Where to buy fabric, patterns, tools and notions / trims in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex, as well as online

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Fabric buying / washing advice
Buy fabric at local Sussex fabric shops
Buy fabric online
Buy tools and supplies for fashion design and pattern cutting
Buy general sewing tools and supplies
Buy overlocking threads

Eco friendly fabrics 
Women's clothing pattern recommendations for newbie dressmakers
Men's shirt sewing pattern recommendations 
AO size PDF pattern printing at copyshops
Yarns for knitting and crochet

Fabric Shopping & Pre-Washing Advice

Pre-wash and dry and iron your fabric before your sewing classes with us at

  • Reasons to buy a little extra fabric:
    • Fabric can shrink in the wash - cottons often up to 5cm in length per metre plus some on the width!  Therefore, when buying your fabric we'd recommend that you buy extra 10% length, in case fabric shrinks when washed. You can test-wash fabric to see if it shrinks by cutting two 10x10cm squares, just wash one and iron/hang dry to see if it has shrunk 
    • If your fabric has a repeating print that you want to match on the seams, you may need to pattern match, which takes extra fabric as you need to line up the second piece. Buy an extra 50-100cm length to allow for this (depens on size of repeat fabric
    • Are you taller than 5 foot 6 (standard height most patterns are made for) or do you have long legs? Buy an extra 50cm length of your fabric 
  • Wash your fabric at home before you cut out your pattern in it:
    • Wash and iron all your fabric before your class, in the way that the garment/item will be washed and ironed when it's finished. e.g. 30 or 40 degree machine wash
    • Don't wash denim and corduroy in the machine as it gets permanently creased. We would recommend that you hand wash it, maybe in the bath for long lengths. Then ring it out by hand, give a good shake and hang up to dry or tumble dry
    • All the short fabric lengths we sell in class for beginner cushions, purses and bags have been pre washed and ironed so your me-made items won't shrink later!
  • Confused or worried about what to buy? Contact us for help

Want to learn to sew or improve current sewing expertise?
We run sewing and pattern cutting classes most days of the week in Brighton & Hove


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Sussex Fabric, Haberdashery and Sewing Pattern physical shops in Sussex 

Haberdashery and tools. Brighton east Sussex sewing classes. Image from Pic

Please contact physical shops before visiting to check opening times/if they are still trading (let us know if they are not and we will update the page)!  

Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, UK

  • In class we sell a small range of new, reclaimed and vintage fabrics in short lengths from our classroom for use in our beginner sewing classes and courses & Stitch Classes for making small beginner sewing class items such as cushion covers, purses & bags (£5 mtr cash paid to teacher in class). We also have a few 6 inch zips (£1), cotton tape bag straps (£1mtr). Plus we sell magnetic pincushions (£7), pins (£3.50) and grader rulers (£15)
  • Ditto Fabrics
    Ditto on Kensington Gardens in the North Laine is a Brighton institution! they sell lovely end of line designer fabrics at affordable prices, plus trimmings such as ribbons, feathers, and buttons. They give great advice as well.
    21 Kensington Gardens, Brighton BN1 4AL   dittofabrics.co.uk   01273 603771

  • Cloth Control
    Over 850 dressmaking fabrics, £1.99 fabric range at all times
    6A Kensington Gardens, Brighton, BN1 4AL | 01273 459082 | https://clothcontrol.com/
  • Closs & Hamblin (C&H Fabrics) (closing down around March 2023) 
    Wealth of dressmaking fabrics, quilting fabrics and tools. Plus mannequins, sewing machines and a huge haberdashery. Website: www.candh.co.uk/our-stores/brighton | Tel 01273 321959
    • Brighton store: 179 Western Road,Brighton,East Sussex,BN1 2BA. 
    • Horsham store: 7 West St Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1NP
    www.candh.co.uk/our-stores/brighton
  • Fabric Godmother is an online fabric shop based in Portslade. She sells fabulous, reasonably priced dressmaking fabrics along with all the other bits you need (patterns, habby etc). She also has regular open days. Shop online at fabricgodmother.co.uk/open-days/
     https://www.fabricgodmother.co.uk/contact-us/.

