The Fabric Store trip report

Ms McCall of Brown Paper Patterns keeps showing wonderful projects that she made with stuff she bought at The Fabric Store. For nearly a year, I wondered, "Which fabric store?"

That's the name of the store.  Recently, the LA Times ran a story about The Fabric Store (TFS). Actually, the article was an embarrassing gush-fest .  But, I have to confess, I love the store, too.

It's in midtown, only 0.6 miles from Mood's new 22,000 sf LA store, ~1 mile from LACMA and in the heart of LA's La Brea Design District.  Visitors to LA should budget an entire day just to enjoy the district and another day to see LACMA.  Or break it up and shop/museum for a half day each for two days.

Allison Vanos, the manager of the Los Angeles outpost of New Zealand-based TFS, and I had corresponded by email.  When we met in person for the first time, we immediately touched each others blouses.  Other sewists will understand.  ;-)

TFS works closely with New Zealand mills and sells amazing-quality merino wools in fashion-forward colors both wholesale and retail.  Unfortunately, the full range is not available to retail customers (but there is still lots to select among).  The fibers are so fine--as little as 18.5 microns--they rival cashmere for softness with no enviroguilt.

They also sell designer closeouts from around the world to retail customers at good prices.

If you are in Los Angeles for work, mid-town is easily reachable by public transport from both downtown and westside offices/hotels.

From downtown, take the subway to the end of the purple line and then transfer to the Metro Rapid 720 express bus.  Get off at Wilshire and La Brea.  TFS is at 135 South La Brea, about half a mile north of Wilshire, on the east side of the street.

From the westside, take the Metro Rapid 720 express bus east to La Brea and then walk.

You can fortify yourself at some of the many fine restaurants in the district and visit Mood at the corner of La Brea and Wilshire, too.