Sewers! Where do you buy your fabric?

[LaTrucha]

I'm thinking of bringing out my old sewing machine as there are a couple of things I'd like to make. However, the sewing machine went in the cupboard about 10 years ago because I realised I can buy things cheaper than makig them. Is this still ture, or has a magic fabric tree grown from which I can buy it for next to nothing?

I find abakahn quite cheap, don't know where you are based. It's in manchester but has a website, or jersey vouge fabric in edgware.Both have a good range of cheap good quality imo and more expensive if you want to treat yourself...

Thanks for that. I'm in Wales. I'll have a look for the website.

Abakhan also have an outlet in north Wales (was very impressed when I had a visit). Worth travelling too. I do not think we make things to save money - I know I would never pay for a jumper for the kids the amount I would spend in wool - but there is no comparison in the pride and quality.

Abakhan's head office is in Mostyn in N. Wales but I have ordered from their website and found it to be good in terms of delivery times etc.

I don't sew much as I'm more of a knitter/crocheter but I did dig my sewing machine out last year and made some quilted bed covers and a Christmas table runner. It is probably still cheaper to buy rather than make, particularly clothes, but I get huge satisfaction from producing something from the raw materials.

Abakhan usually have a big oddments bin and you can get some fab pieces in it (I made a quilted table runner and the fabrics cost less than £5)

Fabricland great company for good choice & decent quality at a cheap price - though ugly website design confused

Ditto more expensive but have found some lovely quality unusual prints here & gorgeous plains too - check Fabricland first though, as they occasionally have the same & here will be much more expensive.

As for whether its cheaper to make or not, really depends on what you usually buy, if its budget end high street stuff, then it's very unlikely, but if mid range or above, then yes, you can probably make it cheaper & have something original too :)

Goods off to google Abakhan - thanks :)

Thanks for all the advice. I'll follow them up.

What I want to make is a play tent, so quite large, which is partly why I'm worried about cost. I keep thinking about it, though!

you need to buy a heavy weight calico then - you might be better with curtain supplies though, but I think Fabricland have it

its dirt cheap & a nice plain cream/ivory colour in cotton that takes dye & fabric pens well - so you can decorate your own & the DCs can help

do wash it on a hot wash, or thoroughly iron it with hot steam before cutting though, as it shrinks quite a bit & you dont want that happening AFTER you've made your tent/wigwam

Thanks. I'll have a look. Would that come in red and black as well. I'm also wondering if I could line it with something waterproof and use it as a picnic blanket too. What I have in mind is something you could make a tent with by throwing it over a washing line.