  • Buttons and Bows in the Open Market sells selection of fabric, notions, ribbons etc including a lovely soft wide cotton calico fabric at a good price
    Unit 7 Open Market London Road, Brighton | Tel 07857 470034 | Their Facebook page has more details
  • Leather suppliers:
    • Clever with Leather: leather pieces and also they offer repairs to suitcases, bags and belts made to order. 28-29 Tidy St Brighton, East Sussex BN1 4EL. | Tel - 01273 462460. 
    • Express Repairs: 37 Blatchington Rd BN3 3YL. Tel 01273 763945. Owner Mr Levent has lots of skins in basement £3 per sq foot. He also sells clasps, buckles, D-rings etc – go in between 9.30 and 1.30 Mon-Sat to see him as his staff (manning the shop after 2pm) are not able to sell the skins
    • Leather4craft Limited in Newhaven/online leather4craft.co.uk 

  • Dragonfly Fabrics  dragonflyfabrics.co.uk/  (Online company also open by appointment and with regular open days). Fabrics include a lovely selection of natural linen fabrics including eco or bio linens as well as a large range of boiled wool, cotton fabrics (including cotton jersey fabric) voiles, corduroys, jersey knits, cotton flannels along with dress patterns and haberdashery.
    1 Southview Villas, East Street, Mayfield, East Sussex, TN20 6TX. 01892 - 731 087 Map link here
     ([email protected]
  • The Fabric Shop Ltd thefabricshops.co.uk The Showrooms, 55 Chapel Road, Worthing BN11 1EF, Shop line 01903  207389 

  • Foam for seating etc:
    • Brighton & Hove Foam Co  Unit E1 Knoll Business Centre, 325-327 Old Shoreham Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 7GS
      01273 711 499  brightonandhovefoamco.co.uk. Custom cut foam to your requirements. Specialist foam cutting company covering Brighton, Hove and East Sussex. Map link here

    • Foam & Fabrics 27 Broad St, Seaford, East Sussex BN25 1LS 01323 893716  foamandfabrics.co.uk 
      Denise and her team have a wonderful range of:
      Fabrics, Upholstery, Sundries, Trimmings, 
      Haberdashery, Foam, Fillings, Curtains

Lewes, East Sussex

The Stitchery - An attic emporium stocked to the rafters with haberdashery, fabric and knitting yarn,  and home to the-S box. We’re upstairs in the historic Riverside building in the centre of Lewes at
12-16 Riverside, Cliffe Bridge, High Street, Lewes BN7 2RE
www.the-stitchery.co.uk  |  [email protected]  |  01273 473 577
facebook @TheStitcheryLewes | instagram @stitcherylewes  |  twitter @stitcherylewes

Horsham, West Sussex, UK

  • C&H Fabrics- For curtain fabric, wool, haberdashery, craft materials and a selection of dressmaking fabrics. Can make up curtians in your chosen fabric and offer a free home measuring service. https://www.candh.co.uk/ Tel: 01403 242127
  • John Lewis - Good quality fabrics for curtains, blinds, upholstery and a small selection of dressmaking fabrics. Also some sewing machines and accessories. Albion Way, Horsham RH12 1LP Tel: 01403 214 740

Crawley, West Sussex, UK 

  • The Cloth Store - A good variety of dressmaking fabrics and haberdashery and good value. 40 Queens Square, Crawley RH10 1HA 
  • Hobbycraft - Large store for arts and craft projects with a small selection of commerical patterns, sewing and dressmaking fabrics and sewing machines. County Oak Retail Park, London Rd, Crawley RH11 7XN
  • Jills Sewing Room - Good haberdashery especially for cotton fabrics. 24 Broadwalk, Crawley RH10 1HQ 
  • Montgomery (Debanhams) - A selection of curtain, blind and upholstery fabric of good quality. In Crawley County Mall 

Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK

  • World of Sewing - An extensive range of sewing machines as well as haberdashery and accessories. 56-64 Camden Rd Tunbridge Wells http://www.worldofsewing.com/ 
  • Dragonfly Fabrics  dragonflyfabrics.co.uk/  (Online company also open by appointment and with regular open days in Mayfield on the East Sussex/Kent border). Fabrics include a lovely selection of natural linen fabrics including eco or bio linens as well as a large range of boiled wool, cotton fabrics (including cotton jersey fabric) voiles, corduroys, jersey knits, cotton flannels along with dress patterns and haberdashery.
    1 Southview Villas, East Street, Mayfield, East Sussex, TN20 6TX. 01892 - 731 087 Map link here
     ([email protected]

 

