What: gray, purple, teal buttons
Where: Pacific, M&J, Botani, Daytona
Price: $2 - $4 per button
So today was a huge challenge for me. I was asked to find buttons to match three sweaters, all different colors: dark gray, purple, and teal. Now, I knew before I went out that teal was going to be nearly impossible. I had found a good teal button on a separate trip, but this time they wanted one that was about 52 ligne, which is pretty big.
Normally, gray is about the hardest color there is to match, but I actually found a pretty decent gray button at Pacific Trimmings on 38th street. Surprisingly, purple is not a horribly difficult color to locate. I found a good one at M&J Trimmings. I figured I would find a decent button in one of the colors at M&J because they have a pretty good selection of novelty buttons and buttons in bright colors. But still, no teal. I went all around to about 8 different stores, including LuLu Buttons on 38th between 6th and 5th, and Botani on 36th between 7th and 8th, both of which specialize in buttons. I had no luck in either store, but I did have some luck in Daytona Trimmings... and I say 'some luck' generously. I found a button that would have to do because I couldn't find a closer teal color. They were actually more blue than I would have liked but they would have to do.
Moral of the story: the chances of finding a good teal button are about the same as the chances of winning of the lottery. My advice is to go to LuLu and get the guy who owns the store to dye buttons to match whatever garment you are looking for. The price is hefty, but if it's really important that the button match as closely as possible, the only way you are going to find a good teal is get the buttons dyed.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Shoulder Patches
Where: M&J, Pacific Trimmings, Joyce, B&Q, Trimart
Today I learned that finding shoulder patches in the kind of style in the picture at right (http://images.smh.com.au/) is not so easy. For whatever reason, the patches either come without hanging chains at all, or they come with loose hanging chains as opposed to the ones that are looped and attached to the other side. I had a feeling when I went out that it might be a hard thing to locate, but I had no idea that I would go back to the office completely unsuccessful.
I tried all over the place; I went to every trim store on 38th street between 7th and 8th, I went to M&J Trimming, Joyce Buttons and Trims, B&Q Trimming, and Pacific Trimmings just to name a few. The only place I found something even close to slightly resembling the look the company was going for was at TrimArt, which is on 38th street and almost 8th. They didn't have exactly what I was looking for by any means, but at least they had some form of patches with some form of chains hanging over the shoulder. They were only $4 a piece so I bought three different ones and headed back to the office.
If you ask me, if you have your heart set on a shoulder patch like the one above, it would probably be easier to buy the chain and the patch separately and sew together a cute patch for your shirts or dresses. Finding a cute one in the city is near impossible.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Hmmm... maybe neckline embellishments today
What: neckline embellishments
Where: M&J Trimmings, Pacific Trimmings
How Much: about $13
Today was no different than my average day at the office: do some computer work, run errands, do more computer work, run more errands, yet more computer work, and yet more errands. The bulk of my errands actually had to do with finding more crinkle chiffon, but since I already wrote about that in a previous post, I figure it would be more helpful to talk about the other thing I was asked to source: neckline embellishments. And not just any neckline embellishments: beaded ones. More specifically, ones that attach at the shoulders and hang loose over the neckline.
I had a couple of trim stores in mind right as I was heading out of the office. I went to M&J Trimmings first, as they usually have a really good selection of just about everything. While I was met with many, many, many different beaded patches of all kinds, I didn't find what I was looking for. I stopped into a few small trim stores on 38th street and, after having no luck anywhere, decided to head into Pacific Trimmings. Now, while their selection wasn't anything to brag about, they did have two neckline trims that were exactly what I was looking for. Each of them were about $13, which is pretty standard for any sort of neckline trim. I happily handed over the dough to Jules (the owner of the store) and went merrily on my way.
Where: M&J Trimmings, Pacific Trimmings
How Much: about $13
Today was no different than my average day at the office: do some computer work, run errands, do more computer work, run more errands, yet more computer work, and yet more errands. The bulk of my errands actually had to do with finding more crinkle chiffon, but since I already wrote about that in a previous post, I figure it would be more helpful to talk about the other thing I was asked to source: neckline embellishments. And not just any neckline embellishments: beaded ones. More specifically, ones that attach at the shoulders and hang loose over the neckline.
