So, let’s get started. Here’s my guide to fabric and trim shopping in Madrid.<\/p>\n Trims<\/strong><\/p>\n Let’s start with trims because Madrid has some really spectacular trim shops, and they can be found just off the famous Puerta del Sol in an area know as Pontejos. I presume this is because many of the trim shops are located on or near Calle Marqu\u00e9s Viudo de Pontejos and Plaza de Pontejos.<\/p>\n The most famous, and also the largest, of these shops is Almacen de Pontejos<\/a>, which is about as old-fashioned as you can get when it comes to shopping. It’s like a dry goods store, and when you shop someone behind the counter assists you with retrieving and assembling your purchases. This shop is always busy and can be a bit overwhelming at first, but the staff is there to help. Once you’ve made your selections you move the cashier to pay, where you’ll find your selections wrapped up in cute little paper packages to be taken home. To be honest, I prefer to browse so I can see what’s available for myself, since you never know what treasures you’ll discover. But chances are that if you ask for something here they’ll have it. S likes to look at the buttons, which are located in front of the counters on old wooden rollers.<\/p>\n Next door to Almacen de Pontejos is Almacen Cobian<\/a>, which is a much smaller contemporary mix of browsing and counter help. When I need a spool of thread or elastic in a jiffy and don’t want to wait at the big store, this is where I go.<\/p>\n These are my two favorite trim shops, but be sure not to miss the others in this immediate area, too! Several of them are quite charming, and you’ll find all sorts of treasures inside.<\/p>\n Fabric<\/strong><\/p>\n You’ll notice a few fabric stores near Pontejos, particularly Los Tejidos de la Maja, which specializes in special-occasion fabrics. On your way south on Calle de las Paz don’t miss the Justo Algaba<\/a>, which specializes in the toreador suit. It’s fun to peak inside to see all the elaborate bullfighting capes and accessories on display, and you can find a nice selection of authentic toreador souvenirs here as well.<\/p>\n My favorite fabric stores are located on Calle de Atoche. Look for Ribes y Casals<\/a>, which carries a nice variety of fabrics including a rapidly changing assortment of seasonal fabrics. This is where I do the majority of my fabric shopping, and the staff here is very helpful.<\/p>\n A block down the street from Ribes y Casals is Tejidos y Novedades Paredes<\/a>, which is a less expensive shop with a decent variety of fabrics. The fashion design students in Madrid seem to do a lot of their shopping here, since you can sometimes find bargains. In general, I find the fabrics here to be of lower quality and lower prices, but you can find an occasional treasure.<\/p>\n If you start back at Pontejos (the trim stores) and head in the opposite direction, across Puerta del Sol and over to Gran Via (which you should stroll while in Madrid, just to see the spectacular Beaux Arts buildings), you’ll find my other favorite fabric shop, Julian Lopez<\/a>, which carries a wide range of Liberty of London lawns and a constantly changing array of seasonal fabrics. They often carry very high-end fabrics like fancy laces, silks, and other special-occasion fabrics (Spain loves to dress up!), so it can be a lot of fun to see what’s available here.<\/p>\n Other Places to See<\/strong><\/p>\n Obviously you’ll be referring to a guidebook when planning your trip, so I don’t need to tell you about Plaza Mayor or the Royal Palace or my favorite spot, Plaza de la Villa. And you’ll already know that you need to try churros and chocolate at Valor<\/a>, 1902<\/a>, or San Gines<\/a>. (They’re all good, so don’t worry about picking the “right” one.)<\/p>\n And of course you won’t want to miss seeing the Vel\u00e1zquez, Goya, and El Greco at the Prado<\/a> (don’t miss King Carlos<\/a>!), as well as Picasso’s Guernica at the Reina Sofia<\/a>. But as a textile aficionado, you’ll also want to schedule a tour of the Royal Tapestry Factory<\/a>, where you can see tapestries still being meticulously made by hand! Photos are not allowed, but you’ll love the colorful spools of fine thread and watching the process itself.<\/p>\n![\"fabric](\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ShoppingMadridT-760x1076.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Fabric](\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/pontejos-outside-760x454.jpg\")
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