It may not be on the same life-saving level as first aid, cycling or knowing how to swim, but in my book, sewing is a life skill.
I learned basic stitching at my paternal grandmother's knee, a woman who was proudly part of the make-do-and-mend generation. In her eyes, a small rip or tear didn't justify binning an otherwise good piece of clothing, a mentality that's come full circle against the backdrop of the cost-of-living crisis and rightful questions about fashion sustainability.
She showed me how to make custom outfits for my Barbies, igniting a passion that would eventually lead me to fashion college. Although I ultimately chose a different career path, I still use those hand-stitching skills to repair minor wardrobe mishaps today.
As a young fashion student, I spent many afternoons trawling London's haberdasheries looking for fabrics, trims and fastenings for my coursework. The flagship John Lewis store beside Oxford Circus was my first port of call; I'd trace the reels of fabric waiting for inspiration to strike and fawn over buttons, trying to work out how to make my student loan stretch to the fanciest.
While in-store haberdasheries still exist and are a wonderful treasure trove to lose an afternoon in (if you’re so inclined), the internet has brought even more to our fingertips. Whether you fancy trying your hand at upholstery, like the thought of making your own curtains or want to start repairing your clothes, there are yards of material out there to breathe life into your ideas.
I’ve made a little black book of the best online fabric shops including price ranges to help get your next sewing or crafting adventure off the ground.
Shop now
Liberty
With an archive of iconic prints, Liberty is the place to go to deck your home in a premium English cottage-style look.
The department store's legendary prints are delivered on cotton, silk or harder-wearing furnishing fabric. You can order for specific projects too, like quilting and crafting.
Bright, bold and certainly never boring, you're looking at nearly £30 a metre (of cotton) so unless budget is not an issue, you may want to mix and match with fabrics from elsewhere.
Buy now £29.95, Liberty
John Lewis
From wipe-clean PVC to quarter fabrics to stitch your own quilt, John Lewis has moved its haberdashery department online. Alongside its own range, the store licences patterns from Arts & Crafts icon William Morris, Liberty, Designers Guild and Disney Home x Sanderson.
Buy now £4.50, John Lewis
Amazon
We're not one bit surprised that Amazon sells fabric by the metre - the online portal is known for offering it all under one roof, from tech to toilet roll. Search for specific patterns - floral, gingham, tartan - or by fabric type with the bonus being you can pick up other sewing essentials like thread, unpickers, and even sewing machines, all in one place (and often with next-day delivery to boot).
If you're interested in making patchwork homewares or clothes, you can find huge 50-piece bundles of patterned fabric squares for less than £14.
Buy now, Amazon
Dunelm
Dunelm has made a name for itself by offering reasonably priced homewares to the masses, but for craftier types, it offers fabrics by the metre too.
Whether you want to make curtains or blinds, or just need a length for a fuss-free tablecloth, there are designs and colour palettes galore online. Order free fabric samples of everything from chenille and velvet to faux leather.
Prices start at £1.50 a metre.
Buy now £1.50, Dunelm
House of Hackney
Highly saturated head-turning patterns are House of Hackney's bread-and-butter, whether you're talking wallpaper or fabric.
Featuring 116 instantly distinctive looks in typically moody palettes (although the odd superbright florals can be found amongst its ranks too), these beauties don't come cheap - they start from £110 a metre, topping out at £195. But if you're hoping for an interiors magazine-worthy finish, they're the best.
If you're a sewing newbie, leave the graft in their capable hands and seek the made-to-order curtain service instead. With fabric like this, mistakes are too costly to consider.
Buy now, House of Hackney
My Fabrics
Looking to give some character to your interiors? Shopping for your own fabric, either to DIY homewares or give to a seamstress if you doubt your own ability, can work wonders. This lobster print is a fun option for kitchens and dining rooms. It can be transformed into window drapes, cushions, tablecloths and more. Among the near-6000 options, you'll also find quilting, dressmaking and kids' fabric options online at My Fabrics.
Buy now £3.45, My Fabrics
Hobbycraft
For keen new crafters, Hobbycraft is the place to go. The store has everything you need under one roof, and when it comes to fabric by the metre, keeps things fairly cheap and cheerful. Find rolls galore alongside interfacing, felt and fusible foam, but beware the cheap prices translate into cheap fabrics and patterns.
That said, if you want to mock up a piece first before touching fabric scissors to more expensive fabric, it's a great source to tap.
Buy now, Hobbycraft
Marimekko
Printed in Helsinki onto cotton, sateen, coated and linen fabrics, Marimekko is home to an array of bold and beautiful prints which speak to contemporary sensibilities. The Finnish design house was founded in 1951 and is known for timeless striped, checked and floral prints which bring an imaginative dopamine boost to interiors.
Buy now, Marimekko
Anthropologie
Whimsical, pastoral aesthetics is the name of the game over at Anthropologie and has been since its foundation in the early 1990s. Though you won’t get any made-to-measure options, the retailer’s array of printed curtains and voiles are surprisingly brilliant value given the quality and stunning designs. You can also browse a selection of gorgeous, unique curtain tiebacks and shower curtains.
Buy now, Anthropologie
Osborne & Little
Another British manufacturer and retailer of sumptuous wallpaper and fabrics, Osborne & Little was established in 1968. It was included in the Victoria and Albert Museum's British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age exhibition in 2012 and its flagship store is situated in Knightsbridge. Expect palatial prints and coveted design collaborations.
Buy now, John Lewis
