Fabric Showplace

I had limited funds but high expectations and they were exceeded. I got kind, efficient, and thoughtful help from practically every member of the family, from the grandson to the grandfather, with Mom guiding the process the whole way. What I liked most was watching the authentically warm interaction between family members. A family run business that is managed as well as this seems to be a disappearing animal, but not here. They not only found me fabric beyond what I was hoping to afford, but padding and all in budget. Supremely nice people running a terrific business.

Needed fun fabrics for a school project and stopped in there — WOW! Service and selection were second to none!!! So glad I went in they make me want to sew!!!

I have been in to Freddy Farkel’s Fabric Showplace at least 4 times and each time has been a positive experience. They have so much beautiful fabric and so many options. My mother has purchased fabric here many times too. I went in today to see if they had any upholstery foam for a workshop I am taking and the guy who helped me was super nice. He gave me a complementary piece of leftover foam — it was totally not expected but super appreciated. The woman I spoke with on the phone earlier today was also very friendly and helpful (and patient since I don’t know a thing about foam!!!). If you need nice fabric, I really suggest you check this place out. Support a local business.

Great selection of product and customer service! We have purchased material there many times in the past for various projects and the staff goes out of their way to assist customers. Recently, we were looking for a piece of leather to repair a couch and knew that out of all of the Boston area fabric stores, we could find it there. Sure enough, a piece was located in the back that was perfect. Pricing has always been extremely fair. They are always our 1^st and last stop for our fabric needs.

I could not believe the experience I had in this place! I went in for some last-​minute upholstery supplies. They were not helpful at all and sent me on a wild chase around the store trying to find what I needed. I decided to browse the remnants and one of the guys who works there practically fell over himself in the next aisle while he spied on me to see if I was stealing his crap fabric. I did find a small remnant that would be nice for pillows for $ 4, but noticed the other pieces did not have tags on them. I made sure to grab the $ 4 one as it was all I needed. I went to the checkout, paid for my supplies, and thought wow that’s higher than I expected. I checked my receipt and noticed I was overcharged for the remnant. I asked why and the cashier told me it was $ 6 and then mysteriously the tag had gone missing.
These people are ridiculous, pay attention to prices and receipts. I’ve been here a few times and left thinking it was higher than I thought it should be… apparently they like to rip off their customers and think their customers are doing the same. Shame on you Freddy Farkel’s.

i love this place! immediately upon entering staff is friendly and helpful– whether you want to just browse or if you need more direction they are very attentive and knowledgeable. the variety of fabrics is wide– and the discounted fabric in the back is a great place to find deals. i 100 percent love this place!

I love this place. Not only do they have a massive array of merchandise, but everyone there is so knowledgeable and incredibly helpful. I’ve been going here for years and when I’ve ventured out to somewhere else, I’ve ALWAYS come back. Two big thumbs up!

Very poor customer service and totally unfriendly. I ordered curtains and hardware at the store. I was given a swatch of the fabric to confirm that this was the fabric I wanted. I felt a bit cornered. I confirmed. A couple of weeks later, I had a change of heart. I emailed my contact who said that the curtains were already in the store and that it was too late. I offered to give them a restocking fee, no deal. I waited weeks for the installation but nothing came. Then I went through some temporary financial troubles. I was looking at my credit card transactions and lo and behold, they had charged me for the balance which is due at the time of installation. I called and complained that (1)they had charged me without asking for permission and (2) that the installer had NOT contacted me to arrange for the installation. I also asked if it was possible to pay the installation balance in two months instead of in one lump sum. The owner refused the courtesy. My order was substantial. I had more business to give them. This is the end of my dealings with them. Now let’s hope the installation tonight goes well. I am furious.

signs of life! Two new employees who are amazing. A thoughtful warm young woman who is smart about fabrics and actually remembers you from your last time there. And, a wonderful hardworking guy who also clearly knows his stuff. Seek them out and you’ll have a good experience. Still would not have my workroom stuff done there because of the idiotic system for pricing and estimates, totally archaic. But 2 nice new employees! yay

Rudest lady ever works there. Told my two year on on two separate occasions to cover his mouth while coughing. Clearly never had kids or been around them.

It took me 10 years to find my way to Freddy Farkle, but I have been returning regularly since making my first purchase from this family-​run business. I have had them make new, custom, complicated seat cushions, reupholster an ottoman for me, make new pillow covers and special order fabric for another project I plan to do. The staff is patient (I tend to look at a lot of samples before making a decision, and kept samples at home for longer than I’m sure they would have liked) and the selection is really impressive. The service is very personalized and the staff appear to work as a team, so anyone and everyone is helpful.
They have some great deals on upholstery fabrics that are being discontinued and prices are fair on the ‘current’ fabric designs. Unlike many other vendors in this business, Freddy Farkle keeps a large inventory on site so if you pick from their in-​stock display area. You go home with as many yards as you need and can start your project that very day.
They have plenty of parking, will carry heavy loads to and from your car for you, and welcome telephone calls to ask about the progress of your order. They are just plain friendly, too. I am sorry I waited so long to discover this gem, located close to the arsenal mall.
And we love the project they did that required making an exact copy of a worn, dirty cushion and re-​upholstery. Top notch job.

I recently went to Fabric Showplace to have two curtain panels made for french doors in my living room. I found a very reasonable fabric and they made the curtains in three days! The staff was friendly and helpful! They look great and I could not ask for better service. I always like to support family businesses and this one is easy to support.