I had a couple of trim stores in mind right as I was heading out of the office. I went to M&J Trimmings first, as they usually have a really good selection of just about everything. While I was met with many, many, many different beaded patches of all kinds, I didn't find what I was looking for. I stopped into a few small trim stores on 38th street and, after having no luck anywhere, decided to head into Pacific Trimmings. Now, while their selection wasn't anything to brag about, they did have two neckline trims that were exactly what I was looking for. Each of them were about $13, which is pretty standard for any sort of neckline trim. I happily handed over the dough to Jules (the owner of the store) and went merrily on my way.
Monday, April 26, 2010
The epic search for polka dots
Now I have to day, finding polka dot fabric is not the most difficult challenge I've been faced with while sourcing... by far. I left the office feeling optimistic that I would be able to find polka dot jersey and shirting, but a little apprehensive about my ability to find polka dot chiffon or some other kind of sheer fabric resembling it.
I was right about one thing: finding polka dot shirting material was a cinch. I found some right away at Elegant on 40th street between 7th and 8th. They have a pretty decent variety of cute springy colors for about $10-$15 per yard, depending on the quality of the fabric in question. I didn't find sheer or jersey polka dots here. Not being able to find something at this store got my spirits down a little bit because I thought I would be able to at least find a good knit. I moved on to Fabrics Garden on 39th street between 7th and 8th. They have a really big selection of knits so I figured I might be more successful there. I was right; they did have several polka dot knits in pretty colors and a couple of sheer polka dots as well. The guy there was new so he wouldn't cut me swatches but he didn't care if I took pictures, so I did. He didn't know about pricing, but I do know that the solid knits are about $8 per yard, so the printed knits are probably a few more dollars. I walked farther down the street and hit a store called AK Fabrics (also on 39th street). I wasn't surprised that they didn't have much of a selection of knits, or sheers, but they do have a really big selection of shirting material. I found a few cool lightweight polka dots and walked back out. I decided that I would probably have the best luck finding knits at Spandex House, on 38th street between 7th and 8th, considering that they only sell stretch fabrics. I browsed through all the cotton and rayon jersey but they only had stripes and solids. On the way out, I passed a lot of polka dots... unfortunately, they were all in swimsuit material and I was looking for something that could be used for shirts. I checked Spandex World (also on 38th street) but they had about the same selection as Spandex House. I looked in a couple more of the smaller fabric stores but was unsuccessful. As I was walking back to the office, I thought about how crazy it is to have such a limited selection of polka dot fabric in a city with about a million fabric stores. I'll have to do some more research...
What: polka dot knit, polka dot sheer, polka dot shirting
Where: Elegant, Fabrics Garden, AK Fabrics, Spandex House, Spandex World
How much: $8-$15 per yard
I was right about one thing: finding polka dot shirting material was a cinch. I found some right away at Elegant on 40th street between 7th and 8th. They have a pretty decent variety of cute springy colors for about $10-$15 per yard, depending on the quality of the fabric in question. I didn't find sheer or jersey polka dots here. Not being able to find something at this store got my spirits down a little bit because I thought I would be able to at least find a good knit. I moved on to Fabrics Garden on 39th street between 7th and 8th. They have a really big selection of knits so I figured I might be more successful there. I was right; they did have several polka dot knits in pretty colors and a couple of sheer polka dots as well. The guy there was new so he wouldn't cut me swatches but he didn't care if I took pictures, so I did. He didn't know about pricing, but I do know that the solid knits are about $8 per yard, so the printed knits are probably a few more dollars. I walked farther down the street and hit a store called AK Fabrics (also on 39th street). I wasn't surprised that they didn't have much of a selection of knits, or sheers, but they do have a really big selection of shirting material. I found a few cool lightweight polka dots and walked back out. I decided that I would probably have the best luck finding knits at Spandex House, on 38th street between 7th and 8th, considering that they only sell stretch fabrics. I browsed through all the cotton and rayon jersey but they only had stripes and solids. On the way out, I passed a lot of polka dots... unfortunately, they were all in swimsuit material and I was looking for something that could be used for shirts. I checked Spandex World (also on 38th street) but they had about the same selection as Spandex House. I looked in a couple more of the smaller fabric stores but was unsuccessful. As I was walking back to the office, I thought about how crazy it is to have such a limited selection of polka dot fabric in a city with about a million fabric stores. I'll have to do some more research...
