Moda Warehouse
 

I've been reading about people going to the Moda 'warehouse' and buying fabric. I love Moda fabrics, I've discovered that I have one within driving distance. So here are my questions:

Do I have to by a whole bolt, or can i BBY?
Is it a better price than what I will pay for it at my LQS or Hancocks(they have a tiny moda selection)?

Editted to Add:

NEVER MIND...ANSWERED MY OWN QUESTION...lol

Wow - that would be a dream shopping trip for me - I would think you would need a business license for access? But I don't know - I will be interested to find out what happens.

Where are the Moda Warehouses located? I just tried to google it and also tried the Moda website.

I think the Moda warehouse is in Dallas where their headquarters is located. Haven't heard of any other location..

So where is the one within driving distance in E. TX? And do you have to buy the whole bolt?
Kathy P
Galveston/Bacliff, TX

have to buy wholesale...going to check into options...

Yes, it is Dallas, I'm only 150 miles away :) :D ...i was told there was one near Atlanta and another one in California, but I couldn't find them listed. I have a call into the Customer Service Desk about non-retail wholesale purchases, but my next move is to approach my LQS and see if they would see to me at cost, since I'm wanting specific bolts to use on quilts that are auctioned off to support a 501(c)3 non-profit dog rescue so the 'profit' they are giving away would be tax deductable. I don't need it free, although that would be grand...just much cheaper than retail lol

hmmm... profit that is not made is not tax deductible. Still, I think the LQS might be willing to help you out. You might also contact the warehouse and ask if they will sell to a non-profit directly.

You do have to set up an account, I am not sure what the parameters are. I do know that if you do not have a "House" account (what shops have) and you go with just a tax id you have I believe a $250 minimum. Everything is on bolts and yes you do have to buy the whole bolt. It is not like a retail store, they don't have people to help you. The people working in there are pulling orders and getting them ready to ship out to Shops.

By the way their name is United Notions, that might help you to find them.

The way our CPA explained it, any company who provides us a service or item, either at cost or free of charge, can claim the retail amount as a 'donation' or charitable giving. So while a bolt of Moda may wholesale for $4 a yard my LQS retails it for $10.25 so they would get a charitable giving tax deduction for $102.50 assuming they gave it to me free of charge. If I paid the whole say cost for it they would get a $62.50 deduction.

Quiltstringz is correct, you have to be a business, can buy wholesale and have to buy by the bolt. It is a huge warehouse/shipping place.

I know they sell shorts which is fabrics less than a bolt in folded pieces. A friend of mine bought that way and brought it home and put it on bolts to sell.

Don't go in the summer, it's hot as satan's pit in there! We used to go in shorts and tank tops with a huge water bottle! (Partner and I when I first bought into my quilt shop. We lived in Plano where summers are often high 90s and frequently over 100 degrees. Sucks the air right out of your lungs when you step outside, I tell ya!)

It's a warehouse, hot, dusty, so-so lighting, limited selection *sometimes*. You are not likely to find new collections for 'open buying'....they are often set aside for pre-ordered shipments.

Jan in VA

All are correct except for the AC! It is air conditioned :) yes, you have to buy the entire bolt, yes you have to buy multiples. For example, rulers are generally sold in bundles of 3 so you have to buy 3 of the exact same ruler! They are very strict with the $250 minimum! I have a house account if you'd like to go sometime.

That is a generous offer! Wow.

I don't wish to LIVE in TX, but it would be nice to shop there.

We used to buy bolts wholesale from a fabric wholesaler in Boston (NOT a manufacturer). They were easy to work with, I seem to remember $2.00 a yard ( this was a LONG time ago!) -- anyway a wholesaler might be another option.

I use to have a fabric store before my Mom got sick. She started the store in 1962 and I bought it from her in 1983. We had always been very good customers of United Notions. I always loved their products. They shipped well and were a good company to deal with. When Mom got to where she need me more in the the late 90's, I was struggling to keep the shop open and deal with her illness at the same time. I got a letter from UN saying that I would probably be better off buying retail since my purchases were so small, but I could still buy from them, if my purchases were at least $250. I finally had to close in 2002 to take care of her full time and have not made a purchase from them since. If you have a valid tax # and can buy $250 I am sure they will welcome your business. I am sure the $250 Min. is to make it worth while to pay an employee to pull the order, pack and ship it to you. UN is one of the largest notions and fabric wholesale warehouses there is.

