No Surprise, I just learned they are closing. Don't go even to their sale. Terrible business and customer service. It used to be a solid business; clearly not anymore. read more

15 months ago I paid for custom draperies. As of over a year later and multiple attempts to reach the owner, I took Janet Shapiro to small claims court. She did not show up July 24, nor a further hearing Aug 25. She made no attempt to contact the court. I was given a Capius, a right to hire a constable to force her to pay me interest and principal to me on monies due. I had the right to have her arrested. Inclined to do so, I agreed to lose 1/3 my $. She is a weasel and thinks she had a right to countersue me which she did not as she had 4 months to speak her mind. Be careful, check with the Newton District Court. read more

Giant selection of fabrics on display. Enormous warehouse factory large enough within which to get lost. Blowout sale fabrics, designer fabrics, regular fabrics. Custom upholstering available. Prices are reasonable. Staff is friendly. May have to wait for estimates as there is usually one gentleman In charge of measuring and pricing out reupholster jobs. Curtains and window treatments available. In door fabrics, outdoor fabrics, mixed use indoor/outdoor fabrics. Great place. read more

Freddy Farkel's Fabric Showplace - Fabric Stores Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

I'm so glad I discovered Freddy's! Unlike other fabric warehouses that sell to the individual consumer( not requiring a decorators license) they offer wonderful personalized service. While they have several beautiful fabrics in stock , they also have a great selection of special order high end fabrics in decorator swatch books. The special order fabrics aren't that much more expensive than the in stock fabrics and you can bring a few books home to see the swatches in your own lighting and 'live' with them for a few days. Then if there are a few you like, most mills will send you decorator swatch samples. I've been working with 1 of the owners, Janet who is so warm, charming and supremely knowledgeable about everything fabric! I absolutely love going there. Not only does it feel like a nice social visit, the selection of magazine beautiful fabrics is like a candy store. read more

I have been a loyal customer of Fabric Showplace for years. I had Fabric Showplace reupholster my sofa. The total price was $2000 for labor. I purchased the fabric from another vendor for nearly $500. After having the couch for 3+ weeks, it was returned to me. I followed up with my point of contact there in an email about problems with the work, including sending photos of the old and new. There were gaps where the cushions met the back of the couch and the center welting was noticeably crooked. There were multiple emails into mid-September regarding a redo. Their vendor picked it up to "fix" it. I provided a fair amount of additional fabric, which I'd intended to repurpose for making a a foot stool. I was without the couch for another 3 weeks and when it was delivered, the back welting was still crooked. I decided to live with it. When I had friends over for the holidays, one commented on the crookedness of the center welting, at which point I realized that it was noticeable to more than just me. In late December, 2022, I reached out to request a partial refund, including to cover the cost of the additional fabric they used as I wasn't able to move forward with my foot stool now. I was told that the owner would be looped into my request. I offered to have the owner visit my house to see the sofa, but have never heard back. On 1/26/23, I asked about the status of my request and didn't hear back. On 3/23/23, my point person indicated that she'd passed everything on to the owner. To date, I have had no further communication from either person. I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of MA and they didn't respond to that either. Pre-COVID, I spoke with a different team at Fabric Showplace about reupholstering. They have a different upholsterer there now (about which I was unaware). I'm stuck living with a mediocre job on my sofa and am very dismayed that the company owner didn't see fit to respond to me or the BBB. Buyer beware. Take your upholstery business to Crimson and Brighton Upholstering in Newton, MA, as they have a good selection of fabrics (so does Zimman's in Lynn, MA) and a chair they did for me looks fabulous. read more

If I could give it 10 stars I would!! Had one of the best experiences in an upholstery fabric store ever!! Not only did I find the perfect fabric for my project, but had a great time doing so!! The staff member who helped me was perfect! I am just sorry I did not get her name! We had such a great time deciding which fabric would be best!! I got to meet the owner and it was like going to a family reunion!! Professional, yet warm and helpful! I can't wait to start my next project so I can go back! read more

If you're doing an upholstery project make sure to stop here. Check the website for the address to plug in because the one in Yelp isn't quite right. read more

This is a great place with a great selection and options. Their customer service is great too! Would definitely recommend using them for any upcoming projects. read more

