Tribe.net. Local Connections Audrey ♥ http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#0d32b24d-1306-4471-bcbe-bde2a65ce5a9 2009-07-02T15:42:56Z 2009-07-02T15:42:56Z

July specials this weekend at Michael Levine (ML Fabrics) http://www.mlfabrics.net/newsletter/PDF/july.pdf

Audrey ♥ 2009-07-02T15:42:56Z Audrey ♥ http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#375ba7b9-cae0-435b-8098-e973be3f7af1 2009-02-02T13:57:36Z 2009-02-02T13:57:36Z

Here's a link to the calendar [of discount days] for Feb, 2009 from fabric store Michael Levine http://www.mlfabrics.net/newsletter/PDF/february.pdf

Audrey ♥ 2009-02-02T13:57:36Z Margaret http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#3b2d9933-3c9b-4f9f-bf52-33bf3013974c 2008-12-21T22:43:12Z 2008-12-21T22:43:12Z

Yeah, I was just down there a couple weeks ago, and the meters are now $3.00 an hour! Actually, the way they're doing it now is that they've removed a lot of the meters, and you note your parking space and have to go to an ATM station someplace on the block and prepay by credit card. It's kind of insane.

Margaret 2008-12-21T22:43:12Z Petite http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#607040fe-e667-423a-a091-17465b258e23 2008-12-19T08:49:43Z 2008-12-19T08:49:43Z

Hey make sure you park in one of those "all day" lots. They are really really quick to give tickets downtown and you can't keep running back to the meters everytime.

Petite 2008-12-19T08:49:43Z Snake Lynne http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#45557f87-ac2f-4417-a121-51b85b8d07e6 2008-12-13T19:23:48Z 2008-12-13T19:23:48Z

This goes for some of the trim & fabric shops too.

Snake Lynne 2008-12-13T19:23:48Z Snake Lynne http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#2d01816c-b795-439d-b6db-dc14e9db75f3 2008-12-13T19:21:47Z 2008-12-13T19:21:47Z

If you choose to shop at any of the clothing stores, many times they require a wholesalers license and to buy a min amount. Some of the shops will sell full retail price which is about 3x more expensive. Ask when you walk in the store if they sell to non-wholesale or you will be wasting your time.

Snake Lynne 2008-12-13T19:21:47Z lobocita http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#89521ede-31df-479e-862c-ed61b5d274cf 2008-12-12T15:22:53Z 2008-12-12T15:22:53Z

Saturday's in general are crowded, but never as bad as a Friday. Audrey, give me a call if you want, I will meet you there!

lobocita 2008-12-12T15:22:53Z Audrey ♥ http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#a59ff375-8e37-4d16-b57c-c682330eaaa0 2008-12-12T02:49:17Z 2008-12-12T02:49:17Z

glad I read this thread - i'm heading down to the garment district on Sat, which I am really looking forward to so I can pick up trim to decorate a top with. Hope it is not too crowded - we plan to get there around 9:00 am.

Audrey ♥ 2008-12-12T02:49:17Z Petite http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#7020ba4b-a5ed-44b6-b523-a82dedb13ecd 2008-12-11T09:56:22Z 2008-12-11T09:56:22Z

Ohhhhhhh I love love love Berger Beads because they have stuff you can't find anywhere else, but they aren't open on the weekends!!

Petite 2008-12-11T09:56:22Z grace http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#224d88a2-7371-4d02-8b5e-124655dc5665 2008-12-11T04:21:13Z 2008-12-11T04:21:13Z

Here is a website that lists some good info in the LA Garment District. http://www.fashiondistrict.org/show.aspx?mi=2429 Click on the pink section called SEARCH RETAILERS for various categories. Found for Beads & Trim http://www.fashiondistrict.org/page.aspx?id=158&f_Selection=C.BT&__fn=&void=0&mi=2429&cmd=&__pb=http://www.fashiondistrict.org/show.aspx&PrintView=1 Michael Levine http://www.mlfabric.com/apparelfabrics/ address is 920 Maple Ave - Los Angeles, CA 90015 Ethos is at 916 Santee Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 phone 213 624-0240 – I did not see it on the list – it’s 2 blocks from Michael Levine.

grace 2008-12-11T04:21:13Z lobocita http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#8cc84005-a1a0-47a7-89f1-8a279314c91e 2006-06-28T23:31:26Z 2006-06-28T23:31:26Z

no problem, let's go! try to stop me! ;)

lobocita 2006-06-28T23:31:26Z lobocita http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#c42032e8-52f1-4681-97af-6bc39aa901d8 2006-06-28T23:31:05Z 2006-06-28T23:31:05Z

some stuff is open on sundays, limited hours. i have buzzed over to grab something at Michael Levine's on Sunday, but not everything is open on Sunday. Still, considering you can't see everything in one day, it is worth going by to see what you can see. Michael Levine is like noon to 4pm or so.

