stitching supplies

Peppermills make good pattern weights.

Where I go to stock up:

1. Discount Fabrics (11th @ Harrison in Soma) - This location has the largest fabric selection with really great prices, plus a full selection of notions & thread and pillow stuffing by the bag-full. (Haight @ Masonic in the Haight) - This location has a small selection of patterns, great bag-making notions and a hit-or-miss fabric selection. (There are two more locations in the Sunset and in Berkeley.)

2. Stone Mountain & Daughter (Shattuck Ave @ Dwight Way, Berkeley) - The most beautiful fabric selection (Amy Butler, check! Denyse Schmidt, check! Imported prints from Japan, check!), plus Japanese craft supplies (Sashiko threads, bias tape makers) and yarn, buttons, trims, sewing classes... truly, truly addictive.

3. Fabrix (Clement @ 2nd in the Richmond) - Some real fabric jems can be found for a steal, don't miss the pleasures of pawing through the giant bin of buttons. There is a selection of patches, laces & trims, as well as dress forms.

4. Satin Moon (Clement @ Arguello in the Richmond) - Really beautiful selection, fantastic for home decor and Asian silks, not so great for budget shopping. Go and drool (just not on the silk!) & get inspired if you can't afford to buy.

5. Britex (Geary @ Stockton in Union Square) - Yes, it is just what a fabric store which is just down the block from Prada should be - gorgeous, gorgeous & pricey, pricey. Hop up to the third floor and find the greatest trims and buttons and doo-dads selection ever, the sale-remnants are on the fourth floor.

6. Mendel's (Haight @ Clayton in the Haight) - The owner made me cry when I interviewed for a job there, but I won't hold that against their oilcloth & funky printed fabric selection (rubber duckies, day of the dead, etc.)

7. Name Maker (online) - Printed ribbons and woven labels to adorn your finished goods, making you a bonafide designer, or at least looking like one. Dude, Martha loves them too.