I went to Malden Mills and it was good.
Thomas Farrell
Paulo Ruffino and I took time out of our frantic sewing schedules to go to
the Malden Mills factory outlet in Lawrence, MA this past thursday.
As most of you know, Malden Mills is the home of Polartec, and their
Lawrence facility is their primary (only?) manufacturing location.
They've just officially reopened a completely new mill after recovering
from a fire which gutted much of their manufacturing line.
We got a little lost trying to find the factory outlet - I'm pretty sure
they've moved it from one of their buildings to another, because I thought
I knew where it was and the place we found it is definitely nowhere near
where I thought it was. Anyway we eventually stopped and asked for
directions and discovered we were almost there, so it wasn't much of a big
deal. (I tell you this because if you have been there before and are
going again you might want to call ahead and verify your directions.)
The parking arrangements are unclear - we're not sure if we parked in the
appropriate place or if we were in an employees-only parking lot, but
there were no signs saying we couldn't and we didn't get in trouble so I
suppose it was probably OK. You may want to call ahead and ask about
parking if you're planning to visit.
The outlet store is one large room in the mill. The fabrics are on large
rolls. There's a price list by the door, some rolls are marked with a
specific price, and each rack of rolls is labeled with what it is and
what it costs per yard.
The selection is much greater than I had expected. Polartec, as many of us
know, comes in several weights. But did you know that it comes in a
special "climate control" version that's supposed to wick moisture away
from the body while keeping you warm? Or a "windblock" version which is
sorta like two layers of thin polartec doubled with a sheet of plastic (or
similarly airtight substance anyway) in between, different colors on
opposite sides? There was also lots of four way stretch lycra.
The store carries the books "Polar Fleece Pizzaz" and "More Polar Fleece
Pizzaz", which I didn't get thrilled by (they did have one hat I rather
liked, but I think I already have a pattern for that), and a number of
standard patterns designed for polar fleece. My friends thought this was
great and bought a number of such things. I'm sure I would have found it
equally convenient if I didn't happen to have a number of polar fleece
patterns at home.
Some prices were just OK. Regular polartec in its various weights was
generally in the $10/yard price range, plus or minus $0.50 or so per
yard. The windblock polartec was like $25 a yard, which seems expensive
but then I suppose there's nothing else quite like it, so it's hard to
complain. Other prices were shockingly good. A friend who was with us
bought five yards of black four way stretch lycra crushed short pile
velvet for only $2 a yard! I saw a variety of other knits at the same price.
The polartec, however, was what I was there for. I didn't have any problem
finding something I liked... I had a problem deciding between several
dozen varieties I liked! There were prints in subdued or bold colors, and
solids in every imaginable color from black to day-glo orange. Then I
found it: bright purple polartec 200 with a fleur-de-lis (sp?) pattern in
a 45 degree bias grid cut subtly into the pile! You glance quickly and
it's just purple. You look for a moment and you see the pattern. It's just
*gorgeous*. I saw another there that was navy blue with a very large
pattern of leaves done the same way... smashing. Anyway, I got a little
of the purple stuff (there was only 3/4 yard of that left, although there
was plenty in a less bright purple) and enough of a matching purple
(without the ingrained design) to make up a pullover.
Then we also found several rolls of polartec which I think was made up
to look (quite convincingly) like heavy wool coat fabric, in black or
grey. It's *gorgeous* - it looks just like wool from even two feet away,
but it's luxuriously soft to the touch. I bought three yards, I want to
make a jacket out of it.
My companions of the day and I all made our purchases with glee, and
returned to Boston to fondle our fabrics.
