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Resources => Your Favourite Suppliers => Topic started by: Francesca on March 01, 2017, 14:15:10 PM

Title: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Francesca on March 01, 2017, 14:15:10 PM
Recommended by TSP members. See further information in their posts below.

Birmingham
Fancy Silk Store
Barry's Fabrics

Burnley
Immanuel Fabrics

Cornwall
The Sewing Studio of Redruth
Coast and Country Quilting and Crafts of Perranworthal

Dewsbury
Fabworks
Lucky Fashions (limited opening)

East Anglia
Anglian Fashion Fabrics of Norwich
Crafty Baba of Ipswich
Fiona's Fabrics of Woodbridge

Edinburgh
Fabric Focus
The Cloth Shop

Glasgow
Mandors

Kent
The Sewing Shop on Sun Street of Canterbury

Leeds
Leeds market
Fletcher's Fabrics (in the market)
Samuel Taylors

London
Goldhawk Road (general area)
Shaukat & Co of Chelsea (discount Liberty prints)
Cloth House of Soho
Woolcrest Textiles of Hackney (cheap!)

Macclesfield
Shufflebothams
The Fent Shop

Manchester
Abakhan (sold by weight)

Merseyside
Bedford fabrics on Haydock Street

Wales
Abakhan of Mostyn (has a cafe!)
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Silver Rose on March 01, 2017, 14:25:17 PM
For East Anglia I recommend Anglian Fashion Fabrics of Norwich, Crafty Baba of Ipswich and Fiona's Fabrics of Woodbridge, I'm sure there are loads more that I don't know but would like to! The people who work in these shops are very knowledgeable and helpful. I have just found out about Avenue Fabrics in Great Yarmouth but have yet to visit.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Tamnymore on March 01, 2017, 14:33:31 PM
My selection of favourite fabric shops:
Edinburgh
Fabric Focus
The Cloth Shop

Glasgow
Mandors

Manchester
Abakhan - also online but better in person as they have a great selection of remnants sold by weight (there are several Abakhans in the NW - the Abakhan mother ship is in Mostyn - ithas a cafe too).

Burnley
Immanuel Fabrics (as it is housed in a disused chapel it is often known as 'the Church' to the fabric mafia!)

Macclesfield
Shufflebothams
The Fent Shop

Dewsbury
Fabworks (probably my all time favourite - also good for remnants by weight- short walk from Dewsbury station - also online but online and bricks and mortar stock not the same).
Lucky Fashions (only open Wed and Sat I think)

Leeds
Leeds market for B&M fabrics and there is also a B&M shop on the road at the side of the market. Also Fletcher's fabrics in the market.
Samuel Taylors -  good for habby, Fabric generally not as cheap as the market but well stocked and  I've had some bargains there.

London/Hackney
Woolcrest Textiles - not famous for its customer service but my what a selection and cheap! Easy bus journey from central London (speaking as a northerner who gets lost in the Big Smoke).

Lancaster
Standfast and Barracks - for bargain Liberty lawn, Sanderson and other big name curtain fabrics and the best selection of fents you ever did see!

Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: MrIminei on March 01, 2017, 14:35:52 PM
In my capacity as chauffeur I have visited:-

Paulines Patchwork in Dorchester (Poundbury)
Hansons (Sturminster Newton)

and although I don't like leaving Dorset

Midsomer Quilting (Near Radstock, Somerset)

Midsomer quilting is particularly good as they have an area to "park" husbands and give them coffee.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: MrIminei on March 01, 2017, 14:37:11 PM
Tamnymore, I may have to report your post to the moderators as there is a risk of it putting many, many miles on my car.  ;D
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Lowena on March 01, 2017, 14:42:37 PM
The Sewing Studio, Redruth, Cornwall
Coast and Country Quilting and Crafts, Perranworthal, Cornwall
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Tamnymore on March 01, 2017, 14:57:26 PM
Hahaha MrIminei - I think you can just about get to all my suggestions by public transport! However, in my experience, chauffeurs are very useful (although they sometimes put a bit of a brake on one's purchasing...)
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Swisslass on March 01, 2017, 21:25:56 PM
Dewsbury - Pound a yard Shop (not!) worth a look but not as good as the other 2

Bradford - Bombay stores, I just LOVE their ribbons & embellishments

Yup - Fabworks, my fave too
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: SingingSinger on March 01, 2017, 21:42:27 PM
Birmingham
Fancy Silk Store
Barry's Fabrics
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: b15erk on March 02, 2017, 09:06:44 AM
I put this in Online stores by mistake, so I'm copying it over.

