The strapline of Avon Textiles is: for all fabrics. I spotted a very good selection of quality…read moresilks, satins, cottons, polyesters, fake fur, net ... I could go on. Part of the delightfully eclectic St Nicholas Market, this glorified market stall is bulging, not only with rolls of material, but also sewing accessories, needles, buttons, zips, velcro by the metre.. We have As an avid sewer of fancy dress costumes, I can often be found rummaging through the reels of stuff. Luckily much of it is less than a fiver a metre and the lady running the stall is as helpful-as-can-be. The stall is great for dress-making and home-furnishing as they've started stocking upholstery and curtain fabric too.

A gem of a fabric stall in St Nicholas Market, Avon Textiles is easiest to find if you go in from…read morethe side entrance on High Street, there you'll find a wealth of rolls stacked up against the wall opposite a late night takeaway stall. Avon Textiles stocks a surprisingly large range of materials, from dressmaking staples such as calico, to fake fur, neon stretch lycra and silk. The prices are relatively cheap too, which is always a bonus. The man that runs the stall is also fairly tolerant of students which is a blessing as this is often the destination of choice for those looking to make fancy dress costumes, particularly the animal kind as there are always several varieties of fake fur on the go at any one time. Rolls are stacked somewhat haphazardly so normally you just point to what you want and the man gets it for you. Whilst occasionally irritating, as you don't get to initially touch and feel the fabrics yourself, this is a blessing if you have butterfingers and are prone to Laurel & Hardy style mishaps when handling 3m long polls!

You ever get that feeling you don't quite belong?…read more When I stepped into Roud Fabrics initially I thought that as I could see no one in the shop, on the door it welcomes you in, saying you have no obligation to buy, but I couldn't help feeling that everything I touched was being added onto some imagenry tab that I would have to pay for before I left. My thoughts on this shop soon changed when the shop assistent(might have been owner or manager... I have no idea!) asked if she could help me, I wasn't quite sure what I was after but somehow I left with a throw for my sofa (yes thats right 'A throw!', I did get my man points back by grabbing a cheeky lunch time pint, I hope). I wasn't sure if I bought something because I wanted it, or if I did indeed feel obliged to as the shop was deathly quiet

This is a brilliant little fabric shop. From the outside it may look quite dated but if you have a…read morelittle look inside you will soon see that it has so much to offer. From you standard carpet off-cuts to larger roll's of beautiful soft materials and silks. I always like to make my room feel homely when I move in, and a few strategically placed lengths of fabric can really help the whole settling in period. The shop is on the whol quite reasonabley priced which is what you get with a lot of the shops in Eastern, so if you want to add something special to an old dress, or just want a throw for a sofa then this is a great place to come.

A fantastic place like an Aladdin's cave of fabrics and many other craft items. I can often spend…read morehours there and always want to sjpend a lot of money. The courses are very good too.

An amazing shop, like Aladdin's cave! They stock a massive range of fabrics, in almost any pattern…read moreyou could think of, including those for seasonal projects, uphostery, dress-making and child-themed fabrics. The prices seem ok to me not as cheap as I've seen (but then the quality is good) but in line with most other fabric stores I've visited and cheaper than some! I visited yesterday as every January they run a sale with 20% off, which makes the prices much more competitive. The staff at Hansons are knowledgable, friendly and helpful and don't treat you like an idiot (even when you feel like one, for asking 'silly' questions!) I bought my sewing machine from Hansons a couple of years ago and the lady in the sewing machine department was so helpful, showing me the different functions of the machines and really tailoring her suggestions to what she felt my need and experience was. I have since returned on a couple of occasions for fabric and sundries and I'm sure if it was closer to where I live, I'd be there all the time! My only criticism, which isn't even that really, is that they pack so much in there that one often has to tuck in for passing customers as the walkways are very narrow, often shoving rolls of fabric back in whilst they pass!

This shop is the perfect place to go for wannabe dress designers, parents who need to entertain…read moretheir children or anyone who is looking to spruce up their home. This tiny shop offers cheaper than cheaper fabrics in a range of colours and materials. What they get seems to change month on month so you never know what you're going to find in the treasure chest of fabrics. The lady who runs the shop is extremely friendly - so if you've got any questions about the materials she sells, or sewing in general, she'll be happy to help. A fun haberdashery if you're looking to get a bit creative!

