This Virginia Fabric Wonderland Spans Three Stories And Delights Crafters

Think your local fabric store has it all? Try climbing three flights of stairs through a century-old schoolhouse packed floor to ceiling with everything from bridal lace to leather scraps.

Schoolhouse Fabrics in Floyd, Virginia, isn’t just another craft shop. It’s a pilgrimage site for sewers who’ve driven five hours just to run their fingers through specialty silks and apparel fabrics you won’t find anywhere else.

Nestled at 220 N Locust St in the heart of Floyd, this converted schoolhouse keeps the original blackboards and vintage charm while housing one of the most diverse fabric collections in the region. Some say it’s overhyped.

Others plan entire vacations around visiting. The truth?

You’ll either love exploring every nook and cranny across multiple floors, or you’ll wonder what the fuss is about. But here’s the thing: people keep coming back, some weekly, some from states away, because where else can you find formal dress fabrics, quilting cottons, and craft leather all under one historic roof?

The Historic Three Story Schoolhouse Building

Walking into a building where kids once recited multiplication tables and now crafters hunt for the perfect velvet feels like stepping through a time portal. The bones of this old schoolhouse give Schoolhouse Fabrics a character that modern strip mall stores could never replicate.

Original architectural details whisper stories from decades past while you browse through modern crafting supplies.

Climbing those stairs between floors becomes part of the adventure, though fair warning: mobility can be tricky. Visitors with walkers or wheelchairs often bring a friend to help navigate the vertical journey.

Each level reveals different treasures, turning your shopping trip into an exploration rather than a quick errand.

The building’s layout creates intimate rooms and sections rather than one sprawling warehouse space. You’ll duck into corners discovering trim collections or stumble upon a whole room dedicated to bridal fabrics.

That original blackboard still hangs on the wall, a nostalgic reminder that this space has always been about learning and creating, just with different tools now.

Floyd’s small town charm extends to this landmark, making it more than just a store but a destination worth the drive through Virginia’s beautiful countryside.

Specialty Apparel Fabrics That Fill The Void

Quilting cotton? Sure, you can grab that at chain stores nationwide.

But try finding quality apparel fabric for that prom dress or custom suit jacket. Most crafters hit dead ends fast, which makes Schoolhouse Fabrics a genuine lifesaver for garment sewers across Virginia and beyond.

Their apparel section stocks formal dress materials, suit wear, and specialty fabrics that transform ambitious sewing projects from pipe dreams into reality. One visitor drove over two hours specifically hunting these harder-to-find textiles and left thrilled with her haul.

The staff actually understands garment construction, offering suggestions that complement your vision rather than just pointing toward aisles.

Bridal fabrics get their own dedicated space, featuring laces, silks, and everything needed to create that dream wedding look. Costume designers and formal wear enthusiasts finally have a brick-and-mortar source instead of gambling on online orders where colors never quite match the screen.

The selection fills a genuine market gap that sewers desperately need. While you won’t find absolutely everything imaginable, the curated choices focus on quality and variety in categories most stores completely ignore.

For anyone serious about sewing clothing rather than just quilts, this spot delivers.

Trim And Notions Collection Spanning Multiple Rooms

Buttons, zippers, and thread barely scratch the surface of what waits in the notions department. Schoolhouse Fabrics treats finishing touches as seriously as the fabric itself, with entire sections devoted to trims that make projects pop.

We’re talking lace varieties you didn’t know existed, ribbons in every width and texture, and decorative elements that spark creativity just by looking at them.

Staff members like Glenda have become legendary for helping customers select complementary notions that elevate projects from homemade to couture. She’ll study your pattern, consider your fabric choice, and suggest finishing touches that tie everything together beautifully.

That level of personalized service turns shopping into collaboration.

The trim collection includes harder-to-find vintage-inspired options alongside contemporary choices. Lace alone occupies significant real estate, from delicate edgings to substantial overlays.

Crafters working on everything from heirloom christening gowns to punk rock embellishments find supplies here.

Unique designs that other stores don’t carry make this section particularly valuable. You’re not stuck choosing between basic black or white when you need that perfect finishing detail.

The variety means your handmade pieces won’t look like everyone else’s, giving them that special something only thoughtful details provide.

Quilting Cotton And Novelty Fabric Paradise

Quilters rejoice because bolt after bolt of cotton prints awaits your eager hands. From traditional patterns to whimsical novelty designs, the quilting section satisfies both the purist piecing Amish-style geometrics and the crafter making superhero-themed baby quilts.

Fabric panels that jumpstart projects line the walls, offering ready-made focal points for quick gifts.

Flannels add cozy texture options while batiks bring artistic flair to more contemporary quilt designs. The selection balances classic quilting staples with trendy prints that keep collections fresh and exciting.

One enthusiastic reviewer confessed she could easily drop a thousand dollars if her budget allowed, testament to the temptation surrounding you on every floor.

Country-style quilters particularly appreciate the Amish fabrics and traditional prints that honor quilting heritage. Meanwhile, modern quilters find enough contemporary options to avoid feeling the selection skews too vintage.

