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This page is provided compliments to GDVCG member Pat Ritter:

Thanks so much for sharing your information Pat....

Compilation, Production, and Pestering of each shopkeeper by Pat Ritter

Any additions or comments (suggestions, etc.) should be addressed to:

Pat Ritter --
Imagination Design
P. O. Box 13238
Philadelphia, PA 19101-3238

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Other costume related links, mail order etc:

http://www.alteryears.com/

http://www.simplicity.com/

http://www.costumes.org/history/100pages/lacelinks.htm

http://www.buycostumes.com

Costume Related Links Page

Dragon's Guide to Philly Fabrics

by Pat Ritter

I have been doing this list for over 10 years now. Every year there is something new, often a new store comes and then the next year (or two) it is gone. One of the major changes to this list is a response from the
e-mail I've received with a recurring theme - What about the suburbs?

Over time I have added a few stores here and there that are not on Fabric Row. Due to popular request, I have expanded this to include stores that are within a "reasonable" distance of Center City Philadelphia.

As always, I will not be including chain stores like JoAnn, Hancock, or Rag Shop. The only "chain" I do include is Jo-Mar - if I didn't, I'd be lynched!

When you stop in, be sure to mention that you heard about them here!

Notes

Saturday is the busy day. Cash is always welcome. Please have Driver's License or other I.D. for checks. Some stores are cash only (but don't let this deter you!). As much information is given as possible. Any questions about a place, just call and they will be happy to answer your questions. Many Philadelphia stores are open late on Wednesday. Street parking is available, please be mindful of posted restrictions. If you are coming from outside the Philadelphia area, please be advised that they have recently re-numbered the exits and many online map services have not updated their records.

Credit Cards (a necessary evil):

MC - Master Card V - Visa D - Discover AX - American Express

MAC - Automatic Teller Card. May not accept NYCE, HONOR, or other ATM cards. Inquire.

Indicates a store that has not yet been visited/contaced/reviewed, but will be soon!

Indicates that there is something in the area that I think is worth checking out. Will open in a new window.

My thanks to all the shopkeepers who took the time to answer my questions.

This is the Original Fabric Guide stored on www.goldapples.com

This is A Current Fabric Row Guide stored on www.southstreet.com

Fabric Row
A & J Fabrics	A. Brood & Sons	Adler's Fabrics	Albert Zoll, Inc.
Designer Fabrics of Fabric Row	Great Leathers	Grossman's Decorative Fabrics	Jack B. Fabrics
Kincus Fabrics	Marmelstein's	Maxie's Daughter	Paul's
Pennsylvania Fabric Outlet

Other Philly
Baum's	Jo-Mar Fabrics	Karlin's	Stapler Fabrics

PA Suburbs
Coté, Inc	Jo-Mar Lansdale	Jo-Mar Upper Darby	Sew Smart Fabrics
Fabric Warehouse	The Quilting Circle
New Jersey

Fabric Row Store Information - See also Click Fabric Link for specials!

