The people who cut your fabric here also own the store. That’s right, this sewing shop is employee-owned and operated.
It has also been voted the best fabric store in the Shenandoah Valley four separate times. The shelves hold everything from quilting cottons to bridal lace, horsehair braid, and auto headliner.
I can’t imagine a project it couldn’t at least start.
I like how this Virginia shop treats thrifty sewists like VIPs. There’s a big clearance area packed with closeout deals.
Sales pop up regularly on different fabrics and patterns, too.
I believe every crafter deserves one place that feels like a candy store with bolts instead of sweets. So what happens when a fabric shop is run by people who clearly love the craft?
Let’s find out.
The Owners Are the Ones Cutting Your Fabric
Ownership looks a little different at Ragtime Fabrics. The business operates as Friendly City Fabrics, LLC, and it recently became employee-owned and operated.
That means the folks measuring your yardage have a real stake in the shop. It’s a nice twist in a world full of giant chain stores.
Harrisonburg carries the nickname the Friendly City, so the legal name fits nicely. The store has served the local creative community for more than 20 years.
That kind of staying power doesn’t happen by accident.
Staff members are on-site and ready to help. They can often order items the store doesn’t have in stock.
That’s handy when your pattern calls for something oddly specific.
So why does employee ownership matter to a budget sewist? People who share in a business tend to care about its customers.
Good advice can save you from buying the wrong fabric twice.
Think about how much a mistake costs on a project. One wrong yard of knit can wreck your plans and your wallet.
A helpful second opinion at the counter is worth a lot.
The shop also welcomes families, pets, and LGBT shoppers. Everyone gets a seat at this sewing table, and honestly, that’s how it should be.
Your Wallet Will Love the Clearance Corner
Bargain hunters, here’s your happy place. Ragtime Fabrics keeps a large clearance area full of closeout deals.
The store says it aims to keep costs reasonable. That goal shows up across the shop, not just in one sad bin by the door.
Sales rotate through different fabric types and patterns. The shop announces those deals on its social media pages.
Following along is a smart move if you sew on a tight budget.
A clever strategy works well here. Plan your next few projects loosely, then let the sales guide your fabric choices.
A flexible plan stretches every dollar much further.
Clearance shopping also sparks creativity. Sometimes a closeout print pushes you toward a project you never planned.
That surprise can be the best part of the trip.
One more money tip is worth knowing. The shop has signs asking for cash on small purchases under ten dollars.
Bringing a little cash for a quick button run keeps things smooth at checkout.
Give yourself time to browse, too. Deals rarely jump out and wave at you.
They usually wait quietly on a shelf for a patient shopper with a good eye and a tape measure.
Good Luck Choosing Just One Garment Fabric
Linen, silk, velvet, seersucker, gingham, voile. That’s just a warm-up list from the garment section at Ragtime Fabrics.
Clothing makers get a serious lineup here. The shelves include solid and print knits, linings, satins, fleece, and flannels.
There are top weight and bottom weight fabrics, plus laces, sheers, and faux suede.
That range matters when you’re learning. A beginner can grab a forgiving cotton for a first shirt.
An experienced sewist can reach for slippery silk when feeling brave.
Patterns live here as well. The store carries Simplicity and Burda, along with various independent pattern makers.
You can find your design and your fabric in one stop.
Thread is covered too. Mettler and Gutermann all-purpose threads come in polyester and cotton.
Serger thread and machine embroidery thread round things out.
Here’s a practical tip for saving money. Bring your pattern envelope so you buy the right amount of yardage.
Guessing often leads to extra fabric you didn’t need.
Matching thread color is easier in person, too. Hold the spool against the bolt in good light.
Your finished seams will thank you, and nobody will spot that bright orange stitching across your navy pants.
Quilters, Clear Some Space in Your Stash
A 108-inch quilt back can save you hours of piecing. Ragtime Fabrics stocks those extra-wide backings, and quilters know exactly why that’s a big deal.
Wide backing means fewer seams down the middle of your quilt. Fewer seams mean less work and a smoother finish.
Everybody wins, especially your shoulders.
The quilting section offers solids like Kona and Quilters Choice. Prints span holiday, floral, juvenile, patriotic, military, and novelty themes.
You’ll also find licensed college and team fabrics for sports fans.
That last category opens up great gift ideas. A quilt in a favorite team’s colors makes a thoughtful graduation present.
It’s personal without costing a fortune.
Supplies sit close by. Quilting mats and rulers, batting, and pillow forms are part of the inventory.
Batting comes by the yard or in packages, in cotton and polyblend.
Buying batting by the yard helps budget quilters. You can purchase just what your project needs.
Leftover scraps from a big package often go unused.
Planning a scrappy quilt? Pair a few bold prints with calm solids.
That simple mix stretches your fabric choices and keeps the design from looking too busy on the bed.
Costume Makers and Brides Get Their Own Treasure Chest
Fur, tulle, lame, and taffeta walk into a fabric store. No punchline needed, because they all live at Ragtime Fabrics.
Costume makers have plenty to play with here. The shelves include netting, leather, vinyl, velvets, satins, and faux suedes.
