Shopping for Amazing Textiles in High Point, North Carolina
Is This What Textile Heaven Looks Like?
I spent last Friday morning searching for fabric…
My friend, Patricia Justice, is the owner of Patricia Justice Designs, an interior design business in North Carolina. We decided to spend last Friday morning trolling some local fabric shops in High Point, North Carolina, seeking amazing textiles for our design projects. After all, Pat has a chair she wants to reupholster; I have a number of spring redesign projects requiring upholstery fabric.
Our first stop was Leisure Fabrics, a discount fabric warehouse. They feature close-outs, discontinued fabrics, and overstocks. All types of fabric, including leather hides, can be found at Leisure Fabrics! Although I have been to the warehouse before, it had been a while since I visited. It turns out that I hit major pay dirt at our first destination! So much, in fact, that I will write about the second store in a few days.
Overwhelming selection of truly amazing textiles!
Here was the scene when I walked in:
When shopping at a fabric discount outlet, it is best to shop with an open mind, because the selection varies with each visit. Much like shopping at Home Goods or Tuesday Morning, the selection is never the exact same twice. Also, if you find something interesting, it is best to buy it immediately because it may not be there when you come back later. However, it’s dangerous for people like me who love textiles but who love a bargain even more!
Pat and I both had specific projects in mind when we entered the store. I had several redecorating projects currently in queue, and had been searching for the right fabrics for a while. My eyes were immediately drawn toward a gorgeous emerald green geometric pattern.
My friend was meanwhile drawn to a few fabrics with bird and flower patterns for a set of dining room chairs. Still, she had difficulty finding just the right fabric for her recliner, and wasn’t loving the options for her dining room chairs. Sometimes, entering a fabric store without a general vision can result in too many options without a filter. Unfortunately, Pat left with a lot of ideas, but no fabric.
Purchasing for future Gate City Design projects
I was thinking forward as I shopped for amazing textiles. Gate City Design offers custom-sewn envelope pillow covers for clients who want a quick update to their living spaces, and I needed high-quality fabric. I searched for upholstery fabrics with pleasing tactile qualities, inspiring patterns, and neutral palettes. Disappointed? Not at all! There was an outstanding selection at Leisure Fabrics that day, and I purchased several bundles of high-quality designer fabric.
Thinking creatively about fabric uses
As I walked the aisles of the outlet, one particular fabric caught my eye. The fabric was black, with graffiti-style beige lettering. The vibe was decidedly urban, and right away I thought of a wall decor project that I had been considering.
One of the walls in my workout room, which I am redecorating, needs wall art—badly. The wall looks so bare! I considered painting a canvas to fill the space, but the right inspiration had not yet struck. However, I realized that this fabric had potential for use as wall art in a large frame. I purchased a half-yard, and solved a decorating problem.
So…how much did I spend on the fabrics?
Would you believe that at Leisure Fabrics, the fabric designs that I purchased were priced at $3-5 per yard? Unbelievable, the bargains I secured at the outlet store! Here’s the breakdown of how much I spent:
To put things in perspective, it would not be unusual to spend upward of $20-40 per yard for fabrics like the ones that I purchased. The bargains I scored that day were practically thievery! I am already planning my next trip.
Hillary McAlhany is HSR-certified in home staging & redesign, e-design & color. Call or text to schedule your complimentary 15-minute discovery call! No project is too large or too small.
