When asking yourself about something to do near me in Los Angeles with a group of friends or family, consider
Mood Fabrics
Why Mood Fabrics is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Mood Fabrics stands out as a premier meeting place for friends, creatives, and sewing enthusiasts alike, offering an expansive and vibrant environment filled with inspiration and endless possibilities. Founded in 1991 by Jack Sauma, Mood has grown from a fabric wholesaler to a multi-location fashion fabric powerhouse renowned worldwide, featuring a flagship store in New York City's Garment District with over 1,200 daily visitors. The store's exceptional selection includes designer fabrics from names like Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs, and Vera Wang, alongside a broad spectrum of textiles ranging from budget-friendly basics to luxurious high-end materials. Beyond shopping, Mood Fabrics cultivates a community space with sewing classes, workshops, and the Mood Sewciety platform providing tutorials, trend insights, and patterns in multiple sizes, encouraging both novices and professionals to develop their skills. The legacy connection with the Emmy-winning television show Project Runway further elevates its status as a go-to destination for fashion designers and sewing hobbyists, making it an ideal place to connect over shared creative interests, explore new ideas, and find rare fabrics for any project.
Here's what people think of Mood Fabrics
As of recent, Mood Fabrics holds a 4.3-star rating based on 143 reviews.
User reviews of Mood Fabrics reflect a strong appreciation for the store's vast fabric selection, quality, and customer service. Many customers highlight the joy of finding unique, high-quality fabrics and the excitement of shopping at a store famously tied to Project Runway. Positive reviews often mention the helpfulness of staff members, the inspirational environment of the flagship store, and the convenience of an extensive online catalog offering worldwide shipping. Customers also praise Mood's commitment to quality, noting fabrics that exceed expectations for various sewing projects. On the downside, some reviewers point out that certain fabrics can be priced higher compared to other retailers, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious shoppers. A few customers have experienced occasional delays in shipping or found the large store overwhelming to navigate. Despite these negatives, the overall sentiment remains very favorable, with many customers returning due to the store's unmatched fabric variety, reliable customer support, and engaging community resources. In conclusion, Mood Fabrics is widely celebrated for its role as a creative hub and quality fabric destination, maintaining a strong reputation as both a physical and online store for sewing enthusiasts of all levels.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Santino Rice
This is the best fabric store in Los Angeles! Amazing selection of quality fabrics. Very clean and well organized. Reasonable prices especially for imported fabrics which are impossible to find stocked in any other fabric store in L.A. Lovely staff who are knowledgeable and attentive. Thank you, Mike for your assistance and Thank You, Mood!
The RG Project
The best thing about Mood is the mood that you enter when you walk through the door. I wonder if there have been studies on how being presented with creative opportunities can enhance a person's mood. Possibility really is the best therapy.
Fawn Trigili-Quinn
Good selection. Pricy. Their online store has different prices from their in-store even though it's the same fabric under the same SKU number. Which isn't good if you want to use the online store as a catalog for what they could possibly have in-store within your budget. I wish they would advertise that more. Personally I think that's unfair.
Kimbely Campbell
If you sew, design, or have watched Project Runway, you must visit. They have everything! Fabric, leather, buttons, zippers, lace, you name it. Come prepare to stay awhile. There are seats and a public restroom. They have a parking lot and ample metered street parking. Our customer service experience was great, They do allow some swatching, just ask for help. The checkout process was efficient and quick. If you can reach and carry your bolt, place it on a table for cutting. I'm so glad we went.
Marian Grant
This is one of the places you will enjoy if you are an avid sewer. This store has some of the most unique material, buttons, and notions. You will find items that are not at the local fabric stores. It can be pricey but it is worth your money. There is parking and meter parking on the street.
How to reach Mood Fabrics
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Website: None
Why Mood Fabrics may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at Mood Fabrics with your friends?
If you're seeking a unique and memorable place to gather with friends or family, Mood Fabrics offers an experience unlike any typical meetup spot. Located in the heart of New York City’s Garment District, Mood is not just a fabric store; it’s an iconic destination that inspires creativity and sparks joy among all who love fashion, design, or simply appreciate beauty. Meeting here means diving into a vibrant world of colors, textures, and materials that fuel imagination and conversation. Whether you’re a seasoned sewist, an aspiring designer, or just curious, this store provides an immersive environment where everyone can learn, explore, and get inspired together. It’s a place to bond over shared interests, discover new hobbies, or even plan collaborative projects, making it perfect for a group outing that’s both engaging and productive. The energetic vibe combined with top-tier fabrics creates a backdrop that’s both stimulating and welcoming, fostering connections beyond just shopping. Rallying here turns a simple meet-up into an adventure that enriches your creativity and leaves everyone invigorated and excited to create.
What activities can you do at Mood Fabrics?
Mood Fabrics offers a wide array of engaging activities for groups, especially those that share an interest in textiles and fashion. Firstly, the primary activity is exploring its vast selection of fabrics—over 40,000 square feet spread across three floors of exquisite materials like silks, wools, cottons, lace, denim, faux fur, and unique prints. Walking through aisles of vivid colors and luxurious textures naturally becomes a captivating group experience where everyone can share opinions and demonstrate their tastes. The store’s knowledgeable and friendly staff are always available to provide expert advice, helping visitors find exactly what they need, which makes shopping collaborative and educational.
Beyond fabric browsing, Mood Fabrics is a great place to brainstorm creative projects with friends. The environment encourages idea sharing, from designing outfits to crafting home décor. Groups can compare fabric choices, discuss sewing techniques, or plan themed creations together. The store also stocks high-quality sewing notions and tools, enabling visitors to pick up essential supplies on the spot, turning the outing into a fully stocked creative spree.