lobocita 2006-06-28T23:31:05Z emily http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#fa3dd87b-4f24-4d9b-8318-77b4edef99bc 2006-06-28T20:19:06Z 2006-06-28T20:19:06Z

so, most stuff is open on sundays?

emily 2006-06-28T20:19:06Z that_girl http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#baf104d2-c8ef-40df-a288-561cf4e91614 2006-06-28T20:14:52Z 2006-06-28T20:14:52Z

oohh!!! i'm moving south in a month, i'm sure to do some serious damage in the garment district! you might get an email from another random triber (me) looking to hold your bags and wander along behind ya' :-)

that_girl 2006-06-28T20:14:52Z Krissy http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#6a0df4d7-d6a0-4368-a936-2207ff86b300 2006-06-28T18:06:16Z 2006-06-28T18:06:16Z

A tip my friend gave me regarding the fabric district is that a fair number of the fabric stores are owned by Jewish people; therefore, they aren't there on Saturday. No working on the sabbith. Go during the week, or on Sunday. It's just better all around.

Krissy 2006-06-28T18:06:16Z lobocita http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#b6153ca2-6b10-415d-a222-b1765584e3ca 2006-06-28T01:33:13Z 2006-06-28T01:33:13Z

guys can carry stuff!

lobocita 2006-06-28T01:33:13Z emily http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#fed518d6-f2f0-4660-83c1-9650b59f5dd8 2006-06-27T22:48:41Z 2006-06-27T22:48:41Z

Wow! Thank You!! Yes I would love to the deets on the bellydance costume-stuff specialty place! I may just hit you up for a tour, not sure which day we'll be going. Is stuff open on Sundays? I am guessing not but ya never know. Again, thanks for the wealth of useful info Lobo!! I am soooo excited to check it out. I'll have my bf in tow but thankfully he's quite the crafty vixen himself, so hopefully he won't mind being dragged about for hours looking at fabric and other fun stuff.

emily 2006-06-27T22:48:41Z jennifer http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#fb9d932f-4a7c-4b69-bdfa-ad2502cde2f0 2006-06-27T22:47:14Z 2006-06-27T22:47:14Z

you know i was going to reply but i think you covered most of what i was going to say too...but do not forget those little hole in the walls...sometimes i find things in there for the best prices. Secondly, Micheal Levines has bathrooms...they charge 25 cents unless someone is just coming out and usually people will hold the door open for you so you don't have to pay. During the week they are cleaner than on Sat. Plus the Micheal Levines Home Decor across the street also has a bathroom and it is usually cleaner and less well known. 2 doors down from the corner on the South East side is a great store for Linen...in all colors/ Inside the mall on the inside North East Corner is EmmBee's Fabrics, he is a wonderful guy, say hi to him from Jennifer who moved to Oklahoma. He has several pictures of people from the Southern Pleasure faire and the Costumer's Guild-West. I have been going there for over 10 years ...I think ;-> Have fun, and if you go to Orange County on Saturday, do stop by and say hi to my favorite Jobber at the Cypress Swapmeet. He and his sons have been selling there for years and have great fabrics from $1 to $4 dollars a yard.

jennifer 2006-06-27T22:47:14Z Margaret http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#67a34707-273f-483d-9de8-d3aff9d48fb5 2006-06-27T22:36:29Z 2006-06-27T22:36:29Z

Wow!! Go with Jo Ann - she has got it down! I've been buying all my supplies downtown for years and I'm still tempted to ask her for a tour, to find out what she knows that I don't!

Margaret 2006-06-27T22:36:29Z lobocita http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#50e3d2a4-3b35-4477-ad09-d768924bf26a 2006-06-27T21:47:18Z 2006-06-27T21:47:18Z

