Discover the best places to buy fabric online here. I’m sharing my favorite fabric stores so you can shop them too.
Hey y’all – today I want to answer a question I get a lot – where do you buy your fabric online? So I’m going to talk about where to buy fabric online and share the online fabric stores that that are my personal go-tos when I shop. In my opinion, these are the best online fabric stores to shop for apparel fabric, with one thrown in as a quilt fabric shop. So keep reading; gorgeous fabric is available wherever you have an internet browser.
Before You Shop
Before you even start to shop online, make sure you have a good grasp of different types of fabric so you know what you’d get. It’s important to know the difference between fiber and construction (aka why you can’t just shop for “cotton”). I have a post about different types of woven fabrics here and a post about types of knit fabrics here. Check those out so that fabric terms will make sense to you when you’re shopping.
Also before I get into the online fabric stores, though, I want to add a few disclaimers. This question is both an easy and hard one for me to answer. The simple where do I shop answer is easy, but because I’m a sewing blogger, it gets complicated because I’ve worked with some of these stores, and because other stores I haven’t listed might want to work with me in the future. Since I am not currently working with any fabric stores as of this writing, it felt like a good time to write this. And I do update this post regularly, so my list of best places to buy fabric for clothing is current.
I also want to point out that as I am located in the U.S. my recommendations are U.S. based. If you’re an international reader, I’d suggest browsing the comments for suggestions for some other countries.
As for all the other fabric stores out there – there are a LOT of really good ones, and I’m sure there are plenty I’ve never even heard of. So if you see one I missed, feel free to leave a link in the comments – however, make sure it’s a link because you love the store and not an affiliate link. My list is just that – my list of places I most often shop personally, none of this is affiliate linked. They are not the only fabric stores I’ve shopped, they’re just the ones I seem to return to over and over.
My Favorite Online Fabric Stores
I talk about and show some recent purchases in the video below, which can also be watched on YouTube here. There are more details and shop links in the rest of this post below the video
Imagine Gnats
This shop has unfortunately closed.
Blackbird Fabrics is a shop I’ve found that has a similarly curated selection to Imagine Gnats. Lots of natural fibers, including wool and linen. I have also found performance fabrics there, like the matte knit spandex I used for this swimsuit (Modified Esplanade Bra for the top and self drafted bottoms). You should note that this shop is in Canada, but I’ve found shipping to the U.S. to be reasonable.
Fat Quarter Shop
Fat Quarter Shop is a go to retailer for designer quilting cottons, like the ones from my Blooms and Bobbins line that I used in the camisole below. And despite their name, they do sell yardage of the fabrics, not just fat quarters.
Organic Cotton Plus
This shop is my go to for luxurious staple fabrics in natural fibers. They’re not the cheapest, but the quality is high. I often stock up on unbleached cotton knits that I can later dye myself to get whatever unique fabric I want. They’ve also recently started carrying other organic fabrics, like silk and hemp, as well as yarn. They also have a great selection of cotton lace, which is hard to find. The snuggly organic cotton sweatshirt fleece hoodie pictured below is fabric from this shop.
Fabric.com
This is an Amazon owned company, and much like shopping on Amazon, they have a huge selection and low prices. From denim to fur, twill to suede, and everything in between you’ll find an option here. Fabric quality can vary greatly (I’ve noticed this when I’ve ordered non designer knits) so I do recommend ordering samples, but this is my go to for sheer variety. This is also one of the only places I’ve ordered drapery and upholstery fabric from, like the home decor canvas I used in the floor pillows below. So If you’re sewing curtains or upholstering a chair, this shop is worth a visit.
Raspberry Creek Fabrics
This is a small independent Etsy shop with a well curated collection of fashion fabric. This shop is also a go-to for French terry fabrics, with a bigger selection than I’ve found anywhere else. Check for interesting apparel fabrics (I found lots of check and chambray on my last visit) and designer prints and knits (for example, I know they’ve sold out of my Idle Wild Floral pictured below at least twice). Lately they’ve also started carrying fabrics printed in their own exclusive designs.
Dharma Trading Co
Though Dharma Trading Co is best known for dyes, they’re also a great supplier of basics, like cotton and silk fabrics. Most of what they carry is ready to dye, but they do carry a color selection for some fabrics, like the silk charmeuse I used to make this bias cut slip dress. I’ve also happily purchased rayon challis and cotton velveteen from Dharma to dye myself. And if I ever decide to do a silk velvet project, this is probably where I’ll shop first.
La Mercerie
This shop has stopped carrying fabric to focus on yarn. I’ve been able to find similar fabrics at LA Finch Fabrics. Josie at LA Finch carries a lot of deadstock fabric, which is large left over remnants from when a clothing manufacturer finishes a run of garment production. Deadstock can be a great way to shop sustainably.
