Read on for the ultimate sewing guide – 28 of our favorite suppliers in the NYC garment center.
Ideas, ideas, ideas.
We have written this ultimate sewing guide, highlighting 28 businesses in today’s blog which we believe are some stellar examples of what creative joys lie in wait in the NYC Garment Center – from dainty laces and ribbons begging to be transformed into bespoke items of lingerie, to handmade organza flowers cut with age old die stamps, to beads of paradise (literally the name of the store).
The ultimate sewing guide for designers (of bespoke or small run production):
1. East Coast Ribbons
(Specialty ribbons, trim & lace retailer)
142 West 38th Street (btw 7th and Broadway)
This shop is first on our list for a reason! There’s a distinct ‘Through the Looking Glass’ vibe when you enter this jewel of a shop from the grubby midtown street. Trust me, you will lose all track of time as you wander around in the most breathtaking array of vintage embroidered and beaded ribbons worthy of adorning Marie Antoinette herself. You may ask yourself, are you in Paris, or have you time-traveled to an eighteenth-century atelier? There are baskets of ostrich plumes, flowers in delicious pastel shades, and don’t miss the Ombre hand-dyed silk ribbons…and much, much more. The boutique atmosphere is very inspiring (after all, their slogan is “Get Trimspired!”) The staff is very helpful, and they will offer 10% discount for wholesale quantities. Just remember that the exquisite passamenterie is vintage and therefore in limited quantity.
2. Jonathon Embroidery Plus
(Embroidery service)
256 W 38th St (between 7th & 8th Aves)
If your design vision includes localized embroidery, such as “days of the week” panties, visit Jonathon’s. It’s just a hole in the wall and they only take cash BUT, if you can sketch it, they will embroider it! (Also, they do buttonholes.)
3. M&S Schmalberg
(Artificial flower retailer & manufacturer)
256 W 38th St, 7th floor, NY NY
This is a MUST-SEE destination! This family run business has the largest selection of silk fabric flowers, petals and leaves in the city; the collection is mind boggling and gorgeous. They manufactured artificial flowers using vintage tools that they’ve used for a century. You can buy from stock or they will create custom designs for you. All you need to do is imagine them. Easy-peasy 
They manufacture everything on premises, and they offer tours of the factory; it’s a living history. Call first.
4. International pleating
(They will pleat your fabrics)
327 W 36th St #400, New York, NY 10018
With their magic, you can create some glorious pleated designs (think Fortuny). They are experts in pleating all textiles, including polyester, lace, cotton, linen, nylon, silk and even leather. They specialize in side-knife pleat, box pleat, antique Fortuny Crystal pleating, Bamboo pleating, mushroom pleats, and French Accordion – whew! Try saying that three times.
5. CJS Sales
(Beads & trinkets closeouts warehouse.)
390 Fifth Ave, 4th Fl (entrance on 36th St, btw 5th+6th Ave)NY, NY 10018
Wear an apron when you visit this vintage closeout warehouse They’re selling specialty beads, craft and jewelry part supplies, including rhinestones, pressed glass cabochons and stones, findings, filigree, wood, plastic beads/parts, bakelite chips, chain, nailheads, lucite, Swarovski, cameos, seed beads. $100 minimum order. They call themselves wholesalers but their stock is more like a fab hoarders collection.
Comes with a warning!
CJS
“It is a warehouse and unless you are an experienced buyer — it can be very overwhelming – but if you know what you are doing and are willing to dig/get dirty you will be in heaven!
6. Star Snaps NYC
(Hardware attaching service)
262 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018
At some point, sooner rather than later, every lingerie designer is going to need to visit this shop and there is no snap, rivet or other embellishments they can’t handle. Touted by customers for fast, friendly service. Very knowledgeable in the world of metal objects you attach to things.
We Pride Ourselves on Offering Unique Services in Fixing and Applying: Snaps, Eyelets, Grommets, Jean Buttons, Rivets, Screw on Studs, Nail Heads, among other services.
Ernesto, at Star Snaps NYC
7. Magazine Cafe
(Magazine vendor)
15 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
Yes, the internet is an endless source for ideas (too endless, some would argue), but occasionally you need to flip through the glossy pages of an actual fashion magazine to find inspirations for your collection story board – and Magazine Café will have you lusting over copies of Italian Vogue…they also sell Pantone reference materials, trend books, and art supplies for your fab design sketches. AND, while you’re deciding on your purchase, there are cups of coffee to be poured. After all, it is a magazine café.
8. Hai’s Trim
(Retail supply shop of trims, rhinestones, bead, feathers etc.)
