My Favorite Southern CA Fabric & Trim Stores
If you live in Southern CA, there are tons of amazing fabric stores around. Every single one of these fabric stores in LA County and Orange County puts JoAnn Fabric Stores to shame in selection and price.
LOS ANGELES
Mood Fabrics
6151 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(323) 653-6663
When I had to move away from my beloved NYC Mood Fabric store, the only thing that gave me solace was knowing they would shortly be opening a LA Mood Store. Now, years later, it is still one of my favorite fabric stores to wander. The prices are high, but the diversity and quality in their selection of fabrics in unbeatable.
Michael Levine
920 Maple Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90015-1812
(213) 622-6259
You can wander around the LA garment district forever searching from store to store for what you are looking for at a good price. Or you can just go here where the store is huge and well organized. Not rock-bottom prices (and they are non-negotiable like surrounding small jobbers) but you can save a lot of time.
ORANGE COUNTY
M & L Fabrics
3430 W Ball Rd
Anaheim, CA 92804
(714) 995-3178
Great prices and a hugely random selection of fabrics and trim.
My Long Sewing Machines, Fabric & Trims Co.
11662 Trask Ave
Garden Grove, CA 92843
714-537-2408
Don’t let the exterior of this place turn you off because there are treasures to be found inside! Rock bottom prices on a completely random selection of fabric, trim, buttons and zippers.
J&C Fabrics
7130 Westminster Blvd
Westminster, CA 92683
(714) 799-5519
I stumbled upon this little gem totally by accident. It’s a small store packed with great pieces of knit fabric at crazy good prices. You can also find some trim and racks of random woven fabric as well.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
You should head up to my neck of the woods. We have a pretty good fabric store called the The Cotton Shop in Torrance. Beats having to schlep into downtown and brave the traffic!! I think you would like it. If your ever in the area, it’s a place to stop in and see 🙂
[Reply]
Julie Reeves Reply:
September 10th, 2014 at 1:05 pm
The Cotton Shop is now closed.
[Reply]
Ah… M&L… I grew up there. I lived across the street when it was still on Magnolia. Then, carefully wandered the flat fold aisles during the early years of its Knott location. It’s safe now, but boy, before the fire inspector came though and gave them an ultimatum, you took your life into your hands in the flat folds. So much fabric towering over you precariously perched… The $1 wall is always fun to look through. 🙂
[Reply]
Adrienne Reply:
April 28th, 2013 at 10:10 am
I remember that first location. I didn’t realize the M&L now was that same store I shuddered to shop through then and many times would not go there. Glad they got their act together, it’s fun now and much easier to find bargains.
[Reply]
Hello,
I stumbled upon your blog and have been desperately looking for fabric stores that offer a bit more on the modern side…not grandma fabric. I saw your selections above and was wondering if you have found any more.
Thanks
[Reply]
Kathy Reply:
April 27th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Not a grandma store. We are on the modern side with such beautiful fabrics. It is very hard to work here without taking something home each night. Come for a visit. We are in Laguna Hills. We also have the OC Modern quilt guild that meets here.
[Reply]
Nancy Rabbitt Reply:
January 29th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
which store are you? address?
[Reply]
Alice Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
If you want to find fabrics and very reasonable prices go to the fabric district in LA. If you can’t find it there you probably won’t find it at all. There are blocks of stores with every kind of fabric and trim. Michael Lavine’s is well set up but don’t ignore the little shops. You exit in Los Angeles Street off the 60 West. It is a few exits down after the I-10 crosses it. The fabric district is around 9th and Maple. You will see the shope. It is safe during the daytime. You will have to park in a lot as street parking is almost impossible. It’s fun to go exploring. I go alone or with a friend or two. Good Luck, Alice—-Traffic is not bad if you go between 10 and 2.
[Reply]
grem Reply:
February 9th, 2013 at 11:06 am
Intertnational silks and woolens on Beverly Bl. w. hollywood.
[Reply]
Which shop was the picture you put on Twitter yesterday? I’ve been to M&L but not the others in the OC.
