Mendels Far-Out Fabrics

I cannot tell you how many times I have been at the register when someone walks into the store and says to the person they are with, "Oh, its just an art supply store...." Not that being an art supply store is anything to hang your head about, but trust me when I say that we are a whole lot more! Located smack dab in the middle of San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury, we're the starting place for many of the artists, designers, costumers, quilters, and hippie hopefuls. Our staff is made up of people who use the materials we sell. Some of us sell the stuff we make and others of us just dabble in this, that or the other thing in hopes of staying out of trouble. We strive to help our customers attain their artistic goals (although sometimes its really difficult to figure out exactly what that goal is!) and spur the imaginations of every person who walks through our door.

To that end, we offer to you our web site, our know-how, and our slightly-skewed perspective to help you get where you want to be as far as your arts, crafts and sewing goes! It's only an idea, and we don't have all of the answers....but it's a start and we think that's better than nothing!

"What are you doing on the web?" you ask. We're here for a bunch of reasons.

We want to encourage people to be creative. Maybe something we say, or an idea will get you started on that project you have been meaning to do for years. Creativity is healthy.

If you are planning a trip to San Francisco, we thought it would be nice for you to be able to plan which stores you want to visit. Hopefully, you will put us on that list.

We have stuff to sell. We are an independent retailer and want to encourage you to visit your local independents. But we realize that some of you may live in places where your options are limited. So, if you need something, and we have it, we are more than happy to sell it to you.

Here are some of the most popular parts of our website. Grouped by kind of product (since we are a couple of stores rolled into one!)

In the world of sewing.... Fabrics! We don't have all of our fabrics up on the web, but we try to put up the eyecatching ones-- and the selection is constantly changing. Check 'em out in Fabrics! Oilcloth! Got a table that needs protecting? Have a room that needs a touch of sunshine? You can't beat oilcloth for its durability and its ability to brighten even darkest room! We sell TONS of this stuff! You can find many patterns and colors at the Oilcloth Extravaganza! Fake Furs! Get your real acrylic Faux Fur here! When I say we sell a ton of faux fur, I'm not exaggerating! Our fur pile (as we lovingly refer to it) is often taller than our staff (of course some of us aren't very tall)! It is broken up into 3 groups The short furs-- are HERE The longer shaggier furs are HERE Answers to your fake fur questions (I'd like to raise a fake fur animal... will it get along with my dog?) can be found HERE Buttons and clasps! We carry a lots and lots of buttons. We have chosen some of our faves for you. Start at the metal clasp page HEREand work your way through the exciting world of fasteners! Cords and trim--What would the world be with out cords and other trims. Here are some basics like drawstring cord, webbing and ball fringe.

In the world of fabric paints and dyes.... Tie-dye-- Tiedye is not just for hippies. Its a great project for kids of all ages (even if they are 70 years old)! And you don't have to stick to the traditional tiedye colors or patterns. Its all up to you! The supplies can be found HERE Dyes for all kinds of fabric--We carry 3 kinds of dye. Choosing the correct dye is the most important step. Check out your options HERE Fabric paints-- there is a rainbow of colors out there for you to paint on fabric. Traditional fabric paints can be found HERE. Another option of paints that act kind of like a dye (they're called Dynaflow) can be found HERE Simply Spray is a great option for larger areas where detail is not important. Check them out HERE

In the world of mosaics.... Tiles!-- We sell tiles for mosaic in glass, ceramic or made out of little mirrors! You can find them all HERE Sundries-- all of the other supplies you need like cutters, adhesive and grout can be found HERE

And then there are the other things we carry Hemp twine!--A rainbow of colors in different weights can be found HERE Mask and moldmaking supplies can be found HERE Haight Street Fair Posters can be found HERE

We haven't catalogued everything...and most likely I won't. Come visit us in person for a real San Francisco experience. If you can't make it out here, but are looking for something you think we might carry just email us and we'll see if we can't help you out.

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Gift Certificates?

Wanna share this coolness with your friends and family? We have a gift certificate page where you can buy as many as you would like.

A Dedication
Our web page is dedicated in loving memory to Sarah Herscowitz.