Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles — Attraction in Berkeley

This place is amazing! I can’t believe I have lived in the Bay Area for 15+ years and did not know it existed! It was only during a recent foray into making period clothing for events that I came across Lacis and I am so glad I did!

Lacis is an absolute treasure trove of historical sewing and crafting tools, notions, materials and patterns! They even display and sell some actual extant pieces! You really need a few hours just to take in all that they have to offer. And, while I did not get to see the museum, I did get to peek through the doorway just a little and I honestly can’t wait to go back when its open to explore it.

The ladies who work there are incredibly nice and are just chock-full of knowledge! Go in with questions because they have answers and are so eager to help! My first visit was way too short since I was just popping in after work before they closed but I plan to come back on a weekend and spend some good quality time here once I am a bit further along in my project. I especially love that they have corset-making supplies like cut boning that you usually have to otherwise order from the web and Coutil by the yard! Very hard to find either in brick and mortar stores.

Prices are very reasonable and the quality and variety are exceptional. I can’t wait to come back!

For those coming by car, the parking spots out front are metered (not sure about the week but up until 6pm...

I’m grateful for its existence every time I visit. Literally a world treasure for needle artists and milliners everywhere, this is the place to find rare needle and textile tools, reproductions of antique artifacts used in needle arts, out of print books, and countless irresistible tsatchkes for textile arts. Among the many treasures are very fairly priced contemporary accessories for knitting, crochet, beadwork, weaving, hat making, embroidery, sewing, lacemaking, tatting and more.

Literally every kind of needle ever made IMO.

If they don’t have it, it doesn’t exist.

In my most recent visit, I donated my lifelong stack of fancy knitting and beadwork magazines, which I expect they will sell very inexpensively to fellow enthusiasts.

They also have spjendid bits of antique lace.

Don’t ever go, dearest Lacis! The whole world needs your resource.

Thank you for the hundred times I’ve dashed in here over the years to find that yes, indeed, you have it! Boning. Handbag clasp for needlepoint purse. Latch less rug hook. Glover’s needle. Bobbin lace supplies. Pure Silk thread and ribbon. Hat blocks. Curved upholstery needles. Darning egg. A book on Neolithic textiles. Japanese pompom maker!! I could...

Easy walk from the BART station, but also I've never had problems finding parking. Lacis is a magnificent source of craft books and tools of all types although with something of a focus on wearables like clothing and jewelry, less home dec or large scale weaving. Consumable supplies are somewhat limited, geared (as you'd expect) to lace and a touch of millinery, and haberdashery. Having said that, they have the tools for everything from cross stitch to kumihimo, beading to temari. The tools range from light up knitting needles to vintage/antique bone stilettos. I think I once spent over $100 on different types of needles alone. A must-see for any crafter in the area (although shipping is "free" in the US, so even if you're not in...