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Piedmont Fabric
Category: Shopping Arts & Crafts Fabric Stores Fabric Stores [Edit]
3858 Piedmont AveOakland, CA 94620
Neighborhoods: Piedmont Ave, North Oakland
(510) 655-1213
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 6 pm
Sat 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
Sun 12 pm - 5:30 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Authorized Dealer Bernina and Baby Lock sewing machilnes Custom embroidery services Sewing Classes; Adults and Children (all types) Embroidery and… read more »
57 reviews for Piedmont Fabric
Review Highlights
"Thanks for the great Amy Butler selection and I will..."
(in 4 reviews)
"I love imagining all the cool projects I want to make."
(in 9 reviews)
"The staff is very helpful."
(in 6 reviews)
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57 reviews in English
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Review from Anne L.
Sacramento, CA
9/6/2011
Ugh. Ugh. UGH.
This place upsets me.
Why does all the fabric they carry have to be so goddamn pretty that every time I step in here I struggle with the urge to empty my bank account on the spot? Why is everyone who works here so goddamn nice? Why is it that by looking at all the utterly fabulous prints in stock, I never fail to get a fully rejuvenated enthusiasm for sewing every time I stop by?
It's upsetting, I tell you. Makes me sick, in a wonderful, wonderful way.
In all honesty, if you're looking for fashion fabric, go here. It fills a valuable niche by being: a) not as crafty/quilt-y as Stonemountain (I loved your classes, but I could not, in all good conscience, call your store hip); b) not as pricey and snooty as Britex; c) not as disorganized and hit-or-miss as Discount Fabrics; and d) not as utterly crappy for fashion fabric as Joann's. -
Review from Kitty A.
Alameda, CA
2/4/2012
A great boutique shop to find specialty fabrics. I was looking for Peter Rabbit fabric and they had it! They had so many adorable prints, I wish I had more projects in mind. The staff is super friendly and helpful. If you take the time to sew, you might as well get quality fabric from here.
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Review from Jennifer B.
Berkeley, CA
1/3/2012
Extremely cool fabrics and great staff. We went to half a dozen other places hoping to find a kind of short run eyelet fabric that they didn't have quite enough yardage of. No other place had the kind of selection and prices that Piedmont did. We ended up going back there and got an alternative fabric that we're very happy with. Very impressed with their stock for a store of this size.
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Review from Melanie K.
Oakland, CA
5/24/2011
What a great place.
I'm a big fan of exceptional customer service, and this place is friendly, welcoming and downright funny. The owner was helpful and spent a good amount of time helping me select the perfect buttons for my coat. She took her time, didn't rush me and definitely went above and beyond.
I was happy with the selection. She also helped my boyfriend find the right elastic for his pyjama bottoms in all of 10 seconds.
I like shopping local, and Piedmont Fabric is my new go-to fabric shop. -
Review from Serene S.
Oakland, CA
5/9/2011
Lots of beautiful prints packed into a pretty small store. The owner obviously has a discerning eye.
I've purchased fabric here several times for tote bags and throw pillows, and never fail to receive compliments on the prints. It's fairly pricey (Piedmont Ave) but worth it for a special project. Nowhere near Britex prices, not sure what the reviewer below is talking about. There are some really beautiful lace trims and ribbons too.
The staff are always friendly and laid-back, and I've overheard them dispensing advice to customers. Never seems hectic like Stone Mountain, and less overwhelming due to the smaller selection.
Downside: small selection of unappealing sale fabrics. I don't come here for apparel or more everyday projects. -
Review from Stafford S.
Oakland, CA
3/10/2011
Was delighted to find that Piedmont Fabric has a much more interesting (and more affordable) selection of doubleknit fabrics than the big obvious store across the bridge. Also found a great selection of linen and an amazing variety of menswear woolens, all reasonably priced.
Was further cheered by the knowledgeable, very helpful and exceptionally friendly owner and sales staff. Top notch service all around.
Piedmont Fabric was very generous with both their time and the number of swatches they were willing to cut. I'm a big fan! -
Review from Leah M.
Oakland, CA
2/28/2011
They sell fabric, and most of it is nice. However, it is more expensive than Britex but without the less pricey, but still high quality options Britex carries.
The two women working there every time I go in are very friendly and helpful. But everything costs way more than it needs to. -
Review from Suzanne F.