What: polka dot knit, polka dot sheer, polka dot shirting
Where: Elegant, Fabrics Garden, AK Fabrics, Spandex House, Spandex World
How much: $8-$15 per yard
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Nothing special
I was surprised today when I wasn't asked to go out sourcing at all, as it is normally one of my daily tasks. But later in the afternoon, a couple of my coworkers decided to go around the district just to check into some stores and see what's out there. I shamelessly asked to come along and they said yes, of course.
So we headed out into the chaos and decided to stop at M&J Trimming on 6th avenue between 38th and 37th. We walked in and split up. I browsed through the shiny trims in the front of the store but found myself standing next to the wall of embellished patches and decided that would be my subject today. I would probably have to say that they easily have the best selection of beaded patches out of any store I've been to. Generally speaking, the low end of the price range for these patches is about $10-$15, which is standard for any trim store. Over the past few weeks, I've had to go out several times to look for these same embellished patches, which are actually pretty easy to find because they're trendy right now. I mostly was asked to find things with studding and sequins, and I was very lucky to be able to find some variety of them at most every trim store I went to. TrimArt on 38th street gave me the best selection. They have tons of cool patches on the right side of the store, and they have some really cool neck pieces displayed on a board above the cash register. The price range here is about $10-$30. Some of the smaller trim stores gave me an alright selection, namely iTrim on 38th street. They have a lot of really great neck pieces for about $10 a pop, not to mention some very elaborate beaded floral patches. I absolutely love these really small, adorable sequin bows that are $4 a piece. I'm looking forward to buying a few and sticking them on some headbands, sandals, shirts... they go with whatever.
What: embellished patches and neck pieces
Where: M&J Trimming, TrimArt, iTrim
How much: $10 and up
So we headed out into the chaos and decided to stop at M&J Trimming on 6th avenue between 38th and 37th. We walked in and split up. I browsed through the shiny trims in the front of the store but found myself standing next to the wall of embellished patches and decided that would be my subject today. I would probably have to say that they easily have the best selection of beaded patches out of any store I've been to. Generally speaking, the low end of the price range for these patches is about $10-$15, which is standard for any trim store. Over the past few weeks, I've had to go out several times to look for these same embellished patches, which are actually pretty easy to find because they're trendy right now. I mostly was asked to find things with studding and sequins, and I was very lucky to be able to find some variety of them at most every trim store I went to. TrimArt on 38th street gave me the best selection. They have tons of cool patches on the right side of the store, and they have some really cool neck pieces displayed on a board above the cash register. The price range here is about $10-$30. Some of the smaller trim stores gave me an alright selection, namely iTrim on 38th street. They have a lot of really great neck pieces for about $10 a pop, not to mention some very elaborate beaded floral patches. I absolutely love these really small, adorable sequin bows that are $4 a piece. I'm looking forward to buying a few and sticking them on some headbands, sandals, shirts... they go with whatever.
What: embellished patches and neck pieces
Where: M&J Trimming, TrimArt, iTrim
How much: $10 and up
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Stretch Lace and Crinkle Chiffon
Today wasn't much different from any other day in the office: sewed some stuff, did some excel spreadsheet work, filed a bit, and was asked to go out and look for a few things. Some of the designers needed stretch lace trim and crinkle chiffon.
