Ewan Gardam Fabrics, 103 Adelaide St, Brisbane, Ph: (07) 3831 3944 or fax: 07 3831 3955, email: info@gardam.com.au.

When Robyn Diener and I were in Brisbane recently we took the opportunity to visit Alla Moda. This is the fabric shop, mentioned in ACTTAA’s February newsletter, that features highly priced imported dress fabrics. Well, we went, we saw, we marvelled! Which got us thinking. Where were the shops with a less expensive yet wide range of quality fabrics? A friend’s suggestion had us visiting Ewan Gardam’s Fabrics. A great variety of quality fabrics, reasonable prices and very helpful and knowledgeable staff. They’re happy to send samples of their fabrics if you specify fabric type and colour, and then they’ll send your order to you. And in a world of plastic shopping bags, their customer service stands out in that they still wrap parcels in paper tied up with string (no sticky tape!). Definitely worth a visit - Cheryl Hammond

 
Alla moda, Shop 14, Emporium, 1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, ph: (07) 3257 7263,  www.allmoda.com.au.

One of our members, Carolyn Minto, sent me some information about fabulous fabrics at a Brisbane shop called Alla Moda, so naturally I had to check it out for myself. Originally in the Wintergarden Centre on Queen Street Mall they recently moved to Emporium in Fortitude Valley (or The Valley as Brisbanites call it). Fabrics at Alla Moda are imported from Italy, UK, France, Switzerland and Spain with a few from Asia.

It's not for the faint-hearted. Nearly all the fabrics are over $100/metre. An embroidered English tulle I admired was $850/metre. The range is sumptuous confection of the beautiful and unusual in textured, beaded and lacy fabrics. Italian laser-cut fabric using a technique which cuts geometric patterns into the fabric at the same time as sealing the edges of the fabric was completely new to me.

Alla Moda is a 23-year old enterprise run by Kerrie in the shop, and Jan upstairs in the workroom with 3 women who are experienced at creating stunning individually fitted garments for clients who are not confident with sewing these fabrics or who have a "what the hell" budget for clothing.

Their website shows a selection of their fabrics but doesn't do justice to their extensive and beautiful range.

If you are interested in mail order, call to receive their Snippets brochure. - Lyn Jessup