Fabric shop list

- Marche St. Pierre, at the foot of Sacre Coeur ( at the bottom of the staircase by the merry-go-round) in Montmartre (Metro Abbesses or Barbes-Rochechouart)

"There are several shops in this district, you can go around a block or 2 in any direction and find more places. The most famous are `Dreyfus', and `Reine' which are on the corner across from each other. Its sometimes quite a madhouse, especially at Dreyfus on the ground floor. Dreyfus is grouped by fabric type on each floor and the bargains (such as they are, there are no bargains any more, esp. with the dollar so low) are on the ground floor. You find a person to cut
for you, they write up a ticket for the amount. You take all your tickets and pay at "La Caisse", then go pick up your fabric. This system holds true in a lot of stores in France.

"Off on the side streets are some pretty funky shops. Nowadays seems like a lot of home dec fabrics, and then there are some ethnic fabric suppliers. If you like Dutch-African wax resist batik ( Bouboudima) there are a few guys with those hidden in the back streets. The neighborhood of Barbes has a lot of French Africans. It is sort of the `souk'.

- Bouchara, across from the Galeries Lafayette on the Rue Chausee d'Antin, corner of Blvd. Haussmann. This is the big major fabric store of Paris. A lot of home dec included. Upstairs is apparel and notions, downstairs home dec. You have to look at their lace curtains fabric down there. Also, if you like Toile de Jouy prints, they always have nice selection. There are no deals, but some mouth-watering fabrics, yes..

- La Droguerie, on the rue du Jour, behind Les Halles; very near the Rue Etienne Marcel. ( A very fun neighborhood in any case) This is actually a yarn store, but it has marvelous buttons, ribbons, beads. You have to see it just for inspiration. I reviewed this store on PR, you could have a look to see a photo of the tiny sweaters they make `just for the idea'. If you walk from Place Victoires to the Rue St. Denis on Etienne Marcel you will be in one of the most happening districts of Paris. Don't miss the walking zone on the Rue Montorgueil, its only 2 blocks long, but on the right day at the tight time you will be in the middle of one of the last real food marche' left in Paris. Now its mixed in with chic eateries and boutiques.

- Mokuba, a ribbon store on the Rue Montmartre just around the corner from La Droguerie. This is the Paris outpost of a Japanese ribbon supplier. OMG! You will die. Some of the most amazing things, including strips of fake fur in different widths, flower tapes, stretch velvet, organza, and satin ribbons, brocade, jacquard....all ribbon, all amazing.

-Henri Maupiou, near the Rue Faubourg St. Honore. You had better dress to the teeth when you go here, it is possibly the most upscale store you will ever see for fabric. Prices to match! But worth it just to breathe the air.

- Puces de Vanves, the `other' flea market of Paris, at the Porte de Vanves. Its in the south part of the city, unlike the Marche aux Puces at the Porte de Clignancourt, this one is still sort of impromptu and funky. It is only on Saturday that it is jumping, I'm not even sure that it runs any other day. Get up early and go You could find anything there, from fabric to old patterns, to vintage clothing to teapots and African statues. I love this flea market. I try to arrange my schedule to make sure I have time to go and a free morning. Wear a fanny pack or something where you can keep yo