I've been asked many times before to out and source stretch lace trim so I knew the best places to go to look. I'm always a little disappointed when they ask me for white trim because, for whatever reason, there is never a big selection of white stretch trim. I don't know why, but generally the most stretch lace comes in crazy colors like hot pink or baby blue, neither of which I can think of any use for. I went to Daytona Braids and Trimmings on 39th street, as they generally have the best selection of lace trims. I spotted one that was an option, but decided that the edges were not as scalloped as I would like so I moved on to Joyce Buttons and Trims on 38th street and was met with mostly the same selection. I ended up picking out one with slightly more scalloped edges.
Crinkle chiffon posed an entirely different challenge. It's not that it's so incredibly hard to find, it's finding a reasonable price for it. I have yet to find a place that carries polyester crinkle chiffon so I have to stick with silk for the time being. The first place I always go when I'm asked to source fabrics is Elegant Fabrics, partly because they have a really good selection of most everything, and partly because they have swatches attached to the bolts so you don't have to go around bugging the employees for swatches. It's also nice because you can kind of take as many as you want. They actually have a decent selection of crinkle chiffon, and at about $19 per yard, it's about the cheapest you'll find. I took a bunch of swatches and continued. I popped into a lot of the smaller stores around 38th street but most of them didn't have what I was looking for. Then I stopped at Fabrics Garden on 39th street. I was greeted by one of the guys who works there who I see every single time I go and he always smiles and tells me that he can get me anything I would like... one of the benefits of this place :). I found out that they have a pretty good selection of crinkle chiffon in some really pretty colors. I asked about pricing and was pleased when he told me that the general price is $15 per yard, and even more pleased when he told me that he would give me a deal since I'm a regular... another benefit of this store. I swatched from a few of the bolts and was on my way, pausing to look at the knit selection as I often do, but that's another subject for another day.
I've been asked many times before to out and source stretch lace trim so I knew the best places to go to look. I'm always a little disappointed when they ask me for white trim because, for whatever reason, there is never a big selection of white stretch trim. I don't know why, but generally the most stretch lace comes in crazy colors like hot pink or baby blue, neither of which I can think of any use for. I went to Daytona Braids and Trimmings on 39th street, as they generally have the best selection of lace trims. I spotted one that was an option, but decided that the edges were not as scalloped as I would like so I moved on to Joyce Buttons and Trims on 38th street and was met with mostly the same selection. I ended up picking out one with slightly more scalloped edges.
Crinkle chiffon posed an entirely different challenge. It's not that it's so incredibly hard to find, it's finding a reasonable price for it. I have yet to find a place that carries polyester crinkle chiffon so I have to stick with silk for the time being. The first place I always go when I'm asked to source fabrics is Elegant Fabrics, partly because they have a really good selection of most everything, and partly because they have swatches attached to the bolts so you don't have to go around bugging the employees for swatches. It's also nice because you can kind of take as many as you want. They actually have a decent selection of crinkle chiffon, and at about $19 per yard, it's about the cheapest you'll find. I took a bunch of swatches and continued. I popped into a lot of the smaller stores around 38th street but most of them didn't have what I was looking for. Then I stopped at Fabrics Garden on 39th street. I was greeted by one of the guys who works there who I see every single time I go and he always smiles and tells me that he can get me anything I would like... one of the benefits of this place :). I found out that they have a pretty good selection of crinkle chiffon in some really pretty colors. I asked about pricing and was pleased when he told me that the general price is $15 per yard, and even more pleased when he told me that he would give me a deal since I'm a regular... another benefit of this store. I swatched from a few of the bolts and was on my way, pausing to look at the knit selection as I often do, but that's another subject for another day.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Finding a button in a haystack...
At this point in my career, being asked to find a specific button among the crazy amount of trims stores around the city. But, since I thought I recognized said button, I figured it would be pretty easy. I headed over to Joyce Buttons and Trims because, in my experience, they have the best selection of crystal shank buttons, which is what I was looking for today. Most places that have buttons do have pretty much the same ones, but in smaller amounts and for at least a few more dollars per button. Unfortunately, after searching Joyce, and a few other trim stores, I came back empty handed. I asked around the office, but nobody seemed to know where these buttons were bought, so I offered to buy some very similar buttons, but they declined in favor of some other ones that we already had on hand.
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