Had to make a quick run into the city for some fabric for a dress I'm making. I have a short window to get it done.
Back in the day there was nothing open in the Garment District on Saturdays. During the week the streets were filled with carts of garments trucks and fashion business happenings. You couldn't buy anything unless you were a business with a tax id. By the time I began to shop for fabrics/notions it had lightened up and more retail fabric and notion stores opened up. As an independent designer you could buy for companies that required lower minimums and some no minimums at all. Your little 3-10 cuts are considered sample runs. My sewing experience of buying fabric began with shopping at Macy's 6th floor and A&S. Back in the day these department stores sold fabric and patterns. My Mother made my prom dress and we shopped at A&S for both the fabric and pattern. Then there was Bridge street in Brooklyn, but the other big fabric shopping area was Delancey...well really Orchard Street.
Beckingstein was a huge and you would usually find something you loved, but sometimes prices were high....bargaining was somewhat encouraged. Now still in business on 39th Street.
I then graduated to the Garment District with all it's history and scale I was a designer shopping where the big boys shop. The history of the area is rich and long, you can read more about, from the Garment District Alliance.
Garment District Historical Photos
2024 is different
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