Emily, I have a map at platial.com called LA Garment District showing you the general region. The area now goes by the name LA Fashion District, which is basically clothing to fabrics to crafts... and this is next to the floral district. I generally go to the sewing and crafting stores between Los Angeles Street/Central and Olympic/7th. I will park on one end, do my shopping, then drive to the other end park and do my shopping. Weekday mornings are the best. Sometimes after 4 is ok, because the lot prices go down. Saturday is HELL so get there early. I tend to leave my purse at home... wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes and pockets for cash/credit card. Difficult to find restrooms, so be sure to shop in some of the full-retail shops and make use of their facilities. Some snack food restaurants, such as MacDonald's, El Pollo Loco. The Starbucks does not let you use their restroom. Use a parking facility, they are worth the cost. Something just off 9th/Wall or 9th/Maple will work for fabric shopping. When you go to the other side for crafts, you can find street parking, but there are a lot of vagrants in the area and they tend to hang about/sit on the cars. Starting point if you are into sewing: Michael Levine A real world version of Britex, complete with snooty salespeople, but with the benefit of a very accessible environment-- the main store, at 920 S. Maple (between Olympic/9th), has everything from gorgeous yarns, notions, leather pelts (hand painted ones, gorgeous!) to imported wedding silks, feather boas, amazing accessories, patterns, supplies, tools, and a decent quilting section. Difficult to resist buying stuff, especially because this is one of the few places that takes credit card. Higher prices than the jobber stalls in the surrounding area, but for high-end or re-ordering, this is the place to purchase. Second store has home decor fabrics and accessories, across the street. And above, across the street, a loft of fabric-by-the-pound. Interesting stuff sometimes, but you'll have to bring your car around cause you'll buy so much! They have a small lot that they validate for, but it is usually full. Wholesale and retail. On 9th Street, there are lots of fabric shop/stalls that sell fabric off the roll. They aren't real strict on measuring, so you can get bargains here, but i is like a swap meet/flea market... you can try to haggle, but they are pretty savvy. Ask for the price and make them stick to it though. If they see you like something, yes, they quote higher prices, so try to be just as savvy. Buy in large quantities for good discounts, but you iwll have to make retreats back to your car with the bulky fabric. I recommend CashCool and the one near the corner. On Wall Street you will see a store that has a giant zipper sign... I love thier notions and I think they have the best zipper collection, though some people swear by CashCool. And further down 9th past Wall, there are some great notions shops, but the walk can get long, so try to store your stuff in car before walking that far down. Crafts Stores: Two landmark stores: Moskatel's is on San Julian near 7th, and Craft Depot is on the corner of 7th and Wall. Don't be tempted to walk between these two, because the soup kitchen/mission is at 7th/San Julian and the light you have to stand at to cross the street is long. High curbs in the area also leave lots of trash to wade through... let's just say it is not a fun street to walk on even for a few feet. I tend to hover and wait for a parking near the door of Moskatel's on 7th/San Julian and bring lots of quarters to cover the parking. Yes, you may have to wait a long time for a parkign, yes you may have to do some quick u-turns to get your parking... but it is worth it. Moskatel's is supposedly an urban store of Michael's, but product for product, they have the same things and more, and at better prices! Example: I bought mini teddy bears (like 2" tall, in the doll section) for $.85 vs $1.25 at Michael's. Considering I was buying 20 of them, that was a significant savings! If you walk through the store, this store also has a professional floral/decor department also. Yes, they sell wholesale as well as retail. Craft Depot has its own parking lot, and at first i used to think it looked like a place where accidents can happen, but I use it and nothing has ever happened. I guess crafting people are pretty cool. Anyway, there are a few street spots just outside the store, but other than that, I don't recommend these streets if you are not LA urban savvy (SF urban savvy doesn't cut it, I know, I am an SF transplant and it has taken me years). Just wait wait wait for a spot in the parking lot. The craft store has some interesting stuff, I take it shelf by shelf by shelf and aisle by aisle. Conclusion: Those landmark stores should get you started, and obviously you will find stuff as you go along. If you have other interests just let me know here, and I will tell yo... like there is a great beading/belly dance costume stuff store and some good home decor shops. Just let me know. Also, if you want a guide, if you buy me a latte and pay my parking, I would be glad to meet you (and this offer goes to anyone who wants this) and offer you a guided tour. I guarantee you will be able to keep up with me and will enjoy it! Oh, it is a soy latte, so extra charge, just soy you know ;) Sincerely, Jo Ann Villalobos moderator, Crafty Vixens tribes sewing enthusiast freak fetishist extremist, can't you tell?

lobocita 2006-06-27T21:47:18Z emily http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/c87d3edf-9264-494e-a73c-cd94cd5cb2c8#5569e741-1a08-4cd7-b336-5e382d4cda23 2006-06-27T20:59:38Z 2006-06-27T20:59:38Z

hi vixens, i'm going to LA for the weekend and am dying to check out the famed and fab garment district. does anyone have recommendations of specific streets/stores to check out? my sister lives in LA so she'll be my navigatrix but she's not too versed in craftiness and doesn't know much about the garment district particularly. i'm clueless, don't know LA at all... where should we go? suggestions much appreciated! or just point me in the right direction, and we'll explore from there :) many thanks, emily*

emily 2006-06-27T20:59:38Z