If you are a Project Runway fan like
me, then you have probably watched the designers on the show with envy as they
browse the endless aisles at Mood
Fabrics every week to get fabric for the next challenge. So for my trip
to NYC last month this fabric mecca was at the top of my list of places to
visit.
Could it really be as fabulous as
it looks on TV?
YES. Uh-huh, yep.
First of all, in classic New York
fashion, to get to Mood, you enter a fairly nondescript building in the heart
of the garment district, step into an old-fashioned elevator with a manual
sliding door, and an elevator operator personally takes you up to your
floor. Moments later the operator slides
the door open and you are magically transported to fabric heaven.
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A view from the floor at Mood Fabrics in New York City.
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You enter the first of three
large floors and 40,000 glorious square feet of floor to ceiling fabrics to die
for. When I walked in my eyes got as big
as saucers and my mouth was open in a constant "oh, my" as I slowly turned
every corner and looked down aisle after aisle of fabrics. Honestly, I think I was momentarily paralyzed
because I simply didn't know where to start. And did I mention the drop dead gorgeous young
man working there who asked me if I needed any help finding anything? What more could I possibly ask for?
Stocked full of designer fabrics
in every variety, there were so many beautiful textures and prints, and endless
color variations. I got lost in the jersey knits aisle as I tried to find just
the perfect shade of green jersey for a dress, out of say 20 green shades of
jersey. Crazy. Part of me just wanted to buy every pretty, shiny fabric I saw,
as if I was going to be shipped off tomorrow to a desert island where there are
no fabric stores and I needed to buy a lifetime fabric supply on the spot. But
then I got a grip and tried to focus on buying a few fabrics I simply couldn't
live without. (My advice is to always buy fabric you absolutely love, because
then you will go home and sew it right away instead of just storing it in your
stash.) I settled on a few beautiful
shades of silk jersey and splurged on a stunning silk chiffon print.
While checking out the third
floor European wools and suitings, Valerie Mayen, one of the designers from the current Project
Runway season (she was "offed" in Episode 10), was suddenly shopping alongside
me. Could this day get even better? I think not. Since the store was closing in
15 minutes, I let Valerie shop in peace, and made my way to the cutting tables
and the checkout line.
Yeah, this was good day.
So if you haven't had the
opportunity to visit Mood Fabrics, put it on your list for your next trip to
the Big Apple. I can't wait to go back!
And if you've been to Mood or Britex in San Francisco (another fabric
store destination) or had a similar euphoric fabric shopping experience, tell
me about it in the comments! I'm always looking for new
fabric stores to visit during my travels.
Happy sewing,
Tricia