London’s best fabric shops

Best for: internationally sourced threads

Transport: Oxford Circus

This charming little store – one of the more tasteful of Berwick Street’s fabric shops – lures customers in with artful window displays. Inside, the premises are neat as a pin, with wooden floors, bolts of fabric, spools of coloured thread and enticing trays of buttons. Downstairs, more rolls of gingham, cotton poplin, wools and hand-loomed silk await, and there’s a great selection of patterned fabrics, with everything from pretty Laura Ashley styles to Liberty-esque lines. It’s not cheap, but, with fabrics sourced from all over the world, it is deeply tempting. 

Best for: high-end fabrics

Transport: Marylebone

From its humble beginnings as a fabric stall on Church Street to a haberdashery that describes itself as ‘the biggest couture fabric store in England’, Joel & Son is an Aladdin’s cave of treasures. Don’t believe us? You can take a virtual tour of the colourful shop on the website. Better still, plan a visit to feast your eyes on high-end fabrics from the likes of Swarovski, Elie Saab, Versace, Liberty and Valentino. Alongside thick wools, delicate laces and a selection of printed silks and sloqué fabrics, you’ll also find pretty buttons, fur trimmings and all manner of accessories and materials to suit both sexes. 

Best for: niche trimmings

Transport: Tottenham Court Road

In need of a fancy zip? If you didn’t even know there was more than one kind, prepare to have your mind blown. Whether you’re after the invisible, nylon or dyeable variety, you’ll find it at Kleins, king of the trims. Among the lace trimmings, satin and velvet ribbons, shoulder pads, military-styling frogging, iron-on badges and motifs of every description, you’ll even find a section of ‘rude and offensive patches’ (cos not all crafters are into frills and flower motifs, ya know). 

Best for: quality fabrics at wholesale prices

Transport: Shoreditch High St Overground

For a proper East End fabric-shopping experience, nowhere beats Crescent Trading, Spitalfields’ last surviving cloth merchants. At the helm are Philip Pittack and Martin White, two sharply dressed cockneys who have over 100 years of experience between them. Their clientele includes celebs Helen Mirren and Timothy Everest (Mick Jagger’s tailor) as well as fashion students – who make up the bulk of the custom. Here you’ll find British-woven tweed, worsteds and silks, plus SSavile Row’s juicy bin ends and surplus stock at very reasonable prices. 

Best for: luxury prints

Transport: Oxford Circus

Since Liberty opened in 1875, its haberdashery has been synonymous with classic floral patterns, harmonious colour palettes and intricately designed prints. In 2017, the space got a fancy redesign to keep up with London's crafting needs. Now you can peruse 24 new brands Studio Carta, VV Rouleaux, Cluny Lace and Moda Fabrics, plus get your mitts on the latest autumn/winter collection, which includes 30 new fabrics. With a selection of artisan handiwork also on display (think: animal sculptures, origami and handmade cushions) Liberty’s fabric department is well worth a trip – even if you’re only window shopping. 

Best for: unusual fabrics

Transport: Oxford Circus

It was touch and go whether this long-established Mayfair shop would be able to retain its old-world charm at its new premises on Poland Street (formally Dering St) in Soho. Fortunately, it still offers a huge selection of fabrics, zips, threads and buttons, as well as dressmakers’ dummies and corsetry, bra and millinery supplies – such as corset lace, bra cups and hat blocks. Except now the fresh, modern layout (split over two large floors instead of five titchy ones) makes it much easier to find what you’re after. Pay the store a visit if you can, because – as seasoned crafters know – half the joy of fabric shopping is being able to feel before you buy (and you’ll avoid the online postage costs).

Best for: sewing classes

Transport: Essex Rd

If you’re looking for crafty inspiration, tcome to Ray Stitch. Classes are ambitious, though often billed for beginners, and range from introductory sewing classes to workshops in shirtmaking, hand embroidery and freestyle sewing (if you’re feeling particularly brave). It’s a good place to stock up on sewing patterns and houses a vast array of materials, from Liberty classics to rare-to-find Japanese fabrics, with pretty patterns and organic cotton knits. 

