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Member since 6/12/07
Posts: 31
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Posted on: 12/18/07 5:30 PM ET
I just got my order from fabric mart and I am still glowing. Everything I ordered is every bit as good as I had hoped or BETTER. But I've NEVER seen natural fibers this cheap!!! How do they do it? Are they a clearing house for the design houses with leftovers? Do they always have wools and silks for these prices???


  
Member since 11/11/06
Posts: 265
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Posted on: 12/18/07 6:10 PM ET
In reply to lthngsbrtnbtfl
They are one of my favorite fabric "stores" too. I like to get bundles, if you have a creative mind they are really fun. I like to figure out what I can make with a fabric that I would not have probably picked out myself. I am always happy with the creation.
  
Member since 2/25/07
Posts: 171
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Posted on: 12/18/07 7:43 PM ET
In reply to Linda G
I wonder if I got a bad bundle? I got the free mystery bundle for 1st time customers a couple months ago, and it's only suitable for muslins. There was a really off grain white cotton jersey knit (sweatshirt weight), some hideous blue printed sheer chiffon that was fraying like mad, orange lightweight linen, and some thin navy blue cotton shirting. I can probably use the shirting but was disappointed in the rest. Maybe I'll have better luck next time?
  
Member since 2/25/06
Posts: 1950
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Posted on: 12/18/07 7:50 PM ET
In reply to loohoo44
Fabric Mart can offer some really nice fabrics, but their mystery bundles can be unpredictable in quality and attractiveness. For some, this is just adventure and worth it when you order several mystery bundles over time. For those who really like to be surprised and have a lot of people to sew for, this can be a winning option.

For me, I like more predictability and tend to order grab bags from Wazoodle since I know the type of fabric and the size of pieces and almost always like the colors. Or, I get bundles from Michael's Fabrics when he has them because they are very high quality and he'll usually try to omit colors you hate if you ask in advance. You're not going to get huge surprises with either of them.

To each her own!
-- Edited on 12/18/07 8:18 PM --
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"puhPOjhu"--a river that sinks into a mountain with fury and winds around underground for miles before emerging in calm down the road...
  
Member since 10/14/03
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Posted on: 12/18/07 8:23 PM ET
The first time or two I ordered a mystery bundle, I got some really cool things. However, the last two or three have mostly been pieces suitable for muslins. But, I really don't mind because it's pretty cheap fabric for muslins.

I remember one time they had silk bundles, and I got some really nice silk crepe--well worth the money. It was $25, I think. They haven't offered them for a long time.
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If I sewed any slower, I wouldn't be sewing at all.

  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 12/18/07 8:36 PM ET
In reply to loohoo44
loohoo and popoagie, I've probably ordered ten times from fabricmart, mostly single items, and on balance, found them to be OK, but that's about it. I've gotten some nice wool crepes and jerseys, and some good silks. My only mystery bundle was mostly wintery tweeds, some all wool. The colors were a little funky (meaning you could sure see why somebody was remaindering them), but the quality was in general all right. That said, though, I have had some problems that discourage me from ordering more:

I've found a real tendency for the colors to be "off" from the way they appear on my monitor (and this simply has not been an issue with other vendors). On one occasion when I emailed them about the difference, my contact said she went back and did a physical comparison, and she could really see it, too. I'm not sure what this means--does no one check the merchandise against its photo? In two similar cases, I got a credit to my account, without any whining. On another occasion, the vendor simply did not respond to the two emails I sent. Since the fabrics in question were very, very cheap (if you don't count the shipping costs), I have not pursued the matter, but still, the transaction was less than satisfactory.

Judging from comments I've read on this board and others, I think my response to this vendor is probably atypical, but I have had more problems with them than I have with others, and I doubt I will order again from them.

I am always, and I mean always, delighted with fabrics I get from Michael's and emmaonesock, and find the service at fabric.com to be superlative.

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Elona
  
Member since 2/25/06
Posts: 1950
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Posted on: 12/18/07 9:13 PM ET
In reply to Elona
I definitely got an unlucky couple of bundles when I did, and I didn't get a response from FabricMart when I expressed my concerns. I was suprised to get costume fabric that was not suitable for normal clothing and to get huge pieces of it in addition to huge pieces of another somewhat outlandish fabric. I think it's like playing Russian Roulette.
-- Edited on 12/18/07 9:23 PM --
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"puhPOjhu"--a river that sinks into a mountain with fury and winds around underground for miles before emerging in calm down the road...
  
Member since 6/12/07
Posts: 31
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Posted on: 12/18/07 11:09 PM ET
I'm definitely not brave enough to try bundles; besides, I have a basement full of fabrics that are only suitable for doll clothes and maybe muslins...maybe...

Add to that the fact that I am beginning to hate polyester or rayon anything (chemical sensitivities) and the fact that I strongly favor dresses that use at least 6 yards...:tounge:

But I did not feel that the photos didn't match the fabrics; In fact, I was quite impressed that they really did match. It's very hard for me to even buy fabric over the internet, because I was terribly spoiled for years living in Evanston, IL, where Vogue Fabrics is located. I once got an embroidered linen eyelet there for 2.99 a yard. Why I didn't buy 50 yards of it I'll never know. I made a Victorian wedding gown out of yards and yards of silk and spent about 70 or so for all of it.

But my question is, do they (Fabric Mart), on a regular basis, have woolens and silks for these kind of prices, or is it just something they happen to have at the moment?
  
Member since 4/8/03
Posts: 419
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Posted on: 12/18/07 11:24 PM ET
Quote:
But my question is, do they (Fabric Mart), on a regular basis, have woolens and silks for these kind of prices, or is it just something they happen to have at the moment?


To answer your question - they do run this type of sale generally at the end of every year. Those silks and wools that are presently on sale did not come onto the sight at that price. They have been substantially reduced. They also run various sales at other times of the year when you can get as great a value as this.

I am going to preface my next comments with this statement...I am one of Fabric Mart's biggest fans! I think that if you are the type of customer that prefers Emmaonesock's highly elevated priced goods (not to say that the quality isn't worth the price) or other vendors that specialize in "designer" goods - Fabric Mart might not meet your expectations. To me Fabric Mart is a really good jobber...scouring the marketplace and picking up not only designer leftovers but regular RTW houses remainders and offering them at very good prices. Some of us appreciate and sew fabrics at this level...some of us don't.

However, if you are looking for great customer service (I have never had a problem with a return or order sent) or if you want to try a fabric that you may not have used before but would like a quality one at a good price then Fabric Mart is for you. That is the beauty of the internet...the availability of all types of fabrics in all price ranges that you can pick and choose at your leisure.

And I don't like those mystery bundles either! Too risky for me!
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Carolyn
My blog: http://sewingfantaticdiary.blogspot.com/
"I've always maintained that freedom of speech does not mean freedom from responsibility. Choose your words carefully ~ Susan”
  
Member since 4/4/05
Posts: 2204
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Posted on: 12/19/07 8:29 AM ET
Fabric Mart has a bricks-and-mortar store too, near Reading PA, that has incredible sales from time to time - whole store for $1 or $2 per yard. The people in the shop are wonderful to deal with in person. I've bought things like fine wool jersey to felt and boiled wool there for great prices. On the other hand, some of what they have is truly strange and wonderous. I bet lots of that ends up in the bundles.

Fabric colors on monitors can't be relied on. Even if the colors match correctly at the vendor's end your computer may not display the colors the same way that the vendor does. That's why some of the suppliers use Pantone color numbers sometimes so that you can get an accurate idea of the color before you buy.
  
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