[Reply]
anybody have any ideas about bargain fabrics in Connecticut?
[Reply]
Michael Levine in LA is also M&L in Anaheim and Jenny’s Fabrics in Fountain Valley, each smaller than the next but, hey if you don’t want to drive to LA!
[Reply]
Do you know if I can take a bus from Disneyland to M & L fabrics? Or how much a taxi would cost? do they have a great selection of quilting cottons? I will be at Disneyland in a couple of weeks. I have heard of great things about M&L. Is it worth a trip?
[Reply]
BMW Reply:
September 23rd, 2012 at 10:06 pm
The Route 43 bus north on Harbor Blvd. (across the street from Disneyland) to the 42 bus west on Lincoln (go to the left when you cross the street for the transfer) way up Lincoln to reach M&L. It will be on the other side of the street. $4.00 for a day long round trip ticket that will get you on any OCTA bus. Watch out for the crazy homeless people with bus passes. Most are nice, but there are a few who you can’t wait to get away from. Glad my car works again.
[Reply]
Jo Dilger Reply:
July 12th, 2013 at 8:39 am
M&L is on ball, not on Lincoln, don’t know the bus route #, but I’m sure you can find out, it between western and knott, tood luck
[Reply]
Hi! I’m moving to Northern San Diego County so it’s a little bit of a drive still to LA… Does anyone know of any modern fabric shops near Carlsbad or Oceanside? Even Fallbrook isn’t too far for good fabric 🙂
[Reply]
Laurie Olson Reply:
January 27th, 2013 at 12:49 pm
Hi Katie, I’m traveling to Carlsbad this coming weekend and will have some time to go to quilt shops. Did you ever find any good quilt shops near the Carlsbad area?
[Reply]
I know it is not IN Southern Cal but Fabric Street has a great variety of fabrics you can buy and browse online. And their project/blogs are really fun too!
[Reply]
This is my fav. fabric store in San Diego.
It’s an old movie theater converted into a fabric store.
Discount Fabrics
3325 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 280-1791
This is my second fav. fabric store in San Diego
It’s a bit pricey, but a awesome selection of fabrics.
Yardage Town
907 Plaza Blvd
National city, California 91950
Ralph’s Shopping Center‎
(619) 477-3749
This is my fav. fabric store in Rancho Cucamonga
Hasn’t been remodeled since it opened in the 1970’s and I love it!
Richard’s Fabrics
8663 Base Line Road
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Sunrize Center‎
(909) 987-6061
[Reply]
I love this blog, can you name any fabric stores in my area San Pedro, Torrance or Redondo Beach? the Cotton Shop is closed. thank you so much
[Reply]
This is Carrie
Twitter: thisiscarrie
Reply:
January 26th, 2013 at 11:16 am
Have you been to SAS fabrics in Hawthorne? http://www.yelp.com/biz/sas-fabrics-hawthorne
[Reply]
Fabricki Reply:
April 28th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
Momen in Torrance. Means cotton in Japanese. Also, a little bit north of there at 135th & Hawthorne is SAS Fabrics. Kind of a treasure hunt but GREAT PRICES!!! Happy hunting!!
[Reply]
Fabricki Reply:
April 28th, 2013 at 12:08 pm
A little bit north of there at 135th & Hawthorne is SAS Fabrics. Kind of a treasure hunt but GREAT PRICES!!! Happy hunting!!
[Reply]
I have been browsing online more than three hours today, yet
I never found any interesting article like yours.
It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if
all web owners and bloggers made good content as you
did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.
[Reply]
Wow, thanks fabricistas. This is great. Downtown, Los Angeles sounds great, and MLs is always a winner. SAS in Hawthorne, can not wait to test the waters and will give us full report. Happy Mother’s Day to All.
[Reply]
Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just
your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and everything.
But imagine if you added some great graphics or video clips to give your posts more,
“pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and video clips, this website could undeniably
be one of the most beneficial in its niche. Terrific blog!