Tom
--
Tom Farrell - http://www.skepsis.com/~tfarrell/
Mount Wilson Observatory - http://www.mtwilson.edu/
Learn how to knit - http://www.skepsis.com/~tfarrell/textiles/knit/
"I am not responsible for your interpretation. All I know is food." - FJ!!
patti-v
Thanks for sharing your trip with us Tom. Sure wish I could get to
MA to check out Malden Mills. The most I can expect to do though is
to go to the mill store in North Carolina on one of my trips from
Florida to New Jersey to see my family. My grandkids would love
jackets made from Polartec. As usual, your input is enjoyable.
patti-v
On 28 Sep 1997 23:09:58 -0400, tfar...@lynx.dac.neu.edu (Thomas
Penny Schwyn
--
Thomas Farrell <tfar...@lynx.dac.neu.edu> wrote in article
<60n666$n...@lynx.dac.neu.edu>...
> Paulo Ruffino and I took time out of our frantic sewing schedules to go
to
> the Malden Mills factory outlet in Lawrence, MA this past thursday.
Tom, cut it out, you are making me drool......
Penny
Lovena Harwood
Thomas Farrell wrote:
> Paulo Ruffino and I took time out of our frantic sewing schedules to go
> to
> the Malden Mills factory outlet in Lawrence, MA this past thursday.
Good for you! I love the place! :)
> As most of you know, Malden Mills is the home of Polartec, and their
> Lawrence facility is their primary (only?) manufacturing location.
> They've just officially reopened a completely new mill after recovering
> from a fire which gutted much of their manufacturing line.
>
> We got a little lost trying to find the factory outlet - I'm pretty sure
> they've moved it from one of their buildings to another, because I
> thought
> I knew where it was and the place we found it is definitely nowhere near
> where I thought it was. Anyway we eventually stopped and asked for
> directions and discovered we were almost there, so it wasn't much of a
> big
> deal. (I tell you this because if you have been there before and are
> going again you might want to call ahead and verify your directions.)
The address for the outlet is 600 Broadway, Lawrence, MA. The "green door'
for the outlet store faces the street with the address in gold over the
door.
> The parking arrangements are unclear - we're not sure if we parked in the
>
> appropriate place or if we were in an employees-only parking lot, but
> there were no signs saying we couldn't and we didn't get in trouble so I
> suppose it was probably OK. You may want to call ahead and ask about
> parking if you're planning to visit.
There is a parking lot directly across from the entrance of the outlet
store, but this is for employees and there is a guard there to direct
public to parking just up the street. You can also park along the street.
> The outlet store is one large room in the mill. The fabrics are on large
> rolls. There's a price list by the door, some rolls are marked with a
> specific price, and each rack of rolls is labeled with what it is and
> what it costs per yard.
The fabric is also grouped by types....100 & 200 series along one wall,
Shearling & 300 series along another, prints on another wall, windbloc and
stretch on another. And don't forget the boxes of scraps for sale! $2 for
solid and $3.50 for printed scraps in different sizes. They also carry the
lycra binding used for the edges on jackets and collars etc. I was just
there yesterday and they have more colors in.
> The selection is much greater than I had expected. Polartec, as many of
> us
> know, comes in several weights. But did you know that it comes in a
> special "climate control" version that's supposed to wick moisture away
> from the body while keeping you warm? Or a "windblock" version which is
> sorta like two layers of thin polartec doubled with a sheet of plastic
> (or
> similarly airtight substance anyway) in between, different colors on
> opposite sides? There was also lots of four way stretch lycra.
YES!!! I love this stuff! Easy to sew...made my husband a golfing jacket
which keeps him dry and warm as gortex!
> The store carries the books "Polar Fleece Pizzaz" and "More Polar Fleece
> Pizzaz"
I love the tips in this book!
> Some prices were just OK. Regular polartec in its various weights was
> generally in the $10/yard price range, plus or minus $0.50 or so per
> yard. The windblock polartec was like $25 a yard, which seems expensive
There are also different price list. One for purchasing 1-199 yards. The
other for 200+ yards.
> but then I suppose there's nothing else quite like it, so it's hard to
> complain.
Exactly! Especially considering what the already-made windbloc jackets
costs!
> Other prices were shockingly good. A friend who was with us
> bought five yards of black four way stretch lycra crushed short pile
> velvet for only $2 a yard! I saw a variety of other knits at the same
> price.
