Affordable materials and lots of opportunity for browsing can be found in this little den of…read morefabrics, along with its amusingly dry owner. If you're a beginner like me don't expect tons of help, you're more likely to be waved over to look for yourself and will have to figure out if the fabric you chose will work for the project you have in mind. For the well researched beginner and upwards, though, this place is a pleasant antidote to the lofty yuppiness of John Lewis and its brethren, and the market's just round the corner for a post-shopping snack.

I had passed this fabric shop many a time, but never gone in. It looked like hard work and for…read moreevery nice fabric you may have to search through 100 foul rolls to find it. I was mistaken, my usual fabric shop was shut so rather than a wasted journey, I went in to have a look. Half an hour later I had whittled my selection down to an arm full of jerseys several wools and a few tartans. They have a pretty big selection bearing in mind the size of the shop and the price is amazingly reasonable. Now I have no reason to buy fabric anywhere else. But do bear in mind once the stock is gone, its gone... so buy what you see.

Fantastic selection of fabrics, haberdashery with a good selection of arts and crafts materials…read more Go support this family run independent shop and get proper customer care and service.

This shop is in Balham London, not in Epsom !!!, I was looking to see what there is in Epsom,…read moreanswer ? nothing !!!if you are looking for wool shops don't go to Epsom !!, who does these lists of shops they need a better map.

Kilim is a joy. And I'm going to wreck the thrill explaining why. From the outside, I thought it…read morewas a really kooky junk shop. And it kind of is. Certainly the window display is stacked full of tacky Jesus mirrors and religious memorabilia, jet black mannequins cleary borrowed from somewhere in Africa. I'm loving it. Go in, and there were three old African women at the back. And it became clear that it's a sort of fabric shop, but they sell other stuff as well. It's all piled high to the ceiling. Lots of jewelry. Lots of random stuff. But some beautiful waxed fabrics - and the cheapest that I came across today! They were really friendly and it's quite an experience, just popping in to have a browse. check it

Ultimate Craft is great as you will find here anything that you might need for your handicraft…read moreprojects: from simple glue, to stationary, knitting supplies, yarn, beads...seriously anything. What I like about Ultimate Craft is that they offer solid and good quality goods without charging premium prices. By no means, is this a place where they are trying to compete with the yuppie/hipster places on nearby Stoke Newington Church Street. I love coming here as I know that they carry what I need for my current handicraft project.

I feel torn about this place. As I am such a regular client it doesn't feel right to mark it with…read morejust 3 stars and yet the high prices and mediocre service do not encourage me to add a 4th. You can find a whole load of crafts supplies in this shop; it's the ideal place for kiddies supplies or costume materials if you live in Stoke Newington. However if you are willing to shop outside of this area you're better off going to a cheaper store as prices really are very high for low to standard quality supplies. Having said that, my work involves a lot of crafty projects and because I don't have time to source elsewhere I buy from here on a monthly basis. Unfortunately the staff are not interested in looking after their loyal clients and would not even consider a discount when I was buying hundreds of pounds worth of materials. I also had issues with dirty fabric I was told would be fine after a wash... Again, not a commercial effort in sight. In a nutshell, this shop has a wide range of products but is expensive and offers poor customer service.

I walked in with a friend because the window display said £5.00 for a scarf(men's only) and they…read morelooked of damn good quality. So two charming turkish men who run the shop were at our service. There were bundles of loose cloth on the cutting table and he picked up a black turkish wool scarf. They even showed him how to wear it and that service for a £5.00 is too good. They are not the Saville Row brand but are surely warm and friendly enough to help you buy something of good quality and choice. They also provide a basic tailoring service(I have not tested) including alterations.

Dalston's status amongst locals as 'Little Lagos' owing to the amount of Nigerians living and…read moretrading in the area is further enriched by this beautiful African fabric store. I think the owners are actually Ghanaian but they stock a variety of fabrics from all over the continent and one thing we do all have in common is great taste in print. You can't beat the colours or designs of this fabric, which is probably why so much of African fashion involves simply swathing the body and head in yards and yards of beautifully rich material and wrapping it in place (possibly with a baby on the back for good measure). Colour is the key and at Afrique Fabriks they really do cater to this requirement. The staff are friendly and professional with a good knowledge of the techniques used to make the different materials they stock. I went the other day with my sister, we were slightly daunted having only bought African material in Nigeria with the strict supervision of market savvy relatives. She saw an incredibly vibrant turquoise cloth with a beautifully intricate terracotta coloured pattern and wanted to buy a small amount, however they only sell material in six or twelve yards, fine if you want to kit out the whole family in Sunday best but a bit much for one person. However it turned out that six yards was only £12, so she took the lot and I'll probably use up the left overs.