	Under New Ownership A & J Fabrics 757 S. 4th Street Phila., PA 19147 (215) 592-7011 Mon - Sat 8:30-5:00, Wed 8:30-6:00 Cash MC, V, D, AX, MAC 10% Discount to costumers (mention this listing) and students. Good selection of ethnic, exotic fabrics, and bridal. Bought out Goldberg's stock - mostly vintage!
A. Brood & Sons 727 S. 4th Street Phila., PA 19147 (215) 925-0776 Mon - Fri 10:00-5:00, Sat 10:00-4:00 Cash, Checks (once established) 10% discount on quantity orders or if you mention you're with the Philadelphia Costumer's Guild. Excellent selection of tapestry materials (one of the best I've seen)!
	Adler's Fabrics 742 S. 4th Street Phila., PA 19147 (215) 925-8984, 925-1610 Mon - Sat 9:00-5:00 Cash, Checks, MC V Need tax number for discount (ask for more info) Excellent selection of upholstery, drapery, & vinyl. Foam cushion cut to order, poly/cotton batting, 12"-30" pillow forms
Albert Zoll, Inc. 744 S. 4th Street Phila., PA 19147 (215) 922-0589 Fax: (215) 922-0719 Mon - Sat 9:30-5:00 Cash and MAC, V, MC (over $25.00) Sequined appliqués, ribbons, and a large selection of buttons. Some fabric (decent price on silk for recreation undergarments), boning both steel and plastic. Quantity discounts available (wholesale)
	Designer Fabrics of Fabric Row 770-772 S. 4th Street Phila., PA 19147 (215) 627-6177 Mon - Sat 10:00-5:00, Wed 10:00-7:00 Cash V, MC, AX All sorts of stuff: designer fabric, trimmings, sewing machines, sewing classes, "one stop fabric shop". Quantity discount.
Great Leathers 755 S. 4th Street Phila., PA 19147 (215) 923-6360 Mon - Sat 9:00-5:30, Wed 9:00-7:00 Cash, Checks V, D, MC, AX Good selection (and not bad pricing) of clothing leather and suede, many with exotic and metallic prints. Seasonal items - Bridal in the summer, furs for the fall.
	Grossman's Decorative Fabrics 725 S. 4th Street Phila., PA 19147 (215) 627-5440 Mon - Fri 10:00-5:00 Closed Saturday! Cash, Checks V, MC, AX, D ($10 min) Nice selection of upholstery fabrics Quantity discount - ask
Jack B. Fabrics 748 S. 4th Street Phila., PA 19147 (215) 925-2991 Mon - Fri 10:00-5:30, Wed 10-7, Sat 9:30-5:30 Cash, MAC and MC, V, D ($20 min) Extensive selection, reasonable prices 10% discount, tell costumer, SCA, or ask It's not a good store to browse in (there is just too much!) but if you know what you want, they probably have it.
	Kincus Fabrics 754 S. 4th Street Phila., PA 19147 (215) 923-8836 Fax (215) 923-5370 Mon - Sat 9:00-5:30, Wed 9:00-7:00 Cash, Checks MC, V, D, AX ($15 min) Probably the largest (or at least up there) store on the row. Reasonable prices. Discount depending on quantity, ask.
Marmelstein's 760 S. 4th Street Phila., PA 19147 (215) 925-9862 Fax (215) 925-3889 Mon - Fri 9:00-5:00, Wed 9:00-7:00, Sat 9:30-5:30 Cash, Checks and MAC, V, MC, AX ($15 min) Excellent selection of trims & decorating notions. Some imported tapestry panels. Ask for Professional Courtesy Card Discount on full lots. Will special order and ship.
	Maxie's Daughter 724 S. 4th Street Phila., PA 19147 (215) 829-2226 Fax (215) 829-0776 Mon - Sat 10:00-5:30, Wed 10:00-7:00 Cash, Checks MC, V, D, AX, MAC Quantity Discount, ask. Vintage fabrics, ask for selection. upholstery, drapery, bridal, & dressmaker fabrics. Website forthcoming, mail order in the meantime.
Paul's 737 S. 4th Street Phila., PA 19147 (215)925-8128 (215)925-8129 Fax: (215) 925-5113 Mon - Sat 9:30-5:00 Cash, Checks V, MC, D Upholstery fabric Good selection. Same family ownership since 1917.
	Pennsylvania Fabric Outlet 747-749 S. 4th Street Phila., PA 19147 (215)627-1778 Mon - Fri 10:00-5:30, Sat 10:00-5:00, Wed 10:00-7:00 Cash, V, MC, AX Wide selection - Fabric, leather, thread, trim, notions. Discount prices, used to be across from JoMar.

Other Philadelphia Store Information

Baum's

106 S. 11th Street
Phila., PA
(215) 923-2244 Customer Service
(800) 8-DANCIN (1-800-832-6246) Order Line (215) 592-4194 fax
http://www.baumsdancewear.com/
Directions

Mon-Fri 9:00-5:15, Sat 9:30-5:00
Cash V, MC

Dance (ballet, tap, exotic) supplies, theatrical makeup, speciality shoes, sequined ribbon, appliques, etc. Call for information on discount parking.

Wholesaler, open to the public.Wide selection, great prices. Sign up for their mailing list for specials. No patterns, some trims and notions.

Jo-Mar Fabrics -Juniata Park

3525 I Street (@Venango Street)
Phila., PA 19134
(215) 634-5802
(215) 634-6292 fax
http://jomarstores.com/
Directions

Mon - Fri 10:00-9:00, Sat 10:00-8:00, Sun 11:00-6:00
Cash, Checks MC, V, D

Wholesaler, open to the public (second floor).Wide selection, great prices. When you talk to a local about Jo-Mar, this is often the one they are talking about. Well worth the trip.

