If you can't afford the outfit you want from Retro Rehab, Oxfam Originals or American Graffiti - you can always get your ass over to Abakhan Fabrics, buy a couple of yards and make your own! Spread over two floors, it's a fabric paradise with dozens of crates filled with off-cuts, cheap rolls and unusual fabrics. As well as kitsch, quirky and colourful cottons, there's fake fur, nylon, denim and all kinds of material. Upstairs and in the room at the back of the shop, they also sell patterns, buttons, zips, rolls of cotton and everything you'd need to make your own cat-suit or hot pants! Even better, almost everything they stock is cheap as chips. read more

See all

If your an art student, into arts and crafts, fashion, sewing atc this is the place for you. Huge variety of fabrics and cut offs. A word of warning: make sure you know what your looking for or have a vague idea otherwise you will spends hours sifting through what looks like a little bit of a jumble sale. Prices are really decent and staff are really friendly and willing to help you choose/ measure any number of rolls/ cuts. read more

Abakhan - Fabric Stores Near Me - Manchester, XGM

Yep. This place is basically amazing. Its so popular that even though I went in early on a Saturday morning when everything else on Oldham Street was dead, this place still has loads of customers leafing through the multitudes of fabrics on show and keeping the knowledgeable sales staff really busy. The main floor is quite a mess, with the fabrics spilling out of the shelving and containers and onto the floor. Downstairs a couple of steps at the back of the main shop takes you to the knitting area which is a much more orderly affair. There are yarns in every colour of the rainbow and lots of complicated knitting and sewing accessories that I will never understand. Next time my mum comes to visit me, I'm taking her here. She would absolutely love it at Abakhan. read more

Abakhan - Fabric Stores Near Me - Manchester, XGM

For the crafter, embroiderer and tailor in us all This is the last haberdasher in the city centre and here you'll find fabrics, wool and yarns, craft supplies, buttons, threads and findings. I've found the perfect shirt buttons here, oil cloths, craft supplies -- the jumble sale atmosphere can throw up the perfect bargain or inspirational oddment. Service is brisk but not overly friendly. read more

One of my friends is 25 going on 75. She doesn't have a TV or the Internet and one of her hobbies is sewing. I'm not complaining, as I was the recipient of a wonderful cushion with a llama on. Anyway, when she came to visit from her little town with no shops, Abakhan was one of the first places in Manchester she dragged me to. I had been past before but really had no idea how vast the shop would be. We spent a good hour choosing different fabrics for a patchwork quilt she was making and having little squares of each cut. To say that the staff had to rip 25cm squared of several different fabrics with a queue mounting behind us, they were very patient and professional. Downstairs there is every type of wool you could imagine along with tools and accessories, beads and paints. I found it amazing to watch brides selecting fabrics for their wedding dresses, school kids choosing silk to paint on for art projects, old women choosing wool to knit their grandkids jumpers and even trendy arty people choosing patterned fabrics and furs! read more

Holy Habadashery Batman! This place is a crafter's paradise! The place was absolutely buzzing when I popped in at about 4 p.m. My senses were overwhelmed by the patterns and colours of all the fabrics. On the ground floor, the fabrics are pre-cut remnants, for bolts of fabric, you must trek upstairs. I didn't make it upstairs on this occasion as I spotted the yarn and basically everything else didn't matter. Baskets upon baskets (literally) of yarn! And they are organized by brand and colour... it is really a thing of beauty. Unfortunately they didn't have the type of yarn that I needed to finish my blanket (Stylecraft Life), but other than that, they seemed to have a wide variety of yarns. It is also the only place, thus far, where I have seen more than three colours of the giant Aran skeins. I was tempted to get a few, but I have been known to hoard yarn, so I thought I should be good and finish my projects first before starting on more. At the back of the yarn section, you can find crochet and knitting supplies. I was pleasantly surprised (and will most likely be back to purchase) to find a small selection of Tunisian Crochet hooks. IF a place carries them, they usually one carry one or two sizes, but it looked like they had about four or five sizes! I didn't see much for patterns, but I don't usually get my patterns out of books... I usually look them up online so that wasn't really a problem for me. I will have to update the next time I visit as I will have to get upstairs to see what is there... if I don't get distracted by the yarn again! read more

