The Sewing Place

Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?

SewRuthieSews

Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« on: June 14, 2022, 21:56:43 PM »
Not sure I'd get to go, but thought it'd be worth asking about easy to find fabric shops in the Newcastle area. We are staying in Blyth this week and then go to Haltwhistle for a few days from Saturday (oh has family connections there).

I lean more towards roll end shops rather than expensive quilt shops, but a chance to pet nice fabric is always a treat.
« Last Edit: June 14, 2022, 21:59:15 PM by SewRuthieSews »

Ellabella

Re: Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2022, 22:14:27 PM »
There is the Singer Sewing Centre in Whitley Bay which is just down from Blyth, it’s mostly machine sales and not just Singers but they do have some fabric.

That’s the extent of my knowledge I’m afraid, I’d love to hear of more as we visit this area a lot.

Ouryve

Re: Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2022, 22:19:14 PM »
Calling @Andymat - you're needed here!


I've always fancied a trip to First for fabrics, but it's a right pain to get to by bus. I've actually been wondering if Andymat has visited and us it worth me nagging husband for a trip.


I'm down in Durham and my favourite fabric shop is Sew Fabrics in Darlington. It used to be a market stall but they moved into a proper shop and it's got a bit of everything. Not so much at the cheaper end but the quality is generally good.
Janome M50QDC - "Jane" - Small, cute and hard working. Pfaff Quilt Ambition 630 - "Pfanny" - Pfickle. Bernina L450 - "Bernie" - Very hungry. Bernina 830 Record - "Becky"

toileandtrouble

Re: Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2022, 04:25:55 AM »
I have bought online from 1st for fabrics. Service was very good, the cloth excellent - but I am still getting up the nerve to cut into expensive wool for my coat. Of course the colour will be years out of date when I do.
Yarn down:  1000g
Fabric down:  29m

SewRuthieSews

Re: Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2022, 09:35:37 AM »
@Ellabella we walked from Blyth to Whitley Bay yesterday. 8.4 miles from our accommodation  to the Dog and Rabbit micropub. We got the bus back.
I was really worn out from that and would not have had any energy for the Singer Shop

Andymat

Re: Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2022, 10:48:47 AM »
Well I live in South Shields and have really only found 1st 4 fabrics and my local shop BST Fabtics which I can tell you about.

I bought my over-locker from the Singer shop in Whitley bay. As mentioned they generally a machine shop and have piles of machines in boxes everywhere. They sell a lot on line nowadays (www.sewingmachinesales.co.uk) and lots of spares. They do have a limited haberdashery and some fabric but it is not their speciality. As you are in Blyth it is probably your nearest shop and worth a visit if you are in the area. Not really somewhere to spend lots of time browsing though.

1st 4 Fabrics is a unit in an industrial estate near Hollystone just off the A19 (take turning opposite massive ASDA superstore). It is quite big with a good selection/range of fabrics. I wouldn't say they are the cheapest but not too bad and great for browsing. @Ouryve  Yes I would say it was worth a visit.
**BUT** make sure you check their opening times as they tend not to be open in the mornings (www.1stforfabrics.co.uk). Last time I tried to visit on a Monday morning they were only open from 1pm-4pm that day. Looking at the website now they are closed Mondays and open 10am-4.30pm Tues-Sat.

BST Fabrics is my local shop and is again an industrial unit in an estate in South Shields. They are I think cheaper than 1st 4 fabrics and possibly have more stock although they might tend to go for the cheaper end of the market. When I was looking for sweatshirt fabric, they only really had Polyester materials. They do however have the best haberdashery I have found in the area. Loads of thread zips, cord, elastic etc. They have a wide colour selection of rib materials cut for cuffs which I found better than 1st 4 fabrics who only seem to have basic colours in rib. Another good place to spend time browsing.
BST is on the otherside of the Tyne from you @SewRuthieSews so the tyne tunnel will cost £1.90 each way which you have to pay by midnight the next day or get fined (they have taken away the pay booths now)

I'm sure there are some small shops around specialising in quilting of other niches but I have not found any around here yet.

