The Australian sewing community may be smaller when compared with its North American and European counterparts, but it is undeniably mighty. Aussie sewists are diverse and are known for sewing to the beat of their own drum. They prioritize eco-conscious practices and functional wear, making their aesthetic uniquely their own. If you run a fabric store in Australia, understanding this audience is key to supplying them with the best selection. This article will guide you through four top-tier retailers that are adored by the Australian sewing community.

The Fabric Store

Hailing from across the pond in neighboring New Zealand, the Fabric Store is an institution beloved by Australians. Established in 1995 as Global Fabrics, it has grown to eight stores across New Zealand and Australia, with an excellent online presence. Many North American sewists are familiar with the Fabric Store’s merino jersey and luxurious linen. The stores, with their industrial vibe, spoil you for choice. With a wide range of substrates and a strong commitment to sustainable practices, they appeal to their customer base and the wider sewing community, as we move toward more mindful sewing.

What they do best: deadstock fabrics, merino jersey, and linen
Available in-store and online: We Are The Fabric Store

 

Tessuti Fabrics

Tessuti Fabrics has a rich origin that continues to shape its fabric offerings. Known for their local designer end rolls sourced from Sydney-based fashion labels, Tessuti provides one-of-a-kind fabrics. As more manufacturing moved overseas, they expanded to European designer end rolls, all curated by founder Colette Guanta. By keeping these rolls from ending up in landfills, Tessuti has grown to include two brick-and-mortar stores and an online shop. Their Sydney store is particularly renowned for its special-occasion fabrics, popular among bridalwear creators. In addition to fabrics, they offer regular sewing classes in their Sydney store, and a selection of their own popular patterns.

What they do best: designer end rolls and bridal/special-occasion fabrics
Available in-store and online: Tessuti Fabrics

 

The Selvedge Society

The Selvedge Society, founded by Effie and Jenny, is a store built on a maker’s passion. With exceptional fabrics and notions, this store caters to quilters, knitters, sewists, embroiderers, and more. Their small but packed store in Sydney’s Inner West, along with an online presence, offers brilliant prints in quilting cottons, beautiful Japanese fabrics, Liberty fabrics, and an irresistible range of linen and poplin colors. There’s also a choice of indie patterns. Effie and Jenny curate the selection with an artist’s eye, making the store feel less like a retail space and more like a friend’s house, where someone genuinely cares about your projects.

What they do best: quilting cotton, linen, notions, and Liberty fabrics
Available in-store and online: The Selvedge Society

 

Spotlight

Spotlight is every Australian maker’s go-to store, whatever their fiber art. It’s the Joann of the southern hemisphere, with aisles packed to the brim and unbeatable sales if you time your visit right. Spotlight excels in collaborations with local designers, bringing their visions to life through fabrics and home decor. With more than 291 stores across four countries, and a comprehensive online store, Spotlight is an irresistible destination for any maker.

What they do best: fabrics, home decor, and craft supplies
Available in-store and online: Spotlight (shipping only within Australia)

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Author Romy-Krystal Cutler, a native of Australia who now resides in the United States, recently experimented with digital patternmaking. You can find her at SewLike.com and #sewlike.