I’m working on a commission of three torah mantles for a synagogue. During the design process for such a commission, I share several swatches of fabric from my stash with the project committee, to try to get an idea of what colors appeal to them. This group fell in love with one of the fabrics, and they asked me to try to source that exact fabric for the mantle covers. I think I have two yards of that particular dupioni silk left in my stash, and I don’t know where it’s from or how long I’ve had it. So the search is on!
I love to mix silk dupioni with quilting cottons and batiks. Its texture, shimmer, and vibrancy always add something interesting, and its crisp hand, durability, and accessibility, as well as it’s price, make it my go-to silk for all projects. I collect dupioni like my aunt collected Hummels.
So if you are thinking of adding dupioni silks to your work and don’t know where to shop, I’ve done some of the legwork for you.
I have a few online sources that I regularly start with if I’m hunting for dupioni. The first is Silks Unlimited, which has an Etsy shop. They will send 2″ x 5″ swatches for $1.20 each, with a flat $1.50 shipping charge, no matter how many swatches you order at once. Their huge inventory of dupioni silks range from $26.95 to $34.65 per yard, and some colors come in 44″ or 54″ widths at different price points.
Thai Silks has a limited color assortment, but their 54″ wide dupioni silks are $28.60 per yard, and if you send them an email or give them a call, they will mail you a 2″ x 2″ swatch sample pack of all their 33 colors for free.
Another online source is NY Designer Fabrics. Their swatches are $2.00, plus shipping, and are about 2″ x 6.” They have a huge inventory of colors of dupioni silk, but their prices are way higher, $39.95 per yard, so I’ll only order from them if they are the only one with the exact dupioni I’m looking for.
Once I’ve placed swatch orders with these companies, I look forward to spending a day in the Garment District in New York. I started shopping in the Garment District years ago. I would catch the early morning Vamoose bus from Maryland to New York, and haul my purchases back in the evening. Now that I’m in New Jersey, right across the river, it takes me forty minutes to train into Union Station, followed by a three-block walk (granted, they are New York City blocks!) The area is a far cry from what it once was, but there are still lots of stores to visit. Many of them are no longer store-front shops; they’ve moved to a showroom on the upper floor of a building, and you’ll miss them if you don’t know they’re there. But my two favorite dupioni-heavy stores are still at street level.
Swan Fabrics, at 244 W 39th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues, is a claustrophobic shop, with bolts and bolts of all kinds of fabric stacked floor to ceiling. They have a hefty assortment of dupionis and shantungs, but you have to be willing to go through the barrels. Don’t hesitate to ask for help! They are really nice, and will happily pull down bolts. I always purchase a yard or two of fabric, as I am so grateful that there are still brick and mortar shops to visit, and their price of $18.00 per yard makes it worth adding to my stash. They have a website printed on their business card, but it’s not functional, so the best thing to do is call (212-764-4195) to find out their hours, which can change. They have been open every time I’ve visited during their business hours, (M-F 9AM-7PM; Sat 10AM-7PM; Sun 11AM-5PM) but don’t make a trip without checking first.
If you’re looking for silk dupioni and can only visit one store, make it Bazar Fabrics, Inc./Fabric Warehouse, 256 W 39th Street, just a few doors down from Swan Fabrics. They don’t have a website either, and the few times I’ve tried to call, (212-575-4744) no one picks up. M-F 9:30AM-6PM; Sat 11AM-4:45PM are the hours they have listed on their business card, so try to avoid going near opening or closing times, when the store might open late or close early. They have a huge assortment of silk dupionis and shantungs for $23.00 per yard. Again, I like to buy a yard or two if I can.
Of course, if I’m already in the Garment District, I’ll make sure to hit a few other stores, but if I’m limiting myself to dupioni, these are the two I go to.
Please let me know if you have another source for dupioni silk. I’m always on the lookout for more places to shop for fabric!
Karen Fricke Quilts 