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B & J Fabrics
Category: Shopping Arts & Crafts Fabric Stores Fabric Stores [Edit]
525 7th Ave2nd Fl
(between 38th St & 39th St)
New York, NY 10018
Neighborhood: Midtown West
(212) 354-8150
- Nearest Transit:
-
Times Sq - 42 St (1, 2, 3, N, Q, R)
Times Sq - 42 St (7, 7X)
Times Sq - 42 St (S)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 5:30 pm
Sat 9 am - 4:30 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
32 reviews for B & J Fabrics
Review Highlights
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"...is open, clean, and well organized by fabric type, along..." In 4 reviews -
"...in the heart of the garment district and has long been a..." In 3 reviews -
"Totally worth the 8am Saturday morning swatch trip." In 9 reviews
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32 reviews in English
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Review from Christine T.
Brooklyn, NY
4/8/2012
They carry a lot of cute Japanese prints--all imports so expect to pay a premium. Clear visuals and well organized stock so you don't become disoriented/overwhelmed by their large selection. I think they have some Liberty pre-cut into 1 yard panels the last time I was here. I prefer this fabric store over the other much hyped fabric store--you know which one I'm talking about.
Great layout, bright & airy, good customer service. -
Review from Jeanette O.
Fairfield, CT
2/23/2012
Don't be intimidated by the orderliness of the store. Because they display swatches and not entire bolts, one might think they are snobby. Not the case. They just have so much selection!
The key here is to ask a salesperson to help you. Once you have their attention (thank you Roberto!), they are helpful and knowledgeable. THIS is the place to go if you have a special fabric in mind. It's not the place to go for a bargain but the prices are similar to Mood. -
Review from Cruummbs C.
Howard Beach, NY
11/13/2011
The 1 star is for Starbucks.....B & J Fabrics is a store full of stank snobs..
Employees are not helpful....terrible customer service....when you ask for help they point you in the direction ....go find it yourself...fabrics are overpriced....B & J Fabrics would NEVER get my hard earned money...GO to MOODS FABRICS 37th St..
I love it...employees & management are helpful and prices are reasonable.... Fabrics, buttons and trimmings are AWESOME.... -
Review from Natalya R.
Brooklyn, NY
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Everything you need and everything they have.
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Review from Frame D.
New Haven, CT
2/16/2008
OMG, who needs groceries, really if you are single you can make a big pot of soup and live off that for a while because you have spent your money on 3 yds of fabulously beautiful black and white French silk chiffon or ultra cool Japanese cotton with an edgy graphic print...simply heaven!
Also, no matter how busy or slow, the staff is very helpful. Not cheap but I always leave happy even if I'm eating soup for the next 2 weeks! -
Review from Kimberli M.
New York, NY
8/26/2006 2 photos
A great selection of PRICEY fabrics. Always worth a browse!
There new location is bright and airy up on the second floor - surrounded by windows. Quite a change from the old locations' dungeon like enclosure!Listed in: Wrap me in Fabric and call it…
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Review from Marlene K.
San Francisco, CA
6/6/2010
Lovely place. Well lit, and i don't sneeze obnoxiously like in other fabric stores.
The staff is very nice and sweet. I don't know why this place gets a reputation of having mean sales associates. I think everyone is lovely.
Then again, I tend to not demand things from people and wait patiently until people are free.
It is pricier, but the great thing about higher prices is that you can come back and know that your fabric is probably going to be there.
Also, it's very organized; inspirationally so. Reminds me of Gattaca.
Maybe it's the ultra-white walls.
Organization and fabric stores just don't go hand in hand usually, so it's a huge plus.
If a fabric store could be a zen Japanese garden, this would be it. -
Review from Angi D.
New York, NY
5/31/2008
They might be sassy, but B & J has some pretty amazing fabrics!
If money were no option, this would be one of my top stops. Alas, until that day arrives, I will be rummaging the basement of Textile Kingdom & the tight corners of Discount Fabrics.
Totally worth the 8am Saturday morning swatch trip. -
Review from Ro N.
New York, NY
9/15/2008
This place is super duper organized and less dusty than Mood.
The people there are very helpful as well.
I usually don't like to trek near Time Square area but this is the only place that I know that has good selection of fabrics even though they didn't carry netting for my hat! -
Review from Sara N.
New York, NY
4/6/2010
I was reliving my fashion school years this morning.. hopping from one fabric store to the next in the Garment District, on the hunt for a bright red vinyl. Now that I work in television more than I do fashion, a sense of college nostalgia passed over me.