Portland, OR
4/9/2008
What a great addition to Piedmont Avenue! I was so utterly disturbed when Poppy Fabric shut its doors and have just begun to think of buying fabric again. I love imagining all the cool projects I want to make. So, it was with pleasure I wandered into Piedmont Fabrics today. Good, solid selection of cottons, beautiful Liberty prints at excellent prices (much less than at Britex!) and all organized in a pleasing palette of shades. The trims look as tho' they may be in the midst of adding more, and the woman working there today suggested they may expand in time to have sewing workshops upstairs. This would also be great.
While I did not purchase anything here today I will be back. I have my eye on a couple of fabrics but I need to finish some projects before my collection of textiles takes over my entire living space! Please support this neighborhood shop! They are super friendly, helpful, and have a great eye for color. They fully deserve all 5 stars. -
Review from Rinky N.
East Bay
12/12/2007 15 photos
Update April 2008
How cool to see my photos in a slide show!
My friend sewed her Bruce Lee patch on her backpack and gets complimented ALL the time!
_____________________________________________
Original review follows:
They have only been in business for 2 1/2 months but they have already won me over! I haven't sewn for awhile.....okay, okay since I was in my 20's. I'm not sure I even know how to sew anymore but I am TOTALLY INSPIRED to try again after going to this store.
As soon as I walked in the store I was giving the warmest welcome from the staff. I was totally in 7th heaven taking in all the rainbows of color from the fabrics, ribbons, buttons and trims.
Although the store seems small it has EVERYTHING for the newbie to expert seamstress/seamster (er, is there such a word?) Needles, sewing boxes, bobbins, facing material, dozens and dozens of trim from strings of coins to those colored balls, fancy gold stuff, fuzzy stuff, feathery stuff, sparkly stuff. Everything for a cave person to a soccer mom to royalty to the Pope.....I'm not kidding, I swear (uh, I guess I shouldn't use the word, "Pope," in the same sentence as "swear.")
They have notions like iron- on patches, iron- on pocket replacements
(our household needs a carton of those), to dozens of other items that I could have easily have bought......yes our clothes are all falling apart and in need of repair.
And buttons from everyday plain and round to cutesy ducky, girly stuff,
elaborate gold or silver, giant to teeny tiny and metal macho guy to the buttons of your dreams and/or nightmares! I was thinking in the back of my big head/puny brain what articles of clothing I could replace the boring (yawn) buttons with.
Yes, I did buy a Bruce Lee patch along with those labels that say,
"Made with Love By" for my handy crafty friends, along with several items mentioned in the review.
Please support this wonderful new business. The people who run it used to work at the late great Poppy's (RIP).
I plan to go back and maybe, just maybe take up sewing again.....but I can't pinky promise, just yet.
See my pix for this review! -
Review from Seong P.
9/16/2008
I've had reason to be somewhat crafty lately. I can actually sew, after taking sewing in high school, and enjoy making useful things like butterfly wings and ladybug shells. I even own a glue gun which makes things easier but not quite as neat. No, I don't have a kid.
I don't have a sewing machine at the moment and I get kind of crazy about things coming out perfectly so it can take a very long time for me to make something which is why I am reluctant to start projects. (Ahem, hint, sewing machine for Christmas, please. Ahem.) However, I may have some free time coming up so I'm considering finally making some things I've thought about for a long time as gifts. There are less than 100 shopping days until Christmas, after all.
Luckily, Piedmont Fabrics is ridiculously close to my home. I have been running in a lot lately for fabric, buttons, ribbon, patches, etc. I had no idea I was so in need of such a store until they opened up. Everyone who works here has been really knowledgeable and pleasant and they have a nice selection of pretty fabrics, including Amy Butler Designs(http://www.amybutlerde...), which I love.
It's not a big store but they fit in quite a bit without making me feel claustrophobic so it makes me happy. -
Review from Karen S.
Burlingame, CA
12/29/2007
I am a reformed fabric addict. I love fabric more than I love sewing, and the fabric stacks up faster than it gets sewn so I try not to buy... then I find this lively little shop...
What a great variety of fun fabrics! Nothing too outrageous, but very fun and at decent prices.
Loads of great notions and knowledgeable staff... imagine that, staff at a fabric shop who actually know how to sew! I'm so impressed.
I cannot wait to get fabric here, for my next project!!! -
Review from Eileen R.
Oakland, CA
3/8/2008
Great new spot to grab some fun fabric. Not a huge selection, but they have some well selected things that are just gorgeous. On top of that the staff is wonderfully helpful.