I don't think Moda will be $2 yd. and it has been a looooong time since I have seen any fabric wholesale for $2 yd. Oh how I long for those prices again. With the price of cotton as it is, I think those days are gone.

I would be in serious trouble if they had a warehouse within 200 miles from where I live. My studio would look like a LQS with bolts of fabric all on shelves.

FABULOUS! That's new since my days there; I'm sure the workers are happier!:rolleyes::thumbup:

Jan in VA

:) How long ago and where were they??? Can you tell I live in the Boston area?
Thanks, Cathy

My DH and I were born and raised in Minnesota. We moved to South Texas almost 8 years ago, and we love it!!
You just have to enjoy A/C in the summer and we do. We used A/C in Minnesota in the summer also!

They were in the south end, just south of Hook's Lobster, if that is still there. There is another good place down in Pembroke. http://www.newenglandquiltsupply.com/

I just went to United Notions/Moda in July. Yes it is AC . You do need a tax id, you can take 1 guest with you.
There are discounted bolts in front entry to warehouse-running from $2.65 yd on up. Good for backings but mostly prints. These are orphan fabrics.
They do have some odds and ends pieces of current fabric-that may or may not have a flaw. There are some bins of
orphan items and not on a bolt

It is a jaw dropping experience when you see the stacks. Some days there will be full shelves and other times shelves may be sparce. Most of the bolts run from 6 yds to about 11. They have a price on average of around $9-10 yd. You then take about 40% off. There are no cheap bolts unless you scour and find one with 4 or 5 yds.
There are certain lines that they will not let you buy : ( because there may be an order from LQS.
There are some Alexander Kaufman pieces.
Then you go to the notions section : ). You can buy some single items-rulers scissors, but some you have to buy multiple-they are also about 40% off. Threads and you would go crazy looking at the pattern books and individual patterns-good prices. Just think of a super Joanns!!
And there is the min. purchase but its not hard to reach. I think I spend about $250 and the friend who is the member spent around $500. She is a LAQ
Now that you have slapped me aside the head-its a fun day-but they do close early-not open on weekends.
As long as you have the tax id with a business named-you should not have a problem.
Jill

moda warehouse
 

Hi Shana, i also live in east texas. where do you live and where did you find the warehouse? I know there is a fabric warehouse around San marcos. I went a few years and they did sell 10 yds and up boy did i ever have fun.Thanks
Mary katherine

I live near San Marcos and didn't know that there was a fabric warehouse there. Where is it? Hope it's still there.

You cannot go into the fabric warehouses without a resale number and filling out the appropriate forms. These are the locations where the quilt shops buy their goods. And they are to die for.
SandyQuilter

I haven't heard of a fabric whse around San Marcos ?? Has anyone ? There USED to be a Comal Cottons outlet in New Braunfels, they were in an old bldg near downtown and had a lot of good wovens and homespuns etc. Not much print fabric. Anyone could buy there, no tax ID req. But they closed about 10 years ago I think ...

Thanks for the tip - great to know - I'm back. Summer has been super busy! Can't wait to catch up on all the great info here on the QBD.

Does anyone know if there are any wholesale fabric warehouses in the Atlanta (or nearby)?

Google United Notions. The warehouse near Dallas is at 13800 Hutton Drive, Dallas, Tx 75234. My understanding is that you have to have a tax number from the state comptroller's office. I intend to take a relative there next time she visits. It will be my first trip, also. froggyintexas

Cathy, I think she may be referring to New England Fabrics.

I'm not sure how things go in the Moda wholesale ? But at EE Schencks in Portland where I have a wholesale account . I not only have to spend 150$ each time I go in , but I have to spend 1000$ per calendar year ! Signing up for a business license and getting the good deals... Is not really a way to go unless your really going to have a business.
I have a Longarm quilting . And the fist few years it was hard to spend that much . I can bring one guest who has to be on my list . Can't really just take anyone in .
It's really not fair to the stores trying to keep Their business open . Hope this helps people 😊

United Notions is the owner of Moda fabric and you WILL need a resale license from your state. This is the business that sells bolts to your LQS along with precuts. I have never bought from Moda since I live in CA but have bought from Hoffman Fabric and P&B fabrics. Most fabric companies will require you to buy a minimum of bolts for your first purchase.