230 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018
If you’re looking to add some bling to your design – perhaps a little Mardi Gras flare – head on over to Hai’s Trim. This immaculate and well organized store has it all – from rhinestone appliques, fur trims, feather boas, body chains, crystal fringes, and much more.
9. Steinlauf & Stoller
(Retailer of Sewing Notions.)
221 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
Everyone in the NYC fashion world knows this place. Since 1947, Steinlauf & Stoller has exclusively sold sewing notions – and no attempt has been made to upgrade it. It is exactly what you might imagine a garment center shop to be – complete with yellowed handwritten signs, beat-up button boxes, and teetering stacks of elastics (black and white only) stacked on old metal shelving, Today, this store continues to sell thousands of items it has been peddling for over sixty years: thread, scissors, shoulder pads, bra cups, underwires (up to size 42), separators, anything needed to make clothes. And they have Nancy in her perch at the front of the shop, She puts on buttons snaps, grommets, rivets, and the like. Signs in the front window advertise her presence and sternly state the limits on times when folks can utilize her services.
10. Shindo
(Specialty elastic & trim shop)
162 W 36th St, New York, NY 10018
Shindo sells the beautiful, high quality satin elastic you recognize as the signature style of Bordelle’s iconic strappy garments in a wide range of colors and width, but they are not limited to that product. They also sell a variety of trims and embellishments for your lingerie designs, ranging from delicate lace trims, piping, tassels, and boning tape.
11. B&Q Trimmings
(Store specializing in rhinestone appliques, flowers, embroidered trims & laces)
102 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018
A treasure hunt and slightly chaotic but worth it. One of our favorites because of the large quirky selection of trims, feathers, velvet flowers, beaded fringe, and a really nice selection of pretty laces all the way in the back. Do not overlook their selection of gold lace on rolls – it’s the only one in town!
12. Spandex House & Stretch House – You will find your lingerie power mesh fabrics in one of these stores:
Spandex House: 263 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018
If you’re looking for a knit with spandex, they have it. From stretch tulle to jersey to stretch lace. Best slinky knit selection and lots of variety. Excellent mail order service, and inexpensive prices.
Stretch House: 218 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
Also, don’t miss perusing the very nice selection of novelty prints which are stored in a large upstairs area packed with rolls and rolls.
13. Mood Fabrics
(Fabric & trim emporium)
225 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
Mood Fabrics is a one stop retail shopping destination. It was made famous by Project Runway. Impressive and notable for 3 floors of extensive inventory but verrry pricey with a big selection of end cuts of high-quality overstock runway fabrics from some big-name fashion houses like Carolina Herrera. These are end rolls. You won’t be able to buy more so these fabrics are suitable for ‘one-offs’ only. Alternately, if you do need more for a larger production order, you can do a knock-off…er, design a similar print inspired by the fabric you sampled here. (Note: if you want to buy silk, you will do better to visits several of the nearby wholesalers where you can pay one half of Mood’s high prices which I cover in my next post.)
The best way to shop at Mood Fabrics is to take your time walking around and taking photographs – then pop around the corner for some sustenance, or an energy boosting beverage, and consider your options. After which, return to Mood and ask for swatches before purchasing your selections which will empty out your wallet. Again, take into consideration that, if you are designing your collection, you probably won’t be able to buy many of these fabrics in quantity because they are sell-off ends of rolls from designer houses at the end of season. So, they are best utilized for custom items.
14. B&J Fabrics
(Fabric retail store)
Fashion Center Building, 525 7th Ave, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10018
Similar to Mood Fabrics in the wide variety and high pricing but they also stock a big selection of Liberty prints which, to my mind, lend themselves beautifully to some dainty lingerie pieces, especially if mixed with some laces and coordinating custom print power mesh.
18. Botani Trims & Lampo Zippers
(Zipper & fashion hardware shop with custom zipper services.)
: 263 W 36th St, New York, NY 10018
You’re unlikely to find a shop like this in any town USA but a designer can walk inside with purpose, knowing that this is the place to get the perfect custom zipper cut for a corset or bodysuit design. There are walls stocked with boxes and spools of zippers in every size. Here you can get an impressive selection of fashion hardware (buckles, zipper pulls, rings & sliders, garters, studs, hooks), a full rainbow of buttons, snap closures, elastic – and the Italian line of Lampo zippers which match up with the Pantone reference colors. They also sell rib-knit trims, elastics, and blank t-shirts, and heat transfer vinyl.