Abakhan is a one-stop-shop for all things dress-making. Located at the end of Oldham Street, Abakhan is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon. Whether you're thumbing through pattern books in the basement, fumbling through the discount fabrics and cut offs on the ground floor, or fiddling with all manner of buttons and sequins upstairs, there is plenty to entertain and inspire in the little treasure trove that is Abakhan. There is a great selection of fabrics, wools, buttons, needles, pins, zips, feathers, sequins, fabric paints, embroidery threads, patterns and prints, mesh and hoops. As most of their stock is discount items or discontinued, the key problem is that if you especially like something there is no guarantee they will get it in again. Prices mirror the nature of the stock and you can usually pick up some real bargains if you are prepared to sift through the mountains for fabric fro long enough. They also offer student and OAP discounts. read more

Abakhan - Image Sourced at: www.abakhan.co.uk - Fabric Stores Near Me - Manchester, XGM

Two floors of goodies, and I mean, GOODIES. There's a huge array of wools, embroidery threads, haberdashery, cushion fillings, upholstery gubbins, and rolls of craft and dressmaking fabric upstairs. My favourite thing about this place though, is if you go in with a bit of time to kill, and not much money necessarily, you can rummage through the huge cage bins of fabrics, bundled together by type, and priced up by weight. If you're patient, you can find some really beautiful bits for not an awful lot. read more

This fabric store rivals those of the famous garmet district in LA for price. I really thought I wouldn't be able to find a store in the centre of Manchester that is reasonably priced with a mountain of even cheaper off-cuts. There's every type of fabric you can imagine if you root through these two floors: organza, fur, voile, cotton, nylon, denim, shantung and a great haberdashery section including buttons, zips, trimmings, threads, feathers, knitting materials, patterns and ribbons. Very helpful staff just let you get on with it but are there to offer their suggestions. read more

Abakhan - Fabric Stores Near Me - Manchester, XGM

I'm a self-confessed knitting&crocheting addict, and the first time I visited Abakhan Fabrics was in 2002. I actually went all the way into Wales, to Abakhan Mill, and for some time I was almost heart-broken because I thought this was their only shop. Then I found it in Manchester in 2005 and has been visiting since. It is a fantastic place for all things sewing, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery. Whenever I needed something, be it buttons, yarn, or fabric, I've always found it there. And yet I mostly go there for knitting yarn. Even now, as I'm writing this review, I take time off to do a few stitches with lovely, soft gray yarn. Perhaps, its only drawback is in how the space is organised. On occasion it can be crowded; and all the fabric can be intermixed to the point that it's impossible to dig something out. And yes, it's not always the kind of fabric with which to make yourself a top quality dress or suit. But it is nonetheless a wonderful place. And they always have a good selection of Christmasy cloths. Every year I tell myself that I must buy some to decorate the table and to make present bags for friends and family. Maybe I'll do it this Christmas. read more

There was an item I couldn't pick up recently in Fred Aldous (one of those barrel/toggle fasteners you find of the end of your 'kags') but was assured that I would be able to find one in a nearby material shop called Abakhan. So, off I ventured into unknown territory further down Oldham Street no man's land in a way, hemmed in between the bars and record stores of lower Oldham Street and not quite Ancoats and it's countless regeneration programs. But what a surprise. On entering this fantastic material store, a whole new life opened up to me. On what was a particularly damp, quiet Monday, on a lonely end of town, it was a welcoming site to see this place heaving like a large bee's nest but instead of honey manipulation, cloth manipulation or 'cloth-pulation'. People of all ages, creed and colour were set about finding the right lengths and textures for various projects: there was a couple in there who had designed and were to make their own wedding costumes (thereby saving themselves a bob or two no doubt); a dozen fashion student girls (ahem) purchasing materials for uni projects; countless other folk and me and my toggle search. It's set over a few floors (in another huge Victorian warehouse) and they also stock arts and crafts items in the lower floor (not as extensive as somewhere like Fred Aldous mind). Scores of shop assistants with flowing tape measures round their necks expertly measuring bits I never knew existed. Should be a first stop off point if you ever need matieral for reasons you don't have to go intobut it's worth have a mooch anyway to pop your head back in time a couple of decades before everything was pre packaged and PR'd up to the fabric hilt. Oh and I did manage to get hold of my toggles (something I couldn't even manage online). read more