Bricks and mortar shop in St Helens, Merseyside.  Bedford fabrics, Haydock Street, not far from both the train, and bus stations.

If you go there on Saturday morning, tell Becky I sent you!  If I'm there give me a wave!

Loads of fab curtain and upholstery stuff, and floor to ceiling dress and garment fabrics.  Habby too, and lovely buttons.

Be warned though - it is a rooting shop! :)

Jessie

Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Tamnymore on March 02, 2017, 20:54:43 PM
Just to expand on the famous Immanuels Fabric in Burnley for anyone yet to go. This was a bit of a favourite with some of the old TSFers. It is housed in a disused chapel (hence 'the church') in Burnley and is reachable by public transport. Either the 'Witch Way' bus from the centre of Manchester (yes the bus has a witch - admittedly a rather glam witch - on the side cos of the Pendle witches - now I need a witch icon to float across the screen) or train to Burnley then bus. It isn't within walking distance of a railway station. It has the most incredible selection of furnishing and fashion fabric at bargain prices and is a bit overwhelming at first. The place is stuffed to the ceiling. You never know what will be there and the fabric rolls are everywhere - on the old pews and whatever. Best of all it has a £1 pm room where real bargains can be found. I got 20m of very nice curtain lining in the £1pm room and saved a fortune. People do come from miles around. A unique place.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: maliw on March 03, 2017, 19:34:34 PM
I use Birkenhead Abakhan most of the time.
CalicoLaine at Neston Wirral and also in Liscard Wirral.
When we go on holiday to Suffolk Sew n Sos at Bungay is an absolute must for patchwork fabric. Also The Cosy Cabin at Risby Barns just outside Bury St Edmunds, again patchwork fabric is worth a visit.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: twopence on March 03, 2017, 20:27:04 PM
Milton Keynes - Threads and Patches
Aylesbury - Fabric HQ in Stoke Mandeville
Henley - Lady Sew and Sews
Weedon, North of MK - the Bramble Patch

These are all mainly P&Q/ Quilting shops as other fabric has been bought at the Kirkgate Market in Leeds when visiting my daughter who lives almost in sight of it.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: DementedFairy on March 03, 2017, 20:30:21 PM
Birmingham
Fancy Silk Store
Barry's Fabrics
And the markets of course!
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: UttaRetch on March 03, 2017, 21:31:21 PM
Walthamstow, London.  The main drag has shops, including a branch of the Textile Centre, and market stalls selling fabulous cheap fabrics. 
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: So Chic on March 04, 2017, 09:20:33 AM
Can I add The Haberdashery Shop in Ramsgate, a good place for cheapish fabrics both dressmaking, P & Q, and curtaining and the habby section has one of the best selections I have ever seen.  The  website seems to have been discontinued following their recent move but I was told they do mail order if one phones with requirements.

So Chic
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: fajita on March 04, 2017, 09:37:03 AM
Malvern, Worcestershire - Stitch45. Lots and lots of lovely quilting fabrics now closed
Malvern, Worcestershire - Gordon Smith - lots of furnishing fabrics and curtain fittings and haberdashery bits and bobs.

Leicester - Material Magic - great for buying shiny, sparkly stuff, faux fur fabrics, plus other more normal fabrics

Truro, Cornwall - Truro Fabrics - lovely big shop, tons of choice for dressmaking, quilting and household fabrics - but not cheap.

Birmingham - John Lewis Haberdashery, and furnishing fabrics.
Bristol - John Lewis as above.

London - Libertys - lovely building to visit - gorgeous fabrics but oh so pricey.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: SingingSinger on March 05, 2017, 09:24:31 AM
Coventry - Tahim Drapers on Foleshill Road (trades online as 'Online Fabric' but bricks and mortar shop has a large selection)

Hinckley - The Sewing Cafe. Gorgeous selection of fabrics.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: BrendaP on March 06, 2017, 12:21:24 PM
North Kent

Rochester has Hometown in the High Street.  Lots of scrummy patchwork fabrics but full price.   

Other than that there is very little.  :(
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Iminei on March 06, 2017, 13:44:14 PM
I'm sure you Ladies already know this,

but the invaluable and remarkably inexpensive Doughty's have a roadshow that travels the country taking their beautiful batiks, perfect prints, marvellous marbles and wonderful wadding wherever  they go....

