Recently, I visited my DD in Henrico County, VA, right outside of Richmond. I always look for independent fabric stores whenever I visit a city. An online search yielded Couture by LK Design, which did not have a website and Silk Trading Company, which did. I was in Richmond to collect my DD before we set off on a Caribbean cruise, so I was mindful of spending money.
Silk's website promised high end silks and decorator fabrics. I thought "high end silks" were not in the budget at that particular time and I was resigned not to visit any fabric stores during this trip. "She's my daughter, after all," I told myself. "I'll be back in Richmond again." But, she doesn't own a television, and I had two days in her apartment with little to occupy my mind while she was at work. (
A mother can do only so much snooping. I'm kidding.) So, I ended up at Silk Trading Company anyway.
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The store was not the high end fabric salon I expected. It was very much like every other fabric store I frequent on Fabric Row in Philadelphia and some of the stores in New York's Garment District. No fancy displays. No bright florescent lighting. Just good fabric at good prices. I was the only customer in the store and the sales associate tended to hover. When I shop for fabric, I usually have no idea what I'm looking for until I find it. I couldn't answer questions like "What are you making?" or "What kind of dress?" The prices on the bolts were only suggestions and the sales associate was willing to negotiate a little. I was able to find two pieces I liked; one of the pieces will most likely be the dress pictured from the June 2012 issue of Burda Style Magazine.
My research on Couture by LK Design, including the
review on Pattern Review gave me the same impression. As a matter of fact, it is very likely that I confused the two stores. I didn't have time to visit that store, but I can visit Couture by LK Design the next time I visit my daughter.
Ooooo ...my sister lives in Richmond and I should be visiting before the end of the year. I will definitely have to drag her to these stores. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI live in downtown Richmond just one block from Silk Trading. I haven't been to Couture by LK Design yet. Can you remember what the outside of the shop looked like? Silk Trading has rust and gold drapery in the windows of the shop. I ask because I no longer go in there because the atmosphere is claustrophobic inside and I have never seen a sales associate in there just the grumpy owner.
ReplyDeleteI never made it to Couture by LK Design. I assumed the person who waited on me at Silk Trading a "sales associate". I suspected, but had no proof, that it was an owner. The store was staffed by a man & woman. Judging by the way they fussed at each other, I guessed they were a married couple.
DeleteElaray I'm jealous. I never get near any such stores. I can't stand the questions either. I know they are trying to be friendly and helpful. I tell them it's all going into stash.
ReplyDelete