Monday, August 27, 2012

Delectable Mountain Cloth

Ever since my first visit to this store a couple of years ago, I have been dreaming of going back...


And dreaming of getting to photograph the store for you because it's so wonderful...


Luckily, I planned a considerable detour on our drive back home from Maine so I could do just that.

Destination?  Delectable Mountain Cloth in Brattleboro, Vermont.


Listen, it doesn't matter where you live or how far you have to travel.  This place is worth the trip.

And Brattleboro is a charming, artsy mill town on the banks of a river.

Packed into this one beautiful store is the most exquisite and unique fabrics and embellishments that I've ever seen compiled in one location.

Every now and then, I will travel to New York's Garment District to do some specialty shopping.

But this place beats New York for quality, selection, desirability and personal touch...

That's due to the exquisite taste of the owner, Jan...


She's passionate, lovely and tireless in her pursuit of the world's most beautiful textiles.

Jan used to work in the garment district in New York and has a practiced and discerning eye.  All of the fabrics in her shop are made with natural fibers.

I'm not kidding.  This place is a destination in and of itself...


Taffeta, velvet, peau de soie, organza, brocade, faille, tulle...all in silk.

In every color of the rainbow...


Her selection of whites and ivories is unparalleled.  And the sheers!

Still my beating heart...


Should I ever be considering making a dress for a wedding or special occasion, I would make a trip here first.

And I haven't even mentioned the laces...


And the buttons...


All laid out by color...


Each in their own little antique salt dish...


Jan also sells the most beautiful scarves and jewelry, all unique and of the highest quality...


She is a treasure hunter extraordinaire and goes out of her way to find and buy the most precious bits of loveliness...

But they don't last long.


Some of the country's best quilt artists, doll makers, milliners, and costume designers are only too aware of her discerning eye and travel from all over to make buying trips to her store.


If you live close by, there is a 20% sale currently going on for walk-in customers...she just bought soo much silk that she has to make room in the store for it.

If you can't visit in person but are still looking for something special, you can call her directly.  She often sends me supplies and fabrics by mail.  Her service is exceptional and she will send snips of this or that for me to evaluate.

She also sells these pre-packaged quilt bundles of superlative splendor...


I have never been disappointed in the quality or quantity I have received for the price.

In fact, I wrote a blog post about a few of her quilt packages I purchase before here.
Exquisite.  Exquisite.  Exquisite.


And no, I wasn't paid by Jan in any way to say all this delectable things about her shop and her services.

I just really believe that it is getting harder and harder to find high quality supplies.

My local "great" fabric store has increasingly reduced its line of finer fabrics...even my trips to New York are turning up fewer options.

I was looking for a silk brocade as a backing for a special embroidery and went to Mood Fabrics in NYC thinking they would have a huge selection.

Hardly anything.  Jan had more options than all the stores I visited in NYC combined~

And I just want her business to thrive.

I need her.  We all do.

You can visit her website here though she readily admits that she's not as website savvy as she'd like to be.  That's part of her charm.  It's best to call her directly, (802) 257-4456, and get that good, old-fashioned personal customer service that also seems to be fading from our modern life.

She's great at that.

Happy Monday everyone!

38 comments:

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I often wonder why I drool over these wonderful fabrics and laces, but have no desire to be surrounded by them in my home. The items in the shop are so well displayed. Only someone that truly loves "romantic" can possibly accumulate and display this collection.

You know all the best places.
xx, Carol

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a wonderful shop and Jan looks like a delightful lady who loves what she is doing. It really shows in the photos. Good job.

How fantastic to be able to visit and shop in a place like this.

FlowerLady Lorraine

maire said...

HER SHOP'S A DREAM!!! I'd love to visit there sometime, but soon I will be going to NYC and wondered what shops to put on my 'must see' list for ribbons, buttons and laces--also silks!! After all, I will be there 4 whole days!!!
TIA for any direction in NYC!!! It's been awhile and never been to the garment district! Maire in NY

The Feathered Nest said...

Oh.my.goodness!!! Susan, what a truly WONDERFUL shop!!! I can't imagine being able to browse...so many gorgeous treasures ~ thank you so much for taking the time to share it with us. Wishing you a wonderful week, hugs and love, Dawn

bubbygigi said...

Susan, thank you for the pictures and descriptions of this fabulous shop. I felt as though I was there with you. Happy Monday.
Gita

Lorraine said...

Thank you for sharing these fantastic photos Susan. After your last post, I ordered a bundle and lovelies. Can hardly wait to start using them as they are so beautiful! Have added this to my bucket list!!!

gracie said...

What an amazing destination! Thank you for taking me for a visit....

Judy S. said...

Sounds like a very fun place to visit! Did you enhance your stash any?

Sarah Sequins said...

Oh, wow! This place is close to where I grew up in Manchester, Vermont. The next time I'm in New England I'll have to go there. :)

Wonderful blog post and review of the store, Susan!

FLOWER FRIEND said...

Who needs chocolate when you provide us with this eye candy. Thanks for a great post Susan.

liniecat said...

