I’m going to lead with the first reason, which is that you love fabric! Cool, since I love fabric too and think that the world needs fashion fabric more readily available to the average sewist. Chances are, you don’t live near a ton of fabric stores and the ones near you specialize in quilts. I am not throwing shade at quilting, as it’s an art, but the fabrics do not lend themselves to garments for the most part. That said, there are some LOVELY cottons and linens available from quilting lines so if that’s been working for you, keep up the good work!
Just to address the elephant in the craft room here, the Jo-Ann bankruptcy and liquidation is a disaster for everyone who sews. I didn’t appreciate the ability to run into a store and buy invisible zippers, thread, interfacing, or machine needles seven days a week until it was gone. The reality is, there are no good big box alternatives out there. Sure, you can go to Walmart, Michael’s, or Hobby Lobby but they are not equipped to handle garment sewing at this time. Trust me, I’ve scoped all of them out, and while it’s better than nothing, the retail landscape for makers is challenging.
I’m looking to change that. You deserve a store that carries the fabrics and notions you need to create the clothing you love. Not a home decor store masquerading as a craft store, not a corporate behemoth that does not understand nor respect your skills, and not the small shop that fails to listen to what you want as a customer in favor of what they already stock with no intention of helping you special order what you know you need.
I have bought fabric from around the globe and from online retailers still operating and those defunct (fabric.com you are still missed, Amazon did you dirty). I have been in your shoes. I’ve bought amazing fabrics from vaguely worded descriptions online, and I’ve opened up some packages only to be disappointed that the dress-weight jersey was . . . not. Even in-person can be daunting with limited color choices and only polyester as far as the eye can see. It doesn’t have to be this way, which is why I started this store.
It’s early days still here at Great Bridge Fabrics, but every bit of my inventory has been handled by me before it goes on the website storefront. If I wouldn’t sew with it, I do not sell it. Don’t take this to mean that I will only have the most exquisite fabrics too precious to take a pair of shears to cut it. I believe in good quality fabric no matter you are whether sewing t-shirts or special occasion. Great Bridge Fabrics aims to be one-stop shopping for all of your garment sewing needs. If I am missing a product you need, drop me an email at carol@greatbridgefabrics.com because your opinions matter to me.