This Giant Minnesota Fabric Store Feels Like A Crafter’s Paradise (And It Totally Is)
Bolts of fabric fill a 30,000 square foot warehouse, and the aisles seem to go on forever. Some shoppers call it the Costco of fabric.
How does a place like that stay this affordable? Regular-priced fabrics sell at half off every single day.
The same family has run it since 1966, with the second and third generations still in charge. That kind of loyalty means a lot in Minnesota.
Quilters, dressmakers, and home decorators all find something to love here. Silk, fleece, quilting cotton, and upholstery fabric share the shelves.
Could you walk out with just one project in mind? I doubt I could, and I would bring a long list anyway.
So where is this fabric wonderland, and what makes it a Minnesota favorite for so many crafters?
A Warehouse Big Enough To Get Lost In
SR Harris Fabric is a 30,000 square foot warehouse, and it is known as the largest fabric shop in the Upper Midwest. The store has been in its current warehouse location for 40 years.
That is plenty of time to fill a lot of shelves.
People describe it with fun comparisons. Some call it Costco, but fabric.
Others call it a sewer’s Disneyland.
Both labels make sense once you picture the size. Aisles stretch on, and bolts line the shelves in every direction.
Because the space is so large, a plan helps. Know what you plan to make before you go.
Think about your color palette, too.
Give yourself plenty of time, since a quick stop is nearly impossible here. Wear comfortable shoes and skip any appointments afterward.
Minnesota crafters have a true landmark in this building. It is also a great place to just wander and let ideas pop up.
Even a person with no project can leave with fresh inspiration and a new hobby in mind.
A Family Story That Started In 1966
Sid Harris founded this business in 1966, and the Harris family still runs it. Today the second and third generations carry on the work.
Few stores can say that.
The shop is officially called SR Harris Fabric, and many people also call it SR Harris Fabric Outlet. Its home is at 8865 Zealand Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445.
The location has been a warehouse for four decades.
Family ownership gives the place a steady feel. The business has grown from its early days into a Minnesota favorite for sewing fans.
If you plan a visit, check the hours first. The store opens at 10 AM Monday through Saturday and closes at 6 PM.
Sunday hours run from noon to 5 PM.
It closes on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. A few other holidays have shorter hours, such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, New Year’s Day, and Labor Day.
Half Off Is The Everyday Deal
Here’s a price tag trick that makes shoppers smile. Regular-priced fabrics at SR Harris are offered at 50 percent off all the time.
The price printed on the bolt is not the final number.
There are a few exceptions. The discount does not apply to notions, trims, leather, or accessories.
Items that are already marked down as featured deals are also left out.
The store carries thousands of designer fabrics. Many are deadstock or promotional textiles, which is how the savings happen.
That sourcing also means the inventory keeps changing. Close-out materials come straight from manufacturers and importers.
When a fabric sells out, it may not return.
So if a bolt grabs your eye, think about grabbing it. Check that enough yardage is left for your project first.
A quick count can save a long search later, especially for bigger home projects.
Fashion Fabrics From Silk To Fleece
Dressmakers will find plenty to love in the fashion section. The list of fabric types is long and surprisingly specific.
Silk comes in chiffon, satin, dupioni, taffeta, and velvet.
Cotton shows up as twill, denim, knit, voile, and velvet. Wool options include coating, suiting, and knit.
Polyester covers chiffon, organza, satin, taffeta, and poplin.
Cold-weather sewers have choices too. Fleece comes in patterned and solid anti-pill styles, plus Polartec.
Outerwear fabrics are also on the shelves.
Need something with stretch? Lycra options include powerstretch, dancewear, swimwear, and activewear types.
Lace, rayon, and both faux and real furs round things out.
With this much variety, a pattern in hand helps a lot. Check the fabric requirements on the envelope before shopping.
Then you can match fiber and yardage with confidence, and maybe pick up a surprise fabric for a second project.
