A plain corner building in Berks County hides more fabric than most people see in a year. Bolts of silk, linen, and wool that once belonged to famous design rooms sit here for a few dollars a yard.
Some shoppers call it the fabric store of Narnia, and after one visit I understood why. There are rooms upon rooms, and each one seems to open into another.
I went in with a small list and came out with a very heavy bag. In this story, I will show you how the shop began, what the deadstock idea really means, and how the prices work.
You will also learn about mystery bundles, the helpful staff, and the hours you need to know before you go. Keep reading, because one of those bundles surprised me more than anything else on the shelves.
The Corner Spot With a Secret
The address is 3911 Penn Avenue in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, and the building looks calm from the street. Nothing outside hints at the fabric world inside.
The town sits in Berks County, about an hour west of Philadelphia. Lancaster is roughly a half hour away, so it works well as a day trip.
I parked in the free lot and took a moment to look at the plain front. It seemed too modest for a store with such a big reputation.
Inside, the first room greets you with tall shelves and stacked bolts. Everything is neat, and the sheer amount of color makes you slow down.
Fabric Mart is a family-owned shop, and it feels more like a headquarters than a boutique. Google lists it as a fabric store with a 4.9 star rating, which matched my visit well.
Bring a tote bag and a little patience. The next room has a story of its own, and it starts in 1977.
A Family Business Since 1977
Back in 1977, founder Robert Richin had a smart idea. He would collect leftover fabric from New York City design rooms and factories and sell it to everyday shoppers.
That plan was ahead of its time. Materials that others might toss found a second life in the hands of home sewers.
The business grew from a set of original stores into the Sinking Spring headquarters you can visit today. It is both family-owned and woman-owned, and it has stayed that way for over 45 years.
Now the second generation runs things. They keep close ties with vendors in fashion hubs such as New York City and Los Angeles, which helps them land designer cloth at deep discounts.
Tradition matters here, and you can feel it in how the staff talks about the fabric. They know where it came from and what it can become.
That history explains the word on every sign, so let us look at what deadstock really means.
Decoding the Word Deadstock
Here is a quick vocabulary lesson. Deadstock means extra fabric left over after a fashion house or maker finished a job.
The cloth is often top quality. There was simply more of it than the original order needed.
For shoppers, that means fabric once meant for designer garments can cost a fraction of the usual price. Think silk charmeuse, wool suiting, or soft linen sitting on a shelf near you.
There is one catch, and it is part of the fun. When a bolt sells out, it is gone for good.
That keeps the inventory changing all the time. A fabric you loved last month may vanish, while something new takes its place.
Reusing leftover cloth is also kinder to the planet, and shoppers often mention that as a bonus. My advice is simple: if a color makes your heart skip, buy it now.
Once you understand the deadstock idea, the layout of the shop makes even more sense.
Room After Room After Room
The store looks small from the road, and that is the trick. Inside, the space keeps unfolding across several rooms and levels.
One visitor compared it to the fabric store of Narnia, and I can see the joke. Every doorway leads to more color.
I drifted from soft silks and chiffons to sturdy cottons and easy linens. Each area has its own mood and its own types of cloth.
Bolts are stacked high on sturdy shelves, and some sample pieces are draped so you can touch the texture. Touching is half the fun, so go ahead.
Many fabrics sold in the store are not listed online, which gives an in-person trip real value. It also means you may find a surprise you were not hunting for.
Give yourself at least a couple of hours. I checked my watch once and then forgot about it until the next room showed me the price tags.
Prices That Make You Double Check
Let me talk numbers, because they are the real headline. I found racks of fabric at about four dollars a yard, plus a few at two dollars.
A small group of bolts even sat at fifty cents a yard. I checked the tags twice.
Deals change often, with specials and finish-the-bolt discounts appearing all the time. Because the stock is deadstock, the sales feel like real sales.
These are not tired seconds either. Many are fashion fabrics with real designer roots, such as wool blends, challis, and silk.
Shoppers who order online mention that picking up in the store can bring even better savings. It is smart to ask at the counter.
Bring a rough list of yardage but stay flexible. A great price on the right print can change a project in your head.
Speaking of surprises, the next find comes in a bundle you buy without seeing it first.
