Wednesday, September 25, 2013

a fabric haul

Yesterday my friend Brianne and I met at SR Harris, which an AMAZING fabric warehouse located in Brooklyn Park, MN. I had heard of the wonders of SR Harris, but yesterday I got to experience it full force. If you are already overwhelmed by how much fabric you have, this is NOT the place to go. But I went anyway. :) And boy, was it FUN!!
There were rows and rows (and rows!) of quilting cottons. A staggering amount. I started with a list, knowing full well that I'd be overwhelmed. The list helped me to focus a little bit. Still, it was REALLY hard to narrow down my choices. It's not surprising that we ended up with two carts. (It could have been 20!)
 
You have to cut your own fabric. It's crazy! (And very smart on their part.) All around, it was quite an experience! I'd recommend it.

Here's my loot:
Fabric to be turned into garments.
 A few quilt backs.
Some oil cloth.
And a little bit of stash fabric. (Sigh.) It's so pretty!

I'm so excited about all of it!! I just can't sew fast enough. You know?

Edited to add:

Lots of questions came up about the cost of fabric. The bolts are marked at retail prices. Most were 8.99, 9.99 and 11.99 per yard, but it's all 50% off! (Thus the difficulty in choosing!)

And yes, it's open to the public!

The minimum cut is 1/8 of a yard. (Which is really isn't much, I found out.) If you are buying over 5 yards an employee needs to measure and cut it. After you cut your fabric you label the amount cut and the price per yard on a sticker. They ring it up and compute all the discounts at the register. They rely on the honor system for cutting. It's quite a unique experience!

73 comments:

Diane said...

Wow - that place looks dangerous! I would definitely have to visit sans credit cards! Love it:)

Anonymous said...

I think I just fainted!

Pat said...

Glad/sorry/glad/sorry ... in a tizzy ... am I glad or sorry I don't live anywhere near all that temptation!!

CJ said...

So can you get fat quarters or small cuts?? Cutting your own?? Crazy!

goletagirlwendy said...

What fun!!!!

Pinspot said...

I don't live anywhere near there, and have absolutely no reason to visit, so I probably will never go. But I just HAVE to KNOW, what were the prices like? I'm guessing well below retail.

Ann said...

I am SOOO jealous you went without me!!! As soon as I can toss these crutches and walk again...and maybe you use up some of your purchases, we could go again. It will be a couple months, so get sewing!!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm from Minnesota and may have a good reason to go back for a visit now! (well, besides all the friends and family, of course!)

Heidi [Banks of Frog Creek] said...

Oh my goodness! I just moved back to the eastern side of SD, so this is now on my go-to list for one of our trips to the Cities! What are the prices like?! I love your choices :)

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Glad you got a little fabric to fill in the empty storage!

Jody Wenner said...

This is interesting. I am about 10 minutes away and have been there many times (though not in ages) and they never used to have any decent cotton fabric...lots of garment/upholstery/knits, etc. but not much for cotton and for sure no decent quality quilt cottons. Looks like that has changed! I may be taking another trip back :)

Live a Colorful Life said...

That looks awesome. Pretty fabric...

Barbara said...

I can't believe I lived in Minnesota for 18 years and never visited. I need to visit friends, haha.

Marie said...

It's on my bucket list and at 72 miles away -- just might have to cross it off this weekend!

Jen said...

Is it bad that I totally recognized that it was SR Harris before I read anything? Love that place!

Marianne said...

What you bought looks great. I think i would be totally overwhelmed by that shop and not know where to look first. We don't have shops like that in Australia or the UK where i am from!

Samantha K said...

Hmmm...That's a 2 hour drive from home--I'm thinking that's pretty dangerous! Wonder how I could talk the hubs into letting me take a trip there? May have to match dollar for dollar with his hunting expenses this fall :)

Anonymous said...

I am not usually someone to covet things other people have - but I am insanely jealous about your fabric haul. It looks absolutely amazing!

SarahZ said...

Just the name of this post is enough to make one nervous! Sensory overload! It looks like you all had a fine time of it!

PeachPatchQuilts said...

i've been there once and love every minute of it!

Annalia said...

Ahhh! Maybe I could plan a vacation around going there? Think my husband would be suspicious?

Unknown said...

Dangerous place isn't it? :-) Did you find the scrap bin for 10 cents a scrap?

Jean Belle said...

Haven't been there for a couple years - since I needed upholstery fabric to re-cover our sofa. The quantity of fabric all in one place is mind-boggling! I'll have to stop in and check out the quilting cottons sometime.

Carla said...

Too dangerous for me ....... most definitely!!!

diegoagogo said...

OMG!!! My head just exploded with the thought that
I. HAVE. TO. GO. THERE. NOW!!!!!
However I know I could not go as I would just implode with the decision making required!!
I am overwhelmed & I am in the UK!!
Respect for being able to be so restrained. The list was a great idea.
Like everyone else, what were the prices like? Do they have current big name designer lines etc
Cheers
Lush
Worthing, UK

Mina said...

WOW! I may need to put this on my "vacation" planner list

Robyn said...

What were the prices like??

Kathy@KayakQuilting said...

I would be overwhelmed! Adult over stimulation for sure!!

carol said...

Well, how fun is that? Now, I bet you're happy you moved, huh? Nothing like that in Wisconsin!!

Katherine said...

AMAZING! I think I could spend days in a store like that. ;o)
You showed incredible restraint. Obviously your fabric willpower is stronger than mine. I would've ended up selling my firstborn to cover my bill at the till. ;o)

Yvonne Campbell said...

I would love to go to that store! It's amazing, and the fabrics you got are great!

Rozina D. said...

I love SR Harris, but I've never been able to locate the voile section. Where the heck was that AMH? (I've looked!) So glad you had an awesome trip there!