Quilters Get A Whole Cotton Kingdom
Quilting cotton fans, take note. SR Harris advertises the largest selection of quilting cottons in Minnesota.
Thousands of 100 percent cotton solids and prints are part of the mix.
The categories read like a quilter’s wish list. Look for juvenile prints, white on white, tone on tone, and blenders.
Holiday themes, panels, nature scenes, geometrics, and florals are all there.
Minky, flannels, genuine Indonesian Batik, and Pima cottons are available as well. Well-known brands include Timeless Treasures, Marcus, Dear Stella, and Free Spirit.
Henry Glass, Riley Blake, Michael Miller, Quilting Treasures, and Benartex also appear on the list.
One tip is to plan your color scheme before you arrive. Bring a swatch if you are matching an existing quilt.
Remember that the store sells as little as a quarter yard of fabric, so building a scrappy collection is easy and friendly to any budget.
Home Decor Fabrics For Big Projects
Redoing a chair or making new curtains? The home décor area covers a lot of ground.
Upholstery and drapery fabrics sit alongside vinyl, leather hides, and outdoor materials.
Outdoor fabrics are a handy find for patio cushions and similar projects. Vinyl and outdoor options can suit bigger jobs too.
A porch ceiling is one project that has been tackled with them.
Home projects often need more yardage than clothing. Ask a team member for help if you need more than four yards.
Larger cuts are easier with assistance.
Samples of home décor fabrics are allowed, as long as they are credit card size. That makes it simple to test colors at home.
Do that before buying a big amount. Hold the swatch next to your sofa or window.
Lighting changes everything, and a quick check can prevent a costly color mistake.
Buttons, Zippers, And Other Small Treasures
Fabric gets the spotlight, but the notions steal plenty of attention. Shelves hold needles, pins, glue guns, rotary cutters, cutting mats, and several kinds of scissors.
Zippers, Velcro, interfacing, webbing, and elastic are covered too.
Button lovers have a field day. Choices include metal, wood, mother of pearl, and plastic.
Thread brands include Coats and Clark and Gütermann, plus Nomex and serger thread.
Home projects are covered as well. Upholstery tacks, drapery hardware, foam, and pillow forms are available.
Cotton batting, polyester batting, and polyfill help with quilts and cushions.
Remember that notions and trims are not part of the half-off fabric deal. Still, the selection is broad enough to finish almost any project in one trip.
Make a checklist before you go. It is easy to forget thread or zippers when bolts are calling your name.
Cutting Your Own Fabric Like A Pro
At this store, you handle the scissors. Customers typically measure and cut their own fabric.
Staff members are there to help if you need it.
Ask for assistance when you need more than four yards. That keeps big cuts straight and saves you some wrestling.
If you feel unsure about the process, just ask someone.
You can buy as little as a quarter yard. Samples of apparel and quilting fabrics are not allowed, though home décor samples are fine at credit card size.
Since many shoppers use the cutting tables, a few habits help. Visit on a weekday if you can, because weekends tend to be busier.
Bringing your own favorite scissors may also make cutting smoother.
Pack a pen for labeling, and a sturdy bag for the haul. A little prep turns the cutting table from a challenge into a quick stop.
What To Know Before You Go
A little planning makes the visit better. SR Harris Fabric sits at 8865 Zealand Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445.
It is open every day, with shorter hours on Sunday.
Know what the store does not sell. You will not find sewing machines, machine parts, yarn, or carpet.
There are no online sales or custom sewing services either.
That means you shop in person, and what you see is what is there. Inventory changes often, so a bolt you loved last time may be gone.
Bring a water bottle and a small fan for warm days. Give yourself several hours, and wear comfy shoes.
Bring a bag, your favorite scissors, and a pen.
Come with a loose plan, but stay open to surprises. For Minnesota crafters, this warehouse is a place worth the trip, and the next idea may be waiting on the very next shelf.