Christie C. “So perhaps the real secret to style is filling yourself to the absolute brim with engagement. Loving not wisely, but too well and all that.” — Tim Gunn
It’s a hot, sticky morning. The city smells like weed, rubbish, and fried food. I’m on my way to see friends, and hopefully have time to explore some fabric shops since we’re going to be close to the Garment District…
Mood Fabrics
When Hubby and I go to New York, it always feels like we’re running a marathon: our budget only allows a stay for three days, giving us a short window to see as many people as we can. Consequently, I don’t have much time for dillydallying and sightseeing.
On this day, however, I had enough time to visit one out of the three fabric shops on my list. Mood was the closest to the restaurant my friends and I attended, so that’s where we went.
I’ve always wanted to take a special trip here. Mood Fabrics was founded by designer Jack Sauma in 1991. It is a staple of New York City’s Garment District, featuring a massive selection of premium fabrics, including cotton, chiffon, crepe, brocades, denim, linen, silk, satin, and more. Many know Mood for serving as the ultimate supply capital for designers featured in Project Runway—which, admittedly I had no interest in watching until after finding out the two were connected.
Incredible Selection
Mood is located on the third floor of the Bricken Arcade Building on 225 West 37th Sreet in New York, New York. Mixed media murals welcome designers and customers upon exiting the elevator.
This place is not for the meek of heart; the selection is the real deal, so expect to pay for quality, precision, and beauty. I learned quite a bit about fabric feel and quality and got a wake-up call about how polyester and synthetic fabrics have come a long way. I was in disbelief that the fabrics I observed were made of real silk (especially since 100% silk is often poorly labeled in the United States, and mixed with other fibers). One of the clerks kindly assured me that polyester and silk can feel quite similar, and he jokingly yet seriously added that hopefully his job selling genuine silk will remain!
What I found…
I didn’t have time to explore everything the shop had to offer, but I did explore the endless rows of lace, silks, and brocades. I knew that if I bought anything, it would need to be beautiful, wearable, and refined.
There was quite a bit to choose from, so I took stock of fabrics I liked and their price points so that I could revisit them later. The sheer silks were to die for with the most delectable drape and subtle sheen. I would have loved to pick some of them up.
When you’re in a place like this, it can be tempting to snatch up the wildest, funkiest, boldest, and most colorful prints. However, there is something easy yet sophisticated about a solid colored fabric woven well with a sleek texture. Ultimately, I fell in love with a silk wool blend in a deep, sultry, chocolatey coffee color. I was mesmerized by its shine and feel. This material catches and dances with light.
The clerks couldn’t tell me the silk to wool ratio, but perhaps it is a 50-50 blend. I will be mortified the day I need to cut this fabric. Every time it graces my hands, I feel like I’m holding golden doubloons!