The other place you might try is Boyes stores which are a local chain - @Ouryve  will know them. They tend to be in small towns in North Yorkshire up to the Tyne. I think that the furthest north is here in South Shields but might be wrong? There is one in Barnard Castle if you head back that way to test your eyesight! And Durham and Darlington.
They are a department store but they do tend have a small selection of materials and Haberdashery. Good prices.

I must try to get to Sew Fabrics in Darlington  that @Ouryve mentions as I did not know they existed. Mad as I used to live in Darlington!!

Happy to answer any more questions if I can help.

Andy
« Last Edit: June 15, 2022, 10:58:34 AM by Andymat »

StitchinTime

Re: Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2022, 12:26:20 PM »
I think Immanuel Fabrics in Burnley have a stall on the market in South Shields on a Saturday.
https://www.immanuelfabrics.com/about

Ellabella

Re: Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2022, 13:43:40 PM »
@SewRuthieSews , loved the Dog and Rabbit and you deserved a nice drink after that walk!

There is a wool shop very near the pub whose name escapes me at the mo, that is supposed to be excellent but that is only interesting if you knit or crochet.

SewRuthieSews

Re: Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2022, 14:49:51 PM »
Tried to reply earlier to no avail!
We have Boyes in Nottingham In Arnold which isn't far from me.

Andymat

Re: Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2022, 14:56:08 PM »
I think Immanuel Fabrics in Burnley have a stall on the market in South Shields on a Saturday.
https://www.immanuelfabrics.com/about

Well that's good to know!

So Chic

Re: Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2022, 14:56:28 PM »
I bought fabric from BST for pyjamas for my OH which was cheapish but it has washed well and OH is pleased with them.  My order was delivered quickly even though I made a mistake which was dealt with by phone.
« Last Edit: June 15, 2022, 15:03:36 PM by So Chic »
So Chic
Bernina Artista 630, Bernina 800DL, Janome Cover Pro 1000CP and an elderly Singer Touch & Sew 720G as a back up

Andymat

Re: Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2022, 15:01:17 PM »
Tried to reply earlier to no avail!
We have Boyes in Nottingham In Arnold which isn't far from me.

Seems like they are spread further than I thought!


[As an aside, when I was studying at Loughborough a long while ago now we used to go to Nottingham sometimes for shopping and I was tickled whenever I saw a Bus called Arnold! Was also intrigued that on the buses the conductor would call everyone m'duck. Even the male conductors!]

SewRuthieSews

Re: Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« Reply #12 on: June 15, 2022, 17:07:15 PM »
Wow thank you @Andymat for that detailed list.
We are just heading out to Huxley Nature reserve (got mentioned on spring watch) so will have a look later. Cheers Ruthie

___________
Edited to add had a lovely time at the nature reserve. Very Zen watching the birds and the water. For some reason thought about my denim patchwork plans.

OH not very enthusiastic about going to a fabric shop at all. If we did the only one might be 1stforfabrics though we are likely to be in that area too early on Saturday.

The wool shop (ring a rosie) did look nice @Ellabella but I don't knit or crochet so just passed it by.
« Last Edit: June 15, 2022, 17:25:42 PM by SewRuthieSews »

FrancesL

Re: Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« Reply #13 on: June 15, 2022, 17:46:24 PM »
I agree about BST - a lovely range of fabrics and brilliant staff.

Boyes are definitely good for haberdashery, wool and their fabric ranges aren't as good as they used to be but it depends what you're looking for.

I've not tried First for Fabrics though I've browsed the website a few times

Immanuels market stall is well worth a visit - I got some lovely sweatshirt type fabrics (polyester) and a lovely Jersey fabric - all  at £2/metre.  Whats not to like at those prices
Frances

Helen M

Re: Newcastle upon Tyne area fabric shops?
« Reply #14 on: June 15, 2022, 20:11:38 PM »
Not sewing related, but I'm just back from 2 days up there @SewRuthieSews for a funeral in Tynemouth and afterwards nearer to Seghill. If you get to Seaton Delaval village there is an ice cream shop right on the roundabout called Arrighis. It's Italian family owned, I went to school with all 4 of the daughters (one in my class). We didn't have time today but friends from Cheshire were caravaning at Whitley Bay and said they had been there about 2 months ago not knowing that I knew the family and said it was good!

Sorry can't add to any of the fabric stores already mentioned.
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