>
> The polartec, however, was what I was there for. I didn't have any
> problem
> finding something I liked... I had a problem deciding between several
> dozen varieties I liked!
Hehehe......I'm in big trouble if I go there without my 'list'.
Lovena
Thomas Farrell
In article <01bcccf3$0e1afc20$2787...@pschwyn.nextdim.com>,
Penny Schwyn <psc...@nextdim.com> wrote:
>
>Thomas Farrell <tfar...@lynx.dac.neu.edu> wrote in article
><60n666$n...@lynx.dac.neu.edu>...
>> the Malden Mills factory outlet in Lawrence, MA this past thursday.
>
It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it.
Tom, wondering how many yards of polartec will be purchased
because of his posting, and if he could talk Malden Mills
into giving him a royalty. :)
JoAnne Jenkins
patti-v wrote:
>
> Thanks for sharing your trip with us Tom. Sure wish I could get to
> MA to check out Malden Mills. The most I can expect to do though is
> to go to the mill store in North Carolina on one of my trips from
> Florida to New Jersey to see my family. My grandkids would love
> jackets made from Polartec. As usual, your input is enjoyable.
> patti-v
>
JoAnne
BA Balfour
Do they sell any of their upholstery fabric in the outlet store?
Barbara
patti-v
JoAnne:
The mill outlet for Malden Mills is in High Point, North Carolina, but
do not know the exact address
LorenaJ
In article <34317B...@InfoAve.net>, JoAnne Jenkins
<joan...@InfoAve.net> writes:
>Where is this mill store in North Carolina? That's where I live!
The Outlet store is in High Point @ 400 Mandustry St. High Point, NC 27262
(910) 882-0173. They will also do mail order, no minimum and a $5 charge
plus S&h.
>Do they sell any of their upholstery fabric in the outlet store?
Yes, they do at the one in High Point NC. They have several different
styles and prints to choose from. I believe that it was only $10 per yd
last time I checked. Very nice material too. They also sell the "fill"
stuff, to stuff pillows with.
Lorena
Thomas Farrell
In article <19971001023...@ladder01.news.aol.com>,
BA Balfour <baba...@aol.com> wrote:
>Do they sell any of their upholstery fabric in the outlet store?
Yes, there was a large area full of it. It's miniscule compared to the
space taken up by Polartec, but much more upholstery than some fabric
stores I've seen carry.
Tom
Owned-by-cats
Thomas Farrell wrote:
>
> Paulo Ruffino and I took time out of our frantic sewing schedules to go to
> the Malden Mills factory outlet in Lawrence, MA this past thursday.
<snip>
Oh Tom, I am sooo green with envy!! Lucky you!!
Alicia
wondering can she talk BF into driving to MA from NC without having to
confess the purpose of the trip...
"Well-behaved women rarely make history." Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
"Tattooed opinionated soapmaking amazon women RULE!!!"
Lisa Kuney
Pat Wilson
Owned-by-cats wrote:
> Alicia
> wondering can she talk BF into driving to MA from NC without having to
> confess the purpose of the trip...
Alicia,
Just wait till college basketball season starts and tell him you've
been dying to see Duke or UNC play ...
Pat
Lorraine Kaplan
Hi.
I went to the Malden Mills outlet in Lawrence yesterday. I got there right
when it opened (at 10:00 am) and it was very civilized and uncrowded, unlike
my visit last year, which was closer to Christmas. The big attraction for
many of the people there were the boxes of remnants. $2.00 for solids, and
I'm not sure of the prices for prints, maybe $3.50. People reminded me a bit
of crows (not vultures!) digging into the boxes. I can elbow with the best of
them, but I was not up for that. I bought materials from the bolts. I spent
$60 and this is what got:
3 yds of microfleece ($7.85 per yard) for leggings, and some kind of top
(making my own long underwear!), and also for pockets, linings, etc.; 1 yard
each of patterned polartec 200 ($12 something per yard) for mittens, etc., 1/2
yard navy/jade windbloc ($19 something per yard)for me for gloves and hat;
and a 1/2 yard remnant of a solid mauve.
