It’s time to get back inside and sew! Tonitex, one of Canada’s leading textile wholesalers, has just added a new collection of Korean 100% cottons to their line up.

If you are planning an artsy craftsy project or some home re-decorating, you can find your answers at Tonitex, where they sell polar fleece, denim, fake fur, plush, cotton prints, nylon, jogging fleece, broadcloth, lycra, flannel, cotton twills and outerwear fabric to the nearby manufacturers and to you too.

Around for over 30 years, you will always find  a lot of  printed cotton sheeting from top brands like Spectrix, Michael Miller, Baum, Andover, Fabri-quilt and many more brands at discount prices.

The huge space is filled to the ceiling with giant fabric rolls accessed by ladders.  Look for the coupon bins sold by the kilo – when buying remnants you can save even more money.

Shop at Tonitex’s  warehouse store on Boul. St-Laurent or shop on-line at  tonitex.com

For exciting upholstery projects or for various fashion accessories, Tonitex is featuring new cotton canvas prints. With their wide variety of prints, you’ll find a new favorite every time you come in.

New printed jerseys from Europe have also arrived. These fabrics have a very superior print quality and are so soft and friendly; they are a customer favourite at Tonitex.

If you are planning an artsy craftsy project or some home re-decorating, you can find your answers at Tonitex, where they sell polar fleece, denim, fake fur, plush, cotton prints, nylon, jogging fleece, broadcloth, lycra, flannel, cotton twills and outerwear fabric to the nearby manufacturers and to you too.

Around for over 30 years, you will always find  a lot of  printed cotton sheeting from top brands like Spectrix, Michael Miller, Baum, Andover, Fabri-quilt and many more brands at discount prices.

The huge space is filled to the ceiling with giant fabric rolls accessed by ladders.  Look for the coupon bins sold by the kilo – when buying remnants you can save even more money.

Shop at Tonitex’s  warehouse store on Boul. St-Laurent or shop on-line at  tonitex.com

All you DIYers will be happy to hear that Tonitex, one of Canada’s leading textile wholesalers, has just added a new collection of products to their line up.

Their product of the week is wool. Wool is one of the oldest fabrics ever invented, with wool making tools dating back as far as 10,000 years ago.

Wool fabric offers the ultimate in comfort, warmth and versatility.  Naturally flexible, insulating and hydrophobe (moisture repellent), and hypo-allergenic. This unique fabric is used in garments and furnishings, offering warmth in the winter and coolness in summer.

Crafters, check out their large collection of wool fabrics at great prices and make exactly what you want. Wool is easy to work with and makes any sewing project a breeze.

Tonitex’s assortment includes: yarn-dyed wool, plain colors, Melton, boiled wool, Italian wool, Victor wool and more, and are sure to add a little extra to any wool DIY project. You can check them out right here.

If you are planning an artsy craftsy project or some home re-decorating, you can find your answers at Tonitex, where they sell polar fleece, denim, fake fur, plush, cotton prints, nylon, jogging fleece, broadcloth, lycra, flannel, cotton twills and outerwear fabric to the nearby manufacturers and to you too.

Around for over 30 years, you will always find  a lot of  printed cotton sheeting from top brands like Spectrix, Michael Miller, Baum, Andover, Fabri-quilt and many more brands at discount prices.

The huge space is filled to the ceiling with giant fabric rolls accessed by ladders.  Look for the coupon bins sold by the kilo – when buying remnants you can save even more money.

Shop at Tonitex’s  warehouse store on Boul. St-Laurent or shop on-line at  tonitex.com

Q: I have an old Brother Activator 800T portable typewriter. I would like to either sell it or give it to someone who would use it. Do you have any suggestions?

I also have a portable sewing machine Singer model F9708385 in a wooden case. It doesn’t work but could probably be repaired. It has a handle to turn to make it work. I think it was bought in about 1932 in England or Belgium. Do you know anyone who might be interested in it.