Speaking of work and why I was prancing all over 40th Street and 7th Ave.. I'll be leaving for Cannes this Friday for a media & television market. At such events, we have a booth where we meet with clients over a 4 day period and the walls they put up, are a total eyesore -- awful melamine-coated partitioned walls. As if anyone could take us seriously with ugly walls.. we are in entertainment, after all. More to do with visual stimulation than practicality.
B & J was my third stop of the morning and it was also my favourite. The space is open, clean, and well organized by fabric type, along rows and rows of endless racks. The fabrics hanging on these racks are sample materials -- so you can feel for texture, hang for drape, and view the fabrics in a different light. Today, I was doing research (pricing, colours available, and different types of vinyl to take back to the office) so all I needed were sample swatches. I brought my materials over for sampling where the efficient salesperson cut and swatched (labeled each sample with price per yard, assigned code, and length) everything for me! Had I wanted to make a purchase right then and there, she would have brought the roll of fabric over, based on the assigned code, from the tall shelves of endless colour. Brilliant! I like systems that work.
In general, the fabrics are a little more expensive than other fabric stores in the city, but I think they are priced accordingly. Italian wool, silks, and cashmere don't come cheap. They also have beautiful chantilly lace, brocade, chenille, tweed, linen, etc. in all sorts of colours and prints.
A part of me is longing to be in fashion school again.. if only for the sequins and chantilly lace. -
Review from Nilunda R.
New York, NY
1/14/2009
Being a design student, I have to carefully consider that fabrics I want to use.
I love B & J because they have a huge range of beautiful fabrics and its so organized and well lit (unlike Mood).
The only reason it gets just three stars is for its bogus and difficult to deal with student swatching policy. The only time they'll swatch for students is 8am-9am on weekdays and 9am-10am on saturdays. I have to wake up at 6am to commute from Queens to get fabrics swatches?! Sheesh. You have to pick your max of 14 swatches and THEN get someone to help you. It's understandable why they do this (they'd be swamped by students at reg hours), but by the time I've picked all of them out, I forgot all the ones I wanted! Bummer, right?
All in all, the trouble I have to go through to get their fabrics is worth it because of the wonderful quality. They even swatch faux furs! Woo hoo!! -
Review from Lauden M.
Brooklyn, NY
2/9/2010
God I hate going here. Everyone is so rude... especially for people who are cutting you some way-too-expensive fabric.
Heaven help you if you want a swatch! Now I am a student and I know that it is annoying to cut swatches for students, but that is why I wake up at the crack of dawn to make to the STUDENT SWATCHING HOUR. Jeeeez... it is not like I am coming up to you in the middle of the day, during some huge sale, asking for you to swatch some chiffon. I am coming to YOUR designated hour.
And HELLOOOO... swatching leads to buying!! I have spent way too much money at this store to be looked at like the world biggest ass pimple every time I need a swatch.
B&J needs to get over themselves and realize who is supporting their store. -
Review from Tina C.
New York, NY
11/6/2009
There is something charming/chaotic about crawling through rolls of fabric like in a 19th century Indian market, but it's incredibly refreshing to see a place so clean, spacious, well-lit and well organized. It's on 2nd floor.
A lot of the fabric is hung on hangers so you can touch, feel the hang, view the nap in different lighting. Then find the roll of fabric that it came from based on a letter/number code.
Prices are clearly marked, but there is nothing less than $15/yard. Not the place to go to save money. Some fabrics go up to $100/yard! -
Review from DIY F.
New York, NY
7/9/2011
I love this fabric store! Whenever I need some sample yardages for work, this is the first place I think of going to since they have a little bit of everything. My favorite section is their large selection of liberty prints and batiks. I've been shopping here since I was a student and the staff have become much nicer over the years. I like the new location too.
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Review from frank p.
New York, NY
5/22/2009
Their fabrics are high quality, but expensive. Everything is organized and well lit. Some of their staff are curt, but there are some really friendly and helpful people who work there. Any of them will swatch for you, just grab a person and take them to your fabrics.
Whenever I need fabric for a sample, that isn't silk, I come here first. -
Review from Ashley V.
San Bruno, CA
11/19/2011
The one star is for their selection of wools only. Absolutely terrible attitudes on the employees. I came here to buy fabric with a client and the staff was just deplorable. Especially a skinny middle aged bald man who was very condescending to my client. I instead left with a swatch which i sent to my favorite store in San Francisco, and recieved an order for beautiful italian wool from them instead. So much for trying a new store, you can get amazing quality without the snarkiness. They seem to think they are the end all be all or something.
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Review from Baby Mr. T.