Believe it or not, I've been here a fair few times with my former housemate, as she took great…read morepleasure in fashioning her own clothes and accessories like bags from the huge range of fabrics carried at this store just off the main drag in Bath. While in there, she would go up and speak to the hugely helpful staff about her latest project and asking them what they would recommend, while I would go around touching all the fury and other unusual fabrics. Once I bought a faux leopard skin bit of cloth to make a crazy notebook, which I still have. Recommended.

Two awful grumpy old men serving today, couldn't be more disinterested in me as the only customer…read morein the shop ! Customer service was non existent didn't acknowledge me, no please or thankyou and talked about another customer in such a rude and disrespectful way that I was pretty peed off by the time I left there. Avoid this place at all costs, they don't deserve to survive in business.

Fabric shop which is predominantly curtain material, ready-made curtains and blinds. It is a big…read moreshop and has lots of rolls of fabric with some interesting choices, but nothing very fashionable or brand new. Perfect for traditional upholstery perhaps but not a fabric shop for modern dress-making. The counter is always busy and, maybe because I look young, I find it hard to get served. The location - tucked away in a square which in itself is in a suburb of Bristol - probably means that it relies very much on local and repeat customers but I never seem to have been treated like a potentially new loyal customer. However it does have all you need for dressing up windows and I have found everything I needed when I moved into a blank house nearby, including dealing with some awkward shaped windows.

Since knitting has become the new rock n' roll (even festivals had knitting tents this year if you…read moredon't believe me) it is still surprisingly hard to go and score your wool fix. Those unwilling to trudge out to the Cribbs' John Lewis know that this is the place to be. Full of wool, thread and patterns for knitting and embroidery, the staff are reassuringly clicking needles at the counter and keen to help out.

Saw your item on Points West last night, and mention again tonight and was really impressed with…read moreyour wonderful work. Can you let me know how much the pattern and the wool cost. I belong to St George's Wilton Mothers' Union in Taunton, and we have 40 Commando Royal Marines in the town. We already do quite a bit of knitting for babies, premature babies, blankets for babies, knee blankets for residential homes as well as hats, scarves, mittens and jumpers for the children and women in the local refuge - we would love to add your hats to our repertoire. Very best wishes to you and your 'army' of knitters!! Hilary P.S. Although I have never visited your shop I give you five stars for your innovative project

just visited the place today because i wanted material for dresses. while checking the fabric we…read morewere shouted at by the one & only staff there! he complained that checking the stuff is not our business!! This is the only textile shop with no touching policy i have been to. also checked one of the items and we were told not to touch it because it cost between £250-£400!!!- insulting us also by implying that we couldn't afford it. Don't go there if you want a good day...

I'm a sucker for arts & crafts and creativity in general and Craft Works ticks all the boxes. This…read moreshop is one of the most comprehensive of its kind and one of the best in Bristol if you discount the likes of Hobbycraft. From the outside you might be forgiven for thinking this is a frivolous, girly shop for bored housewives and old ladies but oh how wrong you would be! There is a large selection of sketchbooks, drawing paper, paintbrushes and Daler-Rowney paints - all essential for art students and established artists alike. The store itself is lined with cards and displays that have been created using products from the shop, such as decopache kits, rubber stamps, ink and stencils. The only thing that limits the possibilities of the products in this shop is your own imagination. Price are reasonable and there is also a framing department at the back of the shop where you can take in your masterpieces to hang with pride.

Craft Works is probably the largest shop of its kind in Bristol. Stocking everything you can…read moreimagine, (and then some), for those with handicrafts in mind. Reasonably priced with knowledgeable staff on hand to explain what everything is for, Craft Works is creativity made easy. They even host workshops in the evening. They also stock resources for those of us who can't quite decide what hobby would suit us best, or for those of us that would like to be a bit more creative but aren't exactly sure how. A full range of magazines is available with comprehensive advice on hand. And just for the record: I'm in the market for a knitted toilet roll cover with a Cindy-type doll miraculously emerging from the middle. There's a commission in for anybody who can master the skills required to make one. I'd like it in shocking pink. Get enrolling now!