Mitchell Fabrics - A Non-Chain Store!

I just discovered the best fabric store in Winnipeg. Actually, I've been there before, but not since getting into garment sewing, and I'd sort of forgot about it. NOT ANYMORE!

Photo from www.mitchellfabrics.ca

Mitchell Fabrics is a family-owned company that was established in 1946, and is apparently the largest and best known independent fabric store in Canada. AND IT'S IN MY HOME CITY! EEEEE! Ahem, anyways. It's a huge store, with over 22,000 square feet spread over two floors, and a third floor dedicated to warehouse space. They also have a wholesale division that specializes in the fabrics used by local Hutterite colonies, and other similar communities across Canada and the US, which I think is pretty cool.

Very lovely lace knit fabric (colours were nicer in person), at $2.97/m. Darn it, should've bought some.

Photo from www.mitchellfabrics.ca

The main floor hosts the respectable fabrics: quilters cotton, denim, apparel fabrics, wedding lace, suiting, shirting, coating, patterns, notions, tools, etc. The place is as big as any Fabricland that I've been to, and is a joy to lose yourself in. I saw silk cotton voile and silk chiffon and various other lovely luxury fabrics for the first time today, and yes, I pet them quite thoroughly. Mmm can't wait for the day that I can afford to sew with those, yessir!

But the basement, OH THE BASEMENT! Okay, the first thing you see is a large display of drapery and upholstery fabrics, but beyond that is all of the 99 cent/m bolts and the VINTAGE FABRIC SECTION!

Original 1960's vintage fabric (as opposed to the vintage inspired prints, I suppose?) Considered purchasing some of that navy with white flowers on the right there, and that lovely geometric blue brown and white in the centre.

Seriously, they have the coolest fabrics! I think Tanit-Isis would blow up from excitement in this section. :D

I can't get over these fabrics! But what would I DO with them?

There was so much I wanted to purchase, but sadly I was shopping with a plan, and I need to be careful with my cash until I find a job. (BOOOOO!) And also they closed at 5:30 and kicked me out of the store, which was just as well.

The tag on this one said it hailed from Japan. LOVE the bright colours! What would you do with it? A dress? A fun tote bag?

My biggest problem with all of these bright fabrics is that I won't buy anything unless I have a plan for it, and I have no idea what I'd do with most of these fabrics.

I adore this fabric. I almost want to buy it and make myself a pillow out of it so that I can snuggle it.

Except the two shown below. The blue with round white and red fabrics would either make a lovely casual top (if it softens up a bit in the wash), and the blue with red and green strawberries definitely needs to be a nice blousy top, don't you think? Although I left them behind, I think I need to go back. I just fear for my wallet if I do...