Replies

1. 
   Steve_P | Feb 07, 1999 06:16am | #1

   *
   My favorite all around shop for quality natural fabrics (wool, cotton, linen, silk) is Treadle Goods in St. Paul. It's actually about mid-way between downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis along a great old neighborhood shopping street - Grand Ave at Hamline Ave.

   A few miles directly north on Hamline Ave in the suburb Roseville is Colorful Quilts and Textiles. They specialize in hand dyed and printed cottons. They also teach classes and sell kits/supplies for printing your own fabrics.

   Back on Grand Ave near MaCalester College is a vintage shop which sells old fabrics from the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's. I can't remember the name, but if you're interested, let me know and I can find it.

   If you're into warehouse type shopping, the grand daddy of them all is S.R. Harris. It's quite a jaunt out in a NW suburb so I'll spare you the details here. It's as big as a Wall Mart with fabric piled (no, it's not neat and tidy!!) in stacks 8-10 feet tall. They have everything from rolls of cheap polyester to luxurious silks and woolens. Prices are typically 1/3 to 1/2 of retail. If this interests you, let me know and I'll provide more information.

   Of course, we have the original Minnesota Fabrics chain stores (which are being renamed to Hancocks) and and multitude of JoAnns, including one of their big "Etc" stores.

   There are also other small independents listed in the phone book, but I'm not familiar with them.

   Cheers!!

   Steve P
   Minneapolis

1. 
   Melanie_Spewock | Feb 10, 1999 11:12am | #2

   *If you're interested in quilting, try not to miss The Country Peddler Quilt Shop in St. Paul--a fine store with a lovely selection of fabrics. My all-time favorite local quilt store is Eydie's Country Quilting Shop in Linden Hills (a neighborhood in south Minneapolis)--wonderful assortment of fabrics in a small and delightful space. Also good is the Wayzata Quilting Emporium in the suburb of Wayzata (a bit of a drive from the city, but worth it). For general higher-end fabrics and buttons sold individually in those great wooden-doored display cases (are you old enough to remember those?!), try Dell Fabrics on Excelsior Boulevard in St. Louis Park (a southern suburb of Minneapolis). The vintage textile store Steve mentioned is Grand Remnants on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. It's worth a stop just because it's so unique. They also carry vintage clothing and linens and an assortment of antique kitchen and domestics collectibles. Enjoy your trip!

1. 
   MMetz | Feb 24, 2000 11:51pm | #3

   *About 90 miles south of Minneapolis (in Rochester) is Ginny's Fine Fabrics. A sewer from Minneapolis told me that she thinks this is the best fabric store in Minnesota. They carry beautiful woolens, silks, linens, etc. People from all over the world visiting the Mayo Clinic shop there. Here is the Web site: http://www.ginnysfinefabrics.com/Don't forget to check out the back room for 50 - 75% reductions~

1. 
   Angela_Robinson | Feb 16, 2001 05:51pm | #4

   *You may want to try Mill End Textiles at Lexington and Snelling in St. Paul. They have some seconds, but most of it is good. Very inexpensive. They have lots of calicos, polar fleece, baby/childrens, knits, drapery/upholstery, supplex, ... The inventory turns over quite a bit, you need to go often to see what's there. They also have sale items every week. Another good one it Treadle Yard Goods on Grand and Hamline? in St. Paul.