I can't sew a button back on, heck I can't even thread a needle, so I can't comment on Gardam's…read morefrom a sewing aficionado's point of view, but as a layperson I've always found them to be ever so helpful. I've been to Gardam's numerous times over the years to buy fabric not for my own use, but to give to an alteration service or seamstress to mend or change an item of clothing for me. This means that whenever I go into Gardam's I have a dress in one hand and no freaking clue in the other. The ladies who work there are mostly older CWA types and they're just so, so lovely and helpful. They're happy to spend as much time with you as you need as they help you match fabric colours, textures, and types to find something suitable for whatever you need. I actually love going in there because the ladies are so sweet and get really into whatever little project you're working on. Once I went to buy fabric there because I wanted to close in a cut-out back on a dress with fabric and we had a jolly old time together umming and ahhing about what colour would look nice. Sometimes I'm tempted just to pop in to Gardam's for a cup of tea and a chat, but then I remember that it's a fabric store, not my grandma's house.

I can't say I'm a huge fan of this branch of Gardams Fabrics. With their main store occupying a…read moremuch bigger shop space at Indooroopilly, the city store stocks only a selection of fabrics and haberdashery. Whilst the quality is the same (excellent), there just isn't enough range for my liking. It's not a good place to go looking for a specific ribbon, binding or button, but if you go with an open mind and not too tight a budget there's a good chance you'll find something you'll want to sew with.

I have been emailing Selective Fine Fabrics to track down a certain style of lace for my wedding…read moredress. I sent them a photo of the dress I am trying to recreate, and they emailed me photos of similar exquisite laces that they had in store. One was just perfect, so I paid for a sample to be posted to me. I loved the sample, so I went ahead and ordered the full amount. Communication was swift and easy and the lace was posted quickly. If you're in Brisbane or even in another city and looking for a spectacular fabric I highly recommend trying Selective Fine Fabrics.

Staff is very helpful, the quality of fabrics is high. This is not the place to come looking for…read morecheap fabric this is where you'd come to find fabric for a wedding dress and Chantilly lace to match. The range is beautiful and shopping here is addictive.

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!

Have now heard back from Knit& Yarn and they will be refunding the difference after mixing up my…read moreorder. Still not great that it took so long to get a response, though I understand they were having some issues emailing me.

From the owner: We specialise in natural fibre knitting yarns, stocking: cotton, cashmere, merino, alpaca and silk…read more A full range of Knit Pro knitting needles, crochet hooks and accessories is available. We also do one on one knitting lessons, and we are happy to open after hours on request. So if you're working and need to shop on the weekend, or if you're stuck on your pattern, just make a time and we'll will help you out.

Manson Framers is a family run business which hasn't got much fancy window dressing on the outside,…read morebut is jam-packed with great art supplies inside. It's a two part business and framing is an important part of what they do, but sorry, I haven't had anything framed so can't comment. I have bought gorgeous paints, pastels and crayons, though and they have a great range of paper. They are friendly, and arty.