Come here if you're looking for a fun cotton for your next sewing project (or the project itself, they've got some patterns too). -
Review from Steve K.
CA
5/11/2008
Piedmont Fabric has excellent customer service.
I wanted to recover my dining chairs, but I'm completely clueless about buying fabric. The friendly and knowledgeable staff spent a lot of time helping me pick a great pattern. I spent a little more than I had planned, but the fabric quality is as good as the service. -
Review from Dean K.
Oakland, CA
5/8/2010
I LOVE Piedmont Fabric because they are smart, super friendly, and have a great range of fabric that always meets my needs.
My friend just took a sewing class (zippers) at Piedmont Sewing School (http://www.piedmontsew...), which is located at Piedmont Fabric, and she LOVED it! She said that she learned more in 3 hours than she thought possible and she finished her project! The teachers are very friendly, very fun, and very smart! She showed me the cool shirt that she made, and made me want to learn to sew! -
Review from Dominique N.
Oakland, CA
4/2/2008
Great service. Kind knowledgeable staff.
I'm very impressed by their ability to be eco-friendly. I went when they had JUST opened and the staff noticed I had brought my own bag. This led to talking about how all of their fixtures are recycled from the old Poppy Fabric and that they will never use plastic bags in their store. The shop owner was also informing me that the first shipment of organic cottons were on their way! :D -
Review from Pamela O.
Oakland, CA
2/1/2008
I love this place! Like many others, I was distraught when Poppy Fabrics closed down. This shop is right near my home and I couldn't be happier. The two women who run the place, Lon and Kirby (?) are so sweet and helpful and encouraging. I'm one of those wannabe seamstresses with a brand new sewing machine, limited skills and a lot of ideas for projects.
The selection of fabrics and notions is growing day by day and they cover a wide range of styles and prices.
It's great to support the small business owner and exciting to go home with beautiful fabric and a darling Amy Butler pattern for a halter top and have no clue as to how to put in that zipper. -
Review from Jessica H.
San Francisco, CA
11/29/2007 1 photo
The fourth star in this review is a vote of confidence. While the selection at Piedmont Fabric is still a little thin, I'm sure they'll add to the inventory once they figure out what customers want.
I was most pleased to find a wide selection of beautiful vintage buttons, and friendly, competent service. The owner and most of the staff came from the late, great Poppy Fabrics, so they have a deep well of knowledge. -
Review from Lara T.
Oakland, CA
12/18/2007
Piedmont Fabric is a delightful shop that manages to feel small and boutiquey while carrying a pretty good-sized range of fabric. While it's way smaller than Poppy was, I feel like I wanted to buy just about every fabric I saw here--definitely not the case at Poppy, with its many cartoony prints.
I am a slow decision-maker, and so I particularly appreciated that the employee at the counter greeted me warmly and then let me search for a long time without pushing me at all. When I asked for help, she gave it right away. I will definitely return, probably soon.
Edit: On a recent visit, I learned that they don't carry patterns. However, their fabric selection continues to be awesome. -
Review from Shasta M.
Oakland, CA
1/23/2011
Do you ever walk into a store and feel so completely out of your element that when the clerk asks if you need help you forget how to communicate. Well that was me today walking into the fabric store. I am putting together my wedding outfit and needed material for my tailor. I brought part of the outfit I was going to wear and explained what I needed. Immediately I was guided by the clerk and felt that I was in very capable hands. We found the right fabric and all of a sudden this experience was transformed for me. This is the first time in my life I have been so excited about wearing an outfit. I am much more of a functional person when it comes to clothes and have very little fashion sense. They were very friendly and incredible helpful and the fabric is lovely and very reasonably priced. Thank you Piedmont fabric for being involved in a very special moment in my life!
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Review from Diana S.
Oakland, CA
6/22/2008
Piedmont fabric is the bomb. I love to stop by just to say hi to Lan, the ever-friendly and helpful proprietress, and drool over her clever selection of cottons. Plus, there's a cute little pomeranian here on occasion (belongs to another one of the helpful staffpersons) who looks like a little dancing bear.
But back to the fabric. did I mention its colorful fabulousness? Its rich and varied texture? Its reasonable price? I bought 2-tone (that's right, 2-tone) corduroy here and people can't stop asking me where I got the pants I made out of it. Lan has an eye for unusual, quirky and fun material which makes shopping here like a trip to a fabric gallery.
