Last weekend I stopped by Momen+ in Torrance, CA (located in the suburbs of LA County). It's a cute little sewing/quilting shop filled with tons of fabric, patterns, notions, and tools and there is a small workspace area in the back where I think they hold classes. Since the owner has Japanese roots (I think), this shop carries lots of Japanese fabric, including the ever popular Kokka and Echino, but there is also plenty of "modern" fabric too.
Side Note #1: Funny story. My mom, who is from Japan, didn't know about double gauze even though it originated in Japan. She looked a bit unimpressed with the "thin" fabric {her words}. I told her about the popularity of double gauze, but that didn't seem to help the cause. $20/yard for double gauze? *gulp* Where's the sale section?
Anyhoo, my mom has visited Momen+ a couple times and has been sweet enough to buy me some Japanese fabric (not the popular stuff, but super cute nonetheless) and a couple mini quilt block kits. Since I didn't have any specific projects in mind I naturally spent what seemed like forever looking at every single bolt of fabric. I really didn't want to buy something I could easily find at either Sew Modern or Sew LA or that I've seen online and could easily search for at Hawthorne Threads. At first I couldn't decide if I wanted to buy fabric for a garment or for a quilt or small project. Lately I've been more hesitant to buy quilting cotton for garments and I didn't want to spend the beaucoup bucks on Echino or double gauze, so by the process of elimination, I decided I was searching for fabric to add to my small fabric stash for a future quilt (or more likely, a super mini quilt).
While Momen+ {yelp review link} has a decent selection of fabric (including a couple clearance tables), the BEST part of Momen+ has to be their stock of bias binding and sewing tools. My jaw must have dropped when I saw this display case of bias binding and pre-made piping in all sorts of wonderful colors, sizes, and patterns. It's so eye-catching!
White and purple gingham bias binding? Linen bias binding? Yes, please! (Although I didn't buy any...)
Towards the back against the wall there were even more options (I seem to recall metallic bias binding too). All of these are from the brand Captain 88, made in Japan. Sure, you could always make your own bias binding (and I think most of us do for quilts), but when I finally get my grubby paws on the Robson Trench Coat Pattern, you bet your butt I'm going to buy some ultra cute bias binding, even if I have to buy several packs at $3-$6 per pop. Also, I've been wanting to make a new pillow cover and bind it in piping, but the thought of making my own piping really bores me. Now I know where to get piping! (yes, I'm that lazy!)
One of the best items my mom bought me (yes, my mom still spoils me because she doesn't have any grandkids) is a Karisma mechanical pencil for fabric. (I searched online and found it available on Superbuzzy, in case you want one, yes you do, trust me.) While I was looking at every single piece of fabric, for some reason my mom was looking at the sewing tools picking out things she thought I needed (even though I didn't mention needing anything). However, I really did need a new chalk pencil because the pencil I normally use always breaks and never marks very well and my pencil sharpener sucks so I never have a fine point.
Second side note: I swear my mom can read my mind. There have been numerous occasions throughout my life where I'll be thinking about needing something and then all of a sudden my mom will have bought it for me without even talking to me about it. Mom, get out of my head! No, wait, stay there! I like receiving unexpected gifts.
Anyway, when we were checking out the saleslady mentioned this pencil is really good so my mom bought one for herself too. This lady wasn't kidding. This pencil is amazing! It's a bit pricey at $10, but it comes with a refill cartridge and when you run out of lead you only have to buy another refill pack. I've only used the white lead on a dark fabric and it works like a charm. This is the only photo I've taken of it. The photo is crappy, but look, I can write legible words on fabric!
There was also some other stuff in the store including needlework patterns, mini quilt block kits, some felt kits (according to my mom these felt things are apparently all the rage in Japan right now), Japanese quilting magazines (although no awesome Japanese patchwork books (BOO! and I looked through every single book on the bookshelf)), and laminated fabric. I'm sure I'm missing some other stuff, but you probably get the idea.
After all the time I spent looking at fabric I only ended up getting half a yard each of these two prints.
I think they'll go well with some fabric I currently have, but who knows what I'll make and when I'll get around to using them. But at least I have them.
Unfortunately for those out of the area Momen+ does not have an online store. But, if you live nearby, then definitely take a trip over to Momen+. I don't know of any other shop in the area with this type of selection so I think it's important to spread the word about this fantastic shop. My mom told me that I'm only allowed to go if I also stop by to see her. Lucky for my mom the shop is located just a bit too far from me to warrant frequent trips, so my mom doesn't have to worry about me ignoring her.
