What you need to know before shopping at Melanated Fabrics

Yes, honey! It’s time for another fabric haul, and this time it’s to Melanated Fabrics in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta is my hometown, and up until now, my fabric hauls included the same 2-3 stores. And no shade to the owners of those shops, but Melanated Fabrics, which opened in late July of this year, is, to my knowledge, the only black-owned fabric store in Atlanta. The store is owned by Mimi Ford of Mimi G Style Lifestyle Blog and sewing vlogger/blogger Brittany J. Jones.  

Fabric Store Location

The store is located off Memorial Drive and Chester Drive in Reynolds Town near the Beltway. If you are like me and grew up in Atlanta, Memorial Drive maybe wasn’t the place you would hang out and buy fabric 20 years ago. But, I’m sure by design, this area is re-gentrified and absolutely unrecognizable from its pre-Beltway/Ponce City Market days.  

Parking and Logistics @ Melanated Fabrics

First, let’s understand that this place is easy to drive past. You will likely go past it and have to double back. It’s ok. The excitement plus the GPS delay will make you pass it, and you’ll end up at  Grindhouse Killer Burgers, which we ate at, or if you are coming from the other direction–Publix. Parking is tight and limited in the establishment’s lot. Melanated Fabrics is tucked in between a residential area. Your car may be towed if you park in an undesignated spot. We parked at Publix and walked the short block back to the shop. Alternatively, you can get a pass from one of the shop owners or clerks. I found this out afterward.

My Experience @ Melanated Fabrics

I visited the store the day after Thanksgiving, and Brittany was there. During my brief visit, I saw many brown sewists and creatives in and out of the store. Brittany, however, was the highlight of my shopping experience. As I shopped and touched the fabric, I observed her taking photos with customers (for their memory books or Instagram), doling out pleasantries, and just being the all-around rockstar that she is.

Yes, ya’ll, she really is that sweet in real life. Sometimes, when we meet creatives that we admire from afar, we are disappointed at what we see up close and personal. The Instagram photos hide the nastiness underneath, but this is certainly not the case with Brittany or Melanated Fabrics. I don’t know Mimi personally, but I met her at a conference once in Los Angeles. I can definitely see how these two make a dynamic business team.

Store Features & Highlights

The shop is split leveled with fabrics on the main level and a teaching studio for Sew It Academy underneath.

Fabrics, organized by type, line the brick-exposed pseudo-warehouse, uptown, studio-decorated shop. Lined from wall to wall with rich mahogany floors, my first impression was that it was hip, chic, and modern before I ever touched the fabrics. 

Two cut tables are available in the middle of the studio when your selections have been made. Brittany personally cut my fabrics and made small talk like an actual human. I was most impressed with her genuineness and ability to cut, chat, and smile through a mask; she was brilliant.

Another unique feature of the shop is the lounge area. When I walked in, two ladies were chatting it up to each other and Brittany as she bustled around the store. I was trying to figure out if they were shopping, hanging out, taking a break from life, or just what, but they were there. Eventually, they left, but I think the chairs promote a casual social space you don’t get in sizeable commercial fabric stores. Big chains are not exactly encouraging you to chat it up unless you are at the pattern table surfing the pattern book. Can you imagine the old Hancock Fabrics with a lounge area for us to talk? Or today, Joann Fabrics with a kickback space?  

Another unique feature of the shop is the lounge area. When I walked in, two ladies were chatting it up to each other and Brittany as she bustled around the store. I was trying to figure out if they were shopping, hanging out, taking a break from life, or just what, but they were there. Eventually, they left, but I think the chairs promote a casual social space you don’t get in sizeable commercial fabric stores. Big chains are not exactly encouraging you to chat it up unless you are at the pattern table surfing the pattern book. Can you imagine the old Hancock Fabrics with a lounge area for us to talk? Or today, Joann Fabrics with a kickback space?  

Fabric Selection

The selection of fabrics is small but inclusive, high quality, and well-curated. I’ve traveled worldwide–including Paris, London, and Spain– searching for lavish fabrics and often am mortified by the selection and lack of quality. 

There is definitely something here for everyone in terms of color, style, and preference; there is even a men’s section. My husband found a few fabrics in that section.

As a sewist, variety is essential, but I think the real gain here for me was that even though I can travel to the brick-and-mortar Atlanta shop, I’m much more likely to shop Melanated Fabrics online now because I’ve been there in person. I will likely become a dedicated online shopper of their fabrics after experiencing the quality firsthand.   

There is a display rack near the checkout area with a limited selection of patterns. You aren’t shopping for sewing patterns here. The big four company has fairly predictable sales cycles between $0.99 and $5.99 at large commercial stores if you want patterns at low cost. There were some independent pattern makers’ patterns, so if you have a hard time finding them, you may find them here.  

Furthermore, my shopping experience was so unique that I had a hard time shopping at my other two traditional stops; Brittany and Mimi were not there. The fabric quality paled in comparison, especially for prints. Click here to see all the fabrics purchased from my first Melanated Fabrics haul. 

Have you been to Melanated Fabrics? I would love to hear about your experience.