Belraf Fabrics

This place has great prices, and really friendly staff. If you come in here and disorganize their shop, or forget common courtesy, sure, they might not be very happy with you… but you deserved it. If you polity ask for anything they are happy to help, are very patient, just don’t be an a**. Great place, will come back again!

Disclaimer: I am not in any way a clothes maker. But on a random Sunday morning, I felt the urge to try and see what I could do, so I looked up fabric stores and found this place.
I walked in, and was immediately overwhelmed by the options that they have. So many rolls of different types of fabric! Since I didn’t know what I wanted to make, have never made anything, I asked for help finding cheap fabric that I could just play with. He recommended a few cheap ones, I found a good pattern, bought some sewing needles, and thread and was on my way!
They even recommended a place I could find a woman to help teach me how to sew. Will definitely be back if I continue this hobby!

I had a great experience here this afternoon. I needed three specific things including fabric and notions, and I came away with what I needed for a very good price. As others have noted, the store is stuffed to the gills in the best old-​school-​NYC way and there’s not necessarily an obvious rhyme or reason to the organization, so it’s best to let the employees help you find what you need. But the two men I interacted with there were very friendly and helpful. They didn’t have exactly the notions I asked for, but found me reasonable substitutes that will work well.

I love to sew and live nearby so I was excited to give a local fabric store some business.
My boyfriend and I arrived a few minutes before closing. We didn’t know they were about to close or else we would have respectfully come back another day.
We were trying to move around the table heaped with fabric in the entryway and the owner yelled at us, saying something like, «You think I keep this place a mess all the time? Look at it all, do you think we always have the place like this? We’re trying to close!»
Meanwhile, my boyfriend and I hadn’t said anything about the mess so we were stunned at being yelled at without any kind of provocation. We tried to calm him down by saying, «Oh, sorry — we didn’t know you were closing» and he repeated himself by saying something like, «Well, what did you think when you saw the table?» (meaning with all the stuff heaped on).
Forget this place and its rude, crabby owner!

This place has lots of fabric packed into a small space. You must ask for assistance to find anything, but the two guys who work there helped me find what I needed. Most importantly, lower prices than the midtown fabric stores.

Been shopping at Belraf for many years. Great prices on wonderful selection of fabrics and other sewing needs. Amazing how much they fit into a relatively small space. Staff very helpful and knowledgeable. Always leave with what I’ve been searching for, whether it’s a special fabric or unusual trim.

On this beautiful 72 degree day, I walked over the Williamsburg Bridge from Brooklyn to the Lower East side to specifically head to Belraf for some leather. When I walked in, I wasn’t acknowledged or greeted, which is fine. Their store is in absolute chaos, and I had to step over bolts of fabric that were haphazardly strewn about. While the owners were busy dealing with some kind of religious exchange, I picked up a hide of leather. It was all scratched up, and deteriorating. After eyeing the table, it was clear that these pieces of leather were not well cared for. When I asked about the pricing, I literally got yelled at like I was a child. Instead of telling me the price, the male owner shouted that I was mixing up all of his leathers and I needed to stop. I stammered. I was so caught off guard. I explained that I did no such thing (mind you, there was no sense of organization to this table in the absolute slightest) and he said that he watched me do it. When I told him that wasn’t my intention, he pulled the leather I had asked him about off the pile and threw it to the other side of the table. He was dismissive, rude, and above all very angry.
There are other really great places in the neighborhood to go. Don’t ruin your sunny day at Belraf.

some girls buy shoes, i buy fabrics. just went in to «look» bought 2 yards and 2 remnents. cant wait to get out my sewing machine. so much to choose from i just wander the store

Years ago, I used to live across the street from this little store. I guess I didn’t really acknowledge it because, back then, I didn’t sew.
Now, I’m always looking for great fabrics and hardware at a great deal. So I figured I’d finally check out this little store.
I was really disappointed. It’s overwhelming. I asked about a fabric that was on a very high shelf and the guy working there didn’t seem very interested in helping me. When I cringed at the price tag for said fabric, he reaaaally didn’t seem interested in helping me.
I looked around — a lot of fabrics seemed super dated — and not necessarily in a fun, retro way. They definitely had some interesting a stuff — a table of leather right when you walk in. However, the expensive, dirty remnants from outside, the not-​great prices I was hoping for, and the attitude-​laden service I received… I didn’t give them my business that day and I probably won’t in the future. It felt like a waste of time.

Unbelievably rude. I asked to have a look at the zippers before I chose one and they acted like I was crazy. The guy asked me what I wanted a zipper for and I told him I like to keep some at home in case I need them because I make clothes. He gave me a dirty look and rolled his eyes in my face. I’ll never go there again.