Coming to a location near you ???

https://www.doughtysonline.co.uk/RoadShowDiary.pdf (https://www.doughtysonline.co.uk/RoadShowDiary.pdf)
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Tamnymore on March 06, 2017, 14:10:24 PM
Ooh no.I didn't know this but nothing near me, alas.... though I'm not short of fabric purchasing options.  :devil:
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Lowena on March 06, 2017, 14:13:53 PM
Exeter in April and Truro in July are possibilities...... I love dealing with Doughty's  <3
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: BrendaP on March 06, 2017, 14:42:06 PM
Gravesend in April - and they have changed the venue.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Ellabella on March 06, 2017, 15:33:03 PM
Not much in the York area, only Fletchers Fabrics on Clifton Moor to the north of York.

Harrogatee has The Remnant House.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: AnneFrances on March 06, 2017, 17:17:20 PM
Crescent Trading near Spitalfields (E1 -10 - 15 minutes walking from Liverpool St station) http://www.crescenttrading.com/ has lovely woolens and tailoring fabrics. I got really good wool and cashmere mix coating for DH's overcoat and a heavier wool melton for mine there at very reasonable prices. I did also get  nice poplin shirting.  I think it probably helps to go with some idea of what you might be looking for as its almost more of a warehouse than a shop.
Anne
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Didi on March 06, 2017, 19:25:34 PM
For anyone going to Abakahn in Mostyn I recommend the afternoon tea ! we are only 10 minutes drive away and used to take mum up there just for that, now it's not so often but still go a few times a year just for the tea - and of course it would be very rude to not look at the fabric wouldn't it
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: UttaRetch on March 07, 2017, 17:48:38 PM
Crescent Trading near Spitalfields (E1 -10 - 15 minutes walking from Liverpool St station) http://www.crescenttrading.com/

I have been to Crescent on several occasions and as I know the area, prefer Shoreditch High Street station or Whitechapel.  I have never really found what I wanted and much prefer Woolcrest Textiles at the top of Mare Street (open on Sundays also).  Anyone thinking of visiting either business needs to know they are CASH ONLY.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: sewmuchmore on March 17, 2017, 18:53:29 PM
In Wakefield we have
 *PJ Textiles/Fabric World just outside the Ridings. Originally started as a market stall in Barnsley and now shops in Wakefield and Barnsley.
I have shopped here for years but about 10 years ago they started selling curtains to order and a lot of the shop space was taken up with samples. Now pleased to say they have stopped that and the shop in now once more crammed to the rafters with fabric, both dressmaking and curtaining.
 *For habby, wool and tapestry stuff we have Habiknit but they only take cash.
 *There is also a quilting and knitting shop on Cross Square called Wool n Stuff. www.woolnstuff.co.uk
 *we have Discount Fabric Warehouse in Kirkgate, again small shop crammed with fabric

And lets not forget The Shuttle in Shipley
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Tamnymore on March 17, 2017, 19:30:22 PM
Very interesting. Dewsbury and Leeds are already on my West Yorkshire fabric trail. Looks like I need to add Wakefield.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: maliw on March 17, 2017, 19:39:12 PM
There's Textile Express in Oswestry, worth a visit if you're in the area.
Didi I know the cafe at Abakhan Mostyn very well but have never had the afternoon tea - I must tell DH, he comes with me because of the cafe. :D
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: jaloma on March 19, 2017, 10:03:48 AM
For those in the Essex area Belle Fabrics in Leigh on Sea is lovely - there's a fabulous range including row upon row of designer quilting cotton along with jerseys, fleece, net, polycotton etc; it is really nicely laid out too.
Kayes Textiles in Westcliff is also a great treasure trove of all sorts and really good value. I never leave empty handed!
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: crooknees on April 25, 2017, 18:42:34 PM
Thank you for the recommendations. We are going to Canterbury for the week in early May. Still have my Christmas money, so Canterbury and Kent shops can expect a visit. :D
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Lowena on April 25, 2017, 18:47:04 PM
Cornwall - Truro fabrics is good ( I understand ) for general fabrics.
For P and Q ; The Sewing Studio, Redruth - Coast and Country Crafts, Perranaworthal ( between Truro and Falmouth ) - Cowslip Workshops, Launceston.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Tamnymore on May 13, 2017, 17:13:50 PM
And just a mention for Edgeley Fabrics in Stockport. It's very near Stockport station so if you ever have half an hour to spare waiting for a connection at Stockport station take yourself out the back door of the station (the Edgeley entrance) and up the hill to Castle Street. This is very much a no-frills shop. There are no shop fittings; the rolls of fabric are piled against the walls so you have to be careful picking things up or you will start a fabric avalanche!