San Diego, CA
7/11/2007
A wonderful fabric store, organized, clean, EXPENSIVE. Really expensive. I just didn't have fun shopping here on my NYC tourist sewing shopping jaunt, especially after Mood.
Listed in: Fabric Stores
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Review from Eunice Y.
Glendale, CA
8/25/2011 4 Check-ins Here
If you want to walk into SNOB land you've entered the right store. Everyone here is soooo stanking rude and mean. I don't know if this is the concept of their store.. but seriously it's not a very pleasant place to walk into. Well, the reason I gave it still 4 stars was because of quality. This place does have AMAZINGG quality. The fabrics are beautiful and you definitely can't find them in Mood or Elegant. I can see why these people would be stuck up but you're still a business and I think every business should be nice to their customers. Moving on from the rude workers, the collection of fabrics are all organized into sections. But don't be surprised by the prices! It is what it is. Most of their fabrics are imported from Italy or France and are of exceptional quality. I always love coming here to swatch but student swatching is only from 8-9 AM. (once again.. so mean.. the times are at the break of dawn) but one thing I love about this place is there's no limit to swatches. You can get however much you want. So grab everything you need! And it's probably gonna cost you an arm and a leg to shop here. It is SUPERRR pricey.
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Review from Harper D.
Wenham, MA
1/28/2008
Cheap is not why I go to B&J, it's because if I'm looking for something expensive/high end/unusual and extremely specific they have it. They will give me a real swatch to show a Customer, keep it on file for me, and then I can call from Boston and have it shipped that day. I don't haveto spend hours searching. The staff is always nice and know what their stuff about fabric. It's a store for Professionals and run by Professionals.
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Review from chris b.
East Village, NY
11/27/2010
When you come in here solely to swatch you will have a hard time getting anyone to help you, and if you do you won't get help without an eye roll. Even when you are purchasing fabric they still are too-cool and won't give you the time of day. With that said the fabric here is gorgeous. It is high end designer and very pricey. Its well lit, clean, extremely organized. So if you need a beautiful hombred crepe de chine with a side of ambivalence....this is the place to be.
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Review from Audrey B.
5/29/2010
B&J is located in the heart of the garment district and has long been a great fabric staple. It's stacked full of fabric bolts and they have a HUGE selection of gorgeous and amazing fabrics. And even though I don't live near here anymore, they have a very accessible online fabric store, which is my new vice. They have detailed pictures of the fabrics and their prices are good. I especially like their selection of Japanese fabrics and they have a huge catalog of Liberty of London prints.
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Review from Yasmine S.
New York, NY
5/8/2007
Elegant, organized, staff knows whats what. Priced accordingly.
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Review from jeanette b.
New York, NY
12/4/2010
I went to most of the fabrics stores on the same day, B & J, Mood, Elegance, & Rosen & Chadwick. B & J had the best selection in the most organized manner & the, as expected, the most pricey but moving right along what worked best for me was the sales associate Bopah. She was amazing.
Earlier I had been in the store, selected a fabric that was not available (although the sales associate who helped me did not know this). When I returned after looking around in other shops Bohap helped me. She did a thorough search & finally came back to tell me that the fabric I had selected wasn't available. She apologized for the inconvenience & then went way of out her way to help me select a new fabric with the corresponding lining. She helped me get the perfect combination of fabrics.
She was what every customer is looking for when the chooses are so many & you need that experienced eye and extra hand to help you out.
I'm not a dressmaker but I know that if I ever have to purchase fabric again, B& J will be my first stop and Bopah will be my selected sales associate. -
Review from mara z.
Studio City, CA
6/24/2007
B and J have gorgeous fabrics, there's no question. Imported Italian wools and cashmere, bridal silk and brocades, exquisite French laces, and fine cottons. They've got every color, and you can order bulk quantities in most silks from their stock catalog. In NYC, there's only 2 places to get the best and this store is one of them.
I've spent a lot of time in this place, having worked as a designer for a small womenswear company in the area. During rush periods I could be found here almost 2 or 3 times a week, swatching for quality or color standards, shopping for sample yardage and seeking replacement fabrics for production.
