not a big NYC person so I can't help you on what to see or do there.

[mlsdesigns.livejournal.com]

aw, thank you! i'm very distracted at the moment with the puppy! she's lovely :) amazingly i have managed to do something today! the teddy bear is finished!!!

[laracorsets.livejournal.com]

I am always shopping NYC, especially for fabrics and such (I live 15 minutes away). What are you looking for or to do? Do you also want to know touristy stuff like sights, resteraunts and shows?

the Garment District's fabric shops are on 39th and 40th streets between 8th and 9th Avenues. There are other shops but that is the main concentration. I can definatley give you the run down of my favorites. What type of fabrics are you looking for?

[mlsdesigns.livejournal.com]

yay, i KNEW there was someone who would know!! i want to look for silk mostly, it's sooooo ridiculously expensive here. i make 18th and mid to late 19th century dresses and love silk, but can't afford it here. i also love to buy trimmings, who doesn't!
if you have any restaurants to recommend, that'd be great, it's always better to have a first hand opinion! and people who live in a place always know the little hidden away places that have the best food :)

[laracorsets.livejournal.com]

Go to 39th street between 7th and 8th avenues. There are dozens of fabric shops on both sides of the street ***and make sure to bargin with them all prices are flexible there!*** They know me well in the neighborhood so I get decent deals as a frequent customer. If I am free that day maybe we could meet up? It would be nice to finally meet the person behind the LJ :D
(I'm Lara and my phone is 201-430-3270)

Here is a general price guide of what I usually pay:
- silk taffeta $8-18 per yard
- Aisan silk brocades $8-10 per yard (beware of the lower quality type)
- 100% silk satins $30-40 per yard for heavy weight or double face
- Shantung & Duppioni $5-15 per yard depending on width and quality

C&J textiles is one place I often buy my solid silks from. Prices are not flexible but fair and the quality is perfect. I have my customers select the fabric from the cards and I call in the order if they like one, it's great. Have a look at their website and stop by to pick up swatch cards so you can order by phone and they can ship to you. http://www.cjtextile.com/product/main.htm

And my favorite garment district restraunts are both Italian:
- Arno (141 W.38th Between Bway & 7th). It's a bit fancy, average prices (not cheap) but delicious! I Love their Caesar salad!

- Carbone (331 W.38th St Between 8th & 9th Ave). More casual, small and delicious. Italian and brick oven pizza. I used to have my studio in the building next door before I moved to NJ.

Stop by to see the menu & prices so you can decide if either is right for you. Either would be great for Lunch or Dinner.

For something quick there is also a great deli on the North West corner of 38th & 8th which makes a kick-ass pannini around noon-1pm. Beware they turn off the brick oven soon after lunch time.

[mlsdesigns.livejournal.com]

thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!

[laracorsets.livejournal.com]

I just realized you are coming from the UK, Prices will be great for you then!(I am full of exchange rate envy ;~)There are many things you could do besides the fabric & trim shopping. The Met museum for the current Costume Institute exhibit, countless more museums, a few Broadway shows or an opera perhaps, Ground Zero, maybe take a boat ride to Ellis Island & the Statue of Liberty, Shopping, Shopping and then some shopping.....

[mlsdesigns.livejournal.com]

yes, prices are really good for me at the moment :) we were definitely going to go to the met, and of course, lots of shopping! we were going to go in novemeber, but you're already into the holiday season with so many people going in to do their xmas shopping, so we're going about the 14th october, and i'll just be buying my christmas presents early :p

[laracorsets.livejournal.com]

I'll be around, call me when you are in town if you want a guided tour of my favorite fabric and trim shops...or if you just need a bit of advice here or there.

[mlsdesigns.livejournal.com]

thank you so much, i don't know how i missed this! we don't have any firm plans except fabric shopping! i will absolutely ring you if i get stuck, thanks so much, it makes a trip to another country much less alarming!

[jennil.livejournal.com]

I can't recommend enough that you grab laracorsets's offer to guide you around. I went to NYC with a friend and we were in the right area, but only found a handful of shops, and they did not have deals - it was, like, double the LA fabric district! Next time, we'll have hook up with a local NY-er or else get a detailed list of addresses of specific shops.

[laracorsets.livejournal.com]

Anytime you are in the NYC area look me up and I would be more than happy to help you find the ood fabric shops!

[bobblegra.livejournal.com]

When in October will you be here? Lara gave you a good list of fabric shops, so I won't try to advise you on that, but there are plenty of other things of course. You may be here for some events.

[mlsdesigns.livejournal.com]

we're probably flying out the 13th, staying for a week. what kind of events do you think? also, i know there are loads of 'touristy' things we can do, but as we're limited on time, what should we really do!

[jennil.livejournal.com]

Hi there! I think I recognize you from some of the local vintage dances. Hope you don't mind that I friended you! :)

(PS That's me at the top of this page).

[girliegirl32786.livejournal.com]

Oh NYC! How exciting! I've never been so I cant make any recommendations. I can only be jealous. ;)

[mlsdesigns.livejournal.com]

hee hee, i was soooo jealous of you going to CC, so now we're even :)

[jennil.livejournal.com]

Exciting!!! If that wasn't my first month with a mortgage payment, I'd be sorely tempted to crash your New York visit, mwah-ah-ah! I guess I'll just have to save my pennies and travel to the UK again one of these days. ;P

Oh man, you are going to LOVE AG Place!!!!!

[mlsdesigns.livejournal.com]

yay yay yay! AGP!! ooo, i'm finding it sooo hard to decide who to bring home with me, i really must limit myself to just one now and one for christmas, but it's so haaaaaaard!
to start with we were thinking of staying longer and going to boston for the weekend, but now we're only going for 6 days. but my trip next summer is still going ahead i hope, can i visit you then!!!!