The fabric store is one of those places that makes me wish I…read morepaid more attention in Home Ec. (As such my only skill is the ability to turn a hem.) This recently opened Valley store is one great handsome space. The industrial/loft kinda warehouse is more than roomy and the bare walls create a gallery type feel to the fabrics on display. As the name suggests these guys offer an extensive range of quality textiles, they place a strong focus on natural fibers but you can find anything from silk chiffons, georgettes, leather hides and linen to Japanese cottons, merino knits, organic fabrics and much much more. With stores in Melbourne, Sydney and NZ you know you're in good hands, But be sure to check out their detailed fabric descriptions online and compile a list before you head instore. (It can get a bit overwhelming.)

One of my best friends is getting married, and unlike me she's left herself about 8 mths to plan…read more What this means is there's 8 mths to freak out, make decisions and change them, and pick 8000 different fabrics for brides maid dresses and table cloths. This is why I went with 3 months. Oh and because I couldn't face a summer wedding in Brisbane and didn't want to wait. Anyhoo enough about me, more about her. I've visited more fabric stores than I cared to know existed over the last few weeks, and The Fabric Store is up there with the best of them. The range is quite exquisite, and it's laaaarge. It's not as cheap as other places, but the quality is fantastic plus lots of it looks quite durable. If you're after fabric, you need to visit The Fabric Store.

Absolutely perfect tailoring, quality work and prompt completion, would strongly recommend for any…read moretailoring needs. Ali is the man to see!

We have used Looksmart at Garden City in Upper Mount Gravatt for five alterations in the last…read morecouple of years, from simple to complex. All we're done exactly as requested. It's a relief to have a reliable tailor so close to us.

Avoid online shopping! I use online shopping for almost everything and very very rarely need to…read morereturn anything, but this was a disaster in every aspect. The delivery was delayed, information was not accurate and no visibility to taxes and fares exceeded the original reported by over 50%! And the shop doesn't even allow international returns. Never ever again! And the dress unfortunately wasn't as good quality as described, which was the reason I wanted to return the item. Avoid this brand, not worth it!

Capsule wardrobe warriors lend me your ear. Samantha Ogilvie should be one of your handful of…read moreplaces to bring your wardrobe to life. Yes, price tags are more than your average Portmans top, but they're also pieces unlikely to be found on the masses and will last you a lot longer. Think: cost per wear. Cost per wear. Until recently, I'd been stupid and too intimidated to go into this stunning boutique. Stupid because the staff in here are friendly as pie and on the occasions I've now been in, I've felt welcome and never helicopter'd by a sales member. If you're looking for something that makes you feel a million dollars, without the price tag, and without the chances of seeing it on ever Thumbalina, Deidre and Harriet, then this is where I'd send you to shop.

I have tried many dressmakers & tailoresses in many years for Bridesmaids dresses & other dresses…read morefor special occassions; & I can honestly say Josie is the absolute bom-diggidy!! She listened to all my specifications & implemented them without any hassle. Her dresses fit exceptionaly well & I have recommended & will continue to recommend her to my family & friends. Thank gosh I found Josie's Tailoring! She does all my alterations & dresses for special occassions now :)

I would not recommend this business to my worst enemy. The owner went overseas without returning my…read morebridesmaids dress, leaving me with one week to find a replacement in matching colour. I only found out where the owner was and that I wouldn't be able to get my dress back in time by knocking on her neighbours door. It took me 14 bridal shops to find a dress in the right colour that I then had to take elsewhere for urgent alteration. I was put through unnecessary expense and stress because of this business. On return from overseas the owner did not have the decency to respond to my home, mobile or email messages. I had tried ringing her at least 30 times. I have never been treated so poorly by a business.