Online Fabric, Haberdashery and Sewing Pattern shops
Fabric shopping in East Sussex. Brighton Sewing Classes. Royalty free image
  • Pound Fabrics - nice quality 100% cotton fabrics for £3-6 on their website. Delivery is 5-7 days, from £3.99 
  • Sew Essential - the online sewing superstore.For dressmaking patterns, sewing machines, haberdashery and more. Nice quality designer cottons from £11.50/mtr.  Delivery 5-6 days and £1.50-£2.50
  • Leather 4 Craft (online): Stocks a wide range of leather for all your craft projects, bags, purses, wallets, I phone cases, journal covers, bookbinding, belt and strap blanks, upholstery, and many more crafts, All trade inquires welcome from a single hide. Also offers custom made leather inserts for desks, bureaus, writing boxes, and occasional tables, in a range of seven colours with various tooling designs.
  • Beads Unlimited  The iconic Brighton Bead Shop closed in January 2016, but their website sells the full range. The shop was at 21 Sydney Street in the North Laine since 1986 serving generations of creative minds all of their beading needs. All sorts of shapes, sizes, colours and materials in beads, findings, charms, stringing, tools and kits at  
    To keep up to date with offers and new lines, sign up to their mailshot or follow on social media; just search 'beadsunlimited'.
  • Fabric Land is well priced for all sorts of fabric and haberdashery and has a large range of commercial garment patterns.  |  Allow up to 10 days for delivery
  • Jaycotts - excellent range of sewing haberdashery, sewing patterns, sewing machines and more at great prices. One of our favourite suppliers. Postage £1.50, takes a few days
  • Dookkii - amazing prices for larger quanities of haberdashery
  • https://prinfab.com/ Print your own fabric designs!Amazing value, great gift fabric e.g. cushions or purses with personal images on. We just made a repeating print of a friend's dog to try it out - super easy to upload the image and choose the size to repeat - go try it!

 

Looking for friendly & welcoming sewing lessons in Brighton & Hove?

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  Kit for Fashion Design & Pattern Cutting:
Useful for Pattern Cutting students or for replicating your clothes:

Manilla-Card from William Gee. Pattern cutting and pattern making classes w

  • Calico - best and softest is from Buttons & Bows in the Open Market. 60" wide. £4 metre when we last checked - see above for shop details. Or Pound fabrics online do a good calico
  • Spot and cross pattern paper -You can buy from us in class for 75p a metre. Can also be bought online in 10 and 150m metre rolls from William Gee here 
  • Grader Ruler - you can purchase Morplan graders at The Sewing Lounge for £18 cash (ask teacher) or they are £8 plus postage (minimum Morplan order £20 + postage): Click here to see/buy at Morplan. Do not buy any other brand of grader ruler! They are not as bendy, they snap easily and measurements are not so well laid out/useful
  • Spiky Tracing wheel – Buy from Hand Tools here online. We recommend putting a blob of superglue on the screw/washer as can come undone - take care to do this without stopping the wheel turning.
  • Pattern cutting book - Metric Pattern Cutting for Womenswear by Winifred Aldrich: Click here to see/buy online
  • Pattern Card - You may want to put your final 'block' pattern onto cardboard so it can be reused easily. You can buy pattern card from us for £2.50 a metre or Clarkes Stationers on Bond St do a suitable A1/A0 size card called ‘Snowdon Cartridge’ for 99p. To buy a 10 metre roll (maybe get some spot and cross paper at the same time!) head to William Gee here

General sewing tools and supplies

sewing tools and supplies

This is where we currently get the classroom sewing tools, haberdashery and patterns. Do check Google or Ebay for better deals or if any of these links no longer work
(let us know about any out of date links if you have a moment and we'll update the page!)

