Fabric Place Basement in
Alexandria (VA)

Good selection of supplies but the staff were unhelpful and bossy.

I am a total newbie to sewing and was therefore so overwhelmed when I first walked into the store. But then Immanuel found me and spent almost a full hour teaching me how to choose and read a pattern, find the right fabrics and notions, and giving me an impromptu lesson on how to add lining to a pair of pants. I am so grateful for his knowledge and patience and can’t wait to start on my first project!

UPDATE: Despite my first experience here being unpleasant, I have been back to give it another chance. They must have been having an off night that night because since I've been coming back everyone has been so sweet, kind, and helpful! I haaaaaad to update this to reflect my updated experiences. A great place to buy materials and a very unique selection too! Definitely worth a stop in.

I love this place so much. The staff is delightful, and there are so many hidden treasures in the remnant bins. Also love that they stock Liberty lawn and quilting cottons.

I went there today to buy upholstery foam, asked to buy 4 feet and was told that it’s 24 inches wide. I said that I only needed 15 inches and asked if it was easy to cut. The very friendly person at the counter said it was but they could cut the width for me, and I said sure thank you. When they came back there was 4 ft x 15 in but the rest was missing. They said if I wanted the part they cut off I would have to pay for it, and I just couldn’t understand because I was paying for 4ft x 24 in, I would have paid the same if they didn’t cut the width and I wanted the extra for other projects. I objected and they got the manager who said if I wanted it I had to pay. I also had some fabric I was going to buy so I said that’s ok, I’ll just take this fabric because I don’t think that’s very fair. I had a calm, friendly tone. The manager started yelling at me, saying they’d remember my face and I wouldn’t be welcome back there. So I said ok and put the fabric down and started to leave. Then she yelled, “And we’re locking the door behind you!” I guess I’m just supposed to let them rip me off? Needless to say I won’t be going back. Beware if you need to buy upholstery foam. I will say that the person helping me at first was very pleasant and friendly. It’s not their fault the store has a policy that essentially makes people pay twice for the same thing. Too bad about the management. I have spent a lot on fabric here in the past but as I’m no longer welcome I will take my hard earned money elsewhere.

Many red flags in terms of quality and organization: fabric labeled as French Terry, walked over and it was all Jersey, fabric of the same type is scattered all over and not consistently grouped together. They had bolted Joanne’s fabrics; so poor quality polyesters for full retail prices. Walked over to the wool on rolls; just not great quality. If this is a clearance outlet then the prices are too high for the quality and if it’s not a clearance outlet then it’s just not very well managed. Left without buying anything.

This is one of those adventure fabric stores, like the Fabric Hut near the Oceania base. Need a particular type of fabric? They have it. Looking for a particular color or theme? They have it. Looking for hardcopy paper patterns? They're there. The staff still knows all of the old-fashioned fabric content tests, so can do things like tell you if the wool is pure or blended, and what it's blended with in general proportions. They also tend to cut generously, which is very helpful. Like all adventure fabric stores, though, they usually can't order more of what you have found that you like. They focus on quality, rather than brand name or cost, so that means dye lots and limited run materials. If you find something you like, get it, because it probably won't be there or in sufficient quantity next time. Leatherworkers, this place sells full-sized tanned hides in the "decor" section. They seem to be good quality, too. No points of interest are in immediate reach, for augmented-reality gamers, but plenty are within two minutes' walk.

This place is a dying breed. I grew up going to fabric stores like these with my mom. I was able to explore and learn how to sew thanks to their large and varied selection.

Just like the sign says, “Great selection and great prices.” It doesn’t hurt, that. the staff is nice, as well. I get much of my “closet sound insulation” there ( that’s a joke about how packed my closets are with fabric)… Just like the blankets I make, you never know what to expect, but you’re going to find something you’ll like, most likely.

Fabric Place Basement is one of my go-to local fabric and notions shops. Amazing prices and very friendly and helpful staff.

This place is amazing! Great selection of fabric, interfacing and other sewing fixings. The staff are super knowledgeable and are a great resource for guidance with sewing projects. Highly recommend instead of going to a big box store!

Really great shop. Great selection of all kinds of fabrics for upholstery and clothing and quilting and everything, including some beautiful batiks.

Staff is very helpful, lots of fabric selections with multiple price points. They have quilt in a kit packages ready to go. Gimp, thread, sewing supplies, etc. Bought both fabrics shown in photo there.