[Reply]
Just wanted to add to your list. Was Downtown LA recently looking for a printed terry to make some kids towels and came across a little store called Textile Collections. Address 848 S. Wall Street. They not only had the terry I was looking for but they had excellent quilting cottons, and minky fabrics too. The prints were unique (not the same stuff you see everywhere) and the prices were reasonable. I paid $7 a yard for my 60″ terry and the minky fabrics were straight $8, all prints. Was sooo happy, I wanted to make sure I gave the owner Peter Jordan props.
[Reply]
My Long Sewing Machines, Fabric & Trims Co
THank YOu so much for leading me to this treasure. I googled 24″ zippers in OC called and was on my route And for $4 bought 4 yards of zipper with pulls!! Thrilled!!! Thank you for this info!!!
[Reply]
I can’t believe no one has mentioned this, but in Southern Cali there is a small chain store called The $2.00 Fabric Store. One is in Rialto and the other in Modesto. I used to go to one in San Bernardino in the 1990’s, but they seem to have closed. They have good quality fabric from $1.00 to $3.00 per yard. When I went, there was nothing over these prices, and it was a huge well organized building. Have sewn many pretty dresses, skirts, and curtains from this place. All washed and wore down well. Some are still going! Worth a look!
[Reply]
OK, my girls are finally grown up and the first one is getting married. Although she looks lovely in the store bought dresses she tried on, she says she feels like she is in a wedding dress from the mall, and is challenging me (us) with making the the dress. I guess that’s the payback you get for sewing custom clothes for them all their lives!
Can anyone give me a heads up as to where to start looking for lace yardage (to overlay on top of the satin) in So Cal? Also, maybe some options for 3 bridesmaid dresses. Yet to be determined whether we will also make them or not. Sis is a bridesmaid and equally picky about store bought dresses.
As always, our pattern choice is simple (combination of 2 different patterns, to be put together and tested before cutting the real stuff). The right choices of fabric will make the difference. I am looking mid price range lace, maybe a netting background with a simple motif, not too fussy, but nice quality.
We live in Oceanside, so will hit Jenny’s on the way up (I talked to them and they said they have a small but nice selection), then on to the garment district I assume. Looking for something a little nicer and more unique than the JoAnns/Yardage Town selections.
If we could have 2-4 other recommendations, so we don’t waste out time, we would appreciate it. Anybody out there with some shopping tips? Bring it on – thank you!
[Reply]
cs Reply:
May 21st, 2014 at 9:33 am
This response may be 9 months too late, but for anyone else driving from SD county to L.A. . . . if Jenny’s doesn’t have it, you might as well take a small detour off the 405 and head for their “Big Sister” store, M&L (address is mentioned elsewhere in this blog).
Also, if you are looking specifically for lace, you could try the Fabric Barn in Long Beach (also not far off the 405).
Just beware . ..after shopping M&L plus the Fabric Barn, it might be time to turn around and head back home. Both have s-o-o much fabric to look at.
BTW . . .Fabric Barn also has a huge supply of everything you could possibly need in the way of special event accessories. And if you can’t find what you are looking for there, there’s another small store that sells mainly accessories and trims, just one door east (on the same street.)
[Reply]
There is a $2.00 Fabric Store on S. Bristol and Warner in Santa Ana.
[Reply]
I’ve been browsing online more than three hours today, yet
I never found any interesting article like yours.
It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers
made good content as you did, the net will be much more useful than ever
before.
[Reply]
You are so interesting! I don’t think I’ve trul read through anythung like that
before. So wonderful to find someone with genuine thoughts on this subject.
Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is something
that’s needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!
[Reply]
I have read so many content regarding the blogger lovers however this article is truly a nice article, keep it up.
[Reply]
I think that we should promote local businesses by making
use of a nearby ‘man and his van’ to move any large
items of furniture.
[Reply]
In NOHO area from 4/7-4/11. Which fabric/quilt shops should I not miss? I do mostly contemporary quilts. Coming from Atlanta. Willing to drive to great shops. Grand daughter will be dancing. I’ll be shopping!
[Reply]
Shophopper Reply:
October 10th, 2014 at 12:56 pm
Have you gone to Candy’s Quiltworks in Northridge on Reseda Blvd.? Great shop!
