I will be traveling to Italy and staying in Tuscany for 3 weeks in May, and I'm an avid fabric shopper - any type of fabric. I've looked on the internet for fabric shops, with no luck. Can anyone HELP????? Does anyone know of any fabric shops in Tuscany or Rome, or can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

In Rome, you could try Bassetti Tessuti.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Kari

You may want to check out some of these previous discussions in our Frequently Asked Questions forum, Italy Shopping

Another one I recall in central Rome is Casa del Tessuto.

KT, I was just looking that up while you were posting:

HERE is a link to their store in Florence.

There is another place in the Oltr'arno area but I can't find the reference to it. I will look. I had walked over there wanting to buy some fabric for my mom but no one was there at that time.

Mindy

adding link to the place I couldn't remember: Antico Setificio
Also, just realized (duh) that you didn't want stores in Florence. Oh well maybe the info will be helpful for someone else.

thanks for all the responses, and Mindy - I would love to have info about stores in Florence - it's definately close enough. thanks
kari

quote:

Originally posted by TravelKari:
thanks for all the responses, and Mindy - I would love to have info about stores in Florence - it's definately close enough. thanks
kari

Kari, the 2 places I mentioned in above post are in Florence. Just click on the links I provided.

Mindy

One of the best fabric stores is in the village of Montechiello. It is a tiny village, you won't have any trouble finding the shop. Have lunch at La Porta while you are there.

Close by in San Quirico d'Orcia is another excellent shop - on the main square - to the right of the church.

thanks so much, Bill and Patty!
Kari

Hi Bill and Patty,
I was able to easily find San Quirico d'Orcia with Google Maps, but could not find a town with the spelling "Montechiello." Could it be Monticchiello? That town is near San Quirico d'Orcia.
Thanks,
Kari

as an ex fabric junkie, are you looking for fabric for clothing or pillows, or patchwork?

Kari-

There are quite a few fabric stores in the area around Largo Argentina in Rome. If I remember correctly there is a nice one in Largo Argentina. If you stand with your back to Teatro Argentina it is directly across from you.

Kari, I think this is the one Maureen is referring to. I didn't realize that this was a fabric store, I was too busy looking at the cats For some reason I took this picture. Go figure.

.....and now I have learned a new word in Italian, tessile!

Ciao, meow

Pokey

quote:

Originally posted by Diva:
as an ex fabric junkie, are you looking for fabric for clothing or pillows, or patchwork?

Hi Cooking in Florence,
I'm looking for fabric for art quilts, of fiber arts of all sorts, so not just cotton, but almost any kind of beautiful or interesting fabric.

Thanks, Kari

quote:

Originally posted by Zerlina:
In Rome, you could try Bassetti Tessuti.

This place is absolutely, bar none the most incredible fabric store I have ever seen in my life. And I too am a fabric hound.

If you shop no place else shop here. And I don't know why the NY Times says its in this hidden place. I guess it is an affectation of the Times. They have the "inside" scoop = which is something I am heartily tired of (tell us how you REALLY feel). Well let me tell you a blind person can find this place. It is 2-3 blocks west of Feltrinelli's in the largo argentina on the main drag there.

quote:

Originally posted by maureen:
Kari-

There are quite a few fabric stores in the area around Largo Argentina in Rome. If I remember correctly there is a nice one in Largo Argentina. If you stand with your back to Teatro Argentina it is directly across from you.

Maureen it's Bassetti Testuti. And you are right it's phenomenal. It's about 2-3 blocks down from Feltrinellis. Maybe not that far.
Same side of the street.

I am so excited to see this subject. My husband and I are taking our daughter to Florence for a week on Feb. 1st and we wanted to take her to some fabric stores. She is a leather designer for Fossil. Her degree is in Fashion Design and she wants to start draping again at home. I saw the silk store on the internet and it really looks interesting. Does anyone know what you have to do to get a tour of the silk factory in Florence?

I do know of another fabric store in the San Lorenzo market with some beautiful fabrics. They have fabrics, tapestries and pillows. It is quite expensive but very high quality. I think it is on the street to the right of the church. When you are facing the church walking into the market you go down a few stores and it is behind the carts.

Can anyone tell me if it is worth it to go to Prato and buy fabric? She would also love seeing the factories etc.

Does anyone have any other ideas for fun things for her to do in Florence. She is 24 and would love to see anything to do with art. I think there was also a jewelry factory and a mosaic factory. Does anyone know about these?

Thanks
Sandy

Another great fabric store is Busatti . They specialise in linen and if you visit the Anghiari store (in Eastern Tuscany) you may be able to see the historic machines, which are still in use, operating in their downstairs factory. The fabrics are all hand finished by local women and they have revived a great tradition in the area. Check the website as they have now opened stores (many family owned and some licensed) in Florence, Assisi and other towns.

expensive but well worth it,

regards

Christine

quote:

I think this is the one Maureen is referring to.

That's the one, Pokey!

If you are interested in fabric, a trip to Prato to the Museo del Tessuto is worth it. Earlier this month I saw a really fascinating exhibit about Thayaht, who invented the tuta, overalls or coveralls I'd guess you'd call them, in the 20s.

Sandy, I think Passamaneria Toscana is the store in San Lorenzo you are thinking of. You may want to have a look at the Oltrarno section of the Comune di Firenze website. There are wonderful artisans shops in the Oltrarno, many of which list open hours for tours on the site.

Thanks Maureen,

You are right it is Passamaneria Toscana. It is a wonderful store. I have some peices from there and love them. What quality. Do you know if they have a cart in the market? I don't remember seeing one.

I am really excited about seeing the Oltrarno area of Florence. We have never toured that side of the river, but it seems there are lots of artist in that area. I have a yarn store to look at and we will just go and wonder one day.

Do you know if they have fabrics at any of the other markets. I would love to go to one of the different markets in addition to the San Lorenzo. Do you know of any good ones. My daughter will be doing some leather research. So, really different leathers would be good too.

We will definately take a train to the Museo del Tessuto which I have read is very near one of the train stations in town.

Thanks everyone for the help. Always appreciated.

Sandy

Christine,

Wow the linen factory looks great. Maybe we can take a car out for a day. My husband loves to drive in the Tuscany countryside. I have read where most of the hill towns are closed up for the cold months. Do you know if things are open in February in the hill towns. Multipulciano, Pienza, Montalcino etc.? Would also love to see the lady in Radda who has cashmere. I think she is an American.

Thanks
Sandy

quote:

Would also love to see the lady in Radda who has cashmere. I think she is an American.

Yes, that is the lovely Nora Kravis (she's from Long Island) I stopped by her place in Oct. to see the puppies and buy a few products. It is heavenly! CHIANTI CASHMERE
(it took us about 45 min. to drive there from Florence).

Pokey