Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lindsay316]

Hi, sorry if this question has been answered elsewhere, but I was hoping to get some advice about where to find fabric. I know about Dongdaemun and Gwangjang, but they're a little extreme for what I need. I'm making a stuffed animal for a friend for Christmas, so I need a very small amount of a bunch of different colors of soft (fleece or plush) fabric. As huge as those markets are, I've found very little in the way of fabric that would make a good stuffed animal, and then the vendors wanted to sell at least a yard of it for about 20,000 won. I definitely don't need a yard of any color, and if I bought a yard of every color I need, I would be spending over 100,000 won to make a stuffed animal. Sooooo, any ideas?

I live close to Gangnam, just in case you know of any small shops in that general area.

[fermentation]

Have you tried Daiso? It's a chain of stores that sell various supplies. Or try looking for an art supply store.

[lindsay316]

I've been to Daiso quite a bit, and I've never seen fabric there. I know different locations carry different things, so if anyone's seen a fabric-carrying Daiso, let me know.

The only arts supply stores I've seen are those Dream Depots that sell paints, model kits, fancy drawing pens, etc. No sewing supplies whatsoever that I've found. I would really love it if I could find an arts supply store akin to Michael's here, but I don't think it exists.

I've heard about this place called Alpha Stationary, but I don't know if they sell fabric of any kind or where to find one. Any tips?

[laynamarya]

I haven't seen fabric at Alpha.

I have seen felt and yarn at tiny, independent stationary stores, but it's pretty low-quality.

Good luck! Maybe there is some place in Dongdaemun that sells just scraps...

[Lynns]

Have you been up to the top level at Dongdaemun? (I think it's 6th floor...whichever is the top floor). Most of Dongdaemun is bolts of fabric, but the top floor is all kinds of craft supplies. I know they sell some quilting cotton up there. It might be worth looking for fleece there.

If not, I think Gwangjang Market is good for small quantities. The vendors there are more desperate for sales. They sell remainders and are often willing to cut them to order. I've never noticed much fleece there, though.

[lindsay316]

Thanks for the responses! I'll have to check Dongdaemun and Gwangjang again. They're just so big and difficult to navigate. I was at Gwangjang earlier in the week, and I could only find the stores that sell hanbok and Korean silk. I knew there was more than that, but it's a crazy maze there. Anyway, I'll look again. Just wanted to see if there were some easier options. I guess now I know!

[Underwaterbob]

A lot of the fabric stores will have their trimmings lying around that you can pick up for dirt cheap.

[faeriehazel]

At Dongdaemun Market, don't bother going into the buildings. There are a bunch of shops on the first floor that sell fabric in little packs. Look around the first floor entrances.