A: Take photos of them and take them to: Marche aux Puces St-Michel at 7707 Shelley just south of the Metropolitain at boul. St-Michel. It is  open Fri-Sun. There are 2 floors of flea market dealers and someone there either wants them or can tell you who might.
– You can always post it on Kijijji and try to sell it that way too.
– Or give it away at https://groups.freecycle.org/freecyclemontreal

The creative daughter and mother team at Decor Serenity are at your service to provide custom decor, home staging and design services. Drop in to their pretty store and enjoy their assistance in selecting from the ready-made drapery panels, decorative hardware, cotton quilts, unique cushions and a large selection of fabric and sewing supplies for the do-it-yourself sewer and design aficionado.

Think of this boutique too when you are looking for gift items to add a special touch to someone’s home. Our in-house decorator offers consultation services both in- store or by appointment in your home.

Location: 67 Cameron Road, Hudson, QC J0P 1H0
corner: rue Main
Tel: 450-853-0635
Hours: Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun & Mon closed
www.decorserenity.ca
E-mail: decorserenity@gmail.com

Q: I have a two way zipper on my which jacket which is finished. Any recommendations?

A: I just went over to St-Hubert St. which is the fabric district of Montreal. There are 2 side-by-side shops that sell notions and they both sell two-way zippers in many sizes and colors. I was surprised to find out that you can buy any length of one-way zipper as they have long rolls and just cut off the length you need (I bought a 60″ one for a duvet cover) and finish off the ends

Boutique Bilal  7432 St-Hubert  (514-278-8007) – ribbons, lace trim and collars, all sizes of  zippers, buttons, interfacing, linings, elastic, labels, fringe, boas
Accessoires de couture St-Hubert 7454 St-Hubert (514-278-9416) – tons of trimmings, costume jewelry, buttons, zippers, appliques, ribbons, large rolls of sewing machine thread

For a tailor to put it in: on my site I have Denis Tailor  Tel: 514-334-7963  http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=151 who is located on Sauve near l’Acadie

Donated clothing gets a face lift and a new life here, as 25 eco-designers in this non-profit shop turn them into wearable avant garde fashions. On Thursday evening they are having a bit of a holiday party where you can raise a glass of wine with them, and shop. Members will get 30% off that evening, and non-members, 20%.

There’s also vintage clothing from the 30’s to the 90’s. Downstairs is the low-priced clothes ($1-$5) for women, which includes shoes and fabric (some for men upstairs). To accent the clothing, the shop showcases jewelry, belts, hair accessories, hats and purses made from re-worked items (corks, buttons, Scrabble pieces, beer caps, camera film, sunglass lenses, City of Montreal banners). You can take sewing lessons here.

Location: 4019 Notre Dame Ouest
corner: du Couvent
Tel: 514-989-5134
Date and Time: Thurs Nov 29: 5-8
www.lagaillarde.ca

Q1: Today you want to talk about Montreal’s fabric district, where is it?

We are lucky in Montreal to have a fabric district. St Hubert Street, north of Jean-Talon, which has evolved from the 1940’s to the 90’s from a couple of stores to two dozen or more great places to find any fabric you could need. Where fashion fabrics once were its mainstay, nowadays with all our cocooning, the split is about 50% fashion fabrics and 50% for the home.

Q2: Who’s shopping here?

The typical buyers are fashion designers and design students, decorators with their clients and without clients (then they can charge much more because they can mark up more), theatrical productions, mothers of skaters and of course, you and me.

Q3: So this is where you would go to find fabrics if you want to have clothes made to fit you perfectly or if you are redecorating your home.

Outside of North America, it is still quite popular, no matter what the income bracket, to have your wardrobe made by the neighborhood seamstress. It makes life so much easier that way, and for those of you who hate to shop, this is the ultimate way to never have to buy clothes again. The clothing will always fit your body properly and you will have the colors or fabrics that you like. For your home this is a treasure trove of designs.

Q 3: If we don’t have the time or patience to go into all 2 dozen shops, can you give us some of the highlights?