Incredibly rude, poor customer service. One of their employees tasked himself with finding a fabric I was trying to match. He notified me he had, indeed, found it. I was obviously pleased. I called, asked to speak with said employee, and was told there was no employee by that name. What’s more, the man on the phone couldn’t be bothered helping me, and made me — the customer — feel as though I was making this up. He hung up! I had planned to spend several hundred dollars here. Their loss.

I visited on two different lunch breaks, so time was a little limited. The first time I had emailed over pictures of a wing-​back (fan-​back) chair that I acquired by auction. I spoke with Barry, who thought the chair was approximately made from 1910 – 1930 and seemed so excited about how unique it was and if I wanted to sell it, it would catch me a nice profit. The quote to restore this chair was understandably expensive and I told him I would return over pondering it over (i just bought a car last month. and not really able to spend $ 900 on a chair at the moment). I called before going in on Saturday and about getting replacement seats for some dining chairs, I was told they are not very expensive $ 25-​$ 35 each. Barry looked at what I brought which needed to be duplicated and told me to cut out the seat in plywood and bring back for them to cut the foam and upholster, he claimed it would be very cheap — much cheaper than having a frame rebuilt, especially if i paid cash. I returned a week later after determining that my upholstered chair will need to wait until next year, for the seat cushions I had my wood and material in hand and was told that only Barry could help me. I waited and when he was free, I told him I couldn’t do the chair just yet but wanted to go forward with the cushions, he asked what I had quoted him, and I said you didn’t you only gave me the price for the large chair, he then quoted me $ 60 a cushion, which is not cheap under any circumstance. Knowing that the price he gave me was complete hooey he said, you can just do it yourself have one of the girls help you get the foam. In other words, since I wasn’t going to bring the expensive project in, he had no use for my smaller project. When the time comes, I will NOT be bringing the vintage chair to him. Very disappointed. I noticed that Barry seems to tell his customers exactly what they want to hear while being completely full of it.
* After further research my chair was Custom made in 1950 by a local furniture maker/​upholster in Mattapan/​Dorchester. Unique piece but likely not something that would sell for a major profit.

Superb service, excellent products, surprisingly affordable prices.
I had a loveseat in need of reupholstering. The folks here helped me choose fabrics (and I had to take 3 trips there to decide, but that’s me).
They were consistent about pricing, gave good recommendations and guidance, picked up the loveseat on time (early, actually), gave it the spa treatment — way beyond just new covering. They did some wizardry to the seat, back and arms so that it’s actually comfortable to sit on! They finished the work ahead of schedule, and delivered the loveseat to my office where it looks great.
This was an heirloom that I inherited, and it had some sentimental value so I was a little hesitant about what I was doing. This delightful business made it so easy and I will happily return for similar projects.

My first visit to Fabric Showplace was great. Greeted right away, Troy took care of me and answered all my questions and I was amazed at the vast selection of fabrics and the pricing as well. I messed up and did not purchase enough fabric for the job, even though at Freddy Farkels they told me to buy more than the seamstress told me, I didn’t listen. Upon returning, then bent over backwards to help me find the material which at this point was sold out. They ordered a new shipment, took my original purchase back and gave me 100% credit towards it, no restocking charge. The owner (Fred) took a personal interest in my situation and made the whole issue a breeze. I would recommend anyone to shop at the Fabric Showplace. I did not get one second of negativity from the people who work in the store. On the contrary they could not have been more pleasant and knowledgeable.
JO’D
Concord, MA

This was my first time at this store. I went in on my lunch break… Amazing selection of fabric, great price. Was greeted by gentlemen by the name Troy, who was great! My lunch time wasnt enough time to look through everything but i will be back for sure!

The owners need to give the sales help some guide lines on how to treat costumers.
Very unfriendly staff.
I just called to find out what the starting price range was on a particular type of fabric and was treated with impatience and rudeness. They appear to be too busy to answer basic questions on the phone.
I was trying to find out if a trip to the store would be successful or a waste of time (it would be a 45 minute drive for me one way). I asked my question and the woman interrupted me stating I would just have to come in and find out — then before I could respond she hung up on me.
After speaking with sales help — I actually will not be visiting the store at all ever — being treated so rudely will not win my business.
These people are either overworked or just plain old grumpy!

I go to Freddy Farkels mostly because it’s so close to my house. When I go I usually get helped when I need it. Recently though, I stood at the counter for at least 5 minutes before someone came around to help, and I dont mind the wait if people are busy. But there was a guy sitting at the desk doing paperwork from the looks of it that COMPLETELY ignored me. He was about 3 feet away and just pretended I wasn’t there. I would have expected at least a «hey, how are ya, someone will be right with you». That was a turn-​off, and I will say, if there were a Joanns fabric in town, I would without a doubt go there instead. The only thing that really made up for that man was a woman that did pass me twice while I was shopping to ask if I needed anything. She was very nice and ready with a smile, which I appreciate.
I like Freddys, but sometimes I just don’t find the color or type of fabric I’m looking for, and the prices are a little higher then I’d prefer just for fun projects. They seem to specialize in upholstery fabrics. I prefer a chain like Joann’s because it’s a one stop shop, I can usually find all kinds of things I didnt even know I needed there, for a variety of projects.

Great selection of fabrics, Rude people that work there