Fabric Place Basement is a gem, offering quilting fabric, home dec, and, thankfully, fashion fabric. Beyond G Street Fabric, there are few fashion fabric stores in the metro area. Fabric Place Basement carries quality fashion fabic. Most importantly for me, the store has wool, 100 percent and blends. I do most of my fashion fabric shopping in California and Texas, where I live, and the stores that I shop offer little or no wool. So I was excited to find a fashion fabric store with an extensive wool selection. I purchased two beautiful pieces of wool. I noticed that other google reviews said the employees were unhelpful or unfriendly. That was not my experience. In fact, the employee cutting my fabric found some felting on the fabric so she offered to cut off about 1/2 yard of the mildly defective fabric before cutting my purchase. I really appreciated her attention to detail.

I went in there looking for self adhesive vinyl. But when I asked to some employees in there she said she was not in charge of the vinyl section. So when I decided to ask to the lady in charge she decided to talk her friends in there talking their personal stuff. So I was ignored. So, I have to buy from Amazon online. We want to support locals business. But we guess they don't want to get customers.

I went in today to get fabric for a project. As I was waiting in line, the woman checking out in front of me used military discount, and showed the lady at the cash register her ID card. It never left her hand. It was my turn to check out, so I presented my military ID card; the lady grabbed it from my hand, asked me my age, and denied the discount. I then asked why and where the written policy was and she couldn’t give me an answer. I guess the lady at the register gets to pick and choose who gets the discount and who doesn’t! ??‍♀️??‍♀️ Absolutely mind boggling. This is the only fabric store in the area, but I will not be returning.

It's a neat shop and most convenient in relation to when I have fabric needs. Their selection is decent and they are always well stocked. For that, they deserve a 4 Stars The 3 Star rating is truly for the staff at that location. I consider myself a low maintenance/low need customer. Yet every time I go in, the service I get is left much to be desired for. Particularly, the lead/manager likes to ensure that her purchases are handled before her customers. To include putting her drinks and foods on the checkout counter, after cutting you off in line. May seem petty, but there are many of like examples to share. I have stopped in about 10× over the past couple of years, and there is always something. I will continue shopping there yet feel their business could do better if they got back to basics with foundational customer interaction.

A great fully stocked store. Lots of indoor/outdoor, upholstery, quilting cottons, and knit fabric. They have a great selection of trims for pillows, and tons of buttons. Very nice staff, too!

Great selection. staff was very helpful. Store is very clean and organized. They even have a nice seating area if you want to get off your feet for a quick break

Super impressed with their selection of quilting cottons. Average price per yard seems to be between 7.99-9.99 per yard. Some great discounts on top of those lower than average prices. Super impressed with the kind lady at the cutting counter, as well as at check out. Bought way more than I thought. I was there until closing and they showed great patience with me. They seem to also have a wide variety of African fabrics, clothing fabric, as well as upholstery fabri, notions, threads etc.

I really enjoy the beautiful batik fabric. Also they have a huge inventory of many other 100% cotton fabrics. I go there every time I go to see my best friends in Falls Church,

Terrible customer service. I was in the store for 15 minutes and no one acknowledge with a simple hello. I even walked back and forth by two employees (one of them was laying her head down on the cutting table) they were more concern with what goes with ground beef than their customers. I walk passed 5 employees and nothing. I strongly urge the owner to invest in customer service all workers to make sure everyone is greeted. I would rather by drive someplace else and spend more money where I feel welcomed and better customer service. Get it together and DO better.

I Love it, Love it, Love it! This is a very unique fabric store. They have all kinds of fabrics, trimmings, notions, and services. If you're looking for African, leather, suede, vinyl, cotton, and foam they have it all. The sales and cashier were very personable and friendly. They take their time with each customer. Their prices are very reasonable and they have grab bags of items like buttons, flowers, zippers, and piping. They are open until 7:00 pm weekdays. The store is clean and there are no strong odors from chemicals or dyes. This place got my creative juices flowing! I will be going back for two projects that I am working on and need some fabrics!

I do not normally write review but for this one I feel the store deserves one. The store is really clean . it has a big collection and choices. The customer service of every employee is excellent. I want to give a special thanks to Donna. She shows beyond excellent customer services. She listens attentively, her smile never left her face. she turns the frustrating situation to easy one. I visited the store two times spending couple of hours searching for what I want and I was very frustrated but I left so happy. Deep thanks for every person works in Fabric place Basement.

Wonderful staff and the prices are great. And of course....the Fabric!

I just visited the store for the first time and I can't say enough good things about it. The staff was friendly and helpful, the selection is fantastic - especially for quilters, though there are some really nice choices for apparel as well, and the price point is great. You will get quality fabric for cheaper than the "premium" fabrics sold at the big box stores. Plus, my 6 year old loved picking some buttons from the huge button bin in the middle of the store. We'll be back often!

Such an attractive selection of fabrics at good prices. Much more upscale than the previous tenant. Great service, upbeat staff. Even features recycling of buttons and fancy collars to rummage through. A joy to shop here.