They specialise in cottons, polycottons, dance wear and curtain fabrics but there are often some surprising bargains to be had. I got a very nice digitally printed viscose for, I think, £4.40 pm the other day. I was after linings today and I knew that they also specialised in £1 per yard linings. (The shop used to be called the Pound a Yard Shop- they are related to the £1 per yard shop in Dewsbury). I snagged a red lining with little paisley-ish patterns on it, a tartan lining (for all those Vivienne Westwood knock-offs I will make one day) and a pale blue for a teal coloured coat I have on the go. There's no hugely great quality to these linings but at £1 per yard who cares? The pale blue is actually the best quality of the three.  Here's a picture. As usual, shiny fabric does not photograph well but it gives you an idea.

Also, the lady who runs it is very nice and helpful and genuinely seems to appreciate her customers!
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Sewcycle on September 28, 2018, 10:59:07 AM
Tamnymore- I'm so glad you mentioned Edgley Fabrics in Edgely shopping centre. I always go there when I come back to see my Dad. It's a treasure trove of rolls all over the place. The linings are great ( I've had recognised brand linings from there) and also waterproof fabrics. I can also recommend the Fent shop in Macclesfield. Much more ordered than Edgely Fabrics but another wonderland.

The reason I am so enthusiastic about these shops....I live in Canterbury- a desert when it comes to fabric shops...only C&H Fabrics here. I shouldn't complain- I'm glad they are still around and I have spent a lot of time looking through their remnant table where the most unusual fabrics are found, with very occasional bargains  ;)
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Sewcycle on September 28, 2018, 11:04:59 AM
No sadly not, Francesca. They vanished this year. No announcement or anything! Thanks for mentioning Shufflebottoms in Macclesfield. I'll look in there next time I visit.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Sewcycle on September 28, 2018, 11:07:10 AM
 So Chic, thanks for mentioning the Haberdashery Shop in Ramsgate. I didn't know it existed. I'm definitely going on an expedition there soon!
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Greybird on September 28, 2018, 11:20:09 AM
We don't have much here that would be worth travelling long distances for, but I can recommend Forever England in Wells, Somerset. They are mainly quilts (sorry dark side people!), bedding homewares etc. but you can buy their fabrics off the roll and they are not expensive. Some of them are double width. They are online, but the shop is well worth a visit if you are nearby.

www.foreverengland.com
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Tamnymore on September 28, 2018, 13:08:39 PM
Interestingly I've just swung by The Fent Shop in Macc this morning @Sewcycle! I was on my way back from Shufflebothams in Macc (corner of Gunco Lane and Heapy Street on the way to Wincle  :D :D ). Shuffs have the most amazingly huge selection of curtain fabrics and also have some nice tweeds and wools and so on for dressmaking. I had my eye on some linen/wool/silk mixture very lightweight tweeds from Magee of Donegal - not ultra cheap (£15 pm) but fabulous quality and much cheaper than you would pay elsewhere, that is if you could ever find those fabrics elsewhere.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Sewcycle on September 28, 2018, 16:19:38 PM
Tamnymore- would certainly be cheap for down here, could you even get such things! It sounds lovely. What are you thinking of it for. A coat. I'm just going through my coat patterns. I really need to clear stash and I have 3 wool/ synthetic fabrics...... yellowish check, black with coloured inclusions and texture, and a plain grey suiting. I'm thinking the yellow next....for autumn! Now to match it to a pattern. ( As you can tell, lack of suitable shops has led me to hoarding) :o
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Tamnymore on September 28, 2018, 17:00:04 PM
Don't worry @Sewcycle , we all hoard on TSP!  These fabrics are too lightweight for coats. Possibly a lightwight jacket, maybe even a dress - not sure how washable the fabrics are though.

Just found very similar fabrics on the Magee website for £48.30!
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: wrenkins on September 29, 2018, 07:57:08 AM
Magee's is one of my mum's favourite shops. Any mention of Donegal and she's up for it!  0_0
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Sewcycle on September 29, 2018, 08:36:07 AM
Tamnymore- sounds like a buy! I wash everything, carefully, at the beginning. I haven't had a total disaster yet, and also dye runs are easier coped with if you know early on.
Depends on how much you like it. Could you ask them for a square to test?

