Jefferson Variety Store

We find ourselves at Jefferson Variety before almost every holiday, occasion, and obviously before we roll. They have an endless supply of party supplies, fabrics, novelties, decorations, and throws. Their prices are often slightly better than the other place we go, so we keep coming back! Really friendly customer service, and they're pretty good at keeping their supply in stock. Also plenty of parking so I don't have to park a block away and walk back and forth carrying huge bags full of supplies, just thought I'd mention that.

epressingSome really great high-end fabrics and notions.Run of / through the mill feather selection.A whole lot of cheap plastic craptastic from China.Employee Service / attitude underwhelming.

If you need any kind of sparkly with sequins material ...come here.Need feathers to get your high fly on? come here.Satins so soft you'll want them all ...come here.Umbrellas and appliqués, come here.Taffeta and tulles in every color, come here.Maybe a few masks, or beads or throws, yeah they got that too. The staff is always so nice and accommodating, they take time to listen to your needs. I loved how after they cut your items, they put the stuff right back. That means you'll never miss the perfect little something needed to trim your dress, ballgown, costumes or festive-ware ever.Mardi Gras wouldn't be the same without these selections. They seem to have it all and more.

If you love Mardi Gras, creating original costumes, or are handy with a sewing machine, this is the place for you!I cannot stress enough the amazing wonder of this store, and if I was handy or more creative in any way, I would've easily spent my entire paycheck here. All of the fabrics that you can choose from, the gadgets and gizmos to make the most fabulous of costumes or dresses that you could dream of.They also have the standard groups of throws, beads, and other Mardi Gras related materials, but that's not where the real treasure of this store lies. The treasure lies in your imagination and all of the pieces it takes to make your costuming dreams a reality. This is definitely a must-stop for anyone wanting to visit a New Orleans icon, or for someone who loves to have the perfect and unique costuming experience. You'll have to wait in lines, especially the closer you get to Mardi Gras, but it's worth the wait!

I've recently got into crafting and costumes and JVS is my go to. The people there are super helpful and knowledgeable. Sometimes their conversations can get a little loud and uncensored but their work ethic and experience is unmatched.

Great finds on a dollar budget that would give life to any Wonder Woman outfit hehe! Every crafty person with a budget on the low end of the tracks can find wonders here. Especially if you have to make it yourself kind of costume deal.

This is a great store to pick up fabrics and appliques. It is really two stores in one. The other side has masks at bulk rates, some beads and plush and other miscellaneous items. Prices were good. My only complaint is that on the fabric side you have to wait in a very slow line to buy any fabrics or even have assistance looking at the appliques. That line didn't move in the hour that we were there and I just wanted to purchase some appliques from the case. A lady helped me out.

This is where I go to get things that turn every day clothing into costume wear. The sparkles, the sequin trim, the satin fabric, feathers, sequined appliques, beads, gems, the tulle; this is where it all waits until it can be a part of my next costume. They also have umbrellas and more than a dozen styles of hats, all blank until something wonderful is created out of them.At first glance you'll think 'this can't be where I'm looking for.' Down a crappy street surrounded by industrial businesses, the building looks out of place, and certainly doesn't look like the jackpot of mardi gras worthy notions that it truly is inside. Then, when you walk inside the building, the first room looks like they are about to go out of business, even around carnival season. You can tell they sell beads and throws, but I have never seen this area fully stocked, ever. Just go into the second room and take a second to take it all in. It is unlike anything I have ever seen. The shiniest fabric, the largest selection of sequined trims and fringe, most tulle styles that I ever knew existed, until I came here for the first time about ten years ago. Now I am here each year at carnival time and at least one more time per year for another odd occasion that needs some flair and sparkle. I have a bottle of fabric glue that I bought here a few years ago whose name sums it all up: "Quik & Tacky".

I love JVS for everything from my grand diva's dance costume grew too small the day before the parade and Nana has to make it work today to I need unique supplies for my umbrellas yesterday. I always find what I need and the staff has helped me to find new ways to finish both my simple or complicated projects.Last week, I bought the most unique yet colorful Kente' cloth that was a show stopper at the event. Their prices are always the best in town. The customer service is slower than bigger shops but the customer service and personal attention is priceless.

Costume designers, krewe members, enthusiasts of all things plush-y and plastic, lend me your ears...Carnival season can't start without at least one visit to the variety stores around town carrying the whoz-its and what's-its that make this time of year so special. They're are only a handful and they all seemed to be tucked away in some left, right, left, left corner of New Orleans to keep the riff raff from just perusing. I think my fault is that I can't sew, am not a crew member, but I doooo love to ogle at all things plush-y and plastic in hopes of finding that perfect event trophy/award (y'all know how I roll). I feel like Jefferson Variety is more on the side of the "I know I'm looking for an oversized banana" OR "I've got a MOM's Ball costume to adorn with various feathers, sequins, and appliques to blow all other costumes out of the water" type folks, and that's fine by me so I tend to not venture in here alone. While there is organization in the front with various bins of wonderfully unique throw items and decorations that I believe to be well priced, the fabric area is a little bit of a snafu in some parts though they do have some areas organized with specific types of fabrics. Some of these fabrics are so incredibly beautiful that I may venture to find a master sewer to make a dress for me one day.I'm sure the staff knows where every button, brocade, and bedazzled item is in the store, but alas, this time of year, it's pretty dang busy in there so if you like scavenger hunts, this may be the place for you! They've got pounds of glitter. I repeat pounds of glitter in every color imaginable. The fluffiest of boas and a variety of intricate and beautiful appliques for those that aren't necessarily sewing inclined. I think if I do every develop my skill for the art of sewing, I can utilize this store more to my benefit. I would definitely recommend popping in here at least once during Carnival to see if they've got that perfect something something for you!