I think I will probably head back soon for some of the solid remnants - I
think if you know what you are doing, you can really do well with those.
I assume as it gets closer to Christmas, the crowds will increase, but it was
a lot of fun, and not overwhelming.
Lorraine Kaplan
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Lorraine E. Kaplan
Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law Studies
Boston University School of Law
765 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
phone: 617/353-3023
fax: 617/353-2444
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bobby or Judy Haley
All this talk of the wonderful Malden Mills outlets makes me drool. Big
problem though---I live in Texas. Do they have any kind of mail order?
Of course, due to our weather I would be more interested in the lighter
weight fabrics. It's still 90 degrees today. We'll probably start to
get cool weather by the end of the month. Our winter won't really start
until after Christmas. That gives me time to get a project finished.
Dori & Bill Nanry
Brother PE Scanner II.
(almost new)
You can draw/scan/sew on Embroidery machines by
Brother, Baby Lock or Bernina.
$1500 new, only $650.00
Blessings, Dori Nanry
na...@erols.com
Brenda Barras
Help!
I'm a travel agent. I bought softwear(Dress Shop ) that I knew nothing
about, where you put in measurements and never have to buy patterns again.
Since I'm a stinker to fit, sounded worthwhile,cause I'm a kinda beginning
sewer and cannot alter patterns worth a poop.. Bottom line, I called to
praise them and ending up possibly handling their seminars nationwide. (as
long as I do a good job)..
Question. After the weekend seminars (or maybe during?) I am trying to find
REALLY special fabric shops, or anything sewing related in the following
cities. It may be important that they are open on weekends, don't really
know yet.
The seminars will be all times of the year,approx 2 a month.
The cities are, (subject to change to nearby areas)
Orlando,Philadelphia,Anaheim,Dallas-Houston-or San Antonio, Memphis or
Knoxville, Denver area, Baltimore,San Francisco, and somewhere south of
Toronto. If you know of any special places in these areas, please let me
know. Nothing in the Cloth World, Hancock category. Or sewing related
places,(museums, vintage clothing, etc?).Open for ideas.
All help is appreciated. Please give me exact location and phone number if
you have it.
Thanks,
bba...@pdq.net
Thomas Farrell <tfar...@lynx.dac.neu.edu> wrote in article
<610v37$5...@lynx.dac.neu.edu>...
Debbi Conlon
> Where is this mill store in North Carolina? That's where I live!
>
> JoAnne
>
The North Carolina store is located in High Point, NC. Sometime ago,
someone else posted the following information:
Malden Mills
400 Mandustry St.
High Point, NC (910)882-0173 fax (910)889-4313
I called the store today to get directions. I'm going on Monday and can't
wait to see what they have available. They're only open M-F 10am - 4pm.,
and sometimes, 2 Saturdays a month (10a - 2p). I was told it varied from
month to month and that they had a newsletter that was sent out with those
dates. The date for this month is Oct. 25. (Don't know that the "football
game" excuse will work too well.)
Debbi
(a big DUKE fan)
red-nancy
What about Washington DC area? That would be really neat as we have
fabulous fabric shops here.
--
Nancy
email: red-...@erols.com
(pertains to my hair color...not political consideration)
Brenda Barras <bba...@pdq.net> wrote in article
<01bcd378$365afc40$19ca8ed0@default>...
> snip<
>
> The [Dress Shop]seminars will be all times of the year,approx 2 a month.
c and r chan
Brenda Barras wrote:
>
> Help!
>
> I'm a travel agent. I bought softwear(Dress Shop ) that I knew nothing
> about, where you put in measurements and never have to buy patterns again.
> Since I'm a stinker to fit, sounded worthwhile,cause I'm a kinda beginning
> sewer and cannot alter patterns worth a poop.. Bottom line, I called to
> praise them and ending up possibly handling their seminars nationwide. (as
> long as I do a good job)..
>
> Question. After the weekend seminars (or maybe during?) I am trying to find
> REALLY special fabric shops, or anything sewing related in the following
> cities. It may be important that they are open on weekends, don't really
> know yet.