 Not sure I could ever buy fabric at £48 a metre Wrenkins! How would you ever cut into it!
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Tamnymore on September 29, 2018, 09:04:00 AM
Well you need to bring your Mum over for a holiday amongst all these bargain Magee fabrics @wrenkins . Another good place for Donegal tweeds is Fabworks online and in a real shop in Dewsbury. Theirs are Avoca.
I love tweed - as well as Donegals I have Harris tweed and Yorkshire tweed sitting in the stash.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: wrenkins on September 29, 2018, 12:27:53 PM
HaHa the thought of my mum buying fabric! She doesn't even know if she still owns a sewing machine as she hasn't seen it for maybe forty years. Knowing my dad...it's hidden where she couldn't find it and throw it out...I hope.
No no no she's one of the RTW brigade in Magees.  0_0 Her little eyes light up and off she goes.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Tamnymore on September 29, 2018, 13:15:23 PM
Wow RTW in Magees! If the prices in store are like those on the website she must be a millionaire... or maybe was a millonaire until she spent her millions in there.  ;)
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: wrenkins on September 29, 2018, 13:28:46 PM
 0_0  0_0  0_0
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Ploshkin on September 29, 2018, 13:47:14 PM
I made my tweed jacket with Donegal Tweed that I bought in Magees when I was there about 3 years ago.  Their prices must have increased hugely, I think I paid £25/m at that time.  I bought 3m because I didn't know what I was going to do with it and so I've got a goodly lump of it left which is waiting to become a gilet when I get round to it and find a suitable lining.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Tamnymore on November 06, 2018, 18:22:46 PM
Not a fabric shop but a sewing machine (mainly) emporium - Bambers in Eccles, Greater Manchester. I wanted a replacement foot pedal for my Janome as the old one was sticking. Phoned Bambers yesterday morning and the new foot pedal arrived today - pretty good service I think.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: blackcat001 on January 26, 2019, 07:37:00 AM
North West France

In my short time here, I have located three.

Laval: Tissus du Centre, Route de Fougères, 53000 Laval. It's in an industrial unit on the industrial/retail park where Darty is located (at the Peugeot end).

Rennes: Tissus Myrtille, 173 Rue de Lorient, 35132 Vezin-le-Coquet

Le Mans: Tissus Myrtille, 92 Rue du Moulin aux Moines, 72650 La Chapelle-Saint-Aubin

Addendum.. There is another. Toiles de Mayenne, Le Bourg, Fontaine Daniel, 53100 Saint-Georges-Buttavent. I have not visited inside yet, so can't report accurately as to how good it is. My current understanding is that it has wonderful fabrics for household items and that it is expensive. One day  will check it out.

Of the first three I mentioned, I love them all. Each has a great range of fabrics for just about any purpose from quilting, dressmaking, upholstery, crafting.. anything, really. They also have a great range of yarns and a myriad of haberdashery items. My nearest and dearest is very, very glad the shops are not closer to where we live...  ;)
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Lollipop on February 12, 2019, 21:47:56 PM
Right in the middle of South Yorkshire there is a shop called Walton's Fabrics in Goldthorpe.
They carry a wide range of fabrics at really affordable prices and, if you are so inclined, have loads of dancewear fabrics from suppliers like FunkiFabrics that are about 1/3 of their price.  0_0
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: LeilaMay on February 22, 2019, 18:13:27 PM
For P&Q fabrics, I've just visited Barrington Patchwork - in the artisan barn units at Barrington House (Nat Trust property) in Somerset. Great selection, very helpful lady  :)

They have a website at www.barrington-patchwork.co.uk

and are on FB apparently.


