B Wilk Fabrics

Such a pleasant staff to work with. I knew what I wanted in my head but wasn’t sure how much fabric I would need and they helped me figure out exactly what I needed for the project I was working on. They have good quality fabrics and their prices were par to other fabric stores in the district.

I love this place and have been shopping there for over 25 years. The service and selection is excellent. Some of the friendliest people on South 4^th Street. Regardless of your taste ~ modern, traditional, eclectic, etcetera ~ they will have things for you.

Great selection of fabrics and very friendly owner but extremely rude and ignorant employee. Myself and another lady came in at the same time around 4:40 — 20 minutes before close. The man working reluctantly let us in (as he was standing outside the door with the lock in hand counting down the minutes to close). He proceeded to complain about how «customers» are so inconsiderate coming in 20 minutes before close when they have been open all day long and how we need to be out by 5 and can come back the next day BEFORE closing time. At one point I asked how much a fabric was and he said «some customers ask me the dumbest questions» (there was a sticker on the bolt that I didn’t see at first). When the owner entered the store he was extremely friendly and accommodating but as soon as we were left alone again, his employee began talking about how it was now 5 after close and he was ready to go and that the hours were right on the business card so he didn’t understand why people think it’s ok to stay passed close… SO I gave up and left. I needed to buy 20 yards of fabric and was prepared to purchase that day but this man completely turned me off to this store. Customer service can make or break a place and I will definitely be taking my business elsewhere. I feel bad for the owner but I don’t want to be harassed while I try to shop!

I too have fallen victim to Pinterest projects and found a fun project that required some fabrics. Having no idea where to start I headed down to 4^th street and happened upon B. Wilk Fabrics. I’m so glad they were my first (and only) stop. Huge selection of great fabrics, but more importantly really great people. All of the staff I met was super friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and funny! Made this overwhelming experience a great one! I highly recommend!

No attitude. Huge selection. Helpful and friendly staff.
I am addicted to having furniture reupholstered and shop for a lot of fabric for my own pieces as well as those of friends and family. I have been in most of the stores on this street and think B Wilks is among the very best.
Their selection is enormous both off the bolt and in the books. They have a wide range of prices and are very helpful at trying to find a fabric that works well with your budget. I have worked on low budget projects and higher budget projects and found lots of each.
Most recently I worked with a guy there named Bill who could not have been more helpful. At some stores I hesitate to ask the price of too many pieces but not at this place. They are more than happy to help you in anyway they can. And they are very laid back and generous about helping to order samples.
I also love that they try to stock fabrics that they find popular. They noticed lots of people want to make Restoration Hardware type curtains so they have bolts of fabric similar to those but perhaps poly blends to lower the price substantially. If you want the real deal expensive linens, they have huge selections they will gladly order as well.

I have a confession to make. I am a fabric junkie. A fabric junkie who doesn’t sew. I know, it’s a problem. I go into B Wilk. My eyes dart around. My hands start to shake. I resist the urge to just jump into the piles of fabric bolts leaning against a wall and laugh giddily.
This is a fabric junkie’s heaven.
B Wilk is one of the original, old style fabric stores on Fabric Row. My grandmother got fabrics here. My South Philly Italian Aunts get their fabric here. It’s what Fabric Row was always, and I hope always will be.
B Wilk and some of the other old time merchants on the row specialize in end-​run bolts, the remainder of what was a large production run that wasn’t sold at retail. These are WISYWYG — what you see is what you get — products that cannot be reordered. They are also steeply discounted which makes them fabulous bargains. They also have fabrics to order so it’s not all end runs, but the end runs are where the stone cold deals are. For instance, an absolutely gorgeous gold and maroon brocade upholstery fabric, 4 yards, $ 5 a yard. Was easily $ 45 to $ 50 commercially. Just enough to redo a wood and upholstery chair. Yes!
Don’t go if you expect organization, good lighting, lots of space, clever displays. Do go if you want great fabric, are willing to dig, and like to chat with people who are 3^rd and 4^th generation merchants who know their stuff. Just ignore me as I roll around in those fabric bolts when you’re there.

Really great customer service!
I had purchased a groupon that was nearing its expiration date and as i really did not have a project in mind yet, I called the store to ask if they could possibly extend the date for me. A gentleman answered the phone and said «no problem» and said that I could use it at any time, he was very pleasant and accommodating.
A few weeks later I popped by the store looking for fabric to upholster a funky chair I am working on…
A woman by the name of Mona asked if I needed help and stated she was there if I should i need anything.
No hovering or stalking, lol!
In the midst of looking through countless fabric books that were supplied to me by this very patient woman, I asked if they could recommend anyone for upholstery. I was quickly given two sources that I was told were quite good. Carie from «Cari’e’s Upholstery» happened to be stopping by the store to meet with another customer and was very quick to give me a very reasonable quote and yardage info. Free pick up and delivery of my chair to boot! I found a beautiful fabric for my chair and someone to upholster it in one quick stop. B Wilke is like that olé mom and pop shop of yesterday. No nonsense get it done service,
I will post pics of my chair when it’s done.
Excited!

This is my favorite fabric store in Philadelphia, Best for upholstery, curtains fabric. Large selection. Don’t forget to go upstairs where there are bolts of fabric on racks. They can recommend people do to upholstery –some excellent suppliers, as well as drapes etc. right down the street at John’s. Friendly, totally professional. All the fabric is priced by the yard, and they help you match or suggest options.

This kind of hardworking, small, family-​owned business is disappearing and this is one of the last of its kind (even on Fabric Row). Great prices, great personalities, makes you feel like family for buying a yard of polyester.

Very nice selection of upholstery and drapery fabrics, and the staff is very friendly and welcoming. When I came in with a coffee and asked to put it down on their desk so I could look for fabric hands-​free, they said «You can do anything you like in here!» So nice!
As far as I’ve noticed, the prices are a little higher than other stores on Fabric Row, but that’s subjective since the quality of fabrics can be pretty diverse from the different stores. Still, the prices are better than chains like Calico Corners, etc.

B. Wilk Fabrics is amazing! They have thousands of bolts of great fabrics! They had everything I was looking for and everyone their was so helpful. Not only were they helpful but everyone was so nice!

All of my experiences shopping at Wilkes have been positive. They are very helpful. I always stop there first to save myself time. If I go during the week I usually get lucky and find a parking spot out front or just around the corner.

My mother and a friend came down to Philly one day to hang out on Fabric Row, and our first stop was B Wilk. I think the woman downstairs thought she was selling used cars.
«I’ll make you a deal, OK? Whaddya want, I’ll make you a deal?» and then proceeded to follow us around like an annoying kid that keeps asking, «Why?»
I made the mistake of going upstairs to wander around. The guy up there offered what I thought was a friendly hello, and then proceeded to vomit his entire life story in approximately 15 minutes. When I woke up from my nap, he asked when the baby was due. Uh… what? I said, «Yeah, not pregnant, just fat, but thanks.»
Bottom line is: Lots of fabric. No customer service skills.