Mulberry Silks & Fine Fabrics

I don’t know anything about fabric or clothes-​making. i had hoped to learn, which is why I signed up for a sewing class at Mulberry. The website doesn’t fully describe the classes offered, which it should really do a better job of. While it says that beginners are welcome, the Saturday morning class is really meant for people who have some experience and are seeking help with tricky projects. It is not a didactic class, but a «learn by doing» class, which is very difficult for someone who has never sewed before. There is one instructor rotating among 5 or 6 students, and if you don’t know what you’re doing you’ll end up twiddling your thumbs waiting for your turn. And it’s so rushed that the instructor just gets you through the pattern and doesn’t explain the fundamentals so you understand. The very basic top I’m learning to make will end up costing about $ 100 after the classes, and I’m still not comfortable following a pattern. Further, nobody explained to me what materials I needed to bring and that I would have to pay extra for bobbins and thread used in the class. It’s a great service, but they should really be more clear about the expectations for the class and make sure everyone gets their money’s worth.

I’m not 100% sure, but I think this is the only place in the Triangle that you can get quality garment fabric that’s not quilting cotton (which breaks my heart!) If you need that perfect fabric for a project that’s been sitting on your to-​do, this is your place. Completely unique bolts, great customer service, I just wish they had more locations around the Triangle because I’m in Durham and sometimes want fabric sooooooo bad, but don’t want to fight the traffic/​parking to get there.

Eh… not much of a selection for apparel and rather overpriced.

While this shop has incredible fabric and buttons, I’m confounded by where they find all the nasty sales help. I have been in there several times for small items like buttons. Every time, it’s more unpleasant than the last. And, they just don’t care what questions you may have, Truly rude. Very unusual for a shop in this area.

I had never stopped in here because I thought they just carried silks which although pretty, I’m more of a cotton girl. I went in the other day to browse as one of the fabrics caught my eye and I HAD to investigate. I was wincing as I picked up the fabric thinking don’t even look because it will be way out of your price range but surprisingly I thought the price was fair for the design and hand of the fabric and it was Cotton! I wouldn’t be able to make a bedspread but I could get enough for a skirt at least.
They are not a huge store so the selection has been culled to offering inspiring prints and fabrics. Great for adding a bit of punch to an ordinary fabric or bringing whimsy and artistic touches into your home or wardrobe.

I was in search of a button. No, I was not playing the game, but needed a specific size and style of button, something out of the ordinary and not available in the chain fabric stores. It was my great fortune to stumble upon Mulberry’s. (I’d be remiss if I didn’t extend kudos, in part, to the Unilocal search feature in helping me find it.)
It took quite awhile to work my way to the buttons, since I spent more time than I should have perusing some of the most gorgeous and unusual fabrics. Each one seemed to immediately inspire me to conjure the perfect outfit or home décor accessory. In fact, I think I had my entire wardrobe and part of my living room accents for the next five years mapped out. But alas, and fortunately for my bank account, my time was limited so I left the conjuring for another day.
Once I made it to the buttons, I had another dilemma: finding the right style; not because of the paucity of choices, but rather because of the abundance of them. Incredible choices: some fun ones, some classic, some designer-​like, but all capable of fitting into whatever style niche might be needed. I finally ended up with two that are so perfect they seem tailor-​made.
The fabrics and accessories at Mulberry’s might be priced so as to cause some to pause and take a deep breath, but occasionally the splurge is worth it.

This place is amazing, I asked the people on Unilocal for their recommendations on a fabric store and they came through! Not only am I buying fabric but I am learning to make my own clothes. The owner teaches the Saturday class and is very knowledgeable. This isn’t a high school class where you learn to just read a pattern, I’m also learning how to make adjustments for a better fit and how to modify the style to my taste. This is exactly what I have been looking for. Everyone here is really friendly and the fabrics are great. Just walking into this place will fire up your imagination. Mulberry Silks is worth checking out. Also, Carrboro in general is a great area, it’s a fun way to spend some time.

Finally, something trendy that’s actually on the happy side of trendy. These are those rare, blessed people who take the artistic pomposity of the Carrboro hippie culture and say, «Ok, make something, man!»
What you buy here is fabric. When you buy it, it will not be already fashioned into clothes or anything else. On the contrary, it will be raw bolts of cloth that you must then use to create your own clothes. Sound complicated? It is. But, like other acts of self-​purpose, it has its own rewards. If that sounds like too much for you, get back to your $ 7 chai. You’ll be fine.
There’s a lot of choice here. Some of this fabric is — I’m going to say it — fabulous, and I guarantee you’ll find something you like. Of course all of the fixins are here too, dozens of types of thread and ribbon and buttons. Go nuts, dude.
The staff is very knowledgeable and seems genuinely interested in their craft. Ask them questions, and you will get useful answers, or my name isn’t Maximillion Von Ryderberg. (It isn’t.)

Mulberry Silks is a lovely fabric store located in the old Carr Mill Mall. They’ve been in business for over 25 years, that’s saying a lot. The owner and staff are quite knowledgeable and friendly. They have multiple years of skill and experience. I’ve personally shopped with them on a number of occasions for fabric for various occasions; in my case I was generally looking for small to mid-​sized pieces of fabric, in which case the staff was more than willing to accommodate me.
They have everything from oil-​fabric (for making aprons or lunch bags) to Italian silk tie fabric, which is absolutely beautiful.
The store is kept extremely organized and neat, all the fabrics are visible on large reams easy for cutting the size of your choice. They also had a few photos up of young ladies in gowns and prom dresses which gives one a vision of what they can create.