[Just popped in to insert a 'c' into pathwork in the link ;)  - now I'm off to have a good look at their website.  :) - Acorn ]
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: sewingj on March 30, 2019, 18:15:32 PM
Loubodu - near Evesham
@Efemera  alerted me to Loubodu`s online store and I was delighted to see they also have a proper shop only 10 miles from me (I don`t have any other fabric shops locally).  I made my first trip today and was very impressed.  They have been online for a year and the shop open for 6 weeks and are owned by a lovely young mum with a serious fabric addiction.  She has a few woven fabrics but specialises in Oeko-Tex cotton jersey - so it`s not cheap but very nice quality.  For a small shop she has a large selection to choose from.
The shop is on the Blackminster Business Park near Evesham which is a collection of very attractive old buildings, and other units include a wool shop and a weaving shop.  And there`s a very good cafe!
I really hope this will be successful so call in if you are nearby though it is best to check opening on facebook as she sometimes has to close (she`s pretty much a one-woman-band at the moment)
https://www.loubodufabrics.com/shop
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: blackcat001 on September 10, 2019, 19:15:10 PM
Found another place here in NW France.

La foire aux tissus, 90 Route de Granville, 50300 Marcey-les-Grèves

Interesting place. In many ways it reminds me of The Fent Shop in King's Lynn, in that it is a cavern of delights.

Good points
Huge array of fabrics for all sorts of projects, be it craft, dressmaking, furnishings..
Huge array of haberdashery, trims, threads, buttons
Some stuff looks as if it has been there for years, so if you are looking for something to go with a vintage look, try here
Staff helpful

Down sides
Too much! Everything crammed in, to point of having to dig around to find things and many things easily missed.
Too many 1m offcuts
Cash and cheque only
Very hot inside as so much stuff crammed in.

I bought a 1m offcut of fabric and some buttons.

I will go back but I will have to gird my loins in advance!

Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: pjaj on August 14, 2020, 01:27:47 AM
Masons in Abingdon are my 3 go to shops.
Two side-by-side in Bath Street. One selling crafting materials and cake decorating stuff.
The one next door is stuffed from floor to ceiling with all sorts of fabrics for clothing, haberdashery and patterns. Mostly at very keen prices. I believe the upper floor is also crammed with more stock, but not open to the public.
Then there is the third shop in Stert Street, about 200m away, that stocks mostly upholstery and curtain fabrics and wool.
Both fabric shops stock loads of buttons as well.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: annieeg on August 14, 2020, 11:59:10 AM
I went to thimbleina's in Bexhill on Sea the other day.https://jacobshaberdashery.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
Its a really nice shop with very helpful owner who fixes/services machines behind the counter.  Its got a good selection of fabric, habby, and notions, and I could have spent hours in there!
They are also a Pfaff dealer but I resisted temptation :angel:.  He sells some reconditioned machines at what I thought were reasonable prices. 
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: snoozi soozi on August 24, 2020, 12:14:56 PM
My birthday pressie from my stepsons was a couple of days away to a destination of my choice.

Well, of course, I want to go to some fabric shops but I don't know where there are a cluster of them in one place. I've seen a few peeps mention Goldhawk Road, does anybody know if it's still worth the travel to visit? Or does anywhere have a good fabric market? I wondered if Manchester would qualify as a fabric mecca?

Ideally there would be shops close to each other as I struggle to walk great distances. All advice greatly appreciated  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Greybird on August 24, 2020, 12:19:18 PM
Goldhawk Road certainly is (or was anyway!) a good place for fabric shops but I don't think you'd want to stay in that area. Best to stay somewhere else and get public transport to it. No reasonable parking either I don't think.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: toileandtrouble on August 24, 2020, 12:44:49 PM
@snoozi soozi  The tube station is very handy for the Goldhawk Road shops. Look at the tube map and see where would be convenient to stay  and then get onto the system.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Efemera on August 24, 2020, 13:09:35 PM
I wasn’t that impressed with Goldhawk Road ... much prefer Immanuels or Fabworks.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Acorn on August 24, 2020, 13:14:10 PM
Are you going by car?  If so I would have thought the north was the way to go - you may have to travel between places, but you can also combine it with staying somewhere that appeals, whether it's city or countryside.  Other people (like @Efemera) will be able to give a list of places - I just look on in envy when they talk about them, apart from visiting a couple of Abakhans.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: wrenkins on August 24, 2020, 14:09:29 PM
I think I remember people talking about Birmingham but I know nothing. Might as well be on the moon.  :laughing:
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Happymrsg on August 24, 2020, 20:31:35 PM
Sadly Manchester is no fabric mecca. The fabric shops in Manchester are
Abakhan in the city centre
Leons in Chorlton, 3 miles out of the city centre. It has parking outside.
John Lewis in the Trafford Centre & Cheadle - not enough fabric for a special trip.
In Bolton, north of Manchester there is Abakhan & Nortex mills, both have parking very close.