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!! read more

Thousands and thousands of fabrics to choose from at good prices. Can not beat the price on ends of bolts, samples and remnants. They also have a wide selection of upholstery grade fabrics. Giving only four stars because the staff can be super helpful or down right rude. I am no Martha Stewart; my fabric projects are not sewn together with elegant silk stitching but stuck together with Velcro tape and a lot of hope. Have had the sales people here be very kind and helpful giving great ideas and assistance (including offering a 1/3 off discount when I mentioned my project was for a fundraiser) but also have been ignored, walked away from mid-question and had sales people never return from checking on how much of a particular fabric they have in stock. The selection and price make it worth putting up with the service issues and by no means is the service bad all the time. The entrance is on the side of the building and there is no sign on the front of the building so it is easy to miss. Head into the driveway that is opposite the entrance to the Mt. Auburn Club and you will see the stairs half way down the side of the building. read more

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. read more

Great selection of fabrics, Rude people that work there

Freddy Farkel must have plenty of reupholstery business; it didn't need mine. Its website claims that the business gives estimates, so I uploaded pix. Barry wrote back, "Yes we can do it." That isn't an estimate, so I wrote back to him asking for one. No response. A few days later, I called. A woman answered and said she'd transfer my call to Barry. Disconnected. i called back. The woman said that Barry was busy, he'd call me back. Nope. read more

So happy I went to Freddys! So many fabric samples to choose from and the staff was incredibly helpful. Helen showed me where all the different fabric samples were and helped me for a while. Then I started working with Regina who pulled samples that I didn't even see. Everyone there is so friendly and helpful. I would definitely recommend a trip in if you are looking for something special! read more

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 read more

I would love this place even it was bad just cause of the name. I got foam here for a window seat and it is incredibly comfy. I can use it to sleep on the floor and it feels like a mattress. The first time i tried to go to Freddy's I got a bit lost. I had forgotten the name but knew there was a foam place in watertown. So I called my sister and asked her to google a foam place in Watertown. When the name Freddy Farkel's Fabric and Foam came up she thought I was prank calling her just to get her to look up that name. Alliteration at it's best. I use Freddy Farkel (as I have named my foam) all the time. Great selection of fabrics too. A little pricy, but the quality is great. read more

The rudest staff I have ever encountered. Not just "unfriendly" or "unhelpful" but complete jerks. Unfriendly staff wouldn't usually keep me from any store, but I will never shop at Freddy Farkle's again. read more

The drapes I ordered were well done. However the rod and hardware were totally unacceptable. As the rod is vis able it looks cheap and flimsy. The curtain designer knew the rod was visable. Yet failed to take that into consideration. read more

Just a note they mainly sell decorating fabrics. If you're not looking to reupholster something or make drapes this might not be the fabric store for you. But if that's what you need then they have a wide selection for you to choose from. read more

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. read more

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!!! read more

They have a wide variety of fabrics of all different prices. However, the assistance I received and experienced being provided to others was condescending at best. If the project is not up to their standards, they will disregard you and what you are seeking assistance with. Maybe it was an off day, but I will not bother going back nor recommending others visit this business. read more

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. read more

Huge selection. Also called Freddie Farkles. Staff was very helpful and prices are lower than retail. They sort by color and rype which I found helpful. I was in and out in less than 30 min. read more

This place is amazing. I found an antique sofa on Craigslist. $80. They picked it up for me, stripped it to check the frame (solid walnut!), spent hours over two days helping me to find the right fabrics for it and 2 chairs, reupholstered it, and in doing that, had to piece together the fabric and pattern because the sofa was too long for the bolt. Absolutely beautiful job. You have to really look for the seams and every beautiful Jay Yang flower lines up vertically and horizontally across the whole thing. Wonderful craftsmanship! Then they delivered it to Cape Cod for me. I can't say enough good about them. 3 years later and it is as beautiful as ever! read more

Freddy Farkel's Fabric Showplace - This is reupholstered sofa from Freddie Farkel's Fabric Place in Watertown. Beautiful job & looks as good as new 3 years later. - Fabric Stores Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

They have a good selection of decorator fabrics at reasonable prices and deserve 4 stars for that, but the people aren't very friendly or helpful there. What's worse, I gave them a job to put together a window seat cushion, and they totally messed it up. It took about 5 weeks to get the job done and then it was smaller than the measurements they received. To their credit I must say that they did the job over (fortunately I had enough fabric left over), and the second job was better, though the lines of the cushion weren't exactly straight. (1 star for the upholstery job). read more

Lots to choose from, but the service is terrible. No employee was in sight when I walked in. When the saleswoman finally emerged from the back room and I asked her for help, she acted as though I'd woken her at 2 in the morning and demanded she cook me a five-course meal. She seemed unaware of the fact that part of her job was to help people. If you do decide to shop here, you'd better know exactly what you're looking for and where it's located in the store. read more