>
>
> The cities are, (subject to change to nearby areas)
> Orlando,Philadelphia,Anaheim,Dallas-Houston-or San Antonio, Memphis or
> Knoxville, Denver area, Baltimore,San Francisco, and somewhere south of
> know. Nothing in the Cloth World, Hancock category. Or sewing related
> places,(museums, vintage clothing, etc?).Open for ideas.
>
> All help is appreciated. Please give me exact location and phone number if
> you have it.
>
> Thanks,
> bba...@pdq.net
There's a great fabric store in Baltimore called A Fabric Place. They
have a whole room full of woolens and cashmeres at prices from $15/yard
on UP. I also saw beautiful eveningwear fabrics, including silks,
embroidered laces, etc. The prices are comparable to what you would find
in other local stores. What really caught my eye were the buttons. All
the buttons are loose, not on cards, and range from $0.50 each on up.
Really unusual buttons, some hand made. Here's the address:
A Fabric Place
6324 Falls Road
Baltimore, MD (sorry I don't have the zip)
(410) 828-6777
--
Claudie
To e-mail me, remove REMOVE.THIS from my address
Sleeping under a pile of housecats...
Carol Morgan
WHERE in NC???????
Carol (in SC)
Robin Hart
They would open one in Tupelo after I move from MS. GRRRRRRRRRR!
--
Robin
Tmagliolo
In article <61hcdv$3...@sjx-ixn7.ix.netcom.com>,
sign...@ix.netcom.com(Carol Morgan) writes:
Or....you might try looking west to Tupelo, Ms where Malden has a small
outlet that's building up to a good retail operation. About 40 types of of
Tec on hand.
Windbloc at $19.95. 300# $9.78. I placed a long post today on
sergi...@quiltropolis.com.
No affiliation.
GAIL GERLOFF
Brenda Barras <bba...@pdq.net> wrote in article
<01bcd378$365afc40$19ca8ed0@default>...
> Help!
>
> I'm a travel agent. I bought softwear(Dress Shop ) that I knew nothing
> about, where you put in measurements and never have to buy patterns
again.
> Since I'm a stinker to fit, sounded worthwhile,cause I'm a kinda
beginning
> sewer and cannot alter patterns worth a poop.. Bottom line, I called to
> praise them
I'd like to hear more about this Dress Shop software...do they have a web
page?
LorenaJ
In article <19971010221...@ladder02.news.aol.com>,
tmag...@aol.com (Tmagliolo) writes:
The Outlet in NC is @
Malden Mills Outlet Store
400 Mandustry St
High Point, NC 27262
(910) 882-0173
Call and they can give you directions. Pretty easy to find.
Lorena
Robin Hart
I dont have an Arlington phone book (Dallas area) but there are a couple of
places in Arlington that are do not miss. One is the sewing machine museum
and the other is Gardners Ribbons and Lace (phone 817-640-1436). There are
several places in Dallas that are great if you are a bargain shopper. But I
do not know names, only the street where they are located. If you want more
info and are coming to Dallas, let me know.
--
Robin
Jean Mahavier
>Robin Hart wrote in message <61o59g$h...@dns.okc>...
>>I dont have an Arlington phone book (Dallas area) but there are a couple of
>>places in Arlington that are do not miss. One is the sewing machine museum
>>and the other is Gardners Ribbons and Lace (phone 817-640-1436). There are
don't know what Denton is like now, but a few years ago it was a great
place to fabric shop. Probably has changed, but try contacting the
chamber of commerce there. I used to shop a neat place right downtown
that sold all kinds of trims and findinga by the yard.
Robin Hart
What is findinga? I am brain dead at the moment and cannot figure out that
one!
--
Robin
Jean Mahavier wrote
Jean Mahavier
>Jean Mahavier wrote
>I used to shop a neat place right downtown in Denton, Texas
>> that sold all kinds of trims and findinga by the yard.
My finger slipped, I meant "findings". Foldover braid, for example.
I hate those little packages.