21. Lou Lou Buttons
(Button shop with custom button services)
71 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018
Lou Lou boasts also have available over 5 million buttons in stock. For the retail shopper, or a designer looking for a unique set of buttons for a custom garment this shop has a amazing collection that will take you some time to go through.
Truly a designer’s go-to supplier for an fabulous line of buttons, buckles & closures imported from around the world. Rhinestones, imported imitation pearls, unique & exotic shells, real horn, corozo, glass, wood, leather, braided passamenterie (to name a few) in the latest designs and materials. If your project requires a custom item, they’re at your service.
20. Buttonology Inc.
(Button supplier)
264 W 40th St #404, New York, NY 10018
Another great supplier that customers swear by with a wide selection of buttons and hardware and also offering custom services such as covered buttons – and low $25.00 minimums for wholesale prices. What’s not to like? Call first. (212) 768-3342
21. Metro Dyeing
(Fabrics & trims dye house)
306 W. 38th Street 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018
At a certain point, you will have to skip the RIT “dyeing stuff in your sink” rigmarole and go to the professionals. When that day comes, and it will, head on down to Metro Dyeing. You may have caught their guest appearance on Season 18 episode 10 of Project Runway. Their professional services are sought by many of the leading names in fashion, but don’t feel shy. They cater to everyone. Also, they teach classes. and have taught countless students how to tie dye. They will dye garments and piece goods (that means, yards of fabric). When you need every component of your garment to match perfectly, go to Metro. Make an appointment first. 212-391-1001
22. Italo Leather
(Leather skin supplier)
247 W 38th St 11th fl, New York, NY 10018
If you are designing some sassy fetish harnesses or just a good old-fashioned leather waspie, this immaculate and hospitable leather skin supplier is a fabulous resource. They have no minimums on stock items (meaning, you can buy a single skin). I’m not a leather expert but I thought the prices seem reasonable and leather is very high quality. The laser cut patterns leather would be stunning in corset design. Stock includes lambskin, shearling, goatskin, cowhide, calfskin, pig suede, printed, embossed and hair-on calf.
23. Gray Lines Linen
(retail fabric store specializing in linen)
247 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
They specialize in linen fabrics, hence the name. If you’re designing a Victorian collection of sleepwear, this could be your place to start. They carry 5 different types of solid linens: handkerchief linens, warsa linens, barry linens, Judy linens, and yarn dye linens. Handkerchief linens are available in 37 different colors. They also carry a selection of novelty linens, including some prints.
24. M & J Trimming Company
(Retail trimming store)
1008 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018
M & J is a well organized store with a little bit of everything. They have a wall of ribbons in every color which is useful when you’re putting the last details on a customer’s order or creating a sample. The elastics are in shelves under the cutting tables which makes them hard to look at. There’s a separate room with buttons.
25. Daytona Trimmings
(Retail trimming & sewing supply shop selling paper clothes patterns.)
251 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018
Daytona Trimmings is diametrically opposite to M & J’s pristine operation. It’s a bit chaotic and funky with hand drawn signs and smiling staff. They have the similar product as M&J but you have to hunt for it. They have devoted and passionate fan base. AND it’s the only place in town that sells paper patterns – Vogue patterns, Simplicity, Butterick, and McCall…and there is discontinued vintage pattern section in the back. Who doesn’t need a paper pattern once in a while? When you’re just too busy to make a classic pajama set pattern, or a shawl collar robe, get on down to Daytona Trimmings and buy a Vogue, McCall’s, or Butterick pattern.
26. Pacific Trimming Inc.
(Sewing supplies retailer)
220 West 38 St, New York, NY 10018
Of course, everyone knows that Pacific Trimming is a useful place to pick up useful things like hardware, zippers, zipper pulls, interfacing, dyes, velcro, needles, etc. They have elastics and some laces but they are not beautiful. The biggest draw is the hardware selection which is well organized in drawers and easy to navigate. They will sell retail and wholesale.
27. Toho Shoji NY
(Jewelry making supply shop)
4 Bryant Park, Store #2, New York, NY 10018
It’s really a place for costume jewelry makers, however, if you are adding body chains or tiny charms to a garment, you might be able to find it here.
28. Panda International
(Sewing Supplies, thread, & label maker)
247 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018
Yes, they sell thread and a wide variety of sewing accessories, but the best thing about Panda is that upstairs they make content labels in sheets – with a very quick turnaround. You can fax them the order, with a little prototype and size range needed. BTW, order the satin quality paper. It’s nicer. They will print on black or white satin.
Also read: The New Designer’s Guide
