Gala Fabrics

Please note this location is now CLOSED. Please visit the other Gala Fabrics located in Victoria, BC or the new sister store, Fabrics Etc at 2162 Kingsway in Vancouver.

They have some gorgeous fabrics, but they are quite expensive. I was in today and most of the fabrics (I was eyeing some lovely silks) were about 39 – 49 dollars per metre. I can’t afford that.
They do occasionally have sales, and they have some cheaper fabrics more in the $ 6 – 12 range. I picked up a gorgeous emerald green cotton on sale, and the salesperson said it complemented my colouring. Aww.
I’m taking away one star for the prices, and one star for their poor email customer service. I had emailed about a month ago to see if they stocked bobbins and was told that no, they were a fabric store, and they sold only fabrics. Um, no. When I was in today I saw bobbins in their notions section. At least get be truthful when you answer your email!

This is where one goes where only the best will do! Story of my life. I tend to support the businesses that deserve recognition and my hard earned money. Service, selection and yes, value. Not cheap but worth every penny.

A small fabric shop located in Vancouver and has been around for as long as I can remember. Even though parking is a bit hard since the shop is right on Granville street, this is the place to go if you want beautiful, expensive, and very elegant fabrics.

A decent fabric shop, one of the better ones in Vancouver. They have good selection of fabrics made from natural fibers. But lack the selection for french laces or other designer and fancier fabrics. They stock some eco– friendly fabrics too.
For home sewers, it is a good place to find basic sewing notions. What you can’t find is trims, crystals, or self-​thread needles.
When i went there last month, I was told that they might be around much longer. They are only renting month to month since last month as there is just not enough business according to one of the associates. Another sign of the times.

Yes it’s expensive, but there is also a good general selection of high-​end retail fabrics. This is where you go when you can’t find it anywhere else, and only the best will do for your sewing project.

I asked the store clerk here who their customers are and he told me a little bit of everyone. My suggestion: beginning and intermediate sewers stay far, far away.
Yes, the fabrics are beautiful but they all come with prices that even after a decade of sewing I’d be afraid to cut. Just imagine taking two $ 100 bills and starting to shred them with your sewing shears. (Although, you wouldn’t do that because you’d dull them…)
The bamboo and eco-​friendly fabrics were great a find as are the wools and cashmeres – perfect for making a gorgeous winter coat that would last a lifetime. The sequin and bead works on many of the fabrics are stunning.
I’d probably stop in here if I wanted an incredibly special fabric for a trim and proceed to buy about 0.25m. But until I’ve got another decade of sewing under my belt I won’t be having Gala Fabrics measure out the meters.

Okay, I know most people don’t actually do their own sewing these days, but just in case someone wants to pull out their great aunt’s sewing machine, or at least hire someone else to do the job, you’ll find great fabrics at Gala Fabric on Granville. They only sell high end fabric, as the name would suggest, and it is a really nice selection. They have lots of silks, raw silks, linens, satiny fabrics along with fancier organzas and nice wooly wools. The staff is knowledgeable as well as helpful. If you don’t mind paying quite a bit per metre, you’ll be glad you came here.