  • Wax chalks (good for marking jersey and wool) - buy on Ebay here or at Fabric Family, 14 Imperial Arcade, Brighton BN1 3AA 9. They also have a shop on Queens Rd Brighton, not sure which items they stock in that one
  • Pins - we sell nice long steel bobble head pins in generous boxes of 144 for £4 in class (cash)
  • Magnetic pincushion - we sell the super handy magnetic pincushions we use in the classroom for £8 in class (cash). Buy the fancy Prym spotty one here from William Gee, who also sell spot and cross paper (above) and great Moon threads (below)
  • Wash away double sided fabric / quilting tape is brilliant to use instead of basting or on non pinnable fabrics like pvc and also just for speed instead of tacking in many projects. Is repositionable and washes away when you wash the item, or just stays inside the seam on non washable items. We buy from Amazon here, here or here
  • Banrol tape for hemming satiny silky fabrics: watch our video herecome along to a Stitch Class with a garment to make or hem, to learn this method. Buy your re-useable Banrol by the metre from English Couture or Sewcial Studio (use search bar to look for it, if not in stock it won't appear!) or Kenton Trimmings (use the side without the solid band on their one). I recommend buying at least 3m, in case you have a large hemmed dress at some point! Use it again and again, very robust product.
  • 20 Bobbins for Janome bobbin case or toploader - click here. Or buy single bobbins* from us for 50p each in class (cash)
  • Masking tape for many tasks in the sewing room! We buy multiple rolls of Scotch or 3m tape (don't buy unbranded, often doesn't stick!) on Ebay
  • Sewing threads: For excellent value, bulk buy of assorted colours of Moon brand 1000yd ordinary polyester sewing thread spools: click here to buy at William Gee. You can also buy Moon 1000m reels inexpensively here from Jaycotts. We last bought our threads here from Oh Sew Crafty as we wanted 1 or 2 each of specific colours (the drop down gives colour options). These Coats ones from William Gee will be good quality too https://www.williamgee.co.uk/shop/coats-threads-astra-120-assorted-box/. 
  • Unpickers: Buy from Fabric Land - address above 
  • Chalk pencils - the best type are the ones from Fabric Land online here or same type available from E-Fabrics online here and Ebay here (get a pencil sharpener too from a stationer) 
  • Hemline Fabric Marker (Water erasable) - Wipe Off/Wash Off/Spray off with water from iron or bottle: We last bought on Ebay here. Or search on google here
  • Berol fine tip pens for marking/lines on paper/tissue patterns - from a local stationers eg WH Smith
  • Lace, ribbons, threads - all haberdashery with inexpensive postage: http://www.ribbonmoon.co.uk/
  • Sewing patterns online: Try the local stores above or online at: Sew EssentialJaycottsWeaver DeeFabric Land. For indie patterns try Fabric Godmother or Dragonfly Fabrics
  • Dressmaking patterns in larger sizes:
    • Reasonably priced downloadable patterns catering for bust 40-56" and hips 42-58":  Cashmerette
    • Paper dressmaking patterns up to UK size 28 from Weaver Dee online

PDF pattern printing at copyshops
Coatigan Pdf sewing pattern printed AO on tissue by Fabulosew PDF pattern printing onto pattern tissue paper at Fabulosew.co.uk

  • Get your bought PDF patterns printed and delivered in a few days to your door. Head over to  this great online copyshop instead of dealing with the immense faffery of printing at home onto A4 sheets and sticking together! Fabulosew will print any PDF AO or A4 tiled pattern onto large A0 size great quality tissue paper, ideal for tissue fitting, and send it to you in the post in a couple of days. This is much better than printing onto printer paper at home or local printers, as you can't easily tissue fit thicker pattern paper or printer paper. Visit Fabulosew here - note that if your pattern is long you will need to order 2xAO or the extra large size. Instrictions on the website. We use these guys for some of our course patterns

 


5000 mtr/yard OVERLOCKER CONES
dookkii overlocker cones Cometa - overlocking courses at Sew In Brighton

Ordinary polyester sewing thread - best value supplier will depend on how many you buy.
Cheapest at time of writing for 3 cones in 3 colours (9 total) is Dookkii, then Fabric Land. Cheapest for just 3 cones in one colour is Jaycotts.
Allow at least 11 days before your booked class to receive your delivery for all online orders of any sewing supplies from independent haberdahsery and fabric suppliers (Amazon Prime an obvious exception)
  • BEST PRICE but unbranded cones Fabric Land (online) £2.69 each for 1-2 cones and £1.95 for 3+ cones per colour. Shipping £3.49 under £10 order -£7.50 £10-£25 order. Price for 3x each of 3 colour cones (9 total) would be: £25.05. Price for just 3 cones in one colour £9.34
  • SECOND BEST PRICE Moon brand cones Jaycotts £3.49 inc VAT each and Order value £0 - £25: shipping charge is £1.50, Order value £25 or more  shipping is FREE. You can also buy very good price 1000m reels herePrice for 3x each of 3 colour cones (9 total) would be: £31.41. Price for just 3 cones in one colour £11.97
  • Sew Essential here. They charge £1.50 - £2.50 postage. Price for 3x each of 3 colour cones (9 total) would be: £38.05. Price for just 3 cones in one colour £13.35

  

Sewing with eco-friendly fabrics, thread and patterns
Look for some or all these marks when buying fabric to know it's eco-friendly: Green Mark, ISO14001, ISO9001, Oeko-Tex, OSHAS18001 

gutterman-recycled thread

Yarns for knitting and crochet

  • English yarn online stockists for yarn and crochet projects - English Yarns

 


Interested in sewing or pattern cutting courses & workshops in Brighton & Hove?
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