While the content of this store is superior, the staff is not. Pretentious, rude,and blatantly irritated by your needs would more accurately describe their attitude. With the exception of 2 people that i have encountered (a very tall, bald african-american man and a mature eastern european woman are consistently great.....), the "sales associates" are frequently disgruntled and miserable to deal with. I would rather weave the fabric myself blindfolded until my hands turned bloody and numb,than come in for the,oh, i don't know, HUNDRETH time and be ignored by some loser that rolls their eyes at your existence or snaps at your lame request to cut some fabric (one particular offender is the "funky" asian dude who WILL let you know how much you are disrupting his awesomeness. and no, he does NOT want to help you).........seriously, what is the problem with this place!!? Its not like it just happens sometimes- it happens EVERYTIME I go in there. I mean, is it me? Do they see me and go, "God, here comes that shy, quiet,polite girl AGAIN......Ughhh,I can't handle it- can someone else deal with her?"
I mean, I GET IT. Your job is HARD, I KNOW.
There are a lot of students that come in, and I can understand the annoyance of cutting swatches all day long (like mood,they have a limit, which they will no doubt immediately inform you) I've also worked enough service jobs in my life to understand the monotony of retail, but as a consumer my sympathy only goes so far.
Because B and J have great products, they obviously don't concern themselves too much with loss of business, knowing that even customers who dread the experience of shopping there will have to rely on them for some things.
As far as I'm concerned, though, it makes a diffierence.If you need great fabrics in NYC, I suggest you go to Mood. They've got the same high quality and variety at a lower price, and the staff is outstanding....they'll make you feel so happy you'll forget all about your abusive relationship with the other side........... -
Review from Michael S. H.
New York, NY
5/12/2007
They let you swatch sequins. Enough said. Thanks for nothing Mood.
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Review from Joan C.
Brooklyn, NY
12/30/2007
I must come here at least once every month or two. I'm a glutton for fabric. Mood is arguably better, as B&J is definitely pricey. But oh, what gorgeous stuff! And a huge huge selection. Just be warned: the staff isn't terribly friendly, esp when it's crowded and you need someone to cut your fabric.
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Review from Danielle M.
New York, NY
11/1/2010
Terrible customer service. Damn near slammed the door in my face bc they were "closed" though they were closing EARLY a day before Halloween! And I wasn't the only one dealing w this kind of customer service for closing early. There was nearly a line of people. With so many fabric stores in the area I will not be giving them my business.
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Review from Jennifer M.
Manhattan, NY
3/11/2011
It's been years since I have shopped here, mostly because I just pop in and out of the ground-floor stores in the garment district when I'm looking for something. I called before stopping in to make sure the store carried the 100% wool felt that I was looking for. The associate on the phone was helpful and checked the color, fabric content, width and pricing of the felt before I stopped in. The store was clean and well organized and nothing was propped up on the floor (where it gets dirty) -- which is refreshing in the garment district. I got what I needed plus easily found a second option since the samples are well organized. The associate who helped me and cut my yardage was friendly, asking me about my project, and helpful, checking on available yardage should I need more. They have beautiful fabrics and stock a great assortment of both standard and specialty fabrics. I will definitely start at B & J when hunting for fabric for my next project.
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Review from Cristin m.
Philadelphia, PA
4/2/2008
B& J is pretty much the same as my review for Mood Fabric minus the old elevator. Actually, I think B & J has a new elevator! But anway, too much money for something that I could find similar somewhere else for a quarter of the price.
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Review from Red A.
Pasadena, CA
7/3/2010
i am not a designer, nor a fashion student, just someone who loves beautiful clothes and fabrics.
Gorgeous fabric - well organized, high quality, good lighting. it isn't cheap, so don't get into a twist about the prices - you get what you pay for.
I'm surprised at how many comments about service are on here... i don't expect anyone to be my best friend here... when i ask for help i have never gotten anything but help. No 'tude. I don't need a new best friend, just to help me with what needs to get done. Might those who write so bitterly and sarcastically be receiving some of what they project? just sayin...life works that way sometimes... -
Review from M T.
Brooklyn, NY
7/6/2010
Ive been coming to this store for about 8 years starting in college. First of all they their customer service has severely deteriorated, not that it was ever that good in the first place. They are especially nasty to students, not sure why since i know it must be a significant portion of their business. Ive witnessed employees yelling and telling off customers . I have spent thousands of dollars here for my company and yet get treated like crap every time. The sales staff that have been there since day one are the ones to avoid, they are bitter and very nasty.
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Review from Brenna R.
Columbus, OH
11/20/2009
I am VERY disappointed with they service from Yshai at B and J- I am working with a very strict deadline and requested swatches only to receive an email a week later (when I should have already received the swatches) stating that because I have req swatches Once in the past I will need to pay $1 a swatch.. I prefer Mood, they don't charge for swatches, are friendly, knowledgeable and send mult. swatches in a timely fashion. Who has time to deal with politics especially when this is Not stated in B and J's Policy's ..they just lost a customer..