Abakhan - Fabric Stores Near Me - Manchester, XGM

Fabric heaven!!! The best thing about Abakhan fabrics is the roll-upon-roll of fabrics that greet your eye when you walk in the door. Don't let the ever so slightly tired decor put you off- have a wander. There's several floors of fabric offering all you could ever want (and you find yourself wondering what you can think of to make with that nice spotty piece in the corner!!) They've also got beads, wools and things to push you towards your favourite hobby. If you're lucky, you might even hear the strains of a bit of Colombian salsa music whilst you're there.... read more

Sewing is one of my hobbies, and a small income for me. I make and sell clothing and, trying to sell to poor students you cant charge an arm and a leg so good, cheap fabric is a must. Abakhans have every kind of fabric imaginable in every colour and pattern. Their prices are amazingly good and their staff are friendly and always willing to help. And you can always find a staff member which can be a lifesaver when your carrying around 4 rolls of fabric...talk about a dead arm! They dont just sell fabric though, they have a wide range of wool, ribbon, buttons and all the tool necessary for you to create something and anything. Even if you dont buy, a visit is a must, even if its just to feel the fluffy fabric! read more

This place is a complete goldmine for fabrics of all kinds, with a small yet extensive haberdashery upstairs. Most fabric is sold by the kilo so you can get some mega bargains. I love this place I have to be dragged from it on many occaisons. read more

I have never come across another fabric shop quite like Abakhan Fabrics! You can buy fabric by weight! The ground floor has stashes of fabric by type and upstairs you can by their main range by length. There is an incredibly wide range of fabrics, although it should be said that the long-lost and lamented Bachers fabric shop on High Street boasted the ultimate selection of drag oriented fabrics. Despite the fact that I can't get my head around buying fabric by weight (too old you see), I could happily spend an afternoon rummaging (if my scowling 8 year old son would allow, he'd rather be bankrupting me up the road at Forbidden Planet), it is like a big glorious jumble sale for crafters though this is the fault of the customers rather than the staff who make brave attempts to organise the stashes by fabric. The wool section has improved vastly of late, I agree with a previous reviewer that it did tend to be a bit 'old hat' at one time, but it now does Sirdar Escape, King Cole Mirage which are really nice yarns. The prices are reasonable, however word to the wise, the wool stall on Bury Market is even cheaper. Also sells felting yarns, papercraft, tapestry, cross stitch kits. Good selection of traditional patchwork/craft fabrics, not great when it comes to contemporary prints e.g. Amy Butler type prints which is annoying, apart from a small selection at Hobby Crafts, is there anywhere around greater manchester where you can get these? Very good and reasonably priced selection of trims, notions, dress patterns, bead selection is a bit perfunctory, better to head back towards Piccadilly Gardens and visit the Bead Shop in Afflecks. Also, sells a range of small dog carriers. Why? I've no idea! Staff are always pleasant and knowledgeable. A place in which to linger and rummage! read more

