Here in Houston for Quilt Festival and looking for more fabric?!

As long as you are downtown at the George R. Brown Convention Center, be sure to check out High Fashion Fabrics (and if you are into home dec, High Fashion Home right across the street).

High Fashion Fabrics is at 3101 Louisiana Street at Elgin (telephone 713/528-7299). Hours are Monday-Saturday 10-7 PM, Sunday 12 Noon-6PM. The address of the GRB is 1001 Avenida de las Americas if you want to Mapquest and see where exactly they are. However, I do not recommend walking it. Take a cab! Or if you have a car, there's free parking. Watch out for the one-way streets.

In today's Houston Chronicle Star (features section), on page E5 middle right side there is an ad with a 10% off coupon. If you are an American Sewing Guild member, they also give you a 10% discount, just in case you can't find a copy of the Chronicle.

High Fashion Fabrics has gorgeous, $$$ fabrics when you step inside the main area, but after taking a few moments to drool, fantasize and compose yourself, take a right and you'll find a roomful of more affordable fabrics - cottons, rayons, knits, and more.

In this day and age of independent fabric stores going by the wayside, HFF is well worth visiting and keeping in business!

Oh, and if you are looking for a fun quilt shop, and you have a car, take a drive down the Southwest Freeway (U.S. 59) about 17 miles to Quilter's Emporium. (Telephone: 281/491-0016 -- not long distance, Houston has several area codes!) 11925 Southwest Freeway, in Stafford, just inside the Ft. Bend County line. They are on the South (left) side of the feeder road coming from downtown, so you will have to exit and U-turn at West Airport. Stay on the feeder, you'll pass Wal-Mart and an auto dealership. The next business area is Brighton Lanes, look for the Yamaha sign. Quilter's Emporium is at the far left facing the freeway, the store has lace curtains in the window. Their new location just opened a few weeks ago and is filled with fabric and other goodies. Hours are Monday-Saturday 10-5 (Thursdays till 6), Sunday 12-4.