Calico

Please rethink a purchase from Calico Fabric Store in Kearny Mesa. I was told fabric would arrive within 2 weeks, Calico took my money, fabric was delivered 3 months later. I would cancel order next time and go to another store. While waiting for order I decided I would like 3 extra yards of fabric at same price and answer was NO, unbelievable. I ordered fabric when became available at sale price and was charged another delivery fee and maybe saved $ 2.00, not great customer service

the woman was helpful, patient and had lots of suggestions for me. When I am ready to purchase I will get a quote from them.

They have a high end selection of fabrics. I could have probably stayed longer just looking. I know I read some reviews that made me not even want to go in. I’m glad I did. Bernadine helped me and she was very nice. I have a very small project. Just redoing my computer chair and she showed me around the store. I ended up finding a great deal in the clearance section. I would go back and see Bernadine if I ever have another project.

They had some great quality fabrics at this store and from some name brand designers, you just need to take your time to find it!

In one word — snotty. This isn’t my first visit and so I feel confident in my impression. I am not a needy shopper and prefer to be left to my own devices. Having said that there is something to be said for being greeted and acknowledged. If you want service here don’t bother shopping in your street clothes. My last and final visit, I walked in and the store was empty. Despite this I walked around for 15 minutes without any offer for service. At one point I actually stood at the counter where a worker ignored me. I have money to spend. I need drapes for two rooms. I’ll be shopping somewhere else.

I was/​am very disappointed with the outcome of the sofa that I ordered. I was all excited about a very pretty botanical pattern that I found in the store. I decided to go colorful and as the fabric had pink, purple and green in it I had accent pillows done in those colors with the «slip cover» done in a medium purple color. I had extra pillows made in pink, green and purple to match the colors in the botanical design.
It arrived yesterday. There was a large zipper on the side of the slip cover in light grey on the side of the purple solid color slip cover. It was not adequately sewn to cover the zipper and the grey. The botanical fabric was cut so that the same purple flower showed up on the cushions and the other side the «work room» decided to cut the fabric to show an orange sort of looking pineapple. The orange pineapple is on the middle of all the pillows and the other side of the seat cushions. It is on the front of every seat in the front where is shows. Where is the rest of the botanical fabric design? Who decided that my sofa should emphasize the orange? Not me! No one asked me. There were pretty green leaves on the original fabric that I picked out, and other purple flowers but it is nowhere on the sofa cushions. The neck pillow that I ordered came with the same orange on it and it was sewn crooked and too small for the insert making it look lumpy. I was told that I did not tell them not to make the whole pillow look orange!
The stitching was done on the side pillows in a blue green thread, not the grey background color. I remember years ago when I sewed matching thread to fabric. Why was that not done on a professional job? I called the store today to attempt to speak to the manager. I was told that the assistant manager was busy and the woman asked me why I wanted to speak to her as yesterday when I refused delivery as the seams were crooked and wavy, the thread they pillows were sewn with did not match, and the zipper metal pulls were sticking out, the zippers were not covered with fabric I called the store and they said to tell the delivery people to bring the sofa back to the store. There were strings from threads not cut off that he was attempting to cut off after delivery.
As I paid nearly $ 4000. for the sofa I wanted/​want to be happy with it.
The woman designer told me on the phone today that large zippers do not come in all colors these days. I said that I was not warned that they would put a light grey zipper on a purple slip cover. She also told me that they did not have any notes telling them not to cut out the orange part of the fabric and cover everything with it. No apology, no helpful attitude. I wonder if they do not make grey thread these days also.
The sofa fabric was wrinkled, not pressed and the legs of the sofa that was supposed to be made for me seemed to have something wrong with them also. The woman on the phone said that the work room had nothing to do with that. Was it that they delivered it on the back of a small open truck with no padding under it? The sofa itself was supposed to be made to order in N. Carolina, I believe.
All I can see is the orange where I wanted a pretty botanical fabric with pink, purple and green that I had seen and ordered in the store! Where is the rest of the fabric now with the leaves and other pink, purple and green flowers?
How in the world was I to know that someone in the «work room» who they said was their best upholsterer would decide for me to cut the fabric as he was particularly fond of orange? Some of the other pretty leaves and flowers are entirely cut out of what they put on the cushions of the sofa.
So if for some reason you decide to use Calico Corners make sure that you design your sofa and not some person in the work room. Make sure that you read their notes before you sign a contract.