If its selection you're after, then you've found the right shop! There is so much selection in here it would be amazing if you left without what you were looking for. I once went in looking for some leopard print fluffy thick stuff to make a beanbag from and found it. I just have a couple of problems with Abakhan... 1 - appearance, 2 - staff. Its a bit like a material junk shop which you have to root around in (partly because of the large selection) and most of the fabrics downstairs are priced per weight, so if you're no good at weight guessing you are unaware of how much you have spent. Also, today on my visit the staff were bordering on rude. I waited for quite a while carrying my roll of material to be cut without being acknowledged by the only member of staff cutting material it seemed. When it had been cut I went to the till to pay and whilst the lady was serving me she decided to having a shouting conversation across the shop to another member of staff. I hate it when people do that. Anyway, rant over. Overall a decent shop but you need to allow yourself plenty of time to shop here, Oh and take your coat off before you go in because its boiling inside! read more

Down at the end of Oldham Street, near the weird £3 vintage shop and the discount shoe place, next door to the pub that always seems to have karaoke on, where the streetlights have thinned out and you think "have I gone too far? All I can see is a weird looking guitar shop", you will find Abahkan Fabrics. Now, I'm not a seamstress, I'm a (rubbish but enthusiastic) knitter, so I'm this is mainly a review of the knitting side of Abahkan. Considering how many scarves I've knitted from Abahkan's yarns (hey, that rhymes...) it does pain me a bit to say that in terms of knitting yarn, there really isn't much choice. I find that Abahkan focuses on weird yarns; the ones with bobbles or weird tassly bits, and 'baby' yarns; fluffy pastels that aren't exactly wearable for the over-5 set. You know, the ones your mad nan would use to knit mad jumpers for mufti day, triggering years of "hey, remember that jumper Becca had that had BOGEYS on it" "they weren't bogies...they were lime-green pompoms" "and that makes it better, somehow?" "I suppose not, continue with your mockery." Fifteen years, and it still stings. Anyway, Abahkan's yarns (there's that rhyme again) verge too often on the ugly and unusable, wasting valuable space that could house stuff people want to buy. Having said all that, there are a few real gems. Recently I've knitted three scarves with King Cole Mirage DK, which is self-striping (good for lazy cows like me) and 50% wool, and bargainously comes in at around £3 for 100g, well enough to do a nice long scarf. Also excellent is the King Cole Magnum Chunky, another wool-mix (25%) that creates a pleasingly chunky effect without being heavy. It comes in at around £3 a ball, but you'll need about 4 balls to make a decent scarf. If you're looking for a simple double-knit yarn, then that's great, they have your bog-standard DK for £1.29/100g ball in about 20 shades, including some pretty offensive neons for those still clinging to nu-rave. But if you're looking for something a little bit more special, an aran or cashmere, say, you'd be much better off going to Sew-In in Didsbury. The needle section is great, they have every gauge of needle for knitting and crochet, and they offer most knitting gauges in bamboo as well as metal. There also seems to be a large selection of stuff for proper knitters; cabling needles, circular needles, row counters. Stuff that terrifies me, as I still can't do proper shapes and my first thought on hearing the word 'cable' is "ooooh, America's Next Top Model!" The rest of this shop is a mystery to me. They have a lot of fabrics, some of which are truly beautiful. It is a dream of mine, that one day I will learn to sew, and make a lovely dress from one of their proper wool-mix tweedy fabrics. They also have a fantastic array of cushion pads for dirt-cheap prices, and my next project is a huuuuge floor cushion. Exciting, I know. Also deserving of honourable mention is the awesome selection of buttons and ribbons in the haberdashery bit upstairs, where you will also find weird stuff like iron-on pigs and diamante stripes, in case you fancy giving a bit of a Steps touch to your black bootcut trousers. In short, Abahkan is a treasure trove. Everything's thrillingly cheap, and for those who have any talent whatsoever with a sewing machine, you could end up with a one-off piece of couture for next to nothing and a couple hours graft. Everyone knows that crafting is back, and with everywhere from Fred Aldous to Rags to Bitches offering classes it's time to jump on the bandwagon and start wearing something you made. Or, like me, you could take up knitting, and just sit on your bum and churn out scarf after scarf, palming them off on unsuspecting loved ones until they hide your knitting needles. Either way, a trip to Abahkan is always fun, if a little disappointing sometimes, and it's really satisfying to be able to sit back and say "I...have created!" read more