Great selection, way better than anywhere else. Troy and Sparkle were very helpful. Everyone offered to help us and we were there for a couple hours looking through all types of fabric and upholstery. They cut another piece when they discovered a small flaw in the silk we bought. They helped us find lower priced fabrics and did not push us to buy the most expensive thing. We were surprised to read the comments about rude service. This was the nicest service we have seen in the boston area in a long time. We would definitely come back to buy more for future decorating projects. read more

My mother needed some fabric for a project and wanted to visit the Fabric Showplace. Being a good son, I volunteered to drive her, but needed directions. After searching online for the address, I saw the scathing reviews, and my antennae immediately went up. I have an extremely low tolerance for poor service and am more than happy to let the individual, manager, owner, etc. know about it. I told her of what I read, and she stated that she had been in the past and could recall it being an ok experience. Within 10 seconds of walking through the door, we were approached by a staff member offering help and explaining the layout of the store. As we made our way around the store we were approached by THREE more staff members, all offering their help, and each giving a few more details. The first woman even came back to ensure that we found what we were looking for. I know absolutely nothing about fabric (all I can say is that they had what appeared to be a million different things to choose from), but I do know good customer service. Maybe it was the time of the day we visited; however, our experience was excellent. read more

They have a good selection of fabrics- particularly for upholstery. The prices are right, and I find the service fine. They don't fall over themselves to help you, but they will follow you around with a scissors and swatch fabrics for you. That's a pretty big deal these days if you ask me! read more

I went to Freddy Farkel's today looking for fabric for a dress. Unfortunately, I found out upon my arrival that they only sell home decorating fabrics. But, since I will soon be reupholstering an old chair, I stuck around to see what they offered. I ended up having a WONDERFUL time talking to the employees. I have seldom met such friendly and helpful people! Three people came up to me in a ten minute period to see if I needed help. Joan and I ended up talking a long time about all kinds of things, but mostly about fabric and reupholstering. She was a wealth of knowledge and very helpful. I don't live here; I live in New Hampshire. But, my family lives in the area and I plan to come back. The selection of fabrics was incredible! Besides the rolls/bolts of fabric that were in the main showroom, there were rows and rows of fabric samples that had more of the same in the warehouse. I can't imagine not being able to find what I wanted for my home if I came here. read more

I have never posted a review in my life (although I always read them), but because there were so many negative reviews I feel I must add my positive voice. I have found the sales people to be very helpful. They don't follow you around when you're browsing, but I found them to be very helpful in pointing out different possibilities, cutting swatches, etc. On one recent visit I wanted drapery fabric in a particular color. There was nothing on the rolls that I liked and I didn't even look at the special order fabric, thinking it would be too expensive...plus I wanted to start my project right away. The sales person directed me to the back aisle and what a treasure trove that is! Yes, it's dark back there and yes the aisle is narrow and fabrics are stacked way high. But I found the PERFECT fabric in the PERFECT color and the price was fabulous! But here's the best part. The sales person who was cutting it for me discovered a smudge on the edge of the fabric (which I didn't even notice) so she went through every single yard of two rolls of fabric to make sure that I would get 15 continuous yards that didn't have the smudge. Now that's service. I ended up making floor-to-ceiling drapes in a silk/linen fabric for 3 windows $75! If you shop for curtains you'll know that you can barely get one pair of curtains with inferior fabric for that amount. I love Freddy Farkel's! read more

My experience was the complete opposite of other reviewers. My first interaction took place over the phone to confirm store hours. The man who answered was extremely pleasant. The woman who assisted me in the store was knowledgable, friendly and didn't make me feel as if I was bothering her. I gave them 4 stars instead of 5 because they didn't have the most complete fabric selection I would have liked to have seen. Then again, neither did the other stores I visited. That being said, my taste is more modern than traditional and I did find something I was happy with in the end. read more

BE WARE OF THIS PLACE!! I went to this shop to look for a very small strip of foam to stuff the gap between my co-sleeper and my bed mattress and found this place online. Called them and a older guy told me no problem. Showed up Saturday and was promptly informed that the guy who answered the phone and do the cutting was not there. But I can cut it myself simply and proceeded to charge me $30 for a small piece of foam (something about it being high grade, petroleum being expansive, blah blah blah). Went home and realize there were no way I can cut this piece nicely, so I decided to go back to return the piece and use a pool noodle instead. Well, no only they do not take any returns (even though no cutting was done to the "scrap" piece), they made no apology of the wrong measurements (I only need 1/3 of it). Further, I can only have them cut it for me and the rude guy made me draw the measurements on the foam piece myself. Even though it's such a small thing, this just shows you the kind of shop this place is. Don't get scammed here!! I lost $30, read more