The Mystery Bundle Gamble
Few things get sewists talking like a mystery bundle. Fabric Mart sells them, and the popularity is easy to understand.
One popular bundle offers ten yards for about twenty-two dollars. That is less than a pizza night for a whole wardrobe of possibilities.
What surprised me was the planning behind them. The fabrics tend to coordinate, so a bundle can become a small capsule wardrobe of tops, skirts, and more.
You do give up some control, and that is the gamble. The trade is a wide mix of quality cloth you might never have picked yourself.
Fans say the choices feel thoughtful, as if a person with an eye for color put each one together. That personal touch is rare at this price.
My tip is to open a bundle with a clear table and a cup of tea. Then sort by weight and color before you decide what to make first.
Threads, Patterns, and Small Essentials
Fabric is the star, but a project needs a supporting cast. The shop stocks notions, patterns, and thread so you can finish what you begin.
I spotted rows of Gutermann thread in nearly every shade. Shoppers report that the thread matches the fabric closely, which saves a lot of guessing.
Zippers, buttons, and other small items sit close to the fabric rooms. That means you can hold a bolt in one hand and test a color match with the other.
There is also a selection of indie sewing patterns with modern styles. Pairing one with a fabric you just fell for is a happy way to spend twenty minutes.
Here is a practical trick. Take a small swatch from home so you can match thread and trims on the spot.
Leaving with everything in one bag beats a second trip to another store. The people helping you at the counter make that plan even easier.
Friendly Faces Who Know Their Stuff
Good advice can save a project, and the team here hands it out freely. I asked a simple question about drape and got a clear, kind answer.
The staff know fiber content, stretch, and which fabrics suit which patterns. They will even help when you are not sure what you want yet.
Customers online praise the same qualities. Calls and emails get answered, and helpful notes come back when an order needs adjusting.
The owners have described their goal as offering quality fabric along with quality sewing advice. That goal showed up in every chat I had.
Ask about needle types, fabric pairings, or what to do with a tricky knit. You will leave knowing more than when you came in.
The warm mood makes the shop feel like a gathering of friends who all love to stitch. It is a place where questions are welcome.
Once you feel at home, you may want to plan the trip properly, so here are the practical details.
Hours, Parking, and Trip Planning
A little planning goes a long way. The shop is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
Saturday and Sunday are normally closed. A few special Saturday openings happen each year and are announced on social media and Google listings.
Check those sources before you drive far. Holiday closings include New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Parking is free, so you can browse without watching the clock. The phone number is 610-678-1330 if you have a quick question.
I suggest arriving early on a weekday, when the aisles are calm. You can lay out bolts, compare colors, and think without a crowd.
Bring a measuring tape, a notebook, and something to carry heavy fabric. Wear comfortable shoes, because six rooms add up to a good walk.
With the logistics settled, you can focus on something more lively, which is the crowd of fellow sewists.
A Community Stitched Together
Sewing can be a quiet hobby, yet this shop turns it into a shared one. The brand stays active online with inspiration, sew-alongs, and classes for different garments.
Customers post finished projects made from their finds. Scrolling through those photos is a good way to spark ideas before a visit.
The rewards program, called Stash Cash, gives shoppers money off later orders. Daily sale emails also keep fans checking in every morning.
One customer joked that opening the sale email feels like Christmas. I understand the feeling after seeing the range on the shelves.
Sewing groups are welcome at the store, so a friend trip can turn into a full outing. Shared finds and shared laughs make the day better.
Many people who shop online say they plan to visit in person someday. After my trip, I can say the drive supports that plan.
Why the Drive Is Worth It
My bags were heavy and my mood was light. That is a good sign for any shopping trip.
The shop has earned a 4.9 star rating from hundreds of reviews. The praise centers on selection, fair prices, and quick, kind service.
Fresh stock arrives often, so no two visits match. That keeps regulars coming back and gives first-timers plenty to explore.
Fabric Mart at 3911 Penn Avenue proves that a modest exterior can hold a huge amount of creativity. Six rooms of designer deadstock make a day of it.
I left already thinking about the next trip. There was a linen I had passed up, and I doubt it will still be there.
Pack a tote, bring a friend, and give yourself time. The best finds are waiting just past the next doorway.
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