Where do you buy fabric online? Is it possible?

[littlepinkpear]

I live in the Scottish highlands with pretty much no access to fabric shops. Have picked up some at JL when visiting Glasgow but apart from that I have searched online and not found much variety or nice patterns. I know it's hard to do it online but any sites you could recommend would be great. TIA X

I buy furnishing fabrics from ebay but often either check them out in real shops' catalogues first (sorry ) or get samples sent. The-Millshop-Online is one seller I've used recently. They have some gorgeous tartans.

I use gonetoearth.co.uk for fabric for quilting and crafts.

Expensive I think, but lovely, and very quick delivery.

make sure you ask for a sample if it's important to match something else. many companies will send out small scrappy bits for free to give you an idea of the colour and feel of the fabric

um, i'm very knew to this sewing business (have only just ordered my first sewing machine!) and was wondering, whats a fat quarter bundle?

Also, i've booked myself onto a sewing class in a few weeks time and need to take some fabric with me to try out a few things, nothing fancy. what would you suggest?

sorry to hijack the thread but was looking for places that sold fabric!

thanks.

I know a great textile shop called stash builder box, it sends you 3 yards of new fabric every month with extra materials. I would definitely recommend it to you guys. If you have any fabric websites that I should know about please reply and let me know.

I have used all these sites ( more dressmaking than quilting ) and they all offer a sample service ( some you have to pay a small amount but well worth it if you are going to invest in a lot of material) :

Clothspot.co.uk
Merchantandmills.com
Fabworks.co.uk

I use Regency Rags Fabric Store and FabFabricsByMaggie on eBay, pretty constantly. I look out for the Irish linens for a fiver a metre, and have got some excellent cottons and cotton drills for about three quid a metre.

akjtmiller on eBay often has large remnants of things like John Lewis home furnishing fabrics - some of which I use for living history, when I need a lot of metres! They are great for large offcuts of 100% silk as well, enough to make dresses.

Occasionally, I use genuine 19thC fabrics for small projects and have found Morganne Le Fay (also now on eBay but I used to buy from her website) to be great for these.

I also run searches for randomers selling one off bargains of certain fabrics I use a lot. Often the person with no real interest in sewing, will sell a large remnant their aunty had, or something, for a stupid price.

Do you know this place Joffrey.

I have made a couple of history costumes and used stuff from there.

I love www.fabworks.co.uk , www.croftmill.co.uk, www.dragonflyfabrics.co.uk, fabricgodmother.co.uk & www.tilthesungoesdown.com

Watching this thread

I don't think anyone's mentioned Minerva fabrics yet. They have a huge selection, you can order samples, and delivery is very quick. Lots of sewing bloggers are part of a Minerva club-type thing in which they make garments from Minerva fabrics, iirc. I've ordered lots from them and although you need to choose carefully, they have some great stuff.

For really lovely, often ex-designer fabrics, Fabric Godmother is the place to go. Beautiful wools, crepes, knits etc etc.

Fabric Godmother clicky link

For me my favourite for knits is Fabworks Mills. After that I like Minerva and Abakhan and Girl Charlee. If you buy any of the sewing magazines they often have discount codes for online shops.

also if you're in Glasgow try and go to Remnant Kings. I use their Edinburgh store but they're Glasgow stores are meant to be bigger and better

I live close enough to drive to fabworks. V expensive day out . I shop at most mentioned here but am on a stash reduction programme. I love MaggiesFF on eBay, Stone Mills, Truro and the Remnant House in Harrogate.

I've made a couple of jellyroll quilts using the Lintott books and I'd love to join their monthly club of Moda jellyrolls. But I think I'd soon build up a very frustrating stash.
www.quiltroom.co.uk
Not enough time, unfortunately...
In case it hasn't been answered (I've only skim-read the thread) a fat quarter is a yard of fabric cut into four so it makes "fat" rectangles not "thin" ones, which are also useful!

Shout out for Clothspot.co.uk who send out samples (just e-mail them) and have new stuff in each Friday.

Hi Barchester! I live near York so buy from Ali when he comes to the Viking Festival. And in the past, at Re-enactors' Fairs. He is extremely reasonable, price-wise. I got some linen with a raised diamond sort of pattern on it a year or two back, which made incredibly nice 18thC stuff. Absolute star! He's lovely to deal with.

Draylon many of the eBay sellers will send samples for little or no cost. It's a great way to educate yourself about fabrics.

Hi Joffrey - small world 🌎 we are cycling to Beningborough tomorrow so we must be fairly close to you. Have you seen my latest addition (s) on Soupdragon's thread? here. I have been looking for a good cabinet for years.

Let us keep buying these lovely old machines .

Am reading this thread with interest...I usually just stick to JL and Berwick Street in London.

Anyone used whitelodge? Samples arrived very quickly and seem good value.

LIZS I personally haven't used whitelodge but I have a lot of sewing friends who have and have been pleased.

Minerva Crafts are good for fabric but be useful if you buy patterns. They've sent me the wrong size more than once.

I would avoid Ohsewcrafty like the plague. Dreadful uneven cuts meaning a shortfall, end of rolls being badly creased or damaged

SterlingCooperDraperPryce a fat quarter in an old term and often can mean a fat quarter yard not metre. The fabric is half a yard in length but you only get half the fabric width. So the cut piece is kind of square instead of rectangular.

So a bundle is a selection of coordinating fabrics all cut to a fat quarter. Useful for crafts and quilters

Hi , I am also quite unsure about fabrics, predominantly as I am quite new to sewing, and because f disabilities unable to get out and about to feel things for myself. One thing that I have done is gradually sign up to a number of small blogs. Not only to I get to see what fabric (or type of fabric) they use for any particular pattern - and they often provide links - but they also often post helpful accounts like this one: didyoumakethat.com/2017/05/01/m6885-flower-girl/

I have enjoyed following these, and they also help direct me in new sewing projects, as well as learning quite a lot about techniques and materials.

I like Girl Charlee, myFabrics and Minerva Crafts for online fabric shopping. Only really been into small independent shops and a couple of Fabric Lands in real life!