Today I left the desert bright and early to drive into the Los Angeles Fabric District for some treasure hunting. I have a few favorite stops that I hit on almost every trip:
FIDM Scholarship Store – 919 S. Grand Ave
This place is one of my favorites by far. It sells new clothing and accessories donated by top fashion companies and all proceeds go to FIDM scholarships. This is the best place to stock up on $1 a yard fabric, $1 accessories and inexpensive grab bags of buttons and trim. It was named “Best Boutique/Store in L.A.” by the readers of Downtown News.
Angel Textiles – 846 S. Maple Avenue
I found this place by accident last year. It’s a little hole-in-the-wall place but the prices rock. They have some cool leather pieces too if you are making handbags, jewelry etc. Cash and large quantities will help you negotiate.
Michael Levine – 920 Maple Ave
I love stopping by Michael Levine because of the huge selection of woven fabrics and notions. It consists of three stores: the main store, the home decor store, and the Loft. They have a huge selection of designer wovens and fun Japanese imports. The Loft is a great place to find one-off finds and everything is priced by the pound (you can see photos from a trip last year to the Loft here). If you are buying in bulk you can ask to check out the warehouse for larger quantities:
Target Trim – 629 E. 9th Street
Trim heaven. Enough said. See more photos below.
So much embroidered trim it can be very overwhelming:
Buy by the yard or by the box…..but there’s a price difference:
This is just the selection of FOE elastic. I couldn’t even make up my mind so I told the guy to just pick out 10 rainbow colors and surprise me.
A few of my favorite haunts as well! I did not know about the FIDM store–MUST check that one out!
I’m headed in from out of town this weekend and wanted to go…..so thanks for sharing on the perfect day:).
My question is about logistics. Is there parking at these places or will I be walking? I’ve never been down there so I have no frame of reference.
Yes Sara 🙂 there is always parking nearby but I would wear walking shoes. It’s easiest to just park once at one of the places and then walk to all the others. I usually use the rooftop lot next door to Michael Levine.
Hey, Sara! There is a huge parking lot right next to our mega-store, Target Trim, Corp. Feel free to park in the lot & shop with us for your trim/fashion/accessory needs any time! 🙂
This makes me sorry that Michigan is so far away from LA. I wish I had a place to shop that is so amazing.
Hey Janelle! No need to worry. We, at Target Trim, Corp., ship to all states. Feel free to scroll through our website, http://www.TargetTrim.com, & call us to place an order…Simple as that! 🙂
Oooo, great info! I’ll be in LA next week!!!!
Great…See you soon! 🙂
jealous! looks amazing!
That looks like it was tons of fun! I’d love to go out there someday. I’m close to Chicago though, and I’m sure they have something similar. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
i don’t exactly know why, but I imagine my own personal heaven would include that Target trim store I just saw in your photo. Row after row of ric rac and ribbon would just be paradise for me. Consider yourself lucky that you have access to so many great apparal fabrics. I am JEALOUS!
The fabric district is one of the things I miss most about living in California. Such fun adventures and buys there…top it off with a quick walk to the flower district for some fresh flowers and it’s a perfect day.
I love these stores. I only wish I lived in California. Wow, what a great find. We don’t have these kinds of stores in central Florida. I so am jealouy. LOL
Ms. Ashley! Where do I start! It was SO NICE meeting you yesterday at our store, Target Trim, in Downtown LA! And thank you SO MUCH for being so kind & generous in advertising our mega-trim/fashion/accessories store to your family, friends, colleagues, etc! You’re a very kind-hearted, amicable lady and it was a PLEASURE to have you in our store 🙂 Keep in touch & be well!
Oh how I love the fabric district!! One more reason why I love living in LA
My kind of gal! I’m heading down there on Saturday! Can’t wait!
You are sooo lucky to be able to fine places like that to shop. I live in South Carolina alittle too far to travel
Hi I really want to thank u for sharing I live 5 minutes away from down town and shop their all the time. But I get so over excited with such good deal and run out of money to fast. So in the next day or two I am going down their to by my 14 year old some clothing she save all last year And has 200 hundred buck hehehe. So I am going to head to the places you mentioned . Would u like to see some pics of my findings.
Wow, all those places look so neat. Wish I could go there and look. I have a question. Are there any online places that you know of with the types of knit fabrics you use in your clothes? I live about 7 hrs from Dallas and much further from Houston which may have some places but dont know where. If you have any tips on places from those of us who shop online than I am all ears.
Also do you ever sell any of the fabic that you screen print. I am so in love with your Lady bugs and want to make myself a T-shirt with them. I am still scared to try the screen printing.
All your stuff is amazing, and I am a daily follower of your site.
We have a fabric district in Dallas. I haven’t been yet, so I don’t know if it’s similar. I can’t WAIT to get down there and check everything out, but I need a day without kids! 🙂
Oh I love seeing these pictures. I only live in San Diego but still havent gone. My babe is almost two so I guess I can leave him for a day and go. Where do you suggest going for good knits??
thanks
That’s the paradise! I would love to take a trip round there!!!!! But unfortunately I’m “a bit” out of the way (Italy)….. 🙁
Oh My! It would be awesome to go to these amazing places, no wonder your creations are so amazing, you have the best places to shop! Thanks for sharing, just wish LA wasn’t so far away from Indiana!
Our mega-store in Downtown LA, Target Trim, Corp. (as Ms. Ashley ventured through) has the greatest variety in fashions/trims/accessories! You can scroll through our website, http://www.TargetTrim.com, and call us to place an order. We will easily ship your items/products via UPS 🙂
Wow you are so spoilt for choice!! Places like this just don’t exist in the UK, unfortunately.
I love the LA Fashion District just for its fabric stores. We walked into Target Trim on our last trip there and I’m telling you, I could have stayed there all . . . day . . . long! I also love Mike’s Fabric on Wall and the zipper store across the street (the name eludes me at the moment). Anyway, we park in the lot on the corner of 9th and San Julian by Target Trim – easy in, easy out and close to my faves. I’m due for a trip once this heat wave subsides.
I love going into LA in the districts for fabric and other goodies. My daughter and I try to go once a month except during the summer. Glad you had a good time. Hope you didn’t hit too much rain.
What great shops!! This makes me so jealous I don’t live closer to LA-I really need to go on a scouting expedition and find some great stores like this in Salt Lake.
Kari
Newlyweds on a Budget
I’m going to downtown LA tomorrow, so this post is VERY a propos =) I love Michael Levine, but the others are new to me… I can’t wait to check them all out! Thank you =)
Ashey.. It is late, I am just home from the ICU with my husband.. I have followed you for years.. and I have to say this is my FAVORITE post.. You did this for us last year.. I live in Ks and we dont’ have anywhere close at all. My dream and I shared with my husband.. is to go there.. Go to IKEA, sight see, and do each and every one of these stores, I am a trim and fabric addict. St Louis , KC , Chicago.. these are my closest.. Nothing like this.. I happened across a small store in Emporia Ks that was a gem for vintage trims, beads and such..the other day.. A fluke.. I rationalized it to hubby, (200.00 late), i TOLD YOU IT WAS VERY MUCH LIKE THE STORES I CAN’T GO TO)..That is why I went crazy and spent 200.00 in a few minutes.. Thank you missy for sharing you life and especially for me you staff; your awesome talent, bussiness and for me these stores and your tools.. We love you. Have fun with sissy
I had thought about flying out there, but didn’t know if it would save me money by the time I paid for a flight. so Thanks for the information
Been going to Michael Levine for YEARS and love it! Gotta try target trim! The pics look GREAT!
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