Korean Job Discussion Forums

[driftingfocus]

Does anyone on this list here sew while in Korea, and if so, how hard is it to find more natural fabrics like linen, etc, that aren't totally full of nylon/polyester, etc?

[Traveller]

I haven't attemted anything yet, however I did see tons of fabric in Dongdaemun in Seoul.

[fibergirl]

There is tons of fabric at Dongdaemun. I normally don't go looking for anything special and have found some great stuff. However I am fairly certain that most of it is polyester or a blend of some kind. Although last time I was there I walked by one place that was selling linen or linen blends. I didn't need any so I didn't make of note of where it was. I think if you speak Korean or at least make sure you have the kinds of fabric written down in Korean when you go you would be able to find stuff. I am pretty bad at Korean and always forget to bring my notes with me when I go shopping there.

[driftingfocus]

[Lizoid]

Dongdaemun Stn (line 1 or 4) exit 9 will take you to a car park just outside the fabric markets.

It's probably worth grabbing a map/brochure from the ground floor info office before you start because once you're in the building it's really easy to get disorientated! There are 5 floors and 3 buildings and stalls are labelled with a building (A,B or C) and a vendor number. So C4028 is in C building on the fourth floor and stall number 28.

The good news is there's loads of stuff there, the bad news is that a good deal of it is ugly!!

Vendors almost always have free swatch books with a business card so you should always grab one if you see something you like - trust me, you'll never be able to find them again without the stall number written on the business card. It's also handy for checking fabrics you think you like back at home and in natural light (it's all fluro light in the market)

Don't forget that it's closed on Sunday. It says it's open 8-6 the other days but I've been a few times on Saturday and lots of vendors shut up around lunchtime so it's best to go earlier.

ok so I got some great 100% wool for work pants on the 4th floor, shop 30 (it doesn't say what building but her phone number is 011 213 6129)
It was 5,000 a yard and the fabric was 60inches (150cm) wide.

Also got some fine black wool from Dongcheon Textile A4188.

There's a seller called ezcom who only sells linens and cottons (and blends of the two) in a range of weights and colors. A4196

I found zips and silver pants/skirt hooks in the basement floor (really cheap!) and you can also get cheap Korean/Chinese cotton and rulers, pins, fabric scissors etc here too. I personally prefer the German polyester thread from the 5th floor (patchwork type shops). It's about 2,500 a reel.

The 5th floor is worth a look anyway - lots of weird craft stuff but also cheap beads and earrings. I've taken non-sewers there and they loved it.

Hope this helps!

[driftingfocus]