Since I’ve been sewing more swimwear and activewear lately, I’ve ordered from Spandex World several times. And they have a great selection of nylon stretch mesh, which I used in these dresses I sewed for our adoption finalization. I like the way stretch mesh drapes but still has that sheer feeling like tulle. Nylon stretch mesh is also softer and less itchy than stiff tulle can be. Spandex world also carries sequins, laces, and metallic fabrics – think ice skating costume fabrics and you’ll have a good picture of their stock.
More Online Fabric Stores
Here are links to other fabric stores I’ve shopped in the past that I just haven’t ordered from recently, mostly due to changes in the types of fabric I’ve been ordering.
Hawthorne Threads – mostly quilting cottons, some apparel fabrics. I often order Robert Kaufman apparel basics from this shop.
Mood Fabrics – mostly apparel designer fabrics, deadstock
Girl Charlee – mostly knits. Quality can vary, but I’ve yet to be disappointed in their cotton spandex solids.
Seattle Fabrics – specializes in athletic, performance and outdoor fabrics.
Measure this is similar to Blackbird Fabrics, a small, curated shop. Last time I browsed there were quite a few laces and luxury fabrics.
So Sew English – mostly knits, lots of polyester blends. My first stop if I’m looking for double brushed polyester, ponte or sweater knit.
Tailor Made Shop – this is a great source for lingerie fabrics and notions.
So there you go – several of my favorite online haunts. Happy shopping!
Want to read more about sewing with knits? See these posts:
Robyn
Thanks for this list! I’m always so disappointed when I go to Joann’s looking for knits.
Lisa
Seems I have some new places to check out! I love Fabric.com! I can get a lot of quilting fabric there. They have started putting each piece of fabric in a plastic sleeve. I do find this midlly annoying as I don’t know if the plastic is recyclable, and I know this adds to their cost of doing business, which adds to my cost. Thanks for the additional places to check out!!
Linda
I don’t mind the plastic sleeves. I use them for storing the millions of bits and pieces of fabric, sort of by small medium large! I may be a little nuts! I love fabric.com.
Laura M
Great list! I like that you’ve talked about what types of fabrics you get at each place as not all lists do that. And this one included one or two I’d never heard of so I’ll definitely be checking them out. 🙂
I have 2 or 3 personal favorites that are not on your list so I’ll add them here:
Love Adore Knit Fabrics (www.loveadoreco.com & has a Facebook group) Hands down my favorite for any knit prints not on cotton Lycra. She always has lots of wiggle and double brushed polys, as well as rayon spandex, spun poly, jersey blends, and French terry at times. I also love her DBP solids, and she carries some of the heavier weights that are hard to find elsewhere at the best prices. I may be a little biased because I do work for her, but it was my love for the fabrics first that lead me to working with her. 😉
Purple Seamstress Fabric (www.purpleseamstressfabric.com, also sells through a Facebook page) Hands down my go to for any and all cotton lycra solids and stripes. Best prices around for the guaranteed quality plus free swatch cards. 🙂
Pretty Posh Prints (www.prettyposhprints.bigcartel.com, also has a Facebook group) Her prices on DBP solids just can’t be beat when she runs a preorder! So that’s mostly what I get from her.
Laura
Jeanne
Molly, this is just what I needed since the Hancock Fabric stores have closed and I have no other local stores to shop at. So, a huge THANK YOU for this post!
Jeanne
Amy York
My new favorite place to buy knits (especially brushed poly) is So Sew English. It’s what finally broke my girl Charlee addiction (after some disappointing purchases). They have great deals and a fun facebook group. 🙂
Kathy
I like fabric.com as well as fabricguru.com
Felicity
Fabric Depot!!! fabricdepot.com. Their customer service is great!
Patricia Flynn
Also: Gorgeous Fabrics, Fabric Mart, Britex & Promenade Fine Fabrics
Nicole LaBry
Hey thank you soooooo much for the Cloth Pocket shout out! Xoxo
Debbie
Check out Spanglish Fabrics on etsy. Great hand woven fabrics bought in Guatemala.
Chris
My other favorite… naturesfabrics.com They sell beautiful and luxurious bamboo fabrics and upper end wool, diapering fabric, organic knits and woven. They sell ready to dye white and lots of printed pattern fabric. I love dying fabric, so I always look for pfd.
Lori
Stonemountain and Daughter out of Berkeley CA has a great store and ships! Check out their Instagram account.
Rochelle
There’s also Dharmatrading.com for all sorts of dyes and for dyeable fabrics! Including a large variety of Silks, bamboos, cottons, rayons.
Nelda Basenberg
Stylemaker Fabrics is one of my favorites. Also,Marcy Tilton Fabrics.
:)
Hi,
Thanks for the info!
Where can I find 100% cotton non-stretchy *heavy* sweatshirt material?
Thank you!
Lynda Thompson
Peekaboofabricshop.com has a great selection of high quality knits and quilting cotton. Lots of really cute prints for both boys and girls, including swimwear fabrics. Purpleseamstress.com has many prints but I especially like the cotton/lycra solids.