Because it’s located in the Garment District, Mood Fabrics can also serve as a launchpad to explore the surrounding fashion scene. Groups can combine their visit with walks to nearby shops, pattern stores, or cafés, extending the meet-up into a full day of exploration and shared discovery. Whether it's casual browsing, specialized shopping, or collaborative planning, the activities at Mood enhance any group meetup by blending inspiration with hands-on experience.
Why is Mood Fabrics perfect for group meetups?
Mood Fabrics is perfectly suited for group meetups for several compelling reasons. First, the sheer size of the store—a sprawling three-level expanse—is conducive to group exploration. There’s so much to see that friends or family members can split up to check out different sections and later reconvene to discuss their finds and swap recommendations. This dynamic makes shopping both exciting and social, balancing personal discovery with group interaction.
The store’s ambience also adds to the experience. The buzz of shoppers, the rich textures under your fingertips, and the colorful displays create an atmosphere charged with energy and creativity, something that sparks lively conversations rather than just quiet browsing. This makes Mood ideal for groups looking to be inspired and actively engaged instead of passively passing time.
Moreover, Mood’s customer service is exceptional, ensuring that no member of a group feels overlooked even on busy days. The staff's courteous and knowledgeable assistance empowers visitors to make confident choices, lowering stress and allowing friends to focus on enjoying their time together. For groups that include beginners or sewing novices, this support can make all the difference in feeling welcome.
Accessibility is another key plus. Situated in a central and iconic part of New York City, Mood Fabrics is easy to reach by various transportation options. This convenience makes it simple for friends or family coming from different locations to assemble without hassle. Plus, the neighborhood offers plenty of nearby dining and entertainment options, perfect for extending a meetup into a full day outing.
What should you expect when visiting Mood Fabrics?
Visiting Mood Fabrics is an exciting sensory journey with a few key considerations. First, expect to spend time—at least a couple of hours—to fully explore the extensive inventory. The store’s vastness can be overwhelming at first, so it’s beneficial to arrive with a plan or a list if you have specific projects in mind. However, wandering freely is equally rewarding, as you never know what inspiring fabric you might stumble upon.
The atmosphere is bustling, especially on weekends and during holiday seasons, so prepare for a lively crowd. The energy created by fellow fabric enthusiasts and shoppers makes for a unique environment that’s anything but dull. You should anticipate an immersive experience where you will touch, compare, and sometimes try to imagine fabrics as part of future creations.
Mood’s pricing reflects its high-quality offerings, so visitors should budget accordingly, especially if buying natural silks, wools, or specialized fabrics. While prices may be higher than those at some other fabric retailers, the value lies in the authenticity, quality, and diversity of materials offered.
Also, transport logistics matter—fabrics can be bulky and heavy, so planning how to carry purchases home is wise, especially if traveling by public transit. The staff can provide advice or packaging help, which eases the experience.
Is Mood Fabrics suitable for all skill levels?
Mood Fabrics is welcoming and suitable for fabric lovers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. The diversity in fabric types and price points means that every visitor can find something relevant to their needs or aspirations. For sewing novices or those trying out new crafts, the staff’s expertise is a valuable resource. They offer recommendations, tips on fabric handling, and guidance on suitable fabrics for specific projects.
More seasoned designers and sewists will appreciate the premium quality and broad assortment, which often includes materials hard to find elsewhere. Many professionals rely on Mood for sourcing specialty fabrics for their collections, making it a hub for industry insiders as well.
The store’s environment fosters learning and inspiration without intimidation, allowing groups with mixed experience levels to shop comfortably side by side. Beginners can absorb knowledge and find encouragement while experts can dive deep into quality selections and technical details.
What is the historical and cultural significance of Mood Fabrics?
Mood Fabrics holds a special place as a cultural and historical icon within the fashion and textile industry, especially in New York City. Its prominence grew significantly due to its frequent feature on the popular television show Project Runway, where contestants often visited the store to select materials for their creations. This media exposure turned Mood into more than a retail space—it became a symbol of creativity, craftsmanship, and the vibrant fashion culture that defines the Garment District.
The store’s longstanding presence connects to a rich heritage of garment production in New York dating back over a century. Mood continues to serve as a meeting point for aspiring designers, hobbyists, and professionals, fostering a community that values textile arts and sustainable craftsmanship. Purchasing from Mood means engaging with a tradition of quality and authenticity cherished by many in the fashion world.
This cultural resonance enriches group visits because it adds layers of meaning beyond the shopping experience—Mood is a place where the art and history of fashion-making come alive, making it a destination for anyone interested in the story as much as the material.
How can you make the most out of your group visit to Mood Fabrics?
To maximize the experience when visiting Mood Fabrics with friends or family, preparation and planning are key. Begin by discussing goals as a group—whether everyone wants to shop for personal projects, explore new craft ideas, or simply enjoy seeing the fabric collections. Bringing lists or inspiration photos can help focus excursions and reduce overwhelm amid the store’s massive inventory.
Arrive on a weekday or during off-peak hours if possible to avoid crowds and enjoy a more relaxed visit. However, weekend visits can have their own lively charm and energetic buzz if your group thrives on social interaction in busy settings.
Allocate ample time—two hours or more—to explore each floor and the notions section thoroughly. Break up the visit with planned meetups in cafes nearby to review finds and share ideas. Consider delegating roles among your group, such as who scouts for certain fabric types or who keeps track of purchases and project ideas.
Lastly, don’t hesitate to interact with Mood’s helpful staff. They can provide demonstrations, recommend materials, and even suggest tools or patterns, enhancing your group’s collective creativity. Conclude your visit by planning a follow-up meet-up to show off what everyone made from their chosen fabrics, extending the fun and connection well beyond the store doors.