Buying fabric online is exciting. Back in the day, sewists were pretty limited to using the fabrics available to them in their local stores. But the internet changed all of that, and now we hold the world of fabric in our hands, able to sit in the comfort of our homes and peruse fabric offerings from all over.
I am lucky to live in the suburbs of Chicago, with easy access to several fabric stores where I am able to find a pretty wide variety at reasonable prices. If we don’t support our local businesses they will disappear, and I would hate to be restricted to online shopping shopping for fabrics, and so, when I can, I do shop local. For information on the stores I like to haunt see my post titled My Favorite Fabric Resources: Chicagoland Stores.
That said, I still sometimes take advantage of the internet and resort to buying fabric online.
Why I buy fabric online
I tend to shop online when I’m looking for something very specific and need to see all options available. Some examples would be lace for a wedding dress, vintage fabrics, exotic silks… oilskin!
To shop for fabric online you need to have confidence in your knowledge of the various fabric types, contents, and weights. There are many online resources available to help one understand the differences between fibers and fabric manufacturing processes.
Always a bargain hunter, I will also shop online to find the most competitive pricing for whatever it is I have in mind. Online shopping also gives one access to sellers who offer unique designer or deadstock fabrics that I might never find shopping in a local store.
To swatch or not to swatch? That is the question!
I often order fabric without swatching, because I’m confident in my selection and just want to get my hands on the stuff and get going on my project. But I always order swatches when the yardage is expensive, or I’m not quite confident in understanding the fabric content, color, texture or weight.
Swatchers Beware!
Relying on swatching can come around and bite you. I’ve experienced the supreme disappointment of learning that my “must have” “and “perfect” fabric sold out while I waited on a stupid swatch. Now, when a fabric “calls” to me I just take the plunge and order 4 yards.
My shopping focus is apparel fabric. I have not been paid for endorsing any of these merchants, I simply like them. As I want to stay abreast of the latest offerings, and I am either subscribed to or often cruise the following sites:
My Tried and True USA-based Online Sources
Dharma Trading Co. – Dyeable cotton, rayon, hemp, silk, lycra, linen & more
Emma One Sock (EOS) – Wonderful EOS has an always evolving selection of designer fashion fabric
Fabrics & Fabrics (F&F) – NYC supplier of high-end couture and designer fashion fabric
The Linen Store – Huge selection of linen
Mood – you can “make it work!” with the vast selection available at this iconic NYC supplier
Oak Fabrics – Once a shop in Chicago, now exclusively online, this is a well- curated collection of quality fabrics
Spoonflower – Print-on-demand fabrics – choose from available designs, or create your own!
Stone Mountain & Daughter – Lots to like from this California online retailer
Thai Silks – Reliable resource for imported silks from Thailand, China, Korea, and India
The Specialists – Etsy sellers.
Etsy is great for finding fabric sellers with a defined focus. Etsy shops are, for the most part, small businesses, many of them, woman-owned.
APC Fabric – A large selection of very well priced natural fiber fabrics
Codys Kit Fabric – 100% wool wovens from Pendleton Woolen Mill
Hobby Fabric – Beautiful merino wool jersey knits in various weights
itsFabrics – Nice selection of sweater knits
Via Fabrics – Illinois vendor who sellls quality bemberg and jacquard linings
Watermelonbaby2013 – Cool boho fabrics
Purchase Beautiful Textiles From Around the World
One of my favorite ways to wile away a winter evening is sitting with a nice cup of tea, British murder mystery series on the tube, scuttling around on my laptop learning about fabrics from around the world. These are the sites where I score unique items like hand painted munga silk from India, or crazy well-priced classic fabrics, or specialty items like oilskin.
Akrithi – beautiful array of Indian fabrics, plus custom dyed silks, in small quantity (min 2.5 meters)
Core Fabrics – out of Canada, a very nice collection of quality basics that are well suited to their Closet Core pattern line.
kimoYES – Vintage Japanese kimono fabrics
Land of Oh – Korean resource for corduroy and other organic fiber fabrics
Merchant and Mills – British fabric mill featuring classic weaves in natural fibers
Miss Matatabi – Nani Iro and other high quality Japanese fabrics
Raimie & Linen – Chinese fabric seller offering some nice natural fiber blends
Vin Silk – Mullberry silk fabrics from Viet Nam
Tips for ordering fabric internationally:
Be savvy about your measurement conversions, and aware of whether you are buying in yards or meters. Pay attention to the fabric widths. Some fabrics, especially hand-loomed, can be narrower than standard fabric widths we are used to.
Before pressing that “purchase” button, make note of the shipping charges and lead times. Often international sellers use slower transit means for cheaper shipping rates. If you need your fabric toot sweet, you might want to pay for expedited shipping.
Such a fabulous resource! Definitely saving this blog post. Been wondering about the world of online fabric buying and was feeling pretty overhwhelmed. Love your breakdown and tips. 🙂