I have visited about 3 to 4 times. I am new to dress making, and have dabbled in crafts here and there for occassions such as cards for birthdays. I like the range of things you can find there, whether for knitting, crafting, sewing, quilting, they most likely will have what you need and then some. I am however disappointed with the level of customer service there. They did no more than operating like robots when scanning my purchases. When I ask a question or two, there was no eye contact, she was silent for a full 5 seconds and I thought she just ignored me, could barely bother to look up to see who was talking. I felt like a nobody. Perhaps this is one of those 'local shops for local people' where they are only nice to people they know. It's a shame that this is the only shop accessible to me that stock a wide range, otherwise I would visit elsewhere. read more

I love Abakhans, I'm a bit of an obsessive when it comes to material :-?.... and to me this heaven! Downstairs is where the offcuts are, fur, printed cotton, nylon, denim, curtain fabric, down some stairs leads you to the quilting, knitting and craft section, upstairs is where the rolls of material, buttons, ribbons and wedding section are. You can order dressmaking patterns upstairs and they can usually get them to you in 2 weeks, the best selection of haberdashery in town! I always see fashion students delving into the offcuts, and I always join in! If you have a project, this is the place you need to go! They have a fabric warehouse somewhere in Wales and if you order off them you can get it delivered to your home, or the shop. It's good to be Materialistic :-) read more

If you're on any art related course in the area then you need to visit this place. If you're into crafts, sewing, dress making, visual merchandising then you already know how good it is for off cuts and off the roll fabric. Upstairs is a great place to find wedding themed fabrics of you're having your gown made bespoke. It can be a bit of a jumble sale chaos and is extremely dusty - you feel the air getting thinner as you walk in, but the range of crafting accessories, finds and material's really good and baring in mind Manchester's history, one of the few haberdasheries in the area. read more

Best haberdashery I think I've been to, there is a huge assortment of fabrics and offcuts (for any use from shirts to fluffy cushion covers) in the main part which also houses a wonderful 'jumble' relaxed atmosphere; you're free to rummage and ask the helpful staff questions. Towards the back is, it seems, a slightly more upmarket extension of the shop with a more arts-and-crafts feel to it with kitsch patterned fabric and fabric paints, sequins, beads, stamps Wander up the stairs, stopping to marvel at the net curtains you never thought could be so appealing, and you'll find more fabric, buttons, curtain ties, sewing paraphernalia. Look out for the plastic 'pick'n'mix' bags at the door which include helpful items such as spools of cotton in beautiful colours, zips, ribbons, decorations for crafts and more. All come at very reasonable prices. read more

Abakhan online needs to sort itself out. I've previously bought vouchers online with no problems but my last order turned into a disaster. First of all, they never sent the vouchers out. I called to find out what had happened and they said sorry, we'll post them out straight away. But then they only sent 1 voucher not 2, and I had to call again - this time, no-one picked up the phone so I had to track down an email address and try contacting them that way. They did finally respond and post me the second, missing voucher. So I wouldn't recommend buying online if you have a particular deadline like I did - the vouchers were supposed to be for my poor mother's birthday! read more

the Holy Grail for fashion students, can get all you need, the service was hit and miss, but everything else you can find here.

Been to the Preston store yesterday. I was looking for a pattern, what a shambles. At the Bolton store all patterns are neatly in folders for each type of garment, accessories or toys. All weights of yarn are separately filed, Preston is the total opposite, its a lucky dip. I was disgusted. To top it off the store manager didn't seem to care at all. I will never return to this store. I have been in many Abakhan stores and this one doesn't deserve to bear the name. read more

Good shop for bargain materials and off cuts etc. My fella got some green felt for his 'poker table' and it only cost a tenner! He was chuffed read more