Pages

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:

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

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous1:53 PM

    I think I just fainted!

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 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!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous2:16 PM

    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!)

    ReplyDelete
  8. 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 :)

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

    ReplyDelete
  10. 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 :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. That looks awesome. Pretty fabric...

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  15. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  16. 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 :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous3:56 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  18. 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!

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  22. 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.

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

    ReplyDelete
  24. 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

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

    ReplyDelete
  26. What were the prices like??

    ReplyDelete
  27. I would be overwhelmed! Adult over stimulation for sure!!

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

    ReplyDelete
  29. 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)

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

    ReplyDelete
  31. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  32. OMG fabricaholics nirvana!

    Hugs Naomi

    ReplyDelete
  33. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  34. 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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  42. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Whawww! Wat a great shop!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Oh! So much drool! I think I need a bib!

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

    ReplyDelete
  46. 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

    ReplyDelete
  47. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  48. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Wow, Wow, Wow! I am speechless.

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

    ReplyDelete
  51. 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

    ReplyDelete
  52. 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?

    ReplyDelete
  53. 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! :)

    ReplyDelete
  54. 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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

      Delete
  55. 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

    ReplyDelete
  56. 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 !

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

    ReplyDelete
  58. 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.

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

    ReplyDelete
  60. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  61. 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!

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

    ReplyDelete
  63. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  64. 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!

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  67. 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.

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

    ReplyDelete
  69. 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!!

    ReplyDelete