Quilting is a popular pastime, as I discovered when I inquired about classes and workshops that are…read moreheld in this shop, to be told that there was only one place left at the moment. Quilters Quest is a glorious treasure trove of all things quilt related, with a vast, vibrant selection of printed patterned cotton fabric, all arranged in colour order to help you work out the scheme of patterning that you want to create and a further section of haberdashery supplies and other equipment for making quilts and patchwork, including threads, ribbons, braids, wadding material etc. Inspiration can also be derived from a selection of books about the subject. The owner of the shop is always busy, it seems, making quilts which are sold in the shop along with quilted bags and other items and clearly passionate about her chosen business about which she's delighted to inform you.

This is a wonderful shop that has amazing fabrics, haberdashery and general sewing equipment on…read moreoffer, but Quilters Quest also offers marvellous training courses and workshops on a variety of quilting and sewing techniques. I just bought a Sew Easy portable table from this shop and is it totally brilliant. The staff are so friendly and helpful and nothing is too much trouble for them to help the customer. The quilting classes are amazing to attend, and the tutor is one of Ireland's top quilters and teachers, whose vast knowledge in all types of quilting and sewing techniques cannot be missed for any beginner, novice, intermediate or advanced sewer. Is it any wonder that all the classes are nearly booked out prior to the start of every term, reserve your place immediately and don't delay - book today to save disappointment. I had initially to wait for my place and I am not giving it up that easy! Quilters Quest have a long arm quilting machine that finishes a quilt off to absolute perfection, Yvonne and Clare (mother and daughter team) are marvels at this technique.

The Cotton Print Factory Shop at Dargan Industrial Estate is your place to go for all things…read morefabric. They stock a wide range of materials in every colour and cloth under the sun. It can be pricey sometimes but that really depends on the material you're after. If the price is a problem the knowledgeable staff can usually offer a number of suitable alternatives. The staff, who are all very arty and creative are precise and good with measurements (though they'd need to be!) There's a small coffee shop for those poor folk dragged along while Wife / Mum / Insert person here deliberates over the range and choice of fabric, which can take forever, trust me, I speak as someone who knows! If you head up the stairs they have a range of discount stock where there's literally hundreds of metres of fabric, it's a dress makers dream! This is all end of the line, quality produce. The shop also stocks many fabric accessories and paraphernalia (curtain stops, binds, hooks, velcro, the list goes on!) as well as things Id never known existed, but are really clever upholstery ideas!

Came here with my mom and aunt when we were looking for curtain materials for my mom's house. The…read morestaff couldn't have been more helpful. Nothing was too much trouble.Check upstairs in their bargain area to find good deals on offcuts.There's even a little cafe area where you can get a free cup of tea/coffee while you wait for your fabric to be cut. All in all a fantastic place for all your fabric/curtain needs. Highly recommended.

Paragon Fabrics, I have discovered, is a good place to find plain coloured linen type fabrics which…read moreto me anyway can be very useful. There is also a wide variety of all sorts of other fabrics ranging from dress fabrics, including prints and satins to cotton checked ginghams and rolls of bright pink nylon fluffy stuff if that's what you're after. There are often ends of rolls being sold off cheaply if you happen to be in the right place at the right time - I found a large bolt of calico once for not much money which filled a gap at the time and if you want to find a local curtain maker this is also a good place to ask. I have visited two branches at Donegall Pass and Holywood Road and have found both shops have a similar standard of usefulness though perhaps there is a larger and more varied stock carried in the shop on Donegall Pass.

I always use Paragon Fabrics, Donegall Pass for all my quilting fabrics and blender materials - a…read morelarge range of fabrics that are brilliant for using with your embroidery machines - very competitive prices offered

I'm not used to decorating homes and recently I have undertaken some redesign and decor of our…read morespare bedroom. I called in here to price curtains and bed linen as they have been about for absolutely ages and have a decent reputation. I wasn't that impressed. The stuff, I felt, was out dated and expensive. The staff weren't very helpful even though I very obviously needed help with measurements, colour schemes and the like. I personally prefer Dunelm Mill but I was in the centre of town and couldn't have been bothered traveling about the place. I don't think I will go in again for anything other than a definite item as I just felt a little overwhelmed at all the stuff but the lack of help.

