I've been on the hunt to find the watercolors I restrained myself from buying when I was in Florence. I struck out on the paints but imagine my luck to find a fabric shop right across the street from the art supply shop in Esquilino. I had to go in, you know, for research. Incidentally, the shop is on the same block as a shop selling yarn and sewing machines. This might be my favorite corner in Rome.

Casa Del Tessuto (Cloth House)
Via dello Statuto, 64-66, 00185 Roma RM, Italy

Casa Del Tessuto is a tiny shopped that is packed with silks, brocades, cotton, viscose, and everything you'd expect from a high end fabric store. And wouldn’t you know it, the shop sells some beautiful fabrics from some well-known Italian and French fashion houses. I saw fabrics from Dior, Valentino, Pucci, and Missoni alongside Liberty of London and Alexander Henry. The Pucci fabrics were a reminder of my early days of learning how to sew. One of the first print designs I recall being obsessed with was a Pucci design. I still have that fabric in my stash.

I had to pick up a yard or two of some of the fabrics I liked, including a Pucci design or two (scroll to the end), you know, for my fabric archive. And as examples of what is possible if I keep honing my craft. It was pretty cool to see the painting styles, the quality of fabric, and the types of fabrics the big design houses are putting out, up close.

Store interior. Alexander Henry fabric in the lower left. Project bags incoming...

 

A Liberty of London fabric featuring Queen Elizabeth 1. I left this in the store on my first visit but ended up going back for it because I love the pattern on pattern on pattern on pattern combined with the whimsical idea for the design.

 

A Valentino silk fabric that I regret not buying.

 

Fabric stacks with Missoni.

 

Some upholstery fabrics. I don't know who designed these, but I wish I'd bought that fabric with the eyes. I really should have.

 

A beautifully painted Dior design. Didn't buy this either.

 

As you can see, I could have gone wild in the store, but I was very restrained. In the end, I bought of yard each of two Liberty prints, a Pucci print, and two yards of the Alexander Henry print that is out of stock almost everywhere in the US. I did go back for the Queen Elizabeth print and another Pucci in softer earth tones, but my budget kept me in check. I'd like to make a few project bags with the Alexander Henry fabric and can't wait to get back to my fabric stash at home to find the perfect print pairing. Make sure you're signed up for my newsletter if you want to know about that limited edition drop.

And if you find yourself in Esquillino at Casa Del Tessuto, be sure to visit Regoli Pasticceria next door for a cream-stuffed pastry. I never managed to get there — on the day I was up for trying it, it was mobbed with a huge crowd out front, so it must be fantastic. If you meander down to the end of the block, you'll come upon a park with some Roman ruins, benches and a small fountain (Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II di Savola) with the Vittorio Emanuele Metro station across the street. If you're looking for nice bites in the neighborhood, walk over to casadante for pinsas (they're like pizza, but rectangular shaped), salumi plates, wine and more. There's outdoor seating and the space inside is cavernous and has couches. It's also a laptop friendly place if you're looking to get some work done. And if you're looking for a hearty Italian meal, Trattoria Morgana is an excellent choice. We popped in for lunch unaware that the restaurant had been featured on one of the late, great Anthony Bourdain's shows. Clay was sat in the chair that commemorates Bourdain's visit. We had no idea until we were halfway through the meal and one of the friendly crew mentioned it.

Here's a quick video of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele as I discovered it on a sunny day in January.