I could achieve a similar effect if I laid my own stash like this.......it would mean Id remember what Id got too lol

Thankyou for a lascivious ( sp?)look at Heaven........and am only sorry no buses run from here to there.............!!

Oriel said...

Wow all those buttons - I love collecting buttons. Looking at the laces makes me want to consider collecting lace too!! Thanks for the lovely post Susan always a joy to rad.

Mary Ann Tate said...

Oh my would I love to go to that store. So there was a sale...are you going to show what you bought?

Mrs. K At Home said...

Oh my, all my favorite things in one place!!! Have to make a trip to this shop happen!

Shirlee Fassell said...

Your wonderful pictures do justice to a wonderful store. I live 65 miles from Brattleboro and every so often.... I have to go and get my "fix"

Jennifer Vance said...

Now I have another dream store to put on my list of places to visit!Wow!

char said...

WOW!!! I am speechless, fantastic!! How lucky you are to be able to visit such fabulous stores.

Rachel said...

There's so much to look at, I just know I would walk out completely dazed and without buying anything at all!

Jillayne said...

Yeesh! I've never heard of this shop and now I am itching to set foot through the door....I suppose mail order is the next best thing.
What a treasure trove - every photograph. The buttons are amazing and my big downfall I think - you just can't find things like that anywhere near where I live.
Bundles of inspiration full of possibilities!

Sarah said...

I hear you about finding quality items. I guess that's why people who are really invested in quality look towards vintage notions and such. This place looks like heaven! Too bad it's so far away from me. I'd love to walk around and touch all of those silks!

Unknown said...

WOW! waht a wonderful shop, wish I could go there but it would be a very long detour from here in the UK - but I will visit her website. Thanks you for sharing this with us.
Barbara S

Miriam said...

Ohhh My Goodness!!! If I ever come to America this has to be the first place I visit!!! I could stay all day....and come back the next day!
Thank you for giving us a "virtual" visit.
I am off to look at their website!

Sharon B said...

What a yummy place - wish she would move to Kentucky! But then again I would go broke :)

Susan Shufelt said...

W.O.W.!!! This store is a treasure!! Just the buttons alone made me want to take the trip. Very lovely and thank you for sharing her wonderful store.

Kathryn Maleney said...

This store has been the setting of some of my most interesting sleeping dreams and my fondest daydreams. If I could possibly create a shop, it would be the Delectable Mountain, only with tea, scones and Devonshire Cream also involved. -- But alas I have no ability to create such a shop,and so I am just so very grateful for this place.

Martha Rowe Anderson said...

I have been to the shop a few times, and it's heaven! I never leave without some precious lengths of silk or cotton, and as soon as I'm out, I'm wishing I were back in again! Thanks for the wonderful photos!

allie aller said...

Beautiful, great work, Susan! I had to share this post on FaceBook... ;-)

Mary said...

I'm hyperventilating and I'm not even there! I have always had a thing for beautiful lace, really old buttons, old quilts (even if there's not much left of them). You can always find a piece or two that is frameable. I have to find out more about this store. My cats keep me from displaying many of my old linens because they want to lay on them! LOL

Marie Alton said...

Looks like heaven to me! OOO AAhhh! Jealous! Thanks for the lovely tour! Marie

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing your visit to Delectable Mountain Cloth Susan. It's so hard to find shops like Jan's, especially in Australia. I would love to visit it one day.
Cheers,Olivia.

Ingrid Mida said...

Dear Susan,
I went fabric shopping yesterday for some new inspiration and felt so disappointed by the lack of quality fabrics. This store looks so charming. Thanks for the tip. Do tell, what did you buy?

Catherine said...

A simply amazing store! I am positive I could spend hours just looking at everything! Thanks so much for sharing.

Catherine said...

A simply amazing store! I am positive I could spend hours just looking at everything! Thanks so much for sharing.

NickiLee said...

Thank you so much for this post. I remember hearing about this store while at the CQ Adventure in CT and totally forgot where I wrote the name of the shop down. As soon as I am able, I will be taking a trip up north for a visit ...you can be sure I'll be bringing a full wallet and an empty shopping bag to fill with pretties!

WandarArt.Stitch said...

Hi Susan,
Excuse the not I wrote some time, vacation and were a lot of things different.
Susan , I love your talent, your work, and everything you create, are beautiful!,

I cordially greet, warm, wish you wonderful day :)))

Wendy said...

Thank you so much for this wonderful post. All these gorgeous textiles makes one swoon! Having been sick, I am having to catch up on posts. Thank you for this day brightener!

Elizabeth Braun said...

Yummmm, absolutely delectable - BUT I would *not* like to dust it, those beautiful dishes of beads must be a nightmare to keep clean!!=)

MeganH said...

I had to scroll through quickly, or die on the spot. She mentions on the silk cloth page that customers also come in for the therapeutic effects of being in amongst the colours. That, I can fully understand! I wonder if the shop smells of dust and old roses (not that her fabric is dusty, I'm sure!)

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