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-   -   Where to buy beautiful fabrics and textiles? (https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/where-to-buy-beautiful-fabrics-and-textiles-284482/)

JulieHHH Feb 3rd, 2003 08:55 AM

Where to buy beautiful fabrics and textiles?
 
Hello, I am planning on a trip to either India, (Jaipur), or Malaysia in December, I am an artist and work with textiles. My dream would be to find bulk fabrics and textiles to take home with me while sightseeing. Where do you recommend in Asia? Traveling are two women flying Eastward out of New York, I'm not worried about safety but my travel companion is.<BR><BR>Thank you!<BR>Julie

rhkkmk Feb 3rd, 2003 09:43 AM

my wife always buys textiles on our trips to asia and elsewhere...thailand is a great place, mostly cottons and of course silk...very reasonable...silk is nice because of the rough textures..<BR>in malaysia she bought some batik and other cotton fabrics....most every city has a market and you will finds lots of fabric there, plus many factories have shops as well as artisans who sell their products (batik)...haven't been to india yet but i am sure there is lots of cotton available...markets again and shops, plus small department stores...<BR>jim thompson in bangkok has fabulous stuff but very expensive...we bought two pieces on our last trip to re-do our dining room chair seats and a wing chair for the living room...about $400 total....quality stuff...<BR>we recently bought cottons in myanmar as well

Bonita Feb 3rd, 2003 03:02 PM

Greetings..Between India and malayasia for textiles, I would say INDIA, without a doubt..Jaipur is a great shopping city for everything, specifically textiles and jewelry, and I have seen cotton fabircs and block-prints in every color imaginable...Silk is also readily available in INDIA, and the silk from Varansi(one of the most amazing places on earth-spirtual heartland), is prized all over India..Those two cities should definately be included on a shopping trip to India..Also, I would not overlook Bombay either...You could pick up everything ther, and what a amazing and exciting Indian city..okay..feel free to contact me for any more q's or/advice/help in your Indian tour planning..I am a American woman from NYC who lives in Delhi and knows the ins and outs of the country, and can definately help you plan your India trip..I have been everywhere as a single woman....ps...I have recently been to malaysia, but in terms of what you are talking about, i would definately go to India..Also, Thailand is a great place for shopping and textiles..That would be my second choice, followed perhaps by Vietnam, of all places.....Amazing fabics, beleive it or not..i was just there, and fabric shops are everywhere in Hanoi and Hoi an...Okay..Caio, Bonita..... [email protected]

Dolcevita Feb 3rd, 2003 04:14 PM

After scouring the markets in Jaipur for cotton fabrics for my quilting mom, I found the best selection and price in the Government shop. I've heard Delhi is really the place; I didn't have time at that point.<BR><BR>Vietnam has gorgeous silks by the metre.<BR>Thailand also has lovely fabrics; there are so many shops in Bangkok &amp; Chiang Mai.<BR><BR>Also, Wardani's in Ubud, Bali has a huge selection of cotton batiks. Denpasar markets are known to have even better selection and price.<BR><BR>Next time you're headed to Paris, there's an amazing textiles market by Place St. Pierre near Montmarte.<BR><BR>Good luck &amp; have fun!<BR><BR>

Kathie Feb 3rd, 2003 04:29 PM

Asia has so many wonderful textiles. I often buy silks in Thailand, batiks (cotton or silk) in Indonesia. Handwoven fabrics in Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos... Malaysia also has lovely batiks.

azleena Apr 22nd, 2003 11:34 PM

The best place to buy fabric/textile in Malaysia is the East Coast (Kelantan or Trengganu). Look for the fabulous 'batik' and 'songket'. Better still if you can visit the factories (mostly small). It is much expensive in souvenir shops.


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