I am really glad to be the first person to write a review for this place because it gives me a chance to basically warn people about it. I will tell you upfront that this review is based on MANY visits to Freddy Farkel's. I went to this place frequently because it was very close to me when I lived in Brighton. Each time I tried to just put my head down and get what I needed and leave as soon as possible. That being said I think I will just tell a few stories about by experiences at this store and that will be that. I used to go to this place mostly for notions, you know buttons, zippers, thread. Over the years they had less and less of this stuff but I would still go in a pinch if I needed thread. Everytime I went there I was made to wait, not because they were busy, not because of any line at the cashier, it was purely that horribly obnoxious thing that unhappy sales people will do when they are miserable and crabby. They just make you wait while they are "in the back" or "sorting something". I dont need people to be friendly to me at a store necessarily but I dont need to be sneered at either. I can honestly say that each time I went there my need to buy something was treated as a total inconvenience. I thought maybe it was because I was only buying a couple dollars worth of stuff but one day I was there a woman was buying quite a bit and she got the same treatment. Another time I went to actually buy fabric. I was no master sewer and new to the whole world of reading the back of a pattern envelope to see how much fabric I needed. You would have though I had asked this woman the most offensive question in the history of mankind when I asked her for help. She was so outrageous in her response and attitude to me I thought she was joking. She treated me like a total retard, so condescending, so rude. I didnt know there was room for such snobbery in a FABRIC store, thats the kind of thing I might expect in a fancy pants wine shop but fabric, come on. The last time I went there before today, which I will get to, I went to buy buttons for a sweater I had made for my baby to be. I was 8 months pregnant, HUGE, all I needed was buttons. I went up to the front and the woman who worked there was helping somebody else. I stood there patiently, no heavy sighs no throat clearing, just waiting. Well if you have ever been pregnant you know that standing like that can get uncomfortable after a bit, I had been standing for longer that I should have. I looked at the price on the buttons, two dollars. I say to the woman, very politely, "is it okay if I just leave the money for these? I need to go soon". This woman looked up at me totally outraged, so angry and started shouting at me. Telling me "no I can't" and I will "just have to wait my turn" and she was "busy". This is the best thing, the woman that was being helped said that she didn't mind if this saleslady helped me first, she offered to wait a sec while I paid for my buttons. The response of the saleslady? "No! She can wait!". I said forget it, but my buttons on the counter and left, never to return again...until today. If you are still reading I am amazed. So today I go there because I knew they used to carry Marimekko fabric. I had a little money on the side and wanted to treat myself to a nice length of Marimekko to put on my wall. The Marimekko store was out of what I wanted. I didnt want to do it but I went in today. I thought, its been a while, maybe new staff, Ill be really nice blah blah blah. I walk in and see somebody who looks like they work there and say brightly "Excuse me, where are your marimekko fabrics" I hadnt seen them when I walked in. The woman turns around to me and looks me up and down as if I was wearing a clown costume to a formal dinner. "Yeah, I dont know we might be sold out." By the time she is finished with her sentence she is already turned all the way back around with her back to me. I wait for a moment for " But if we did have them they would be" or "I can show you where we might still have some", but nothing. Just this womans back. I walked out, and that my friends is my Freddy Farkel's Fabric Outlet saga. PS - to the lady who wrote her review I am happy for you that you have never had a bad experience, still, if you go into any store and buy a ton of their stuff, I can only imagine they would be really nice to you. I myself have never been anything but polite to those folks when I am in there, if you have ever worked in any service industry as I did for many years you would truly understand the value of courtesy and manners and never be a jerk to somebody who is serving you. I am never impatient or rude to people who serve me and I don't believe that people who work in stores are my slaves. Again, I am glad you like the place, you can keep shopping there but I obviously wont. read more

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. read more

I entered this place with some trepidation given the previous and mostly negative reviews. Maybe my expectations were low, but my experience couldn't have been more positive. Yes, the place is tough to navigate around particularly if you are not exactly sure what you are looking for or what you want to accomplish. For me, I was looking to recover the seat cushion of a wood armchair and had a rough idea what I wanted (velvet). I picked up a few samples that I stumbled on, and kindly asked one of the sales people their thoughts. Maybe I caught the staff on a good day, but the woman I spoke with told me that they just got in a bolt of new velvet which would be better suited for my project. Wow...and at what a great price. I then spoke to an older gentleman who couldn't have been more helpful in talking me through the recovering project - i.e., do I want to replace the old cushion with a new one? The entire price for the entire project was significantly below what I budgeted, and it was completed at the promised time (about a week). I now have a beautifully recovered chair with a comfortable seat that looks like new. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more