Jem Fabric Warehouse

Sadly, this great store has closed.

Sadly, Jem closed a couple of weeks ago. They had an awesome fountain of buttons and bolts and bolts of all kinds of fabrics and notions.
They will be missed.

So I stopped by last Sunday, and apparently they’ve closed! It’s such a shame because I know of no other place in New York with such a wide selection at great prices. If anyone knows if they’ve just temporarily closed or are relocating, please share!

This place is located 2 – 3 city blocks north of 305 Broadway (it’s still on Broadway on the odd number side). I don’t have the exact address

Absolutely love this place! So not stuck up like a lot of fabric stores in manhattan and are actually very helpful. They have a lot of fun fabrics and other things as well. Def worth the trip.

Awwwww this place makes me nostalgic. I used to shop from the old owner before he passed. I loved getting parachute fabric and pillow stuffing but the store changed quite a bit after it went to his kids. I heard they almost closed and i hope they dont because i hate going to midtown for fabric!!!

I’m a HUGE fan of this place, prices are extremely reasonable, and they have a lot to choose from. The people working there are super friendly and helpful. The only reason they don’t get 5 stars is because they had even more stock in their New Jersey warehouse and if you knew what you wanted, you could ask the guy working there and he’d get it for you next time he made a run out there… which is great, but I’m just not patient enough to wait a few days.
But honestly, with the prices they charge, you can afford to be flexible. This will be my home base fabric store for sure.

Today’s my first time here. I came in without having anything in mind. The ladies who work there seem nice. Their fabric selection was quite alright. They even had heavy duty PVC’s and leather which is very difficult to find but it looked like odds and ends. I wish I had a project in mind at the time I came here because I felt like I was missing out from not purchasing anything. The prices are about the same as the fashion district but it is Manhattan after all. They let you order half a yard but they charge you almost the same at one yard? (WTF?) Yea, I know. Either way, this place shouldn’t be overlooked.

I love this place. It’s fun, inexpensive, friendly and they have a TON of stuff. I go here every time I need to make a costume … which is more often than one might imagine.
If you are looking for something super super specific, this may not be the best — it’s organized, but not the most organized fabric store I’ve seen. But if you have an idea of what you want and are will to be a little flex to save a ton of money, come here.
They have craft stuff too — glue guns, trimmings, etc.

Bring in something that you make with their fabric and ya get 30% off
These guys are So Nice. I came in recently looking for industrial strength thread to fix my leather purse. They definitely came to my rescue, because I was surely lost amongst the sea of colorful spools!
This place is a bit chaotic, with rolls of fabric for days! You can practically find any type of fabric you wish here. They you can grab a coffee and pastry from their café next door. They have samples of art projects and they also do youth workshops. Keeping the creative artistic flow alive and teaching the youngins.

Flamboyant Fabric Heaven slash Aladdin’s Crafty Cave.
Jem Fabric Warehouse is a feast for the imagination with it’s exquisite fabrics, eccentric décor, and beautifully kooky staff.
Having traipsed around the fabric district and Chinatown all day, I have never been so glad to step into a place like this. There are rows upon row of really beautiful fabric, most of which is fantastic quality, and truly original. The staff were fantastic, happily giving me all the swatches I needed (many shops have limits on the amount you can have). The staff member asked my name, seemed genuinely interested in the project I am working on, and suggested alternatives I hadn’t thought of. She was professional, sweet, and gave me a truly great vibe the minute stepped over the threshold.
There is also a most awesome craft area towards the back to keep your kids happy while you shop. I believe they also hold adult sewing classes, dyeing workshops, and a host of other classes here.
My only complaint is that it is not cheap. Typically, each roll of fabulousness that appealed to me was upwards of $ 30 /​yard.
Nevertheless, I still managed to walk out of there looking like a walking Moroccan tent, fabrics billowing from every arm.
If quality whimsy is your bag, Jem Fabric is your shop.

Jem is exactly as it sounds – a Jem in terms of fabric finds! If you are looking for something very, very specific, this might not be the place to go, but if you just want to browse and find something that’s a silk chiffon or a rayon jersey knit, this is a place to go! I picked up some silk charmeuse, polyester charmeuse and a lycra jersey knit with a handkerchief print. It is a tad expensive, but no more than anywhere else for good quality fabric. I’m looking forward to making blouses out of the fabrics I picked up!

