If I lived anywhere else in the country, I would go to Jo-Ann Fabrics, pick up a spool of thread and be done with it. But I don’t and I am overwhelmed by options. I am looking for thread at the same places that service the garment district sweat shops and Suzy home-makers alike (if they exist here). Considering I don’t know what I want, less selection would be better.
My mission today: Plain thread for practicing. Since I’m not ready to pick out the fabric for my final masterpiece, I’m definitely not ready to pick out the thread. Prior to today’s lunch time shopping trip, I did some light research on the best place for materials. The problem with comparing fabric and craft stores is that it is very difficult to understand which ones are “cheap” and which ones are “expensive” because there are no control items. I could create my own market basket of goods consisting of needles, patterns and buttons but fabric is a variable and due to the volume and selection available its value is subjective. Based on internet queries, I indentified some stores I wanted to check out for their selection and pricing. The first store I went to had no thread. Rarely do the googles lie to me but when they do I find it to be a betrayal of my trust. On the other hand, I think I found a “cheap” fabric store.
My mission today: Plain thread for practicing. Since I’m not ready to pick out the fabric for my final masterpiece, I’m definitely not ready to pick out the thread. Prior to today’s lunch time shopping trip, I did some light research on the best place for materials. The problem with comparing fabric and craft stores is that it is very difficult to understand which ones are “cheap” and which ones are “expensive” because there are no control items. I could create my own market basket of goods consisting of needles, patterns and buttons but fabric is a variable and due to the volume and selection available its value is subjective. Based on internet queries, I indentified some stores I wanted to check out for their selection and pricing. The first store I went to had no thread. Rarely do the googles lie to me but when they do I find it to be a betrayal of my trust. On the other hand, I think I found a “cheap” fabric store.
On the way to the next store on my list, conveniently named PANDA THREAD I made an unplanned stop to another thread store with lots of fancy colors in the window. Once I entered the store, however, I found one rack of thread and rows of those mannequin things like the one in this picture with buster. That was creepy so I left.
Next I went to the Panda Thread shop. Less creepy but all the spools were humongous! I asked a nice man behind the counter for some cheap basic white thread and he handed me a spool the size of my arm. I told him I wanted something smaller and he explained it was the smallest they had but it was $2. What a bargain! Similar to jars of spices and bottles of perfume, I don’t know if it’s possible to use up this entire thing even if I used it every day. I’m sure it’s not the best quality but neither is my handiwork so who am I to judge.
I then realized I didn’t have my wallet so I went back to work and will return to Panda Thread this evening. I would like to note that every store I have been to in the garment district has had friendly staff and provided good customer service.
Next I went to the Panda Thread shop. Less creepy but all the spools were humongous! I asked a nice man behind the counter for some cheap basic white thread and he handed me a spool the size of my arm. I told him I wanted something smaller and he explained it was the smallest they had but it was $2. What a bargain! Similar to jars of spices and bottles of perfume, I don’t know if it’s possible to use up this entire thing even if I used it every day. I’m sure it’s not the best quality but neither is my handiwork so who am I to judge.
I then realized I didn’t have my wallet so I went back to work and will return to Panda Thread this evening. I would like to note that every store I have been to in the garment district has had friendly staff and provided good customer service.
