We moved to Arizona from Brooklyn, NY. There were a lot of things which I took for granted when I lived in NYC, especially where food and indie boutiques are concerned. One assumption I had made moving out here was that my only fabric shopping option locally would be a chain fabric store. I had figured it was back to ordering fabric on-line for me.
Once I landed in Patagonia and people found out about my dressmaking background everyone kept telling me that I had to visit SAS. I’m pretty jaded when it comes to fabric stores, I mean I even got to shop Mood when I lived in NYC. I put off visiting the store at first until I was with a friend and they had to shop there.
I walked in the door and felt like I’d fallen into a wormhole that had brought me right back to Brooklyn. There were stacks of fabrics everywhere, bare concrete floors and a staff that warmed my city girl heart. Almost every review site has criticism of the staff of SAS. To these criticism I say, grow up. These are some of the funniest and nicest people I have ever met as long as you treat them with the respect that any fellow human being is due. I have watched these ladies put up with a serious amount of bullsh*t with a surprising amount of grace.
Anyway, back to the fabric. It seems to be mostly endlot and priced amazingly. I shop there exclusively for all my jersey. Once I bought the most gorgeous 100% silk taffeta there for $2.00/yard. They also have trims that I can barely let myself look at for fear of it overtaking my entire studio space.
If you are ever near Tucson and like to sew go to SAS, you won’t be disappointed.