Fabworks in Dewsbury is worth a visit & there are some other fabric shops in Dewsbury
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Sandra on August 25, 2020, 08:40:20 AM
I think I remember people talking about Birmingham but I know nothing. Might as well be on the moon.  :laughing:

Birmingham city centre has Fancy Silks, three floors stacked from floor to ceiling. A floor of curtain fabrics, one of bridal/fancy stuff and a floor of more general fabrics including a small selection of quilting fabrics.
There's the outdoor market. I think Tuesday was a good day for fabric stalls. The 'Jersey Lady' could be found on Tuesdays. Mainly jersey fabrics in a big jumble...all cut pieces, some seconds and costing a pound or two for a metre or two.
Indoor rag market has several fabric sellers, and the other indoor market has a few fabric stalls.

A short walk just out of the town and you get to Barrys. A sister-shop to Leons on Manchester. This is a warehouse with a small carpark outside.
Haven't been to Birmingham at all this year. No idea if any/all of these stalls and shops are still trading as normal but there's a pretty good selection.

Never been to either, but Cotton Patch and Guthrie and Ghani are both somewhere in the Birmingham area too.

Sandra.
xxx
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: wrenkins on August 25, 2020, 08:46:51 AM
Thanks @Sandra. I might go myself!  0_0
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Sandra on August 25, 2020, 09:00:48 AM
Thanks @Sandra. I might go myself!  0_0

OMG...If you turn up in Brum, I'll definitely be there to meet you.  0_0

Sandra.
xxx
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: wrenkins on August 25, 2020, 09:24:14 AM
Be careful what you wish for. I very nearly went over for the Christmas market a couple of years ago.  :laughing:
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Sandra on August 25, 2020, 09:33:36 AM
I've never bothered to go to the Christmas market.
Aren't Christmas markets pretty much the same sort of same-old tat wherever they're held?  -< It's a long way to come for trinkets and a German sausage.

Sandra.
xxx
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: wrenkins on August 25, 2020, 09:45:22 AM
 :laughing: No idea. Never been to one.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: LeilaMay on June 02, 2021, 13:15:22 PM
Nice craft shop in Tintern - fabric, wool, sewing machines (Paff) and lots of useful bits and pieces. Also very nice lady  :)
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: LeilaMay on August 11, 2022, 15:48:14 PM
Fabric shop in Tintern has gone - retired.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Ellabella on August 11, 2022, 16:21:13 PM
We all do need to support a good shop when we can.

I have a lovely P&Q shop near me and I try to use it when possible , even if it’s only bits and bobs. 

When we go away for a few days, if I find a good LYS I will have a good browse and usually find something lovely. The trouble is at the moment I am buying faster than I am knitting  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Renegade Sewist on August 11, 2022, 17:04:43 PM
Remember my lamenting the closure of my LQS? The landlord was upping the rent by 40% so the ladies decided to retire. Well I'm happy to report that four and a half years later the storefront is still sitting vacant. Ha! Take that greedy landlord.

Fact is he probably owns multiple properties and this is a great write off against his taxes.

We do need to support local stores if we have them. We only have 2 left with fabric and notions and they are both primarily machine dealers.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Ohsewsimple on August 11, 2022, 18:40:19 PM
Same here @Renegade Sewist.  A great many of our towns are very run down.  It’s depressing.  I don’t know how elderly people are supposed to shop as everything has moved online or out of town. 
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Starryfish on August 11, 2022, 20:25:05 PM
I'm off to Tudor Rose P&Q shop near Bedford tomorrow. I need some more FQs for the lap quilt I'm going to make. They need to match the ones I already have, try doing that online!
There is no shop with a decent range of dressmaking fabric outside London for me. I can get samples online if it is crucial for what I intend to make.

Bedford itself is the pits for shopping. The only dept store closed about 3 years ago. M&S closed as did Debenhams. It never got over the building of Central Milton Keynes. The council did nothing to promote it. It could have been a lovely high street with interesting small shops.
Title: Re: Recommended brick & mortar shops
Post by: Renegade Sewist on August 11, 2022, 20:46:11 PM
@Ohsewsimple funny thing is this is on the main shopping street in the Old Town area, our old circa 1900 downtown. It is a coveted location as it has it's own small off street parking lot. There is only one other vacancy in the district. The area is hopping day and night. It needs a new roof and the landlord is trying to pass that onto a tenant. No one is going for it.