My verdict: Poppy was Pricey, but Piedmont is Perfect! -
Review from Donovan C.
Oakland, CA
3/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here to purchase a sewing class for my wife. I can't vouch for the quality of the products or instruction, but I really enjoyed my interactions with the staff. It feels like a good neighborhood shop.
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Review from Emily C.
Oakland, CA
3/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love my local fabric store. Staff are always helpful and nice. The class I went to was informational, although not perfect for a very beginning sewer like me. I can at least get started though and have a few simple projects in mind that the instructor helped me conceptualize (we'll see how they actually turn out!). I'm not always in love with the fabrics I find here but for a small place on Piedmont Ave I feel like they have quite a bit to chose from and are definitely worth checking out.
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Review from sara c.
Oakland, CA
12/2/2011
my favorite. congratulations on your expansion, now 2 locations on the AV
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Review from Christine B.
Oakland, CA
6/17/2009
This is my favorite local fabric shop.
Even though the store is small, the fabric selection is really great in terms of style and quality. The staff is very helpful. I started with my very first sewing project and they helped me figure out everything I needed for my project. -
Review from Tina M.
Oakland, CA
9/17/2011
I love this place -- kind of expensive, but great variety.
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Review from Marie L.
Oakland, CA
2/9/2011
If you love fine fabric, run, don't walk to this store. Seriously, i don't care if you live 50 miles away, find the time to get over here ASAP.
The fabrics are AMAZING. The store is small, but packed full of incredible finds. All of the fabrics have a great hand, the kind you just have to buy or you'll regret it.
The fabrics are expensive because they're stocked with only the best.
Go when you have enough time to really look through the store, because unfortunately it should be about three times the size. The fabric is tucked away absolutely everywhere.
My absolute highest recommendation for GREAT fabric. -
Review from Me Y.
Oakland, CA
8/14/2008
Over rated.
I think most of the folks reviewing this business don't travel outside of Piedmont Ave????
There are better prices/selections in other locations.
one that I've found some really good deals is Discount Fabrics:http://www.yelp.com/bi... -
Review from Miriya S.
San Francisco, CA
6/9/2009
Piedmont Fabric is a cute little boutique fabric store. They carry a good supply of nice fabrics. The service is friendly and helpful. The selection may not be huge, but it serves a need for the locale clientele. The store definitely carries quite a bit of stock for its size without feeling cluttered.
Of course like everything along Piedmont Ave, this place isn't cheap. And parking will suck. But other than those two things, I really have no complaints. I definitely go here for smaller projects and chat with the staff to get their feedback. It's nice to have a locally owned store with a warm friendly feel. -
Review from E P.
California, CA
8/23/2008
I love this store.
They have a good selection for their size, carry all the basics and the staff is really helpful. Ive been in there twice and both times, the woman who helped me was awesome.
The first time I bought some canvas covered with a coating. I am hand sewing and told her this, and she offered me a needle so I could poke the fabric to see how difficult hand sewing it would be. The second time I went in, I needed a zipper. She casually asked me what I was doing with it, I told her, and she immediately told me that I had chosen the wrong type. She explained exactly what I needed, went in the back and found the right one for me.
I will pay a little more to be in a mom and pop place where the salespeople actually know what they are talking about and can offer guidance whenever you need it. -
Review from robin b.
El Sobrante, CA
9/1/2009
Piedmont Fabric is great. For a smaller fabric store, there is a good influx of new and different fabric every week. Everyone who works there is friendly and helpful. A while back, I brought in a page from a magazine with a fabric series that I liked, and a few visits later, four bolts of fabric in the series were on the shelf!
As a bonus to P.F., there is a great sewing machine shop (Sew Images) a few blocks up on Piedmont. -
Review from Irene S.
Castro Valley, CA
2/24/2008
Piedmont Fabrics is a very cute and friendly store with a good selection of cotton prints. The prices are quite decent, but you won't find too much home decor fabrics here, mostly light fabrics.
Listed in: Learning to Sew
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Review from R. M.
Oakland, CA
3/18/2008
Beautiful fabrics! It really deserves the 5 stars! Now I know where to go now that Poppy is gone.
Listed in: Art Supplies
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Review from Mimu T.
