I've always known that from a costuming standpoint, I have been blessed to live in the greater Los Angeles area. Sure, every major urban area (like the SFO Bay area) has its collection of fabric, sewing notion, and thrift stores... But with the exception of New York, nowhere in the United States has the sheer breadth and depth of resources that L.A. does. The Los Angeles "garment district" downtown has square blocks of fabric and sewing supplies at prices that are well below half of typical retail. This includes a whole block of buttons, beads, and jewelry findings; major "tailoring supply" houses with fine woolens (www.bblackandsons.com)(and a "remnant" table); dozens of outlets for ribbon, trim, and lace; and fabric stores ranging from cheap cottons to upholstery grade silks and leather.

Outside the garment district are other resources...amazing vintage, used, and thrift clothing stores (Aardvark's!)...one-stop shops for theatrical makeup on Hollywood Blvd...International Silks and Woolens...great upholstery fabric outlets near Western & Melrose...Western Costume out in the valley....and of course, Farthingale's for your corset and hoop supplies in Santa Monica.

I'd always thought that more of my friends from the Dickens fair ought to get down here to use the resources....but to be fair, it is a long way to drive and if you don't know the town....it can be quite a learning curve to find what you are looking for....

But what if you could get from SFO to LA (and return) for $35 or less (without having to drive)? Might it be worth it then?
How about if you had a native guide who could show you around the garment district on a one or two day expedition?

If there were a few folks who might be interested in such a trip in March, I might be of a mind to sketch out the details and offer to help with coordination. Of course, if some of our LA Dickens brethern would like to join in the madness... That might be fun too.