Side Note #1: Funny story. My mom, who is from Japan, didn't know about double gauze even though it originated in Japan. She looked a bit unimpressed with the "thin" fabric {her words}. I told her about the popularity of double gauze, but that didn't seem to help the cause. $20/yard for double gauze? *gulp* Where's the sale section?
Anyhoo, my mom has visited Momen+ a couple times and has been sweet enough to buy me some Japanese fabric (not the popular stuff, but super cute nonetheless) and a couple mini quilt block kits. Since I didn't have any specific projects in mind I naturally spent what seemed like forever looking at every single bolt of fabric. I really didn't want to buy something I could easily find at either Sew Modern or Sew LA or that I've seen online and could easily search for at Hawthorne Threads. At first I couldn't decide if I wanted to buy fabric for a garment or for a quilt or small project. Lately I've been more hesitant to buy quilting cotton for garments and I didn't want to spend the beaucoup bucks on Echino or double gauze, so by the process of elimination, I decided I was searching for fabric to add to my small fabric stash for a future quilt (or more likely, a super mini quilt).
While Momen+ {yelp review link} has a decent selection of fabric (including a couple clearance tables), the BEST part of Momen+ has to be their stock of bias binding and sewing tools. My jaw must have dropped when I saw this display case of bias binding and pre-made piping in all sorts of wonderful colors, sizes, and patterns. It's so eye-catching!
White and purple gingham bias binding? Linen bias binding? Yes, please! (Although I didn't buy any...)
Towards the back against the wall there were even more options (I seem to recall metallic bias binding too). All of these are from the brand Captain 88, made in Japan. Sure, you could always make your own bias binding (and I think most of us do for quilts), but when I finally get my grubby paws on the Robson Trench Coat Pattern, you bet your butt I'm going to buy some ultra cute bias binding, even if I have to buy several packs at $3-$6 per pop. Also, I've been wanting to make a new pillow cover and bind it in piping, but the thought of making my own piping really bores me. Now I know where to get piping! (yes, I'm that lazy!)
One of the best items my mom bought me (yes, my mom still spoils me because she doesn't have any grandkids) is a Karisma mechanical pencil for fabric. (I searched online and found it available on Superbuzzy, in case you want one, yes you do, trust me.) While I was looking at every single piece of fabric, for some reason my mom was looking at the sewing tools picking out things she thought I needed (even though I didn't mention needing anything). However, I really did need a new chalk pencil because the pencil I normally use always breaks and never marks very well and my pencil sharpener sucks so I never have a fine point.
Second side note: I swear my mom can read my mind. There have been numerous occasions throughout my life where I'll be thinking about needing something and then all of a sudden my mom will have bought it for me without even talking to me about it. Mom, get out of my head! No, wait, stay there! I like receiving unexpected gifts.
Anyway, when we were checking out the saleslady mentioned this pencil is really good so my mom bought one for herself too. This lady wasn't kidding. This pencil is amazing! It's a bit pricey at $10, but it comes with a refill cartridge and when you run out of lead you only have to buy another refill pack. I've only used the white lead on a dark fabric and it works like a charm. This is the only photo I've taken of it. The photo is crappy, but look, I can write legible words on fabric!
There was also some other stuff in the store including needlework patterns, mini quilt block kits, some felt kits (according to my mom these felt things are apparently all the rage in Japan right now), Japanese quilting magazines (although no awesome Japanese patchwork books (BOO! and I looked through every single book on the bookshelf)), and laminated fabric. I'm sure I'm missing some other stuff, but you probably get the idea.
After all the time I spent looking at fabric I only ended up getting half a yard each of these two prints.
I think they'll go well with some fabric I currently have, but who knows what I'll make and when I'll get around to using them. But at least I have them.
Unfortunately for those out of the area Momen+ does not have an online store. But, if you live nearby, then definitely take a trip over to Momen+. I don't know of any other shop in the area with this type of selection so I think it's important to spread the word about this fantastic shop. My mom told me that I'm only allowed to go if I also stop by to see her. Lucky for my mom the shop is located just a bit too far from me to warrant frequent trips, so my mom doesn't have to worry about me ignoring her.
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