Monday, August 5, 2013

San Francisco, Here We Come!

I'm on my way to Britex....uh, I mean San Francisco, for one last hurrah before school starts back again (and Boy Scout popcorn selling). I've heard about Britex from Sandra Betzina and some other people, and it looks like I need to hit the 4th floor for the sale remnants, but I'd like to check out some knits too. Any other suggestions about maneuvering this intimidating place?


Any suggestions on other fabric stores I should hit, should the family grant me more than an hour to peruse? And sometime we'll have to discuss how you handle yourself in a behemoth fabric store like this. I went to Paron in New York a few years ago on Sheila's suggestion, and I realized I was a novice when it comes to fabric buying. I'm used to my Hancock where I can pick the bolt up and drape myself if I like, but Paron had most things on long rolls with the ends sticking out, so I couldn't really get a good feel. I've seen them yank rolls out on Project Runway, but I was a-skeered to do that myself, being somewhat of a country mouse. How do YOU do it?

6 comments:

BeckyW said...

I'm so jealous. I've been there a couple of times when Bart was there on business. I just love just walking and site seeing in San Francisco. My first trip we stayed in Larkspur and I took the ferry over to the city every day. My second time there was when Jessica was 2. She cramped my style a bit. Not easy navigating the city with a 2 year old. It's been a long time since I was there. She is 15 now.

Don't do what I did at Britex. I was just so overwhelmed that I did not buy anything. I went to each of the floors and looked around, but could not focus on anything.

When we went to LA last year, I made up for that and bought a ton. I'm still trying to figure out what to sew with all of it.

I'll be excited to see what you buy.

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

Ooh - tough with a 2-year old! We walked past it today, but I'm going back Wednesday or Thursday, and also Artfibers, which is a yarn shop, to shop. I'll try to be brave!

Anonymous said...

Britex is a LOT of fun, but beware, they don't have a public bathroom! I had to go across the street. So, go before you go. As I recall, the first floor is mostly wools, they are beautiful, but not practical for where we are. Then there is a floor of notions, buttons, etc. The top floor is remnants I think, but some of them are quite large. I don't remember what's on the other floor. Fabrix is a short bus ride away and is across the street and down from another fabric store that I can't remember the name of. Stone Mountain Daughter is across the bay in Berkeley. Maybe you could talk the boys into riding the train over and they could check out the infamous UC-Berkeley campus. The girls and I attended a wedding in the Arboretum on the campus (at the very tippy top of the hill, the view was OUTSTANDING!) We stayed in the Hotel Durrant where part of the movie "The Graduate" was filmed. Lots of interesting memorabilia on display.

Whatever you decide to do, it will be fun!

Robbie

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

Neat - I love movie stuff! We packed tight, so there's not much room for fabric - Britex may have to be it for this trip....thanks for the bathroom tip, since I may have to take Lucas with me!

Sheila said...

Have fun. There is always room for fabric... just have it shipped.

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

You are right, Sheila! And Britex wasn't as scary as I thought - their rolls were laid out on a table, so it wasn't so intimidating...