I'm not really big into curtain / fabric / bed linen shops, since I don't have a requirement to buy…read moreany of these types of goods. However, when my parents were away on holiday last year, I decided I would venture in and purchase a duvet cover set for myself, having been in dire need of one for quite some time. Undoubtedly one of the most important days in a girl's life... I was fortunate enough to be in the shop during sale time, and was even more fortunate to find a blue and white barcode striped duvet cover for half price...£10 ("how do you do it?" is a frequent question asked by my mum). That usual jubilation that suddenly overcomes me the moment I find a bargain eluded me for once. I *had* to phone my mum and dad to ensure that my find was genuine and the bargain was good enough to warrant a purchase. A five minute phonecall later, and we established that this was the case. Phew. A year later, and my blue and white striped duvet cover is still perfectly intact, currently taking pride of place on my bed. Having had such a wonderful experience, when I went back this year to a newly refurbished Spinning Wheel, I was slightly disheartened to find no duvet covers on the bottom floor, despite the fact that this was indicated on the wall. Being in a hurry, I had to go, but I will definitely pop back in for a proper look very soon. And to get lost among all those curtains. Looks like such fun...

There's an air of organised chaos in this little shop which is crammed with braids and ribbons of…read moreall colours and textures, endless quilting fabrics, knitting needles, sewing sets, embroidery equipment. and buttons There's even some nice tweed and woollen cloth with a label attached that looked about 30 years old. Not that the stock is all static by any means - people came and went while I was there on a quiet Friday morning while simultaneously the owner conducted extensive and animated conversations sounding business related. She'll know where everything is I'd say even if if it would defy anyone else. The shop is very old fashioned in premises which have clearly seen better days and seems a shade on the damp side which I hope won't do any damage to this singular place I couldn't help but like.

This isn't really a place I'd need to go on a regular basis, but I am from around the area and I…read moreknow of all the shops pretty well. The interior of this shop looks quite like a bomb went off, but the staff seem fine with it and can get you whatever you need. Despite selling a lot of fabrics, I once bought a soldering iron here which shows just how random this shop can be! Like a lot of the shops around the area, it's only managing to stay open due to the loyal local customers who will keep coming back regardless of what else is available. Which is of course a good thing. Besides, trying to empty this place, if it closed down would take 6 months.

Oh boy, oh boy…read more.. I'm one of these people who always wanted to be artistically creative. My mum can paint, sketch, knit, crochet, and all the rest of it, but unfortunately I didn't inherit her arty farty genes. Stick men and colour co-ordination is really the height of it for me. Well, at least my stick people will be well dressed... Thank goodness for Craftworld, a haven of every possible kind of art form known to man. To my delight, this includes those colourful beads which you place on a random plastic shape, cover with iron-proof paper, and iron. Cue excitement. I actually made one of these a number of years ago. A blue and red place mat in the shape of a star which sits on my desk. Craftworld appreciates the lesser forms of art. Happy days. If you're not one for fusing together beads (and let's face, apart from a five year old and myself, who really is?), do not fear. Everything from dolls houses to thread, from glitter to polystyrene shapes can be found in Craftworld. There's a lovely wee wedding section at the very back too. Lovely jubbly.

This place is unbeatable for everything craft, ribbons, buttons, wool..everything…read more I had the very frustrating experience of going here to pick up stuff everyday for two weeks before my wedding...men beware it may just dooo your head in unless your the president of your local sewing club. Prepare for a busy stuffy room with way too much choice!!!!

Forget Me Not is a smallish stationary shop down Pottinger's Lane in Belfast city centre. I called…read morein recently to buy a 'Made By The Bride' stamp for my wedding invitations. I had been to another stationary shop and they had none left and I have to say my first impressions of Forget Me Not weren't great. I was a little lost browsing around for ideas and cards when I spotted an area where homemade cards were being displayed. I asked the owner if she had any tips for my wedding cards and she was quite hostile. I was only a little lost bride trying to make conversation and trying to get some ideas. I had just bought a stamper from another stationary shop and I asked her to recommend the best way to use it and was told I should go back to where I bought it and ask them! I later found out that she designs and makes wedding stationary and I guess she didn't want to give anything away for free. Anyway, I had to order in the stamp as she had none left and I had to pay full price up front. I don't want to rate the entire business on that one experience, as I'm sure it was just a flippant remark on her part. I just hope that maybe other brides who want to save a few pounds and are a bit stuck (as they, like me, will probably have never done that kind of thing before) experience a warmer reception.

A lovely shop tucked away, but still in the heart of the city centre, Plenty to spend your money on…read morewith my fav Tim Holtz products and some g45 paper worth checking out I found the staff very helpful