Starting at Jean Talon and going north on St. Hubert, here is a small menu of what is sold in the fabric businesses on that street:

7186 – Ultratext (514-271-9929) – ribbons, boas, sequin trimmings, elastic, buttons, fringe, peacock feathers, beads, styrofoam balls, boxes of  zippers
7193/5 – Saratex/Sam – one side dedicated to home fabrics and the other side to fashion fabrics. With its very organized huge inventory chock full of a rainbow of colors and kind, you can find it all – including vinyl, beaded ones, bridal and tassels, and they also can make drapes and slip covers. On the 2nd floor there is a liquidation center with bolts as low as $2.99-$9.99 a meter.
7194 – Draperies Georgette (514-270-2045) – made-to-measure  draperies and bedspreads, upholstery, lace
7196 – Draperies St. Hubert (514-274-0364) – fabric for draperies, sheers, laces and made-to-measure
7207 – Myrlene Decor – sheers, cottons, panels, strings, valences, bedspreads made-to-measure
7234 – B.M.Z. (514-272-4334) – inexpensive fabrics and clothing
7254 – Textiles Debouk (514-276-3278) -this is the little store that grew, and it now encompasses enough floor space to satisfy most of your sewing needs. For re-upholstery, you can choose jacquard, moire and cottons, and pick up foam and Dacron for your cushions. For fashion sewing, the newest fabrics with lycra, stretch leathers, vinyl, and wools, Chinese silk, camouflage and netting and Italian light wools are all here, along with curtain panels, boas, buttons and a room of plastic coated textiles.
7282 – Goodman-Carlyle – Quality fabrics at very low prices (90% off) await you here amongst the 1,000’s of bolts in stock (and more in warehouse). The chock full selection for fashion, home and the theatre includes lots of  glitter and shine, there’s an upholstery room, another room of  woolens including cashmere,wool crepe,boiled wool and jacquards  from England, France and Italy. The rest of the store is full of  brocades, lames, lurexes and sequins and then velvets, Italian linen in all widths, cottons, silks, satins, taffetas, corduroys, nylon, stretch lace, fake fur, polar fleece, plasticized fabric, airfoam, and outerwear fabric all piled 10′ high.
7334 – Joliette Textiles (514-276-5444) – small, one aisle inexpensive fashion
7348 – Beads Planet (514-223-1000) – beads to make costume jewelry
7360 – Textiles Riatex (514-271-6050) – huge store full of fashion and upholstery
7361 – Textiles Couture Elle (514-271-1608) – imported fashion fabrics (related to 7399)
7363 – Rubans Boutons – endless display of buttons and 1,000’s of ribbons
7381 – Trim Cite (514-272-7733) – neat, lots of ribbons, beads, cord, appliques, collars, fringes, lace, sequins, tassels, beaded trim
7390 – A.C. Textile (514-279-6201) – 3 rooms lots of fashion fabrics
7399 – Tissus St-Hubert (514-277-5945) – spacious, airy neat, higher end lines (related to 7361)
7432 – Boutique Bilal (514-278-8007) – ribbons, lace trim and collars, all sizes of  zippers, buttons, interfacing, elastic, labels, fringe, boas
7442 – Tissus Tueni (514-277-4785) – neat, party fabrics, jacquards, wool, silk, laces, men’s suiting
7454 – Accessoires de couture St-Hubert (514-278-9416) – tons of trimmings, costume jewelry, buttons, zippers, appliqués, ribbons, large rolls of sewing machine thread
7479 – Fleche Verte (514-278-8507) – beaded trim, pearls for bridal, appliqués, button covering
7488 – Matar Textiles (514-277-6462) – fabric and trimmings, interlinings, buttons, zippers, closings, belt buckles
7498 – Decotec (514-927-5890) – upholstery, tassels, cord, sheers, drapes, foam, re-upholstery and shop-at -home available
7500 – C & M Textiles (514-272-0247) – granddaddy of street, middle to high end for fashion and home. Upon entering, you are assailed by the luscious selection for gowns and bridal wear: guipure, laces, taffetas, embroideries, organzas, silk shantung, tulle and netting. Then there’s silks, woolens, microfibers, linens and sequins. For upholstery and drapery, check out the racks of samples from the mills of Europe and the chenilles, velvets, damasks, tapestries, cotton prints, lace curtaining, ultra suede, outdoor fabrics, blinds & shades. cmtextiles.com
7515 – Le Marche de Textiles “Elzein” (514-271-6017) – fashion and curtains
7541 – Chaton Beads (514-278-8989) – beads, rhinestones, buttons, pearl trimmings, bridal headpiece parts, frogs, satin flowers, sea beads (see book listing for more details)
7609 – Kava (514-271-2888) – giant spools of threads, some notions, zippers, lace trim