Shopping the Fashion District and a little sewing project

One of the best things I've discovered in recent years is the Fashion District in downtown L.A.  It is like Disneyland for sewists and costume makers.  On downtown shopping days I leave my house right after rush hour and make my way straight to the roof top parking on the corner of 9th and Maple.  This sets me right next door to Michael Levine-what JoAnne's wishes it was with awesome bins of $3 a yard fabrics as well as all the standard and luxury fabrics- and Mikey's -great for sparkly stretch fabrics that belly dancers love- and the feather store, along with others on my favorite block of fabric stores.

If it's trim you want just walk north-east on Maple to the corner 8th and Maple, there you will find aisles and aisles of trim -the nicest man owns this store...be prepared to be to be thoroughly complimented on your stunning beauty.  Since you have already wandered over there go 1/2 a block to the right and check out all the beads at Berger's.  While downtown make sure you watch out for random vintage bags of buttons and trims that are leftover from the 60's I have found some real treasures.   I have also heard that some people like to go dumpster diving downtown because they find amazing stuff being thrown out...I don't know $1 a yard & $3 a yard deals are good enough for me...I prefer to avoid hanging in the alleys that much.
As far as yarn goes, I haven't found much downtown.  Michael Levine does have a small yarn section but the prices are the same as any yarn store.  But there are a lot of cheap ready made items when you venture out of the 9 and Maple block, especially good if you need crazy yellow boots or a hoop skirt for  a Halloween costume and you don't want to spend a fortune.
When you are ready for lunch make your way back over to Santee between 9th and E. Olympic for the food court.  There used to be a fantastic Indian food spot there, but there are still plenty of other choices that will suffice.  You can use the restroom at the food court for free with your food receipt.  Be warned there are not a lot of restroom choices downtown (you can use the restroom in Michael Levines as well) and if you are fastidious you may want to be sure to bring some hand wipes, this is not the suburbs people!  Lots of germs and smells etc...it doesn't bother me (after all I'm not moving in) but some people may be more delicate.  Across from the food court also on Santee and wrapping around the block towards E. Olympic you will find a row of stores with ready made beaded things, veils, and exotic belly dance type items.  All of the stores take credit cards but if you have cash you can usually do some bargaining -especially great if you are buying for a troupe.  And many of the stores offer an option if you can buy wholesale.  Santee alley is on the other side of Olympic, it's not on my usual path but occasionally I go there if I'm looking for cheap belts or bras and I need lots of them.
                                    

On my last trip I found some calico fabric with a spinner shepherdess printed on it I couldn't resist that!  Just enough fabric for silly placemats! Next time I downtown I will take some pictures to share more visuals with you!

So here is how you get there!

 maple and 9th los angeles - Google Maps