Beeshebags said...

OMG fabricaholics nirvana!

Hugs Naomi

Ellen said...

That looks so crazy! I can imagine I would spend a whole day there and by the end be all crabby and upset because there are just too many choices. Then the next day I would regret all of the things I didn't buy and immediately plan a second trip. I hope your trip went better than this imaginary one I just took!

Jeneta said...

I know, I know! You did amazingly well - I seriously think I would have just folded and taken the 20 shopping carts. I probably wouldn't even have bothered cutting the fabric, but taken whatever was left on the bolt. Then again, that would mean not making another trip back soon...

Dominique said...

Very glad I don't live near. Could be dangerous.

Tamie said...

Oh my gosh...

Karen H said...

Oh my. My son just got a job in Brooklyn Park. I will definitely need to visit!

Karen H said...

Oh my. My son just got a job in Brooklyn Park. I will definitely need to visit!

Karen H said...

Oh my. My son just got a job in Brooklyn Park. I will definitely need to visit!

Smitha said...

Ay! I live so close by! Maybe I can come n meet u next time u go there?

Katy said...

That place is definitely dangerous! But I love it!! I always walk out with a huge pile to add to the stash!

Vicki said...

I'm afraid that I would have taken a little of each one!

Unknown said...

Gee Wizz, this is a dream come true. I don't think my heart could take all that fabric at one time. I'm thinking a long road trip with uhaul trailer in the future.

P11otter said...

Whawww! Wat a great shop!

Rita@PinPrickedFingers.com said...

Oh! So much drool! I think I need a bib!

Rossana said...

WOW!!! It's incredible! This shop is a "paradise"! Here in Italy, we dream a store like that!

Faye Nettles said...

SO jelly!

margaret said...

Heaven on earth! what a great day out, maybe they would like to open a branch here in the UK preferably in Leeds, like everyone else wondering what it was like pricewise

Brenna said...

I love that place! I went on a visit to MN and was completely overwhelmed. After a couple hours, I think I still missed most of the store!

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

If I went to a place like that, I'd be there for a year and break the bank. Very dangerous but lots of fun.

Marie said...

Wow, Wow, Wow! I am speechless.

Kay said...

Oh!!! If only it were nearer to England.

Unknown said...

Amanda -

I have only been once... and it was quite the experience and could have the potential to put a huge dent in the checkbook! :P Glad you had fun!

Lisa in Minnesota

Janarama said...

You were in fabric heaven! Man oh man, I'd love to go to that place. You got some beautiful fabrics. How were the prices?

Lisa said...

I got to go there last winter when visiting my sister who lives close, and it was amazing!! Can't wait to go again, but really need to get some of my stash down first. Pretty sure I spent at least 4 hours in there. And they have so much more than quilting cotton! :)

colleen said...

http://www.srharrisfabric.com/coupons.html
I just looked at their web site .… they have both coupons and a newsletter.
I am a California girl and have no reason to ever be in MN but if I find myself within (?) miles I'll be sure to visit.
So even although I didn't get to go and may never I am so happy that you were able to go and bring such lovely fabrics home .
Colleen

colleen said...

Oh I'd also like to know how it works
How do you know the price
How do you cut the fabrics and price mark them
Is there a minimum about ( not less than 1/2 yard or?)
How do you get the bottom bolt from the pile?
Please do another post with more information please

Unknown said...

I've only ever wanted to go to the US for the craft shops but good grief, a whole warehouse?!!

Maybe one day we will get there. Its a fair way from the UK.

Glad you had a good time :D

cecile said...

I live very close from it and I am trying very hard not to go... but your pile is so pretty, I might change that very soon !

maryandpatch.blogspot.com said...

Woouuhouu! Is is a store for everyone to go to, or do you have to be a professional?

CapitolaQuilter said...

Oh why oh why is the store so far away from me?! There will be busting down the doors after your post from the locals I am sure.

Linda said...

I SOOO need to get myself down there. I have heard of the fabled place, but never have the chance to actually GO there.

Deb@asimplelifequilts said...

I haven't been there in years... thanks for making it a must stop on my next Cities trip as I need to load up on backing fabrics!

Mrsblocko said...

SR Harris rocks. I grew up in Brooklyn Park! If you're short, bring someone tall to get the stuff off the top shelf. The bolt I want is ALWAYS on the top shelf, but the bottom of that shelf under 20 other bolts!

Congrats on your finds!

Clair said...

I am going to have to tell my quilting friends about it, and maybe take a field trip some Saturday. :)

Chase said...

Thank you for sharing... I would love to go there when I return to the states. I saw some of the images from IG a few days ago... It is exciting to see all the fabric.

Faye Nettles said...

We have 2 teeny LQS where I live. I would love to shop in a store like that. Your haul was wonderful. I would have to have a list to go into a place like that or I would need a Uhaul to get out of there!

midvalleystagers@blogspot.com said...

Looks like a dangerous place for me but so much fun!

Katz 'N Kwilts said...

Oh such heaven! Reminds me of the fabric markets in Korea.

Vicki H said...

I live in Kansas but go to MN yearly visiting family. I can't believe I didn't know this is less than 10 miles from my sister's house. I was just up there 3 weeks ago.

LightOfTheMoon said...

I was introduced to it today! Yet another reason to visit more frequently!

StellaLou said...

I love SR Harris. For first timers plan on spending lots of time and try not to bring spouses, children or non sewing friends. The have two large cutting tables (enough room for 3 people on each side), yardsticks for measuring, scissors, stickers and pens. The quilting cotton is always 50% off the price marked at the end of the bolt and name brand 1st quality (though I have found blems - but have seen these at quilt shops also). You do have to lots of bending, lifting and rearranging so pop a few Advil and let the fun begin!!