Sourcing zips

Today I went to London trimmings in Whitechapel to source some zips for a client. As I have never been before, Ivor suggested it would be a good experience for me to go and see what the shop is like and what they had to offer. Going to London trimmings was interesting, very different to the usual shops I go into for trimmings as it was quite chaotic and overwhelming. The corridors are very small and narrow with shelves going up to the ceilings, it's very easy to get disorientated amongst all the Zips and trimmings but once I asked for help I got into it and really enjoed the experience. I learnt a very valuable lesson witch is not to judge a book by it's cover! This place is full of hidden treasures and one I will remember for my future projects.

While shopping in London trimmings I was after some very specific zips (shown in the above images) I was specifically told to get a 30 cm zip and a 63 cm zip which proved extremely difficult to find as you really have to rummage to find what you need, you also have to spend a lot of time in the shop to find exactly what you want because there is so much to see. 

 

 

I have started working on a waistcoat and we were running low on buckles so decided that as I would already be going to London trimmings I should pick up a few box' of buckles so we don't run out, as well as buckles I thought I should buy a new thimble, one that fits me better and would be more comfortable for me to sew with. I found the experience of going to London trimmings to be quite exciting, they seem to supply just about everything and if you can't find it all you have to do is ask and they are more than happy to show you where everything is. The people in the shop are very helpful and tell you where you can buy certain items and will even order specific things in for you. I think I'd definitely go and source trimmings from them in future because as well as being helpful they are also extremely cheap and take student discount which is always a bonus. Being free to go to London trimmings has given me more confidence in finding these places by myself and also in not being afraid to ask for help especially because in some fabric/trimming stores they can be quite short with you which can be quite intimidating.