Coolest fabric shop EVER! I come here every time I need spandex or some creative trim. This is also where I first bought Magna-​Tac, a revolutionary fabric adhesive. More than anything, I just love the artsy DIY environment created inside Jem. Combined with their adorable mini-​café, this is a NYC must-​visit!

I have worked with Jem Fabrics for two massive NYC restaurant projects, and would recommend them for any scale business or personal project!
I’ve also sent them teens from an organization I volunteer with, and they’ve welcomed them with a wonderful, loving spirit.
Obviously if I’d trust them with these businesses and with young hopeful minds, I trust them with any project. They’re professional, responsive, detail-​oriented, very fairly priced and they produce extremely high quality work. More beautiful upholstery you will not see – period. They’ve never missed a deadline, never had to remake anything, and continue to check in to make sure each project is going well. They’re also incredibly helpful about educating their client and have helped my teams make better decisions from a creative standpoint!
Jem is a wonderful team – definitely hire them.

I have been dealing with various upholsters in New York and have always felt over charged and like a number. It all changed when I went to Jem’s and they worked with me and my architect on custom drapes & custom cushions. Their quality and attention to detail is amazing. To top it off their prices can’t be beat.
If you go ask for Paul, he’s amazing and will treat you like family.
Natalie Style Curator

I’ve been a customer for well over a year, at first buying fabric for curtains, then getting those curtains sewn once I’d settled on the details. Whenever something wears through or breaks (backpack strap) I think: «I’m sure they can help me with this at Jem.»
It’s an unusual business run with an enjoyment of creativity… it often feels like a village.
Fabric stores in Manhattan are typically run by somewhat old hands who tend to be all business. If you enjoy a more free-​form experience you’ll enjoy the Jem. I’ve gone in with vague ideas, looking through the materials available and asking MIchele or Joy what they think. They’re both creative and generous with their ideas.
If I want to make anything with fabric, need anything sewn, or if I needed furniture upholstered it’s the place I’d go first.

The people working here are friendly. It’s just hard to get any help on busy days, but they always have what I need. It always helps to call before making a trip there.
***Know what swatches you want before asking***

While Jem CAN have good prices, you can’t rely on it. The prices change depending on who is helping you. The last two times I went, a really sweet old man helped me and he gave me GREAT prices. $ 8 – 10 for spandexes and $ 13 – 15 for more expensive, specialized fabrics. I went back and instead, the older hispanic woman helped me. None of the prices are marked, it seems, so whoever is helping you can determine the price. I asked for the same fabrics that I bought last time and she said that they were $ 12 – 15 a yard for he spandexes and $ 25 for the fabric I previously purchased for $ 15! Insane. To say the least, I got less fabric than I anticipated and I’m looking for a new fabric store to call home base.

First and last time in here. Bunch of snotty first year FIT kids who think they’re too cool for school and they invented the bolt. Prices are not that good, not that you’d know, because the nice little hispanic lady cutting was the only one who knew what anything cost. It’s also a hot mess. I asked where something was and, with a nonchalant wave of the wrist, «Oh, it’s somewhere in the racks.» Wow, really? I should probably call my college and get the money I spent on a degree back, because I obviously can’t figure that out myself.

I am very inexperienced buying fabric and was made to feel very welcome. The staff are young, hang-​loose art school kids and F.I.T. types. A few were playing a stand-​up piano near the middle of the store and the rest were attentively serving customers as they came in.
I came in specifically looking for red gingham and found it in about 60 seconds. The store has more square feet than midtown stores so the bolts of cloth are more spread out on long enormous wall racks like a library so it is easier to find things. Almost everything I saw was $ 5 or $ 6 a yard. I saw some heavy wool Blackwatch plaid for more, $ 20 I think.
The storefront is next to some abandoned looking or moved businesses so when you get close, you may have a moment thinking there’s no store there. Don’t fret, Jem is there and is open.
They are active in crafting and host classes to learn macramé, etcetera.