BUYER BEWARE!!!
Great fabric selection BUT watch every move they make! I went in for two valances, same wall, same fabric, same style — one above kitchen sink, the other in a breakfast nook. They sent me the estimate, the installer arrived and had ONLY ONE valance. They said they had given me the quote for 1 valance, EVEN THOUGH THEIR COVER SHEET SAID «VALANCE’S.» I showed Patty, the manager, the cover sheet and she said that did not matter. They went through the details of their quote that is printed on a dot matrix computer (abbreviated and technical), and I still can not see where it specifies one valance. Patty did not budge on what Bernadine had done. WHY WOULD I WANT THE QUOTE ON ONE VALANCE?
I also needed two pillows for a sofa (note — the quote they gave me for the pillows, which was submitted before the valances, was for both pillows — not one at a time). The pillows are both 20“x24″ and Bernadine charged me for 7 ⁴⁄₈ yards of trim. I ONLY NEEDED 5 YARDS FOR BOTH PILLOWS! It was $ 42/​yard so they got me for an extra $ 105.
How did I find that out? The $ 42/​yd tassel trim was falling apart after 6 months — the string that held the tassel together came off on most of the tassels, on all sides, of both pillows. Calico Corners would not replace it. When I went to order new trim, I saw the 7 ⁴⁄₈ yards and knew it was too much.
By the way, I had done business at the same location, different people, about 10 years ago and did not have any of these issues.

After looking at many other fabric companies, I came to calico. Pat, Bernadine and Lilly were extremely patient and helpful! My process was long bc I am extremely picky but that didn’t bother the ladies at calico. They consistently answered all my questions in a timely manner. A roll of fabric had to be returned and that didn’t cause a ruckus either. Props to these ladies who do their job so well! A shout out to Butch their installer! Great guy who is always prompt and efficient! Thank you!!!

After going to two other fabric stores to try to find fabric for my reupholstery project, I reluctantly decided to travel the distance and take a look at Calico, a place where I’d shopped unsuccessfully many years ago. I’m more than happy I did. The staff, including the lively, funny, and thoroughly helpful manager, Lili, were so incredibly warm, knowledgeable, and helpful, I felt really at home looking around. The store is updated, bright and filled with gorgeous fabrics, arranged in sensible color groupings. Lili was interested in helping me figure out my style, without being the least bit pushy. I felt like she cared about me. So it was no surprise when I called the following week to order my fabric, that she actually remembered the pattern and the color I had tentatively chosen. Talk about personal service! She is the best. I had the opportunity to overhear some of the other associates helping customers, and each time I was impressed by their expertise and kindness. This is a well run business, catering to both those with a flair for decorating (like the friend who accompanied me and found her dream fabric) and lost souls like me who need a bit of guidance and the borrowed good taste of professionals like Lili.

This place is near and dear to my heart. Here is where my obsession for fabric and textiles began. Once upon a time I worked at this sadly underrated and under appreciated fabric-​o-​topia. The store is kept immaculately clean and tidy. The store itself is spacious and gets amazing sunlight through the windows. The staff is super friendly and go above and beyond their pay stub value. Thousands of gorgeous fabrics are available at trade comparable prices and many times less costly. I recently visited and was pleasantly surprised by the new youthful, more hip, and updated looks presented by the varied vignettes. The store is mapped by color and makes it easy to locate your desired fabric. Check out the beautifully displayed trims, fringes, and tassels. They even provide quotes while you wait to have anything and everything custom made by their workrooms. If thats not enough you can pick out and purchase your furniture through them and also apply the fabric of your choice. Any questions? Ask one of the super sweet ladies working. They pretty much know everything. Just don’t ask them to cut 200 swatches for you. Thats really annoying!