Thursday, May 1, 2008

Online fabric stores

I'm a stickler for fabric matching. Hence why, despite buying everything else online, I shop for fabric mostly at brick and mortar stores. You can't capture correct colors in a photograph for the web, I've found. HOWEVER, if you know what you want or just want to build your stash with cute things that you'll match up later, online stores are the best. Even with rising shipping prices, those online stores don't have to pass on their overhead to you and you end up with a slightly lower price per yard. No free advice or oohing and ahhing over your latest project like in the stores, but awesome when you want to shop for fabric in your pajamas.

Now where oh where would you shop online for fabric? Read on, read on....

Fabric.com - by far one of the best organized online fabric stores. Great for when you are looking for something specific (Amy Butler fabric, anyone?). However, colors in their photos are notoriously off--at least on my computer. But they have a fantastic, no questions asked return policy complete with free return shipping if you are way surprised by how something looks when its arrives. Sign up for their email list to get coupons and sale announcements.



Buyfabrics.com - crazy extensive collection of home dec fabric. Some brand names, but easier to browse when you have a color scheme or general idea of what you want than a specific fabric need. I haven't ordered from them, but I've heard good things.



Reprodepot fabrics - a favorite for super cute fabrics--retro/vintage, designer, imported, etc. The fabrics they showcase aren't cheap, but their prices are competitive. I missed out on the Marimekko sale, which is a huge bummer! Definitely great for those unusual things you can't find anywhere else.



Textile Arts - I admit I've only browsed here, never bought, but they have a lovely collection of Marimekko eye candy. I so should live in Scandinavia.



Thousands of bolts and only one nut - Mom turned me on to this one. Prices are definitely VERY cheap, but you have to just pick a color and browse through. Maybe you'll find a gem!



Robey's Fabrics - I haven't browsed their fabric site much, but I do know that their companion site has some great deals on pillow forms, especially the odd sizes that you can't find at JoAnn's.



And if you want your shopping to be greener:

NearSea Naturals
- enviable selection of organic fabrics, including cotton. hemp, wool, and blends. I'm a sucker for the colorgrown cotton. Such pretty colors and not a drop of dye! Going green isn't cheap, but they offer nice volume discounts if you have the capital (or a lot of friends).


PM organics - lovely selection of knit and woven organic fabrics.



Anyone have any other online fabric shopping gems?

6 comments:

  1. Excellent. I will definitely bookmark some of these. I have also had mucho success with quilthome.com

    They even right little notes in your invoice. It is very sweet.

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  2. Thanks for the tips, some of these I have never heard of. I am a big etsy fabric shopper....especially if you find someone near you. CatyLouQuilts is a fav, she is in the midwest and has been extremely helpful...even tells me what matches and what doesn't. Also, fatquartershop.com has been a pleasure the few times I have ordered. In fact I am looking at some fabric there right now...the new yellow and black Taxi line...

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  3. I've started up a fun little fabric store on etsy, fabriccloset.etsy.com. Right now I'm offering Amy Butler, Heather Bailey, Joel Dewberry and a few other designers. I hope to expand further in the future (when funds will allow) but feel I have some of the best prices around. Please if you get a chance stop by and check it out :)

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  4. Sewmamsew.com is a great site as well! I love that you can sort by color (amoung other search options)

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  5. I have to admit, I've never bought fabric online, but I love to shop it. I admire the stuff on superbuzzy.com and also sewmamasew.com. For baby/kid stuff, I've also looked at warmbiscuit.com.

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