Sherry Callaway
Thank you for this list. I do not have a local apparel fabric store. We have a local quilt shop and a Hobby Lobby so I have been wondering where the best online places are to shop.
Tracy D Unnasch
Thank you for that! I’ve always wondered, too, about people’s favorite go-to shops. 🙂
Darci Coffman
Thank you so much for this resource! I would like to add a plug for my local fabric shop of choice, The Confident Stitch. https://www.theconfidentstitch.com/ They sell both apparel and quilting fabrics, quite a few patterns and notions, books, etc. Their goods are high quality, the site is easy to use, and the owner and employees are helpful and have good taste. 🙂
Amie Hutcheson
Thanks for sharing your awesome list. I was looking for great advise and google led me right to you. Such a small world 😉
Sidney
I like fabric-store.com for linen. They are always having sales to promote different weights and colors. I miss most of the 1hr sales because I’m not attached at the hip to my email 🙂
Natalie W
Fabric Wholesale Direct has been my jam! They carry mostly solid fabrics in a variety of colors but have some patterns as well. They have a wide range of types of fabrics, and I’ve found their quality of fabrics to be pretty good. Also, they’re cheap!
https://www.fabricwholesaledirect.com/
Jacki
I just discovered bamboo, mixed with spandex – my new go-to fabric. When the first place I ordered from fell through on subsequent orders of the same thing in different colours, I found a back up. The first Etsy store was Susans, https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Straightgrainfabrics After she was waiting for more to come in, being desperate, I searched and found https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/RiversideTextiles and the associated website; https://riversidetextiles.ca/
Both are Canadian, so check if they’ll ship to other places too.
Karen Little
There are many great Canadian fabric shops. I don’t know what the shipping costs are to the US, they are reasonable in Canada. This is far from a complete list: Fabricville, Dinky Do, The Fabric Snob, Water Tower Textiles, Pins and Threads, Fabrications, l’oiseau, Funky Monkey, Canadian National Fabric — this is far from a complete list! I have ordered from all of them except l’oiseau and Canadian National Fabric. I am usually looking for quilting fabric, occasionally apparel fabric and I have my favourites of course 🙂 Dinky Do is my “go to” usually as they carry apparel and quilting fabrics, are reasonably priced and offer excellent service! I’m sure there are other sexists who can add to this list.
maureen
Another place I love to purchase online is Boho Fabrics.
Sandra
This is a great post! Thank you so much. Especially in this time of social distancing. I am not making trips out to the fabric stores.
Wendy
Thanks for the great post! I have a few quilt shops I deal with, but what I great list of places for expanding my shopping experience. Between traveling and I had already gone to lots more online shopping because of my own health issues this is a great help.
Phoebe
Thanks for all the websites, Melly. I am such a tactile person. I feel the need to hand-examine texture and weight. I also worry about color accuracy. I’m thinking that perhaps I’m just old fashioned.
Jackie P
http://fabricmartfabrics.com
I mistly buy frim Fabric Mart Fabrics, which has a fabulous selection of discount fabrics with daily sales on different types of fabric. You can watch the sales for your favorites and then pounce, because it may not be there later in the day.
Their website says, “we source our fabric from some of fashions’s best designers. You can make your own high-quality garments at a fraction of the cost, especially with our discounted prices.” True!
Well organized website. Each fabric has multiple views including draped over a stool, so you can judge the proportion of the print and the way the fabric drapes. I’ve never been to their store in Sinking Spring, PA, but their email flyer advertises wonderful fabrics and specially discounted prices if you can get to the actual store.
Janet Cozens
Hi there Mel
Hope you and everyone else is having amazing Craft ideas on going😊
Still unable to get into My craft room 😔 but maybe soon I hope😊.Love reading Al the ideas Mel.
Happy carftting 😁😁😁😁 huggss Jan
Cher
Thank you for this post! I think you read my mind! Really needed this info.
GioVannia
Vogue Fabrics, from Evanston, IL. You can order their swatch catalogs w actual fabric samples for 6 months or 12 months per year.
Their fabrics are all designer premium quality, reasonable prices, and they have unbelievable sales.
If you ever get to go there it’s enormous!
Shirley Brady
Thanks for your list of on-line fabric stores. My new favorite is KnitFabric.com. Not only do they list fabrics in categories, but they have great filter options. They also give a nice chart of which fabrics to use for different projects; it’s on their page “knit 101”. The shipping is fair and timing is great! I really like sewing with fabrics I bought from them for leggings!
Barbara
https://fabrics-store.com/ is my go-to for high quality 100% linen. Thier products are outstanding and customer service is second to none, even offering a generous return policy.
They have personally reached out to me to help me find the perfect patterns for my needs and skill level. They are the BEST!
Teresa
fabric empire has it all!!!
SIerra
A great list! I actually own a boutique fabric store with an in person and online shop at SEWNFabrics.com. We specialize in more eco-friendly fabric options like natural fibers, deadstock fabrics and a curated second hand selection for garment makers. I’d love if you checked it out!