Not the kind of place I normally come, embarrasingly, I tend to buy clothes rather than fabrics…read more But I'm trying to change, and short of disclosing market secrets bout what I'm designing, I'm now in the market for some groovy kinds of fabric. And this place is immense. They have such a big range of patterned wax prints - some BEAUTIFUL colours and themes going on. Of all the places I saw in Dalston selling these kinds of fabric, I think this place has the biggest and the best range. And whilst they're expensive (and I think they bring in all the latest designs), I don't think they're THAT expensive. They'll only sell you them in big sizes, but then you can do what you want with the cuttings and snippings. More about my designs later, it's ok, you'll see people walking the streets in them soon. Afrique Fabriks is a lovely place to look around, if you're round these parts looking for some interesting prints

I don't know a stitch about knitting, but this too-darling shop is eye-catching enough for even…read morenovices to peruse. I came in with a friend who was inquiring about a certain pattern, and the girl working was extremely friendly and as helpful as could be - even though her advice meant we didn't end up needing to buy anything... Perhaps what makes this store especially unique is their fantastical window displays, made entirely of, you guessed it - yarn. Apparently there's a whole slew of "knitting artists" out there... and many of them are on the monthly docket of this shop to deck out the window in whimsical and unbelievably architectural cascades of yarn. Last month it was a (large!) knitted sink and toilet... this month its a wooly version of a snowman. The shop offers classes... now, I'm not exactly one to bother knitting a scarf... but a truly ambitious and artistic construction of woven fiber is a slightly different and more enticing story... for £40 I can join one of their classes for "knitters and crocheters who have visions!" Hmmm....

Reckons its a haberdashery but is mostly selling knitting stuff like it's some hallowed form of…read morereverential lost art. As a keen crafter who grew up in jumpers hand knitted and handed down by me ma I don't think it's anything special. Went in to check it out and the attendant was pretending she didn't notice us (2 people) this is hard to believe as you can almost see a red stripe round the walls where someone tried to swing a cat. When the attendant finally acknowledged us with a face like someone had dropped a stitch we had just about seen all of the meagre ammount of items on sale. I think they do 'knitting circles' in there too. In such a small space it would be the ideal way to pass on knits. Get yourself up the Roman Road nearby for bargain haberdashery and a fairly good sewing shop with a lovely chap who repairs machines.

I come to London pretty regularly and always walk by this shop and think "next time I'm going to go…read morein and check it out". Well, the next time finally happened and I went in and I can't believe I waited so long! They have an amazing selection of fabric at reasonable prices. I brought a few meters back to the states with me to make some unique pieces and I can't wait to visit them again soon!

Next to the mother Cloth House based at 98 Berwick Street, more towards Oxford Street you will find…read moreall the cottons and weave of Cloth House 47. The shop is fresh and bright and always has an original display. Unlike to the other Cloth House on Berwick street, there I am always nicely welcomed. Of course the prices are nothing comparable what you could bargain for in Shepherds Bush. However, you know exactly what content the fabric is and you have a deep as well as wide selection. If you wonder what the big brown paper bags with the art deco face on it is - the brand mark of Cloth House unmistakable!

This is one of 3 fabric shops left on Brick Lane - from many…read more As early as 5 years ago this used to be an area of fabric and trimmings shops catering to local factories. As this tradition has slowly died the fabric shops have also relocated or closed. However Z. Butt Textiles has survived.The shop has been there since the 1950's and is family run - now in its 3rd generation (4th ready to take over in 10 years!) They are so nice as well. Catering mainly to the theatre business now - its busiest selling time is pantamine season. And the fabrics reflect this -- no high end Berwick street here - They are pretty basic with alot of polyester satins and chiffons / some upholstery fabrics and odds and ends .Cheaper to buy more than less, a tarif is put on meters less than 10. If you just need some plain cottons , calico or canvas with trims -or perhaps feel inspired - and have a need for a litttle gold poly lurex with sequin foil print or perhaps a little dayglow chiffon - it is all here.

Literally cannot say enough about Mr Butt and his textile shoppe. The faux fur was fab and the…read moreservice was even better. As a Yank in unknown territory, I had mixed expectations for my former colonial overseer, but Mr Butt quickly turned my frown upside down. I went in to buy a Union Jack bandana and left with ten yards (meters for all you blokes out there) of fake fur. Next time I'm in London, I'll be sure to give Mr Butt a big "OY!"

This place is actually a disused chocolate factory which now houses a variety of artists' studios…read more They have open weekends for the public twice a year and it's worth going up there on these days even if you're not thinking of buying. The next open weekend is actually next week, on Saturday the 5th and Sunday 6th July so I timed this review well, didn't I?! The building itself is fabulously preserved and none of the studios are empty. I can imagine it is a great place to work. I understand that they have recently enlarged the space to include more studios so there will be even more stuff to look at. I don't have a lot of disposable income but even I have found some gorgeous things to buy here, including pottery and jewellery. The artists very kindly put out nibbles so you can stuff yourself while you're looking at their work.

This is a fabulous set of studios, hidden off the busy Stoke Newington Road in Stoke Newington,…read moreHackney N16. Twice a year they open their doors to the public. Here's the latest one: 'It's winter time again and Open Studios are nearly upon us. There are 25 Studios at The Chocolate Factory and we will be opening our doors for one weekend only. It's a great chance to see the artists and their work, see what's new, grab some bargains and enjoy a browse. Don't forget your Christmas Shopping too! The studios are a real find off the busy Stoke Newington Road: A Cobbled yard with hanging baskets and an oasis of pots and plants set the scene for this thriving community of artists and designer makers. Follow us on Facebook for more info: Search The Chocolate Factory N16'