2014 Original Sewing Expo Recap Part I

Wheewwwwww (exhaling sharply)....it's been a heck of a week!!! The Original Sewing and Quilting Expo in Atlanta has come and gone and definitely was a great success. I had a blast! Mr Jim, (my Master Tailor mentor whose blog is HERE) taught 4 classes and hosted a booth and received great reception overall. We also met some really great folks! Anyhow I'll talk more about that in the next post. In between all of my Expo attendance/working I had the chance to visit a couple of Atlanta's awesome fabric stores. Mr. Jim has some serious connections with fabric store owners especially since he had his tailoring shop in Atlanta for 30+ years. So he took me to 2 of his favorite spots to meet the owners of 2 of his favorite stores--- Fine Fabrics and Gail K.

I was able to take 2 trips to Fine Fabrics, a fabric warehouse that has been open just under 2 years. Let me just say, and those of you who have been there can back me on this----this is one HUGE store!!!! I've been to alot of fabric stores in NYC's garment district and this one literally takes the cake! What's even better is it's filled with discount fabric. Rolls upon rolls of deeply discounted fabrics!!!! And better yet they're expanding the store and bringing in more fabric and a special garment manufacturing section.  I was able to get some really great $3.95/yard pieces. I demonstrated such great restraint. Year's ago I would've bought up the whole store LOL!

 (The warehouse is HUGE!!!)

 (Mr. Jim is such an enabler! LOL!!! He was a great shopping companion. The only man I personally know who actually likes being in a fabric store. LOL!)

(ahhhhhhh.....I was in fabric Heaven!!!)

I also thoroughly enjoyed visiting Gail K. I'd passed up the opportunity on past Atlanta visits but will definitely make it a regular stop from now on. The prices aren't as low as Fine Fabrics but they have every type of fabric anyone could want. And the quality is fantastic!!! Most people are pretty familiar with Gail K. I was suprised at how big the store was and fabric was literally packed from floor to ceiling. I could've stayed in there for hours. I found some client for a fabric that I think may work for a wedding.

 (The store may look small on the outside but it's packed with fabric.......

(.....aisles and aisles of fabric!!!!)

(loads of fabric makes for one happy girl:)

I was also able to buy a few pieces of fabric from Vogue Fabrics at the Expo. Here's my fabric haul.  I purchased 11 pieces for a total of 22 yards for next to nothing. I have the fabric for my daughter's Father/Daughter Banquet dress, our Mother/Daughter Easter dresses and some other Spring/Summer projects. 

So fabric shopping was definitely a highlight for me. More details on the Expo in the next post......