[Reply]
Twitter: nnjddr
May 25, 2014 at 2:21 am
Which one of these stores are good to find wide(7in) lace trims at in oc?
[Reply]
Depending on where you livein OC, I would head for either Jenny”s (just off the 405 (at Warner), or M&L (further north . . . I’ve forgotten the intersection, but think it might be Balland Valley View in Fountain Valley.
If you can’t find it there, I definitely would head for the Fabric Barn (in Long Beach). I can’tguarantee 7″lace, but they carry more trim (and other accessories) than fabric.
[Reply]
Depending on where you livein OC, I would head for either Jenny”s (just off the 405 (at Warner), or M&L (further north . . . I’ve forgotten the intersection, but think it might be Ball and Valley View in Fountain Valley.
If you can’t find it there, I definitely would head for the Fabric Barn (in Long Beach). I can’tguarantee 7″lace, but they carry more trim (and other accessories) than fabric.
[Reply]
The blade part is usually crosscut or ripped teeth. By supplying up to 50%
or more of your homes electricity through solar power dramatic savings can be realized.
And not everybody will accept living with a cable snaking along the floor
from room to room either.
[Reply]
What about out by Riverside? A Joann just opened close to downtown, but I would really prefer a place that has organic fabrics. Any ideas?
[Reply]
Interesting discussion re fabric stores! Mentioned in the thread is “$2 Fabric Store”….believe this began in Bellflower, with a second Santa Ana location but the owners have been improving the quality of this organization for a number of years now.
Within the past 9-10 years, they’ve rebranded themselves as “Home Fabrics & Rugs”, glamorized their locations and have expanded into several western states (link provides store locator):
http://homefabricsonline.com/
If your projects are geared toward decorator fabrics (versus clothing/quilting), Home Fabrics is the best I’ve found. Well displayed and color grouped, higher priced fabrics occupy the main room on racks ($6.99 – about $25/yard). These are eventually moved to the discount room where they’re displayed on standing bolts in bins, prices now reduced to $3-$5.99.
Hundreds to pick through! Always something really fabulous. Got 15 yards of gorgeous 58″ wide silk for $5/yd one time.
For the ‘drapery queen’, this place cannot be beat! Downtown LA fabric mart is wonderful but Home Fabrics has much of the same and I’ve found the prices less and locations much less of a hassle.
Hope this proves useful.
[Reply]
I don’t even know the way I stopped up here, however I assumed this submit used to be great.
I do not realize who you are but defginitely you’re going to
a famous blogger for those who are not already.
Cheers!
[Reply]
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody?
This post posted at this site is genuinely good.
[Reply]
Just finished skimming thru all the messages and realized no one has mentioned the Big Y Yardage outlet. (And no, it’s nowhere near what locals refer to as the “Big Y” freeway intersection in So County.
Address (764 N Tustin St) also is confusing, because it’s actually in the city of Orange, but their website has both directions and a map and is just a few blocks west of the 55 fwy.
Have to admit that I don’t go there often, mainly because it’s off my beaten track, but occasionally do stop in if I happen to be in the neighborhood and working on or thinking about another project.
They have a pretty good selection of fabrics (particularly for drapery or upholstery) which I guess makes sense, because customized work in those services apparently is their “alter ego” for which customers give them high marks. But they also have lighter weight materials as well as lots of remnants for almost give-away prices.
Historically, I vaguely remember them as being located a little closer to the Santa Ana/Orange border, near the old Akron (Cost Plus /aka World Market) store. I also remember it being more like M&L — with stacks of flat fold fabrics in a sort of dingy storefront.
These days its new store is a lot brighter with wider aisles — usually only a handful of customers — and fewer salespeople wandering around. I can’t comment on their pricing because I’m usually looking for “bargains” — but HAVE bought stuff there, so that might be a clue.
[Reply]
Have you been to Candy’s Quiltworks on Reseda Blvd. in Northridge?
[Reply]
I’ve learn some just right stuff here. Certainly
worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how a
lot effort you set to make this type of great informative website.
[Reply]