Does anyone know of good places in Rome or Florence to buy Italian fabric by the yard, especially silks, wools and rayon blends? Also, does anyone know if there are customs restrictions on bringing yardage into the States?

Hi Melinda. We, too, are going to Italy in late May and June of this year and would love to bring home some yardage. I have a serger and love to make scarves, napkins, really anything...I would also like to bring different pieces home and make a quilt. If you get a reply, please e-mail me at [email protected]. Happy Sewing. <BR>

you might consider that anything by the yard will be a difficult concept in italy. they use the metric system-your talking meters here. do yourself a favor gete some conversion tables so you know how many square meter that you will need it will make the process much less frustrating and accurate

Wanting to resurrect this old post as I'm looking for fabric shops in Rome &amp; Venice.

I'm told there is one on Via Po #40 IOLANDA RUSPOLI. This is purported to house some of the most luxurious fabrics in Europe, with selections of damasks, jacquards, taffetas and printed silks.

Has anyone visited this store or others and can recommend? The fabric would not be used for clothing but for interior decorating purposes.

Thanks.

In Venice, Rubelli, a top Italian interior-decorating fabric manufacturer, has a store at Campo San Gallo, San Marco 1089.

At Campo San Maurizio, San Marco 2666, V. Trois sells furnishing fabrics to original designs by Fortuny. Over ten years ago, a cotton fabric cost over $ 200. a meter.

Also, try the markets. I don't guess they get many tourists shopping there for fabric. They are willing to bargain depending on how many meters you are going to buy. Plus, you can get really nice trims, tassels, etc.

You could also ask the people at the hotel, surely one of them has a Nona that still sews everything and will know all the names of the good shops.

I bought a ton of fabric when we lived in Sicily at the markets and had lots of drapes, etc. made.

Great info, thanks.

Our apartment in Venice will be in Campo San Maurizo so it will be quite nice (and tempting) to be be such a great shop. But that pricing........OUCH!

One of the trade offs with apartment stays is there is no Hotel staff to ask about such things, however, I'll do so with the management.

Thanks again....any others?

There is a gorgeous store in Florence--Volmar, that has all the embellishments (tassels and the like). You may want to try here. Here's another list from the mini-guides for Florence. http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...ull&amp;pg=9st off the

delvino, your apt. must be feet away from where we stayed at Novecento. We had to cross the camp to get to a tiny alleyway to the hotel. From that area to to San Marco you will find several lush fabric stores. I knew they were too rich for my wallet just by looking.

Sandi,

Oh boy, I've been thinking of purchasing a new/larger stow away bag (the kind that fold up small but can be expanded into a large carryon.

My current one has seen better days and its a bit small for carrying volumes of luxurious fabrics (plus all the other goodies).

A meter is just a couple of inches longer than a yard.

Oh boy! Two favorite things that I love to do when I travel:
1. get my hair cut and
2. buy fabric, lots and lots of fabric and assessories.
I carry a tape measure in inches, and buy what I love. I have never been stopped by customs, but your suitcase gets pretty heavy carrying all those fabrics. I hardly even sew, but Oh boy, do I love the european fabrics. Have fun and happy fabric shopping.

Delvino and RSG, in Venice I went to Bevilacqua, one of the most famous fabric mills in Venice if not the world. I think in addition to the lovely shop I went to(which is in Santa Croce, sorry I can't remember exactly where) they also have a factory. You will think you have died and gone to heaven. Tapestry, brocade, tassels etc. They also have wonderful ready made throw pillows and exquisite sachets made of their fabric and trim.

Venetia Studium on Calle Larga XXII Marzo, near the church of San Moise is another place that carries Fortuny type fabric and lamps. http://www.venetiastudium.com/

readysetgo, if you don't sew then what do you do with all that expensive fabric?

I stock pile it. Just kidding, sort of... I sew a little, pillows, simple curtains, bed coverings, anything in a straight line, then I'm your gal.

hey cool....where do you live? I could sure &quot;use&quot; a person like you.

Wow,

Great info,

Thank you all for specifics. I'm debating on a day trip to Florence, so the Florence shop is good to know as well.

McClaurie, thanks for the info about the factory. Now I'll be on the hunt for it.

I apologize for taking so long to post back. It is rare that I can do so during my work day so I sneak it in prior to work, and if I've the energy at night I may get some in. The trip is coming up fast and I organized my paperwork (i.e. confirmations, tickets, etc.) this weekend, and I've been marking locations for Rome. Now I need to focus on the Venice map.

Thank you all so much.