As I mentioned last week, the boys and I took an impromptu vacation to Minnesota. In addition to our regular activities like the Como Zoo, a lake day, visits with friends and family, Ikea shopping, a quick HomeGoods date with my blog pal Jen, and indulging in all the foods of home, I made my way to a new store. My cousin and pseudo sister told me about it, and she happily let me tag along. Where did we go? SR Harris Fabric Outlet in Brooklyn Park. Jenna warned me, telling me it was 30,000 square feet filled with fabrics. Well, now I believe her. Look at this:
That’s one aisle of fabrics stacked over my head. Surprisingly, the store is organized pretty well. Cottons for quilting in one area.
Rows of home decorating fabrics. A shelf covered in bolts of silks, taffeta, and tulle.
I had to practice serious restraint not to walk home with an carload of various silks, knowing full well it doesn’t stand a chance against my kids.
And the ribbon. Oh, the ribbon! Several end cap shelves of assorted ribbon. I especially loved the velvet trims.
In a way, SR Harris reminded me of Ikea. Huge store with plenty to look at, great prices (everything is 50% off the list price), and a do it yourself attitude. Get this, you cut your own fabric! How awesome is that?!? So now, let me show you what I came home with.
Forgive me, because I don’t know most of the names. The green stripe is actually from my Ikea shopping trip. I couldn’t see a designer of the blue stripe, but it’s a nice weight canvas type fabric for $5.00 per yard. P Kauffman makes the blue swirl, and I think the gray is by Ralph Lauren. Both home dec fabrics are originally $19.99 per yard, but everything is half off. No clue about the white sequin brand, but it was too fun to pass up.
Like a raccoon, my eyes like shiny, sparkly things. I got a 1/2 yard to make an accent pillow or two. To top it off, I got a few yards of an aqua grosgrain ribbon for 35 cents a yard and two yards of green velvet ribbon for 50 cents a yard. Perhaps I’ll add it to a plain pillow cover for more detail or around a lamp shade. Haven’t decided yet, but I’ve decided to buy things I love to work in.
Minnesotans, this is definitely worth a stop if you’re looking for any fabric. I can’t wait to go back again to see what other treasures I can dig up.
Do you have a go to fabric store? Do you go looking for something specific? Or just by what catches your attention without a plan for it?
ourhumbleabodeblog.com 
I actually went there last week but was so overwhelmed, I came home empty handed!
Hey Jen!
Totally overwhelming, but in a good way to me. We had the kids with, so we barely scratched the surface. Hopefully you’ll find something the next time you go back. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
I’m about to spring on a Groupon to my favorite fabric store, Fabric Place Basement in MA. It was a small chain but closed for a few years before opening a new location. Not quite that much selection but I love to go through the rows and rows of upholstery bolts!
I have totally been to SR Harris. It is a bargain hunters dream. You can’t go in trying to look for something specific though. You would never find it in that chaos.
Hey Robin!
You’re right, you can’t have anything specific in mind. But, if you see something you like, it’s a great place to snatch it up.
Thanks!
Amanda
It is fun to see what you bought at SR Harris. When I went to that store a year or so ago, I was super overwhelmed. I bought a couple yards of fabric, but clearly I needed a better plan before tackling such huge store!
Hi Laura!
I can totally see how it can be overwhelming. Basically, I just kept my eye out for fabrics I liked, then pulled it out to see more. And I knew I didn’t need quilting weight fabrics, so I kind of stuck to the home dec type of fabrics.
Thanks!
Amanda
That looks amazing, and scary all at the same time. I like the green stripe fabric.
I cannot believe you only came home with the little fabric that you did knowing you had a whole new house to decorate. I would have gone bonkers in there. Yes, you showed great restraint in that store.
Hey Patty,
I really did have to hold myself back. Because if I didn’t LOVE it, I didn’t want to buy it. Really, the ribbons were the hardest to resist. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
I’ll be going to the cities in August! Thanks for this! Can’t wait to check it out! 🙂
I have to laugh, SR Harris is definitely impressive, but I never go there if I am on the hunt for something specific. It’s a great way to kill an hour or two, tho! I love that you mentioned SR Harris, as it’s in my ‘hood 😉 I live in Robbinsdale and luuuuurve Mill End Textiles in Crystal. The ladies in there couldn’t be Minnesota-nicer 🙂 hope you had a great trip home!
I never knew that place existed (I’m a former Minnesota girl as well)! Thanks for the heads-up, I think I’ll see if I can squeeze in a visit when we go on vacation in August.
Hi Bethany!
I didn’t either until this vacation. Definitely stop in if you have time. It was fun to look around and the prices are great.
Thanks!
Amanda