Joe’s Fabrics

Went into today to order some custom pieces. I realize I’ve been coming here for 20 years. That’s ½ my life. The staff is amazing and the selection wonderful. That’s why I’ve kept coming back all these years.

I went to The Lower East Side looking for fabrics and Joe’s was one of our stops. Although I didn’t find what I was looking for, all my friends did. The staff were extremely helpful. Maria and Mimi did whatever they could to accommodate us. I will definitely go back there and try again.

Been looking for an indoor/​outdoor fabric to redo my couch and matching ottomans. I have pets, so indoor/​outdoor is probably my best bet for easy cleaning of and mess that might happen. Ive been researching and found that Sunbrella will my best bet. Great indoor upholstery fabrics. I knew the prices of the fabrics I was looking for, and I’d like to support a local business. One of the people working there showed my the books and gave me quotes. I’m pretty disgusted. The retail prices I was aware of are from Sunbrella on Amazon and from Sailrite online. But this guy doubled the price per yard on each fabric. He quoted me $ 40.00 for 21.95/y online, and $ 60 for a $ 35/​y online: I felt this was super shady. Really not cool. I understand they might have a small markup, but nearly double. Disgusting. Just makes me not trust any of their prices now. I would prefer to support local business but not when they are as shady as this.

Got THE VERY best customer service from Joe’s Fabrics. Angel helped me; he was so knowledgable and worked within my budget. Do yourself a favor and go here!!!

I had been to Joe’s over 10 years ago to purchase fabric to reupholster 8 dining room chairs. I was thus encouraged to return last month when I decided to renovate my master bedroom. I found lovely fabrics that Maria helped me to custom design a duvet cover and king pillow shams. I didn’t pay more then $ 35/​yard for any of the fabrics I chose, which were all high quality. The work was well-​done and finished in about 3 weeks. The place is a little warehouse-​looking but with help, the fabrics are definitely accessible and I got as many samples as I wanted. Maria was very helpful and encouraging during the whole process. Joe’s is like a hidden treasure!

I recently had two 1960’s wood frame sofas re-​upholstered at Joe’s. They came out spectacular. I was helped by Maria who allowed me to pour over the fabrics and fabric books, take swatches home, think about them and in the end gave me a great price. The turn around time was about a month, and the couches are like brand new.
I can’t even believe how beautiful they came out. I was anxious about investing the money to have the couches done, but new furniture is not built to last. If you have a vintage piece that needs a little love, Joe’s is definitely the place to have your treasure restored. Thank you, Maria, the craftsmen who lovingly restored my pieces and the two gentlemen who picked up and delivered. All around amazing customer service and quality, I could not be happier.
Kate

I’m glad I decided to give this shop a try regardless of the previous reviews.
Granted the following are words of an amateur fabric shopper, but I was super impressed by Joes.
The fabrics are neatly organized & manageable. If you know the colors/​patterns you’re looking for Maria will guide you through the inventory. Seriously — she makes fabric selection a pleasant experience. Will definitely go back!

After reading «Best of NY» article, we thought we’d check out this place for a slipcover. While their price for labor was competitive, the fabric prices were ridiculous and in stock selections very dated. We had same experience with service as other reviewer. We told the lady color/​style we were looking for. She came back with five selections in totally different colors and totally different styles. When I told her, no, we wanted something in a particular color and pattern, she still came back with samples in the wrong color/​style. Sales associate then disappeared and we heard her name called for a phone call and that was that. We spent over an hour looking through sample books to no avail.
Too bad they don’t have sales associates familiar with their inventory to provide good customer service.

If you know what you want to create and the type of fabric, ask one of the assistants. they are great and will pick out the bolts of fabric around the store for you. I had 2 sets of curtains made which I love and would recommend to everyone.