When it comes to shopping, Brisbane is always seen as the poor relative to Sydney. And it usually…read moreis. But the uber chic Level 1 Designer section David Jones is definitely equal to, if not better than its counterpart down south. Let me run through just a taster of the labels you can get your hands on here: Burberry, Paul Smith, Scanlan and Theodore, Easton Pearson, Willow, Romance is Borne, Sass and Bide, Camilla and, my fave, Thurley (note to parents: as the sales will be on by then, I'd love the one shouldered lurex top or the long sequinned necklace for my birthday!) The drawback - the expense makes your eyes water. So my tip to you is, browse now and make a note of what you want, then come back in sale season and rummage, rummage, rummage. It's worked for me many a time. Ladies, be strong, be determined and above all, keep looking until you find it!

When I was a young whipper snapper I remember going into the David Jones store in Sydney. It felt…read moreall fancy, and i'd marvel at the food markets they had in there too. And the cost! Well, DJs still goes for that fancy, up market look, and if their Brisbane store ever had food markets, they're long gone. This is a newish store in Queens Plaza, and it's still quite fancy. Multiple levels, I usually come in for clothes, or sometimes to check out the electrical stuff. They've scaled back on games, and I note that their electronics is just a Dick Smith now. The department stores of the past are long gone. Despite the up market vibe they go for, I've found they are quite often competitive with prices, so it's definitely worth checking out if you're shopping around for the best price.

This is a solid little fabric shop, quite handy if you just need to grab something quickly and are…read morein the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. For quite a small shop, they squeeze a lot in and have a good range of basic cottons, satins, and stretch fabrics as well as some fancier silks and dress fabrics. I've never really found fabrics in there that stir up my imagination, but did, on a couple of occasions, buy some toga material from there during my uni days when I couldn't be bothered crossing Moggill Road to get to Spotlight. The fabric in Sckafs is a bit too nice and a bit too pricey to be used for togas, but it did the trick. The thing about Sckafs in this location is that they have to compete not only with Spotlight across the road, undercutting pretty much everyone on price in the fabric industry, but also with Gardam's Fabrics, a shop that specialises in the more expensive fabrics and really do stock a beautiful range in a spacious store. Spotlight and Gardam's get my business before Sckafs as I find their ranges of fabric more interesting. But, again, it's handy to have a fabric store that is actually within the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre.

Sckafs has long since been my staple for fabrics and all things haberdashery in the south west…read moreregion. The lady or ladies behind the counter have been there for as many years as I've been going there for school projects to making things for my daughter and kids to wear (terribly mind you). They have whatever you need if you plan on starting a fashion brand, sewing clothes, learning to sew, making some sort of fabric. Stitching even... threads to measuring tapes... it's all here. They have a lot of material to choose from and usually there are some really good steals in the bargain bin from $1.99 a meter for silky soft fabric. You can get wedding gown material here as well if that's what you're into. A great haberdashery place. It's airconditioned as well!

I am a bit of a fan of the Shugah Boutiques. They are a little different, a little quirky and you…read morecan find some lovely unique pieces. There is certainly some clothes you would not find in your typical dress shop. I have been to both this Cannon Hill store and the one at Manly West. Both store's have a similar off beat style however the Cannon Hill one seems to be more glittery and more of a focus on evening wear, where as the Manly store has a slight emphasis on every day wear. I love browsing through the store are finding something different, not so different that you wouldn't wear it out, but subtle things like a unique cut or colour and fabric combination.

Shugah has some great gear but not a huge range of sizes or looks. When the shop first opened I was…read moreexcited because I thought it was a discount house for designer labels. It's not, but does have plently of designer brands at prices that are often out of my range. There are lots of gorgeous dresses for the young clubbers scene but don't expect much for anyone bigger than size 14.

I have had a few pieces of clothing altered here at T & T Alterations which is a home based…read morebusiness in Inala. The family who run this business are very nice and have great customer service, despite the ocasional language barrier. They complete the alterations professionally and it's usually ready after a day. If there is an emergency alteration needed, I suggest calling ahead to see if it will be ready in time before dropping the garments off. I have found that although it is a home business it doesn't reflect on the price to be cheaper. In fact, I have been caught off guard on a few occasions for alterations that normally would cost up to only $20 in shopping malls, but up to $35 with T & T Alterations. It is cash only so make sure when you are ready to pay, you bring cash not card.