13 of The Best Fabric Shops in London

It’s early in January, and I was off to London to gather fabric samples for the biggest sewing project of my life. A mixture of excitement – I think of London as home after so many years living there – and trepidation because the last time I went searching in London for fabric, it had changed a lot.

So, with all this in mind, I decided to do a full jaunt to some of my favourite fabric shops of previous times, even if it meant criss crossing the city. I also plan to draw up a map of the best order to visit them if you only have one day, but that’ll take a little while to do.

I have added the fabric shops that have opening hours suitable for the public to visit – some are only open for a couple hours per week, and not likely to be somewhere you’d just pop into but would make a day of to visit.

Note that I have tried to include up to date opening times, but they do not include closures for public/bank holidays which often fall on a Monday in the UK.

Borovicks

Borovicks was one of two fabric stores remaining on Berwick Street (No.16) when I last visited two years ago. They have a range of fabrics available, and at different price points too, including a bridal section, which I made sure to check out on this trip!

When I was last there I had a lovely chat with Brian about how full and bustling Berwick Street used to be with fabric shops – Borovicks has been located in Soho since 1932!

Cloth House

Originally located on Berwick Street in Soho, Cloth House had disappeared when I last visited the street, and I discovered it had relocated further north, to Camden.

This was one of my favourite fabric shops as a fashion student, and they still have a lovely variety of fabric options available. Unfortunately, it is no longer an option to pop in on a whim to visit their studio except on one Saturday per month so you do need to book an appointment to visit at any other time.

Dalston Mill Fabrics

Another favourite fabric shop from my fashion student days, Dalston Mill Fabrics is located in Dalston No.69 Ridley Road – E8 3NP.

They have a wonderful selection of fabrics, and great deals on bundles of fabric too when they’re trying to shift stock in the warehouse for new deliveries.

I’ve been quite impressed with some samples for my bridesmaid dresses that arrived recently, which I’ll share about in future posts.

Fabrics Galore

It’s been a while since I visited Fabrics Galore at No.52 Lavender Hill in Battersea, but this was another favourite of mine when I studied fashion design at UCA Epsom.

With fabrics suited for dressmaking, quilting and furnishings, Fabrics Galore is a great store to visit in person, but they also have an online shop to browse before visiting too.

Goldhawk Road

A firm favourite by students and home sewers – and one I have visited since my days nannying in Holland Park and Notting Hill Gate – Goldhawk Road is full of fabric shops. As well as being home to Misan West (further down this list) you’ll also find fabric shops on both sides of the road including Classic Textiles (No.44) – lots of Liberty fabrics here! – and Orya Textiles (at No.32) which I visited to collect some samples I had ordered online.

Liberty London

Everyone knows about liberty fabrics, and they are still housed in the beautiful building on Regent Street. Their Tana Lawn is worth looking at, though it’s not the cheapest fabric, but it does sew up beautifully.

MacCulloch & Wallis

I always think of MacCulloch & Wallis as more of a haberdashery but they have sold fabrics since 1902, and have plenty of fabrics at their location of No.25-26 Poland Street! I pop there (or order online) when in need of items for tailoring – they have a great selection of canvases – but it’s also nice to have a look at everything else they have in store.

It is prone to being busy, and their pricing is on the higher end, but it’s still worth a visit if you’re in London.

Misan

I think that there used to be two Misan shops on Berwick Street – or I’m not recalling correctly from my fashion student days! – but now they have a few, with two in London and at different locations.

Pongees

Specialists in silk fabrics, Pongees has been around in London since 1931, when a branch office was opened and still sell silk fabrics to designers, costumiers and the general public.

Their location near Old Street in London is a showroom – so you can’t buy meterage there and leave with it – and they have over 1000 samples to look through that you can order from.

You can visit Pongees at Fountain House, 4 Chapel Place, Rivington Street, EC2A 3DQ.

Pongees opening times:

• Monday – Friday: 10am – 4pm

Ray Stitch

A great spot for in person sewing classes, Ray Stitch in Islington (No.66 Essex Road, Islington) also has a fabulous selection of fabrics available to purchase at their shop and online. I like that they have a variety of fibres and solid or print options too.

The New Craft House

A fabric shop I have ordered from online many times, The New Craft House is one I was eager to visit during my day in London fabric hunting particularly as do stock a good amount of bridal fabrics.

You’ll find their shop – at No.32 Bocking Street in Hackney – full of gorgeous deadstock fabrics from designers and fabric mills. As fabrics (and other supplies) are deadstock, they have limited availability, so if you see something you love grab it while you can.

I got some gorgeous tassels for that very reason about two years ago that I still haven’t used, but will do soon, and on this trip I picked up some grosgrain ribbon for the bridal corset I’m making for my summer 2026 wedding!

William Gee

William Gee found in Dalston – at No.2a Forest Road, London E8 3BY – is one of the biggest and most comprehensive stores in London for fabrics and haberdashery items.

Pop along for fabrics, pattern paper, threads and more!

William Gee opening hours are:

• Monday – Thursday: 9am – 530pm
• Friday: 9am – 5pm
• Saturday & Sunday: closed

Walthamstow Market

A busy market with fabric stalls and a few shops too, Walthamstow market (116 High Street) is a great option for those looking for fabrics on a budget. It opened in 1885, and is also Europe’s longest open air market!

I’ve never been, but I have read and heard about the man in front of Sainsbury’s (on Saturday’s) but the fabric stalls are on the market on Wednesdays too.

Walthamstow Market opening times:

• Tuesday – Saturday: 8am – 530pm

And that’s it. I’m sad I didn’t get to visit all of them this trip, but between the weather and being ill, it just wasn’t feasible. I did take some video clips and may try to get them edited into a vlog, but as I didn’t buy much, it may not be of interest.

I will be sharing the fabric samples I picked up for the ‘wedding project’ in a separate blog post though, so stay tuned for that!