FABRIC SHOPPING IN MELBOURNE USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT
by Nola Bicknell
(with amendments incorporated from the September 2007 and May 2008 newsletters) 
Note Feb 2010: this article is now old, you should contact shops to make sure the ARE still there !!!

If you are unable to find what you want in Geelong you might consider one of the tours I have worked out. Here is the first tour. I’ll give you information about another one later.

 You should be able to do this tour on an off peak train ticket, if you start early and don’t waste time. The first off peak train is the 8.05 from Geelong, but you need to book a seat on this train as it comes from Warrnambool. Or take the 8.27 am train.
The last off peak train leaves Southern Cross at 3.53 pm. If you are late back you can upgrade to a peak ticket. Or you can buy a ticket that is off peak to Melbourne and peak to Geelong.

 Get off the train at North Melbourne. Take a Craigieburn line train (both Broadmeadows and Glenroy stations are on this line) to Moonee Ponds. You will leave the train on the LHS (left hand side) and stay on that side of the line. Walk back to the railway crossing, turn right into Holmes Rd, cross the street and walk a short distance to Tranquility Crafts, 37 Holmes Rd. This shop is crowded with more fabric and other crafty things than you would think could fit in there and is too small for a guild bus trip. The proprietor is very friendly and obliging. Just beware of fading in some of the fat quarters behind the sunny window. Otherwise the quality is excellent.

 Return to the station and the same platform. Take a train to Glenroy, then the 513 bus from the RHS of the line to Patchworks Unlimited, 17 Pascoe St. (After the bus passes a golf links (or park?) it comes to a primary school - that is where to get off, cross the road and walk back a bit to the shop. The shop is on the RHS of the road. This shop is more spacious, has some luscious fabrics, some bargains, a toilet out the back, and free tea, coffee and biscuits.

 Catch a bus back to Glenroy station and a train back to Essendon. Turn to the right in the subway and emerge beside several bus stops. Note the time of the 503 bus as you pass. Head for the main road and cross a very busy intersection at the lights. Turn into Fletcher St and walk along a few doors to Patchwork of Essendon. The fabrics in this shop have a traditional feel.

 Return to the bus stop near the station and catch the 503 to Lygon St. (Start looking out for it after you cross a railway line and Sydney Rd.) Walk back towards the city for about five minutes and on the right you will come to GJ’s Discount Fabrics. This shop has been reorganised so that the patchwork fabrics are now upstairs above the front of the shop in a spacious area. There is a large range. Don’t be fooled by the name as the majority of their fabrics are top quality. They also have a few pieces discounted due to imperfections but these are a cheap way of adding to your colours if you only want a little. Other areas of the shop have dress fabrics, dance fabrics, threads, beads, braids, “notions”, etc. Refreshments are available.

 Take a tram back to the city. If you have time, squeeze in a visit to Clegs at 60 Elizabeth St. They have a limited range of patchwork fabrics, a lot of sewing accessories (ribbons, embroidery threads, beads, tools, etc.), yarns and beautiful dress fabrics including very expensive silks, brocades, etc.

 Take either a train (quicker) or a tram (Collins St or Bourke St) back to Southern Cross. I hope your arms can carry all your lovely purchases.

 Note 1: I wish to clarify that it is only a return ticket that gives you free travel all day. If you have a one way ticket you can get it time stamped at the ticket office at Southern Cross station for one hour of free travel in the metropolitan area.

 Note 2: It is wise to check a current Geelong - Melbourne train timetable, changes can happen.

 Nola Bicknell.