We’re back with Part 2 of the best fabric shops in the UK, since we truly are spoiled for choice when it comes to sourcing the best fabric for our makes. If you missed Part 1, you can check it out here, but without further ado, let’s get into it!*
*the usual disclaimer: I am not responsible for how much fabric shopping you are about to do, on fabric that you may not yet have a project for (but you can never have too much in the fabric stash right?).
1. Sew Me Sunshine
Sew Me Sunshine is an independent fabric shop offering a huge selection of fabrics, largely online but with the occasional open day for their studio in London. They stock almost every fabric you could wish for from high quality fabric designers like Liberty Fabrics, Meet Milk, and Atelier Brunette to name a few. They also have an extensive haberdashery and offer a wide range of patterns, so it really is the one-stop shop for all your sewing needs!
They often post videos on their Instagram (@sewmesunshine.uk) which are super helpful to get an idea of the weight and movement of different fabrics and offer a swatch service so you can order a small sample of the fabric to check that it’s right before committing to the full amount. You can also subscribe to their newsletter via their website for inspiration to find the best fabrics for their selection of patterns, exclusive discounts and other exciting updates.
2. Ray Stitch
I once visited the Ray Stitch store in Islington, London knowing exactly what fabric I wanted and how much, and somehow still managed to spend over an hour browsing their beautiful range of fabrics, patterns and haberdashery. The shop itself is so beautiful but they are also an online shop, so if you’re not nearby, you can find everything you’d need on their website. I particularly love their selection of quality linens, and I still think about their bamboo silks nearly every day – 10/10.
They also have a sewing school for sewists of all abilities, with short and longer courses to suit everyone, so if you’re local to the area and looking for somewhere to start sewing or learn new skills, definitely check them out. What’s more, you get 10% off on the day of your class – it’s a win win!
3. Calico Laine
Calico Laine have a huge selection of fabrics, knitting supplies and an extensive haberdashery at really affordable prices. For shopping online, they offer free shipping for all orders over £40 and have a price promise that if you find the same fabric anywhere else for cheaper, they will match it, which I haven’t come across from suppliers before! They also have a huge warehouse space in Neston, Chester for those that live nearby (or don’t, but are committed to the fabric shopping cause).
Recently I’ve been shopping here for beaded embroidery supplies (post coming soon on this), and to stock up on faux suede – the quality to price comparison is too good on this!! They also offer discounts on a small selection of bulk fabrics, so if you are making a collection or run a business looking for fabric supplies, definitely check them out.
4. Empress Mills
Finally, Empress Mills is a Lancashire-based family run business that’s been going for nearly 100 years, and their history of production and sales through the generations is so, SO lovely to read!
As of July this year, they have a shop from within their warehouse with 1000s of fabrics to browse, but they are also online and ship worldwide at very reasonable prices. I know I’ve said this for every shop, but they really do have a huge range of fabrics at affordable prices as well as quilting supplies and threads that they produce in their own UK-based facilities – very cool!! My personal favourites from them have been their bamboo jerseys and the classic sweatshirt fabrics which are SO needed for the cosy autumn/winter makes.
That’s the second instalment over and out. As always, the list has ended slightly prematurely to save our bank accounts and the length of our to-sew list ever so slightly, but don’t worry there’s plenty more where that came from. Can’t wait to hear what you pick up! X