I’m a regular at this store and have spent a great deal of money over the years. i was very disappointed when I bought a yard of organza home only to discover that half of it was good the other half had pulls and really bad weave distortion, my deadline for this garment was due today. It would be nice if I could trust the owner that served me to know when fabric is blatantly damaged and not workable, … Very disappointed

This place makes me feel like like I’m on a fabric version of Dale Winton’s Supermarket Sweep. Must. Buy. Everything.
Row upon row, stack upon stack, this little place has fabric squeezed into every corner and cubbyhole, of which there are many. This is no cavernous warehouse — it’s more of a bohemian delight crammed to the rafters with goodies as far as the eye can see.
The real clincher though, is the staff. They are pleasant, genuinely helpful, knowledgeable, patient and downright fun. I wandered around this little sweet box for at least an hour, chatting away, gathering swatches and advice as I went. I was never put under any pressure to buy anything, and everything I needed was located for me.
After scouring the city’s many fabric shops, I haven’t found anywhere with such a good selection at such cheap prices. Jersey fabric was $ 5/​yard here, for example, which cost on average of $ 10/​yard in most other places. They also carry a wide assortment of cottons, tulle, ribbons, buttons, trim, and anything else you could think of.
Overall, each time I’ve been in here, it’s been a genuine pleasure, and I have left with a giant smile on my face. You can’t do better than that!

So fantastic. I don’t bother with other stores anymore.
I’m a costumer and production designer so I often need large amounts of various types of fabrics and I’m always on a strict budget.
The people at Belraf are so kind. They will take their time to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Out front they have $ 1 a yard fabric deals and trims for pennies. They also have really high quality suitings and silks for higher prices, but they never overcharge.
Simply the best.

Here there are a huge selection of fabrics for a decent price. I purchase 2 pieces of leather for $ 40. The zippers were only $ 1! You can definitely try to bargain with the folks. The people working there are very friendly and are always open for help; will definitely be back for more crafty projects!

I followed the lead of the other Unilocalers and tried this place based on their recommendations and I am here to say that I must agree.
Lots to choose from, great help/​very friendly, decent prices.
This is now my first go to place when I need fabric!
Yay!

Came here to pick up some fabric to make my own pillow cases and had a hard time choosing my fabric. The owner was super friendly and didn’t judge since I’m a beginner. Very helpful. I finally came down to a decision of picking up a warm purple silky fabric for my cushion cases. I also picked up 2 zippers for them. Prices are fair and affordable.

i am coming here for all my fabric/​sewing needs form now on hands down.
The guy who helped me was SO NICE to me, and respectful to all the other customers who came in. I was making a ballerina skirt and knew nothing about sewing and timidly asked him how many yards of tulle he’d recommend, and he was very helpful and unjudgmental! GREAT DEAL on the fabrics too! Cheap, but not bad quality!
his recommendation was spot on, I had a yard left over. And they had a large selection!
I cant wait to come back. I left in such a good mood.

In searching for an alternative to the often over-​priced fabric stores of the Fashion District and my beloved P&S on lower Broadway, which isn’t open on Saturdays, I came across a number of great reviews for Belraf. Having scoured the Fashion District for suitable (and affordable) Halloween costume material, to no avail, I decided to give Belraf a try. And so it was that I found my new favorite fabric store in NYC (sorry P&S, you’ll always be dear to my heart.)
The charming, friendly shopkeeper welcomed me warmly, but let me browse in peace. Though the space is rather small, every square inch is put to use; if you feel a bit overwhelmed, just tell the staff what you are looking for, and they will immediately pull suggestions for you. The selection is quite good, and includes upholstery fabric, trims and notions. Finally, the prices are very reasonable; I found the fabric I needed for about $ 2 less per yard than a similar fabric costs in the FD.
Perhaps because it is one of the few fabric stores in the city open on Sunday, the place was hopping. The clientele is very diverse, everyone from hipsters, to little Puerto Rican grandmas, to suburban New Jerseyites, to random men looking for gold buttons. And, of course, me.
If, like me, you don’t live nearby (I live in the absolute opposite corner of Manhattan), it’s worth it to make an afternoon of it. Orchard St. is closed to automobile traffic on Sundays, and many of the local vendors bring their wares out to the street. It’s lovely to stroll around and browse the shops and galleries, and grab a bite at one of the many eateries in the area (I like the Pink Pony on Ludlow). The Tenement Museum is just down the street, and The New Museum is a few blocks west, on Bowery.
I still adore the Fashion District for trims, notions and the occasional hard-​to-​find fabric, but I’m completely sold on Belraf and its helpful, patient staff.

Cool place, good prices.
Beautiful selection, both in color and texture. They also carry thread. The staff are friendly and patient, not pushy. If you need advice they will gladly provide it. If you are a fabric novice, they will not laugh at you.
I’ve been to other fabric stores where the employees were weird or creepy (this may be a function of gender), or lacking basic language skills. Fortunately the employees here were totally decent and spoke plenty of English.
(For the record, I love other languages and accents, but I’m annoyed today because the Chinese pork bun store couldn’t understand my simple request for the outdated Arcade Fire poster in their window.)
I saw a customer use a credit card, but I didn’t ask if there was a minimum.
If you’re planning a visit, call in advance to confirm the hours. When I asked them in August 2010 they told me weekdays 10 – 530, Saturday 11 – 5 and Sunday 10 – 5.

The store is a tight fit, but there are lots of fabric types and interesting patterns.
I got a cool pink plaid -$ 8yd and an abstract purple pattern– $ 5yd and orange handled scissors for $ 3.
Most importantly, the guys in the store were very friendly and helpful. I just need fabric for random craft projects, so I decide as I look. I appreciate not feeling pressured and/​or harassed