Halloween, school plays, and cosplay suddenly feel a lot more possible.
The bridal and evening section goes deep. Laces, embroidered sheers, nude mesh, and appliques fill the space.
Boning, bra forms, and horsehair braid support the structure behind the sparkle.
Those structural pieces are hard to find in many towns. A gown without boning droops like a tired balloon.
Having them nearby saves shipping costs and guesswork.
Making your own formal wear can stretch a budget nicely. A store-bought dress often costs far more than its fabric.
Sewing it yourself also guarantees nobody shows up in the same outfit.
Feeling nervous about fancy fabric? Start with a practice version in cheap muslin first.
Fix the fit there before cutting into the good stuff.
Also check the trims aisle while you’re shopping. Sequins, glitter trims, and braids can turn a plain costume into a showstopper with just a few careful stitches.
You Might Leave With a Jar of Buttons and Zero Regrets
Some people collect stamps. Others collect buttons, and Ragtime Fabrics is ready for them.
Buttons come carded or in bulk. Choices include metal, plastic, wood, shell, and novelty designs.
Swapping plain buttons on an old coat is a cheap and quick refresh.
Ribbons are plentiful too. Grosgrain, satin, and sheer styles all appear on the shelves.
Trims include eyelet, lace, gimp, stretch, and lingerie options.
Fastenings get serious attention. The store carries zipper repair parts, frogs, toggles, snaps, and hooks and eyes.
Parachute buckles, webbing, and belt rings help with bags and outdoor gear.
Zipper repair parts deserve a special shoutout for budget sewists. Fixing a broken zipper beats replacing a whole jacket.
Your favorite hoodie gets another few winters.
Basic tools fill the gaps. Needles, scissors, pins, elastics, grommets, markers, Velcro, and glues are all available.
Interfacing, stabilizer foam, and fusible web are stocked too.
A smart habit helps here. Keep a small list on your phone of notions running low.
That way, one trip covers everything, and you avoid the classic moment of running out of elastic halfway through pajama pants.
Your Sewing Machine Can Get Expert Care Right Here
Machines need checkups just like cars do. Ragtime Fabrics keeps a certified Baby Lock technician on-site for maintenance and repair.
The store is an authorized, full-service Baby Lock dealer. It sells sewing machines, embroidery machines, quilting machines, and sergers.
Shoppers can see the options in person before deciding.
Buyer perks are generous. New owners get free lessons on their machine.
A no-risk trade-up option lasts six months.
The savings keep going. Purchasers receive a one-time 25 percent discount on sewing supplies.
Baby Lock accessories are 25 percent off for 30 days.
The first service within the first year is free. Paying with cash or personal check also earns a discount.
Those little extras add up on a big purchase.
Why buy from a local dealer? You get real people who can answer questions after the sale.
Online orders rarely come with a friendly face down the road in Virginia.
Already own a machine? Regular cleaning and tune-ups help it last longer.
A well-kept machine skips fewer stitches, jams less often, and saves you from buying a replacement years before you’d planned.
Classes Turn Nervous Beginners Into Proud Makers
Learning to sew from videos only goes so far. Sometimes you need a real teacher pointing at your bobbin and saying, “There’s the problem.”
Ragtime Fabrics offers classes for many skill levels. Adult options have included Learn to Sew, Serger Tips and Techniques, and The Perfect T-Shirt Class.
Hand Sewing Techniques and an Easy Unisex Camp Shirt Class have appeared too.
Learn to Sew covers fabrics, machine use, and commercial patterns. That’s a strong foundation for any beginner.
An Embroidered Tote Bag Class adds some fun flair.
Class supplies come with a 10 percent discount. That helps keep learning affordable.
Every saved dollar can go toward your next project.
Kids get their own options. Summer sewing camps run for young makers.
The Sew Far Sew Good club welcomes ages 8 to 18.
Private one-on-one lessons are available for adults and kids. They’re great for tackling a tricky skill.
You get focused help without waiting your turn.
The shop also connects with local schools, universities, homeschool groups, and summer camps. Teaching the next generation keeps the craft alive.
Plus, it gives kids a skill that saves money for life.
Plan Your Trip Before the Fabric Calls Your Name
No sewing room at home? Ragtime Fabrics rents out its classroom for open sew sessions.
A daily fee covers large sewing tables, cutting tables, cutting mats, and irons.
Baby Lock classroom machines can be rented as well. That’s perfect for trying a machine before buying one.
It also helps if your own machine is in the shop.
Big cutting tables are a dream for quilters. Spreading a king-size quilt on the living room floor gets old fast.
Your knees will send a thank-you note.
Finding the store is easy. It sits at 926 West Market Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801.
The shop is in the Waterman Square shopping center.
Downtown Harrisonburg is less than a mile away. That makes it simple to pair fabric shopping with a stroll through town.
Making a day of it sounds pretty great.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays stay open until 7 p.m., and Sundays are closed.
Those Thursday evenings are handy for working sewists. Bring your pattern, your list, and some patience.
A shop this packed deserves an unhurried visit.
