phthooey
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Date: 1/7/09 11:21 AM Hi there, I hope I'm posting in the right place. I'm visiting Ottawa later this month and would like to visit some fabric stores. I will only be able to go on weekday evenings. I'm from the U.S. and am interested mainly in wovens, fabrics that are unique to Canada (only manufactured or distributed there), etc.
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help! |
Vintage Joan
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In reply to phthooey
Date: 1/7/09 12:46 PM I'm not from Ottawa, so I don't know, but this is what a Google search turns up. I'm honestly not sure you'll find many fabrics sold in Canada that are made in Canada (most of them are probably made wherever U.S. fabrics are made -- i.e. a little bit of everywhere). But I guess it's worth asking -- you never know.
If you don't get any responses here from actual Ottawa residents, you might try posting this same question on the Canada Sewers thread.
HTH ~ Joan
P.S. By the way, some of those results are actually in Quebec (Ottawa is next to the Ontario-Quebec border).
-- Edited on 1/7/09 12:52 PM -- ------
my shield and my very great reward (Gen. 15:1)
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phthooey
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Date: 1/7/09 7:18 PM Thanks Joan, I posted over on that thread as you suggested. I'd Googled and checked Yelp and have a couple other avenues to seek recommendations but wanted to know about any personal recommendations from PatternReview folks.
Are there any fabric stores you'd recommend I check out in Ottawa, even if they don't have exclusively Canadian brands/ fabrics/ etc.? Thanks so much for your help. |
Kay Y
 
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Date: 1/7/09 8:37 PM I live in Ottawa - and hate to confess that I am pretty much stymied at the thought of "unique to Canada" fabric. Hudson Bay Blankets? Even these are not only available in Canada, it seems. Do you have some specific type of thing in mind?
The google list of stores was interesting. Richard Robinson is a local "couturier" who has a school and associated store, with VERY expensive fabric. I bet most of it is imported, maybe from Europe, or would be sold under a well-known designer label. (You may be able to tell that I don't go there - If I wanted something really fancy I'd go to Montreal, not shop in Ottawa.) Fabricland is a Canadian chain and there are 4 or 5 stores in the Ottawa area. You can often find nice things there, including "ends", reasonably priced, but it's not uniquely Canadian at all.
I blush to say I have never visited Dragonfly Fabrics - it is a local independent store that ought to be supported. Darrell Thomas is also an independent retailer who specializes in very high-end (pricey) fabric. Rockland Textiles is an interesting mix - lots of home dec fabric, sporty stuff, lingerie and bridal fabrics. C&M has very nice fabric, home dec to very fancy silks etc. - it's a spinoff of a Montreal store - prices are on the expensive side. Quilty Pleasures sells only quilting cotton. Nucreation sells saris and similar fabric, as well as made up clothes. Bouclair is a Canadian chain but has less and less fashion fabric - I never go there any more.
In Quebec (across the river), Fabricville is the name for Fabricland and is a similar experience. I think Couture Woven Streams store has nice stuff though again have to confess I have not been...
In all, Ottawa is sadly not a rich shopping experience. Now, if you were coming here in October, I'd have a real local experience for you (the Fabric Flea Market) but we only do it once a year.... |
ConnieBJ
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Date: 1/8/09 3:25 PM I have to agree totally with Kay. Although I live 6 hours away, I get there a few times a year to visit friends and to see our daughter who is in school there.
I generally visit Darrel Thomas when I am in Ottawa, and have been to both Rockland and Richard Robinson. It is VERY indimidating to stick your nose into Richard Robinson, but well worth the visit just to see the fabric. I believe that the latest version of Project Runway was filmed in Ottawa, and I think I heard that they shopped at Robinson- but that is hard to believe.
As for "Canadian"? fabric- I also would be at a loss. I am assuming you are at a conference? Darrel is walking distance from Parliment Hill as is Richard Robinson.
Do make sure you have some time to wander around, If the canal is open for skating( although I don't think it is in JAnuary- be sure experience that.
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Vintage Joan
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In reply to Kay Y
Date: 1/8/09 6:47 PM Quote:
if you were coming here in October, I'd have a real local experience for you (the Fabric Flea Market) but we only do it once a year....
Ooh, my ears just perked up. Tell us more.  ------
my shield and my very great reward (Gen. 15:1)
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Kay Y
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In reply to Vintage Joan
Date: 1/8/09 8:17 PM Quote: Joan1954
[QUOTE]if you were coming here in October, I'd have a real local experience for you (the Fabric Flea Market) but we only do it once a year....
Ooh, my ears just perked up. Tell us more. [/quote]
I wrote about it here. It is REALLY fun! |
phthooey
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Date: 1/17/09 1:34 PM Thank you all for your suggestions! I'm printing out this page, researching, and heading north in a few days. Thanks again! |
phthooey
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Date: 1/23/09 11:22 PM Just wanted to update you that the only shop I made it to this week was Fabricland, but there is a lot of good stuff there! They had many nice laces, an extensive selection of patterned knits, and many choices of wool coatings (not popular for stores in Texas to carry LOL). I bought a couple meters of each and have way too much stuffed into my bags. Plus, your buttons (Elan by Gutermann I think?) are not anywhere in Austin that I've seen, and they are lovely buttons.
BTW, it has been cold here and will be even colder tomorrow when I leave! You're amazing for living in this cold!!! Thanks again for the suggestions. |
Vintage Joan
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In reply to phthooey
Date: 1/24/09 2:50 PM Quote:
wool coatings (not popular for stores in Texas to carry LOL).
Ooh, good thinking! I didn't think to suggest that to you, but of course it makes sense that stores in cold places carry fabrics that are hard to find in warm places.
(Cold... hmm... it was reaaally cold last week and has turned much colder again today, but I thought it had been quite mild in Ottawa for the past several days [like it was here]... in the 20's/low 30's Fahrenheit?)
Fabricland -- yes, I'm a big fan. Some people have less than positive experiences with Fabricland, but some stores (e.g. my huge local Fabricland) are pretty terrific. The other day when they had a members' half price sale, the line-ups were about a mile long. So good to see that kind of excitement about sewing in this day and age.
Sounds like you had a great trip! 
-- Edited on 1/24/09 2:54 PM -- ------
my shield and my very great reward (Gen. 15:1)
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http://clearingclearing.weebly.com/ |
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