That range means quilters of every aesthetic discover inspiration here.

Novelty fabrics featuring everything from seasonal motifs to licensed characters give quilters fun options for themed projects. Making a quilt for a grandchild obsessed with dinosaurs or trucks?

You’ll find fabric that speaks directly to their interests, making your handmade gift even more special and personalized.

Knowledgeable Staff Who Actually Help

Joanna doesn’t just cut your yardage and send you on your way. She studies your pattern, lays it out to verify measurements, and suggests adjustments that save you from costly mistakes.

That’s the kind of expertise you’re paying for when you shop local instead of ordering online and hoping for the best.

Staff members invest in your success, treating each project like it matters because to them, it genuinely does. They’ll help calculate how much backing you need for that quilt or recommend interfacing that works with your chosen fabric weight.

New sewers especially benefit from guidance that builds confidence rather than just completing transactions.

Glynda has earned particular praise for patiently helping customers figure out quilt measurements and offering suggestions that complement designs. The team’s willingness to spend time problem-solving with customers creates an environment where crafters feel supported rather than rushed.

That personal touch transforms shopping from a chore into a genuinely pleasant experience.

Friendly and approachable, the staff makes even first-time visitors feel welcome in Floyd’s fabric haven. They remember regular customers, building relationships that extend beyond commerce into genuine community connections.

That warmth keeps people driving from Wilmington and planning vacations around return visits to this Virginia gem.

Leather And Craft Supplies Beyond Fabric

Leatherworkers, rejoice. Schoolhouse Fabrics stocks leather and leather scraps sold by the pound, opening creative possibilities beyond traditional fabric crafts.

Whether you’re adding leather accents to a sewing project or diving into full leatherworking, having access to quality materials in a physical store beats guessing from online photos every time.

Craft supplies extend into territories many fabric stores ignore completely. Yarn for knitters adds another dimension to the inventory, while various accessories support multiple crafting disciplines under one roof.

That diversity means you might arrive for quilting cotton and leave with supplies for three different projects you hadn’t even planned.

The craft section includes odds and ends that spark creativity in unexpected ways. Sometimes the best projects emerge from browsing and discovering materials you didn’t know you needed.

Having everything from battings to cutting mats to rulers means you can outfit your entire sewing room in one marathon shopping session.

This variety attracts crafters beyond just sewers and quilters, building a diverse customer base united by creative passion. Costume makers, upholstery DIYers, and mixed-media artists all find supplies here.

That cross-pollination of crafting communities creates an inspiring atmosphere where ideas flow freely and everyone leaves motivated to create something amazing.

Reasonable Prices That Respect Your Budget

Quality doesn’t always demand premium prices, and Schoolhouse Fabrics proves it. Multiple reviewers specifically mentioned finding prices comparable to other fabric stores, with some items actually lower than expected.

That value proposition matters when you’re buying yardage for a large quilt or stocking up on supplies for multiple projects.

Sure, a few items run pricier, but consider what you’re getting: specialty fabrics you can’t find elsewhere, expert advice included free, and the experience of shopping in a historic building. The convenience of examining fabric in person, feeling the weight and drape, and getting immediate help justifies any slight premium over online discount retailers where returns become complicated.

Reasonable pricing makes Schoolhouse Fabrics accessible to crafters at different budget levels. Students making prom dresses, hobbyists building their stash, and serious quilters starting major projects all find options within their financial comfort zones.

That inclusivity strengthens the crafting community rather than making it exclusive to those with deep pockets.

When visitors travel hours to shop here, fair pricing ensures they stock up without breaking the bank. Loading your car with fabric knowing you got solid value makes that long drive through Virginia’s scenic routes feel even more worthwhile.

You’re supporting local business while treating yourself to quality materials at honest prices.

A Destination Worth Planning Your Vacation Around

Some people plan entire vacations around visiting Schoolhouse Fabrics, combining fabric shopping with exploring local food and Blue Ridge scenery. That might sound extreme until you understand how rare it is finding a store this comprehensive.

For serious crafters living hours away, making it a trip rather than just an errand transforms necessity into adventure.

Floyd itself offers charm beyond the fabric store, with its small-town atmosphere and proximity to beautiful Virginia landscapes. Combining a fabric haul with camping, local dining, and mountain views creates memories that outlast any single project.

Couples make it work by trading fabric shopping for brewery visits or hiking, proving crafting passion can coexist with relationship harmony.

Visitors from Wilmington, North Carolina, and beyond already plan return trips before they’ve finished their first visit. That magnetic pull comes from knowing you’ve found something special that deserves repeat experiences.

The store becomes a landmark in your personal geography, a place you reference when giving directions to your crafting life.

Open Monday through Saturday at 220 N Locust St in Floyd, Virginia, Schoolhouse Fabrics invites you to experience three stories of creative possibility. Whether you’re a local stopping by weekly or a traveler planning your first pilgrimage, this fabric wonderland delivers exactly what crafters crave: selection, expertise, and inspiration all wrapped in historic charm.