Absolutely the worst experience I’ve had with a service provider in more than a decade in NYC. Things got so bad that I started keeping a log of all my interactions with them, in anticipation of having to file a formal consumer complaint (though ultimately I did not have to resort to this, I should note).
I approached them about a small custom job, for which I already had most of the materials. They took the material for «testing,» agreed to do the work, then quoted an exorbitant price. I declined to continue with the project and went to pick up my materials, but – oops! – they’d «made a mistake» and already begun the work, so I had little choice but to finish the project with them. They then kept pushing back the completion date; had me come in to pick up the finished work only to apologize when I arrived and explain that they didn’t have it ready, after all; tried to tell me that they wouldn’t be able to complete the work at all and would have to return it to me half-finished…it seemed never to end.
Finally they did complete the job. They made one very glaring stitching error that they ripped out, leaving a row of tiny holes in the fabric, but otherwise the finished product was adequate, which is the best I can say about them. You couldn’t pay me to return.

I like to shop around for a good price, but I don’t sacrifice what I want for it. I went to M+A and Zarin before coming here. No, it’s not laid out like Zarin or have their mass quantities, but it’s also not as expensive. If you know what you are looking for, browsing shouldn’t be overwhelming. I was looking for ikat and I got it. It was $ 35 a yd (there were cheaper options, but I liked this one) but at Zarin theirs were $ 50/​yd. The sales lady was awesome and super friendly. I will totally come back and definitely recommend it.

I guess I have been spoiled by the guys at Zarin, because this place is fully «meh». They have some great fabrics in stock, but nowhere near the selection. Given, they were willing to swatch me out of their books, I didn’t have the time or the patience to wait for an order. I settled for 30 yards of a fabric that while priced a drop less than I would pay elsewhere, it was not what I really wanted. :(

they have a huge selection poorly displayed. I get it space is expensive in NYC. Anyhow, it was hard to get someone to help me. I looked around where the roles of fabric are piled on top of each other and then they have a room full of books. I hovered over one of the women on the phone until she acknowledged me and decided to tell me she’d help me in a minute. There were many interior designers in the story who the employees were working with, so I rightfully waited my turn.
Once I got the women’s assistance she was beyond helpful! She told me I should have made an appointment but I wasn’t told that on the phone I told her. Anyhow, the dashed back and forth between what she was doing but gave me valuable ideas, samples of my final choices and her card to call her with my final decision. She was good at what she did because she listened to what my project was, understood it and went straight to work tossing me sample books of fabrics to consider. When I came to my final choices she help me decide as well and gave me samples to bring home to make sure. I went to Zarin but while they are clean and more organized. I did not find what I wanted there. Joe has a bigger selection so FYI call and schedule and appointment to gain the best experience there. Bring pictures so they understand your project and you’ll be good to go.
They have very expensive and cheap stuff find what you want.

My mistake was first visiting Zarin’s around the corner. I went to Joe’s after Zarin’s and was completely disappointed by their layout. The fabric wasn’t neatly displayed and it was hard to see what you wanted. The rolls stood upright on top of one another so you couldn’t see the design of the fabrics behind the first row. Especially when you’re short like I am, I didn’t see much of anything since the fabrics were about 54″ high and sitting on a pallet.
Anyhow, the only woman in the store was on the phone the whole time I was there and the other employees didn’t offer any help so I wasn’t even able to get an estimate for the drapes I needed (see Zarin review for their estimate).
If I find fabric I like I’ll return to Joe’s to see if they have a better deal but if not I don’t think I’ll be going back to browse.

I made the stupid decision to try to buy foam on the Lower East Side on a Saturday. Everything was closed, which made shopping for my Sunday class at 1:00 pm kind of shitty. I had intended to hit up Zarin, but they opened later, and I did not have time to fuck around.
Enter Joe’s. My aunt had recommended it, said their prices were excellent and that I could find pretty much anything I needed. My aunt was wrong. I found myself disappointed by both the fabrics (blah blah tacky) and the selection of foam. The staff was not very helpful, besides a new employee who, while very kind, had no idea how to help me. They don’t really carry much foam, but if you’re lucky (like I was) they will have a few pre-​cut squares lying around, beneath rolls of batting and whatnot. I was kind of disappointed at the age of the foam, as well. It was already becoming quite yellowed, but I didn’t have much time. It was absolutely necessary that I stop at Russ & Daughter’s on the way home. NECESSARY.