Best for: sewing classes 

Transport: Clapham North

Independent stitchers can drop in and sew at this informal sewing café, where machines can be hired for £6 an hour on Tuesdays between 1pm-5pm (includes unlimited tea and coffee, plus use of general sewing tools). For clueless crafters, there is a host of classes ranging from the broad – an introduction to sewing, for example – to specific workshops where you can learn how to make the ultimate shift dress, a silk kimono, or even a ’40s wrap dress. Sew Over It also has a trusted online shop offering sewing classes, where you’ll work on coats, trousers or knit fabrics. There’s now an equally lovely Islington branch at 36a Myddelton St, EC1R 1UA. 

Best for: handmade items from local artisans

Transport: Forest Hill Overground

Expect a relaxed approach to textiles at this cute craft and workshop store, which stocks vintage fabrics, dressmaking patterns and knitting supplies, plus locally made goodies. Classes include beginners’ crochet, tambour stitching, frame loom weaving, paper marbling and knitted Christmas decoration-making among a raft of others. All are delivered by super lovely staff who delve into the history behind each craft. Got a hen do looming? There's even a Little Nan’s party package involving nipple tassels, pompom crowns and cocktails. 

Best for: indie sewing patterns

Transport: West Hampstead

Recently relocated from Mill Lane to a bright, spacious shop on West Hampstead Square, the Village Haberdashery is a joy to rummage around. Its shelves are stocked with good-quality fabric from a range of designers. You’ll find vast rolls of cute, funky prints from pineapples to yoga poses, while its new plant-themed designs are fun and vibrant. It hosts regular dressmaking classes, where you can learn how to make knickers, quilts and even jeans. You’ll also find an incredible range of sewing patterns from indie designers such as Tilly and the Buttons and Sew Over It. 

Best for: designer fabrics

Transport: Wandsworth Road

If you’re looking for Liberty fabrics without the Liberty price tag, head to this colourful, well-arranged shop on Lavender Hill, which has been serving fabric fiends since 1992. Budding dressmakers can stock up on denims, crêpes and fleeces in time for winter and there’s a beautiful batik range for something more decorative, plus everything you need for quilt-making. If you’re not sure what you need, founder Paul Johnston and his friendly team try their best to make recommendations. If you don’t fancy the Overground journey, you can request up to three swatches with free delivery.

Best for: fabric selection

Transport: South Woodford

This South Woodford warehouse is a material mecca – for those willing to make the trip – just make sure you give yourself enough rummaging time in this vast space filled with furnishing and dressmaking fabrics in all the patterns and colours you can think of. Having been in the industry for over 60 years this family-run business is made up of a small team, who are knowledgeable and attentive without being pushy. 

Best for: zips for all occasions

Transport: Dalston Junction

In 1906, William Gee opened with just two pounds of stock. Now over a century later, this family-run haberdashery manages to attract a steady stream of fashion students as well as being a firm favourite among theatre groups, film companies and design studios such as fashion heavyweights Alexander McQueen and Gareth Pugh. It houses what might possibly be London’s largest zip collection (over 2.2 million of them!) and prides itself on supporting British designers and sourcing fabrics from around the UK. Personable staff are on hand to dig out what you’re looking for and you can be sure to pick a bargain at one of its flash sales, occurring every four to five months (the next one is in October). 

Best for: bridal fabrics

Transport: Oxford Circus

Borovick sells the kind of threads that win costume designers awards – its fabrics star in Bafta-winning movies, so your sewing machine will be in good company. This family-run business, located behind the flower stalls of Berwick Street Market, has been running since the 1930s, and is today a central London stomping ground for stylists, fashion students, and general crafty types, who flock here for the wide selection of both glitzy and more sensible fabrics, zips, sequins, buttons and thread. The bridal fabrics (Borovick is a leading supplier for the industry) feature smarter offerings, including crushed velvets and silks, laces, taffetas, satins, brocades, embroidered tulles and beaded materials.