Berkeley, CA
6/9/2008
Every time I step in the small store of Piedmont Fabric, I become so happy and excited, seeing these rolls of fabrics of so many different colors, patterns, and materials. First of all, they have an excellent selection, clearly reflecting the staff's wonderful sense, taste, and style. I've found the beautiful linen I dreamed of for so long, gorgeous embroidered cotton from India, and lovely plaid patchwork fabric that I just couldn't help purchasing. They also have superb customer service. They usually let me browse for a couple of hours without disrupting my concentration and then provide me with insightful and friendly help when I ask for it. For your next project, try Piedmont Fabric. They will make you very happy!
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Review from Jaimie B.
Oakland, CA
12/24/2008
I cannot say enough about Lan and her staff at Piedmont Fabric. It is the quality of Poppy Fabric & Stone Mountain, but in a much warmer and welcoming environment. I absolutely love Piedmont Fabric.
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Review from ElleDee R.
Bay Area, CA
10/2/2008
Piedmont Fabric is WONDERFUL! I will be honest, I am by no means a seamstress and would staple fabric together if I didn't think it would hurt me later. But I am a knitter who has faced the fact that some projects are just going to have to be lined!
I checked out some of the fabrics other knitters were using to line their work and fell in love with Amy Butler's designs. I think they are so pretty and colorful and just look snappy paired with knitted projects. But I had shlep all the way to Burlingame just to get my hands on the stuff. I did once and it was fine. But then I wanted to purchase more fabric for another purse and thought, "To hell with this, there's got to be something closer" and promptly googled "Oakland" and "Amy Butler fabric."
Enter Piedmont Fabric.
I think I was helped by Lan. She was so sweet! I asked her to show me where the Amy Butler fabric was and she said, "Everywhere" And it was! Then she told me that they were having a sale and all fabric was 30% off this weekend. "Holy $hit, no way!" I replied.
OK, I didn't really. But I thought it. So I bought three different fabrics because what a fantastic sale! And I love the designs I purchased. So much so that, for the first time, I'm actually going to choose the yarn to go with the fabric and then figure out my project. Which is totally a non-knitter thing to do.
Thanks for the great Amy Butler selection and I will definitely be coming back! And I won't even curse when I'm in the store. -
Review from yvonne g.
Cupertino, CA
9/24/2009
lan and her team are so very helpful, professional and a joy to do business with. they are a smaller fabric store but they've got a diverse and large inventory, and their prices are very reasonable.
we needed custom drapery since one of the windows is 12ft tall with an archway. quite frankly, it took us a year for me and my husband to finally settle on a fabric design and pull the trigger. we visited lan's store several times in search of fabric for our living room curtains. each time, her staff was very patient and helpful -- pulling out numerous reams, cutting out samples and providing very helpful advice on fabric selection. they know their stuff -- after asking a few questions, they wisely steered us to fabric that could withstand the sun and heat.
when we finally settled on the fabric in june, i was 39 weeks pregnant. for the fabric we selected, the store didn't have enough yards. lan was gracious enough to check her warehouse the following monday, and handled the transaction over the phone and coordinated with vendor for pick up. she even honored the sale price. but it doesn't stop there. three months later (after finding someone to help make the draperies), we ended up needing even more yards! lan not only remembered me but she also remembered what fabric we picked. she took payment over the phone and helped coordinate with our new vendor, saving me yet another trip to her store with a new baby in tow. how awesome is that? -
Review from Erin L.
Oakland, CA
10/31/2009
Not only were they helpful, the were eager to help. And they know their fabrics!
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Review from Joan S.
Alameda, CA
8/15/2009
I was disappointed when Poppy Fabric closed, but was happy that much of its spirit lives on in PIedmont Fabric. I received an email about sewing classes and signed up by phone for a recent Saturday class. I rearranged weekend plans, packed up a substantial amount of supplies (including sewing machine, cutting board, fabrics, etc.) and showed up at the class, only to be told it had been cancelled. A phone call to notify me would have been nice, but I received no such call. The staff at the store was apologetic and said that there had been miscommunication, and that Lan would follow up with a call, but it has been a week and there has been nothing.
I understand that they're just starting up their classes and have had problems with enrollment. But to not notify a customer if a class has been cancelled is utterly unprofessional and inconsiderate. -
Review from Countess A.
Alameda, CA
10/4/2008
A great little boutique-y fabric shop. For all types of sewers. Not a lot of notions, but they have the basics.
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Review from Susan C.
Oakland, CA
9/7/2008
I love the choices this store has. I never knew it was there until the 'big' local stores closed recently.
