Effiloché

As most sewing-​enthusiasts in Montréal already know, there are many fabric stores on St-​Hubert, but in my opinion, this is the only store worth visiting. Every year around this time I pull out my sewing machine and start cracking on my home-​made/​home-​sewn Christmas gifts. Consequently, as soon as I decide what those gifts will include, I plan a trip to Effiloché to buy some glorious fabric for my projects. I have attempted to buy fabric from other much cheaper stores on St-​Hubert, but I find it to be completely ridiculous that the bolts of fabric at the other stores are unlabeled and therefore, it is impossible to know what material the fabric is made of (polyester, a cotton-​blend, rayon??? Incidentally, your guess is as good as the shopkeeper’s). Not only is the fabric well-​labeled at Effiloché, there are even some lovely organic cotton options which can be the basis for great baby shower gifts.
The only reason for my 4-​star rating is that invariably the employees seem rather apathetic and uninterested in assisting customers. Admittedly and sadly, this is a common thread with customer-​service with almost all Montréal businesses, and I might add that I have gotten used to it since moving here a few years ago, but I find it off-​putting nonetheless.
Also, these well-​labeled fabrics come at a great cost… perhaps a bit too pricey for mostly cotton textiles and other calicos, even compared with fabric stores in NYC. In fact, when making a trip back to my former neighborhood not long ago, I paid much less for the equivalent quality fabric at a store I visited in Brooklyn recently.

lots of fabrics on hand, not as extensive as online sellers. very charming place. if you need to unwind or knit at something, you can do it here. all great things. on the other hand, it is expensive and service can be a tad slow. regulars tend to get serve first despite coming in after you.
nonetheless, still a great place if you are into knitting/​sewing or have a love for fabrics

They do have a lot of wonderful fabric, but on two different occasions they overcharged me quite a lot and were rude when I pointed it out.

Not as extensive a collection of yarns, but not too shabby either. Lots of fabric for the seamstress as well. Tons of knitting, crochet, and sewing supplies too. Here you’ll find wool soaking solutions in various scents as well as jewelry/​clasps for your finished progects. Knitting classes are given @ $ 12.00 per hour, and there is a «lounge“area for those who’d like to sit and knit and chat for a bit.

I really enjoy this place. Love that they carry Colette patterns and the staff is always very helpful. They have big sofas and a fairly large selection of fabrics, including one of my favorite lines (Liberty of London!).
I often stop by here on my way to visit a friend who lives up that way — guess I will be seeing her more often ;)

Beautiful fabric and wool store in the St Hubert strip under the awnings of the Promenades. Walking into this space it feels just right — gracious puppy dog at the doorway, couches full of knitters, happy folks of all ages pawing at the pretty stacks of fabrics which range stylistically from 60’s psychedelia, bold blacks and whites, pretty paisleys, and all kinds of modern quirky colours and designs. I could spend ages in a room like this; and pounds of toonies; and all my health rolling around with the golden retriever who is death to allergy-​ridden-​me but whom I adore anyways on principle.

Si vous êtes fans d’artisanat et de couture, Effiloché est un endroit qu’il vous faut absolument visiter!
On y retrouve des tissus tous aussi fabuleux les uns que les autres (dont les fameux imprimés de Amy Butler). Certains sont d’inspiration «zakka» et d’autres, plus contemporains.
Les tricoteuses y trouveront également leur compte car on y retrouve de la laine d’excellente qualité et de toutes les couleurs.
Les vendeuses vous laisserons tout votre temps pour flâner et sont très gentilles avec vous si vous avez des questions. D’ailleurs, il m’est arrivé plusieurs fois de me faire servir par la propriétaire. Ce qui est toujours apprécié! :-)
Plusieurs livres sur la couture et le tricot vous sont offerts. De plus, n’hésitez pas à vous renseigner sur leurs cours de couture et/​ou tricot. Ils ont d’excellents prix pour de tels cours! (Environ 14 $ de l’heure)

If you are a knitter and live in, or are swinging through Montréal, you must check out Effiloché. Their selection is superb — a wide range, from the high end beautiful treats (sea silk!) to the every-​day workhorse yarns of the world, but with a definite trend toward the luscious. The space is cozy and warm, with a parlor-​style knitting area complete with comfy couches. When we visited, the place was filled with mothers and babies… aww.
In the back, you’ll find a formidable selection of quilting fabrics and buttons (in mason jars… I love it!) and a decent choice of books (many francophone). They also have a small selection of spinning supplies toward the front. And they have a bathroom… which is very important when wandering the streets of a big city.
Yes, they speak English, and the staff are very friendly. When the bridal-​gown stores of Rue St.-Hubert make you dizzy, come here to unwind and oogle fine yarn. It’s good for you.