Hi I just pulled a couple of interesting UK fabric sources from another thread on silk organza (many thanks). I’m sort of new to this site and I havn’t found a place that lists UK fabric sources. Is there one? Could we pool our information here and put a useful list together?
My favorite place to buy fabric is Abarkhan fabrics www.abakhanfabrics.co.uk in North Wales. It’s enormous and has a regular section, bargain section, craft store, kniting and all sorts of other things including a cafe, picnic area and playground. I’ve been on a couple of weekend expeditions there with two friends (a whole day at the store and a day or two in the mountains). We have to take an estate car to carry back the stuff! They have a place in Liverpool too (and maybe elsewhere). They used to call it El Kilos as you buy the bargain fabric by weight.
Another interesting source is Croft Mill Lancs. subscriber.scoot.co.uk/croftmill Unless they’ve changed they don’t really use the web. I get a monthly description of fabric from which I order a load of samples, then I buy stuff (lots). If you wanted something specific this is not the place to look, but they have some absolute gems – at very reasonable prices. I visited once but if you’ve been to Abakhan it’s not impressive.
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I've bought from Croft Mill also and found them useful and prices are good too!
For outdoor types of fabrics http://www.pennineoutdoor.co.uk is very good and they are also knowledgeable.
Local markets can be hit and miss but sometimes a good bargain canbe "found".
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Hi Brenn - I just visited the Abakhan branch in Manchester recently - lots of nice stuff. I also found that Asian sari shops are brilliant for patterned silk - a sari length is about 6 yards plus a separate yard for a mini-blouse for about £35-40.
Other good place in UK is
B.L Joshi UK Ltd 214, Ealing Rd, Wembley, Middlesex HA0 4QG - they send samples...
You're right about penninefabrics SewMadSue - they are good. But after making up a double insulated big jacket for my husband, I'm finding my machine is struggling with the fabric - I need an old treadle one I think!
On the whole I find it pretty difficult to get consistent supplies of anything in UK - I end up either buying abroad (and get stung by customs when buying from USA), or just buy things when I see something good - resulting in an ENORMOUS stash!
The only time I ever went fabric shopping in the UK, I was in London for week with my mother. We spent a full day at Liberty's. Coincidentally, I am in the middle of a blouse project using some of that fabric, a beautiful creamy ivory cotton broadcloth. My next project is a skirt suit using a deep navy pinstripe of superfine worsted merino wool, also purchased on that trip.
We spent a full day at the Victoria & Albert Museum, too. Wonderful textiles collection.
I can't travel with my mother any more - it costs too much in fabric!
Betsy V
Bemont, MA; near Boston
There are several amazing fabric shops in Soho in central London - many professionals shop there and the staff are fantastically knowledgeable. Most of them do mail order too, but its worth visiting if you can. http://www.clothhouse.com/ is just amazing, always has masses of beautiful and luxurious fabrics you never see anywhere else - and I mean this, quite incredible - both affordable and the £100 / metre variety!In the nearby streets there are 3 or 4 others which tend to specialise in silks and top-end embellished fabrics.
Liberty is just around the corner too, so its a great day out!If anyone wants tips on fabric shopping in London, do contact me
http://www.ruthsinger.com
I'd confirm that Cloth house is gorgeous - I wish they'd do internet sales! Berwick Street (where they are) is brilliant for fabric - there is one shop that specialises in silk (though strangely had not silk jersey when I tried), one with lots of suiting and coat weight stuff, and a couple of other general ones...
In london the Edgware Road near the station now has new fabric shops, but the very best is Joel and son,in church street, where there are also 2 market stalls selling cheap fabric. Joel has a royal warrant and has designer fabrics,top of the range and amazing, but if you are puttting in the hours making something then I think its a pleasure to use a fantastic fabric.I have also found good stalls in Tooting market and shops in Tooting Broadway, and also in that area is wimbledon sewing center which is the nearest I have found to an american style sewing and fabric shop, they are pleasant also.a very good day out
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