Friday, December 30, 2011

Fabricland, West Vancouver, BC, Canada

The next addition is Fabricland [ www.fabricland.ca ] or more specifically Fabricland at Park Royal [ www.shopparkroyal.com ] in West Vancouver.

I'll start with Fabricland and then work my way around to Park Royal.  If you visiting Vancouver, Park Royal is easy to get too.  If you have the time, I'd recommend catching the bus  [here's the online schedule [ http://westvancouver.ca/Level3.aspx?id=2152 ] either any bus from the city that has Park Royal on it or even better get the #250 which will take you all the way to Horseshoe Bay.  It's a lovely drive and you can get off have a wonder around Horseshoe Bay and then get the return bus back. Even stop off along the way and visit Dundarave or West Vancouver itself.



Once you've done your sightseeing, stop at Park Royal itself.   Be aware there are two parts to it.  Fabricland is in the South Mall.  One thing to prepare yourself for is the store itself is not exactly the tidiest place.  I've being go there on and off for years and I've yet to see the place looking its best.  Then why do I keep going back I hear you ask?  It has a great fabric range both for dress making and quilting. And if you're in the mood for upholstery or curtain fabric you'll find all that there as well.
In terms of quilting fabric, as long as you're prepared to spend a bit of time working through the rows upon rows of fabric, I promise you, you will find some lovely pieces.  Designer wise, I don't remember seeing any Moda when I visited there last year.  In fact they seem to have a heavy emphasis on RJR, Timeless Treasures and similar ranges.  Had a relatively extensive selection of novelty and bright fabrics which of course I loved.

Now one of the secrets about Fabricland is they have fantastic discounted fabric packed into large shelves along one side of the shop.  Now if you're not a bargain hunter like me, this will drive you nuts but as I do love to find a great bargain I dove in.  I found some great curtain fabric to make some curtain for my sister's trailer for about CAD$2 pm - lovely fabric but boy heavily discounted.  And my best bargain was finding Loralie Designs "Sewing Stuff" fabric at CAD$2 pm.  Here that fabric runs around NZ or AU 22/24 pm.  But as I said you have to be prepared to spend a bit of time digging through the rolls or bundles of fabric to find these bargains.

And another fantastic thing about Fabricland is their Sewing Club.  My Mom belongs to it and I made good use of it getting 50% off a 24" by 24" Olfa cutting mat.  It was touch and go as to whether I'd get it into my suitcase to bring home but I did, just! And I got even further discounts on both quilt fabric and batting I bought.

 Let's not forget about Park Royal itself [www.shopparkroyal.com].  You'll find all the regular stores in the North and South Malls including the Bay, Winners, Future Store, London Drugs etc.  There are many individual / unique stores there are as well.  Even if Fabricland wasn't there, I would still make it a point to visit at least once when I'm back. 

And then there is The Village, a rather upmarket lovely outdoor shopping center which you'll find on the south side of the mall.  One of my favourite stores is there, Aerosoles Shoes (one of worst kept secrets, I love shoes), an American chain that you can find here.  Super comfortable shoes that are very styley.  Also you will find the Whole Foods Market - for the Kiwis who read this, you can find Phoenix drinks and juice there and if you're really lucky NZ fruit such as apples in case you're feeling homesick.

Overall between the shops and the cafes at Park Royal, I'm sure you can enjoy a lovely day there.  If you're feeling rather athletic, there is also a nice walk you can do around the sea front from Park Royal to Ambleside Beach or vice versa.  If its a nice day, its a lovely picteresque walk.

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