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It's curtains for last downtown fabric store

By adamg on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 12:04pm
Winmill Fabrics going out of business

Craig Caplan spotted the sign in the window of Winmil Fabrics on Chauncy Street this morning.

The store's last day is June 15.

H/T Neighbor2 for the headline.

Neighborhoods: 
Downtown
Topics: 
Business
Free tagging: 
Chauncy Street
Downtown Crossing


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Comments

By JPMom on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 12:23pm.

Going downtown for ordinary and sundry goods and services has become almost totally obsolete for me.

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By Cranky on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 12:25pm.

When I worked in Chinatown (20+ years ago) the little cluster of fabric stores was such a great resource. I remember spending about $1.50 and making curtains for my whole apartment (maybe I exaggerate a little). It's a shame they'll all be gone soon.

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By Neighbor2 on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 1:18pm.

The new Leather District neighbors will not be buying fabric nor making their own curtains.

Ps- missed a layup with the headline: "It's curtains for last downtown fabric store".

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By adamg on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 3:14pm.

What was I not thinking? Will change immediately, because that is, of course, the correct headline.

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By anon on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 2:20pm.

So much for craft and hobby stores in Boston. =(

No more sewing, model kits, crafting, model railroad, etc. Have to go out to Malden or Somerville now.

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By Sally on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 3:06pm.

Great new places in JP (JP Knit and Stitch) Cambridge (Gather Here) and Charles St (Grey) but I hear you. These are all beautiful stores and have wonderful young crafty energy and truly beautiful, high-quality stuff, but they're pretty pricey--you don't get the same feeling that you did at the downtown places where you know your mom went to buy buttons and fabric to make you a summer romper or a new dress. And I also miss the models and crafty five and ten type places....sigh.

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By bibliotequetressnotloggedin... on Fri, 04/22/2016 - 9:19am.

.... BUT I will miss having a less expensive store where I can get 4 yards of twill for under $20

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By Melissa. on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 3:09pm.

There is also the Stitch House in Dorchester, which carries some fabric and tons of knitting and crocheting supplies.

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By adamg on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 3:17pm.

Maybe the owner could set up a stand in City Hall ...

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By Sally on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 4:12pm.

Lovely store, though more knitting than fabric and notions.

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By anon on Mon, 04/25/2016 - 8:59am.

Also in Dorchester is Sewfisticated which is great and full of actually cheap (Winmil was always overpriced IMO) fabric.

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By anon on Sat, 04/23/2016 - 12:17am.

Loved the Win-Mill. Got lost in there. Living in Malden now. Gentrifying out here even now. Halfway between the Assembly Row faux-plaza and the Everett tire fire.

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By JenL on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 2:41pm.

I have many favorite skirts and dresses, as well as chair cushion covers, curtains and other things all around my house made from fabric from Winmil. I will miss them!

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By anon on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 3:42pm.

there is actually a store called Van's Fabrics at 14 Beach St...it has an interesting selection though is very small and skewed toward dress-making (not crafting).

i do regret the loss of fabric stores downtown...RIP North End Fabrics! that place was the best.

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By Violetkris on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 4:14pm.

I loved Winmil, though I haven't been in there in years. The staff was always knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. Sad to hear...

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By SwirlyGrrl on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 4:16pm.

I remember going there thirty years ago when one of my summer jobs was on Bedford. I made curtains for my room, clothes, etc.

I bought a lot of polar fleece there to make baby things for my boys - on the day that Malden Mills burned down! (I remember because I came in early to go to the fabric stores and then my class that evening was cancelled as the instructor got called to the scene).

I went there to get halloween costume materials both before and after I had kids!

Not to mention all the tablecloths I made for church or the tote bags for preschool and everything else.

Winmil RIP!

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By teric on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 8:57pm.

...was already heading there tomorrow to pick up some baby blanket flannel...the neighborhood will be less funky and less interesting for sure.

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By bibliotequetressnotloggedin... on Fri, 04/22/2016 - 9:22am.

I can't think of another place on the T or a cheap cab ride from SMFA & MassArt. The place near Revere Beach (great store, can't remember the name) is a bear to get to without a car.

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By johnmcboston on Fri, 04/22/2016 - 10:40am.

I was going to mention grey's fabric, but seemed to have closed and moved to Charles St as Mercer. Haven't checked them out yet...

In a related note, was in Davis last weekend to see that the Singer store seems to be gone as well...

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By anon on Fri, 04/22/2016 - 12:34pm.

The Singer store moved to a different location: http://www.singersewandvac.com/

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By johnmcboston on Fri, 04/22/2016 - 1:56pm.

not quite T convenient any more...

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By Susan Ruderman on Fri, 04/22/2016 - 2:58pm.

Too bad Win-Mill will be gone but at least we still have Sewfisticated, the home of cheap fabric for those who don't need sewing advice in Somerville (Twin City Plaza), Dorchester, and Framingham (the old Fabric Place building.)

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