Princess Fabrics Stores Help Cut Corners on Material Expenses
With the economy the way it is, you may want to get out the sewing machine and do it yourself. But first you’ve got to find fabrics at bargain prices, and Princess Fabrics is among the royalty when it comes to selection, quality and low prices.
Of its four locations, the new Granada Hills store seems to be the star of the line, with more than 13,000 square feet of merchandise.
Let’s start with that time-honored craft of quilt making. This store has a 100-foot-long wall with at least 3,000 different bolts of calico prints at excellent prices. You’ll find names such as Peter Pan, Concord, VIP and Jinny Beyer designs--the last one a favorite among quilters--selling for $3.98 to $6.98 a yard, 50% and 20%, respectively, lower than some major fabric chains. And these are some of the more expensive quilting patterns.
If you’re looking for decorator fabrics, this is the place. Princess carries major names such as Schumacher, John Wolf, Cyrus Clark and everyone’s favorite, Waverly. Waverly fabrics sell at $20 to $30 a yard in decorating houses, yet you will find these same patterns at Princess for $5.98 to $13.98 a yard--truly impressive savings. If you’re comparison shopping for custom draperies, please get a quote here since Princess Fabrics seems to come in lower than just about anyone.
Company officials attribute their lower prices to something very simple: They just take a lower markup than other stores, preferring to offer everyday prices that usually meet or beat their competition’s advertised specials. Princess does not run expensively advertised sales; its prices are great year-round. The merchandise is all first-quality, no seconds, and Princess buys directly from the mills.
The craft department in the Granada Hills store must be seen to be believed. It is huge, and although the prices are not as low as in other departments, they are very competitive, and you will find unusual items here that will allow you one-stop shopping.
The bridal section offers another example of great prices. Superior-quality bridal satin sells for $4.98 a yard, medium quality for $3.98. These are everyday prices. At the Granada Hills store, there are at least 35 different colors. Another major chain sells its superior-quality bridal satin for $8.49 yard and its medium grade at $5.98. Princess sells its acetate lining taffeta for $2.98 a yard versus $3.69 elsewhere. In all fairness, Princess’ superior satin is shiny on one side, whereas the $8.49 fabric is shiny on both sides. Even at that, Princess’ fabric is a heavier grade and, since almost all quality garments are lined, does it matter?
If the parking lots at the Granada Hills, Simi and Palmdale stores seem a bit crowded, it’s probably because of the 150 to 200 different classes that Princess Fabrics offers in everything from crafts to sewing and home decorating. These classes are very reasonably priced, from $5 a class to $40 (if materials are needed). There are also classes for children age 5 and up, such as Dad’s Day T-Shirt, Paper Jewelry Making and Victorian Hat Making. Start them out as do-it-yourselfers and they’ll save money for a lifetime.
Princess Fabrics: 17040 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, (818) 363-8900. Hours 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays; 8745 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, (818) 781-2622. Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays; 533 E. Palmdale Blvd., Palmdale, (805) 273-8758. Hours same as Granada Hills; 2880 Cochran St., Simi Valley, (805) 526-8546. Hours 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Visa/MasterCard/Discover, check, cash.