Jo-Mar Fabrics -Lawndale

5300 Whitaker Avenue (@Roosevelt Boulevard)
Phila., PA 19124
(215) 288-3699
(215) 533-9060 fax
http://jomarstores.com/
Directions

Mon - Sat 10:00-9:00, Sun 11:00-6:00
Cash, Checks MC, V, D

Wholesaler, open to the public. This is the corporate office as well. Fabric is in the back of the store, not as big a variety as Juniata Park...Unless the warehouse side is open. If you are looking for quantity this is the branch to visit. Call first and if the warehouse side is open, it's worth the headache at the Whitacker/Adams/Boulevard intersection!

Jo-Mar Fabrics - NE Philadelphia

2590 Grant Avenue (@Roosevelt Boulevard)
Phila., PA 19152
(215) 856-0685
(215) 856-7572 fax
http://jomarstores.com/
Directions

Mon - Sat 10:00-9:00, Sun 11:00-6:00
Cash, Checks MC, V, D

Wholesaler, open to the public. Fabric is in the back of the store, not as big a selection as Juniata Park.

Jo-Mar Fabrics - South Philadelphia

22 East Jackson (@ Swanson Street)
Phila., PA 19148
(215) 339-5802
(215) 339-5808 fax
http://jomarstores.com/
Directions

Mon - Sat 10:00-9:00, Sun 11:00-6:00
Cash, Checks MC, V, D

Wholesaler, open to the public.

Karlin's

34 N. 8th Street
Phila., PA
(215) 922-0476
Mon-Sat 9:00-5:00, Wed 9:00-7:00
Cash MC, V, D, MAC

A little bit of everything (more of some things). Big selection of shoulder pads and "push-up" pads. Big selection of buttons (they say they're the largest).

Discounts to groups, inquire.

Located a short walk from the PA Convention Center and Market east train station.

Stapler Fabrics

1224 Walnut Street
Phila, PA
(215) 545-4777
Mon - Sat 10:00-5:30

Cash, Checks MC, V, D

Good selection of better decorator fabric. Helpful staff.

PA Suburban Stores

Coté, Inc.

74 West Bridge Street
Morrisville, PA 19067
(215) 295-8156
(800) 523-3948 (outside PA)
http://www.cote-inc.com/

Glitz, glitter - this is where to find it. They specialize in drum major supply so you're gonna be seen across the stadium. Website has a good reflection <ahem> of the sequin applique and other bits of glitz.

Very easy to get to from Trenton or Route 1 in PA. If you take the Trenton Makes bridge, continue straight it will be on the right. From Route 1 in PA, bear left at the Morrisville fork and it will be on the left just before the light at Pennsylvania Avenue.

Fabric Warehouse

2838 Street Rd
Bensalem, PA
(215) 244-1354
Call for hours

Cash, MC,V ($15 min)

Interesting selection of dressmaker and upholstery fabric. Doesn't have many bolts, but will often have many "remnants" of the same fabric. Not good if you're looking for something particular (like a definate wool blend), but if you're willing to browse, then it is worth the trip. Most of the upholstery fabric is on rolls, so you'll have better luck with that. Sign up for mailing list for 50% off sale fliers.

Jo-Mar Lansdale

816 W. 2nd
Lansdale, PA 19446
(215) 855-7162
(215) 393-7878 fax
http://jomarstores.com/
Directions

Mon-Fri 10:00-9:00, Sat 10:00-6:00, Sun 12:00-5:00
Cash, Checks MC, V, D

Good selection of both dressmaker and upholstery fabrics. Haven't visited since became Jo-Mar (used to be Lansdale Discount House).

The Quilting Circle

2631 Street Rd
Bensalem, PA
(215) 638-1006
http://www.thequiltingcircle.com/

Monday - Thursday 10am - 7pm
Sew Free Friday's 10am - 9pm
Saturday10am - 6pm Sunday 11am - 5pm
Cash, Checks, MC,V, D

Specializes in fabric for quilting. Has one section of fabric that resembles building materials (brick, stone, terra cotta roof tile). Fabrics organized by color groups or themes. Offers classes, lectures, workshops, check website for details. Sign up for mailing list for classes, specials, and sales.

Sew Smart Fabrics

53 W. State Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
(215) 345-7990
Mon - Wed 10:00-6:00, Thur 10:00-9:00,
Fri 10:00-8:00, Sat 10:00-5:00, Sun 12:00-4:00
Cash, Checks MC, V

Excellent selection of calicos, some exotics.

Not local to central Philly. Call for directions.

Jo-Mar Upper Darby

This store is now closed. Notified 10 February 2005.

New Jersey Stores - COMING SOON!