Splendid Trims

Fabric shopping keeps returning to the same core needs—accessible materials, reliable service, accurate cutting, and a selection that doesn’t require a full afternoon. In Brooklyn’s quiet stretch of Park Avenue, the one-stop fabric store at 520 Park Ave answers those needs with a practical approach. Standard orders move efficiently, bolt lengths stay square, and off-the-shelf remnants surprise with usable width. Trims arrive cut to order from cones, and matching thread spools sit close at hand. Button and zipper assortments sit near the counter, tagged in small increments so finding the right size feels effortless rather than exhausting.

They’re set up so bulk orders cut without delays and DIY hems rarely run short. Screening supplies sit back by the window, allowing a few quick stencils to become test prints. Samples of interfacing and lining hang on a small rack for reference, and interfacing hides behind the counter in common weights. Customers call for custom cord lengths or piping prep, and the line moves predictably. If the store runs low, they’ll circle back the next day, which keeps weekend projects on track.

Reaching the place begins on Park Avenue between 57th and 58th Streets. A no-frills red-brick façade signals the entrance, and the front window often displays a rotating sample or supply roll. Parking along the curb turns tight by noon, so approach early or use the side streets for easier space. Call 718-484-1786 when carts are full and you need an assist loading large bolts to a car.

The simplest route in is to check the map on a phone while walking from the 2 or 5 train at 59th Street—add stops along the way if grabbing snacks in the local greenmarket. Once you’re inside, they’ll have the meter chart, the scale already tared, and the sheers already clipped to the correct length.