While living in New York I had an assortment of fabric shops to choose from along 36th-38th street between 7th and 8th avenue. I also frequented shops along Jamaica Avenure, Queens (I found some real cheap jems there).
Now that I have relocated and am living in North London I have found it hard to find fabric shops with impressive cloths & inexpensive. I visited several shops in Centarl London but the prices were ridiculous. There is a shop in Wood Green that I visit every now and then just to buy plain cotton (I’m always hoping they would get some decent stock).
I had no choice but to resort to asking my parents to mail swatches from NY and I choose the fabrics then order and have them shipped. A friend & fellow crafter informed me that the way they do things here is to buy fabrics from markets. I hate crowds and was not into the idea. Out of sheer desperation, I decided to visit the Walthamstow markert today. To avoid the crowd I left my flat at 9:00am and got there by 11:00pm. It was busy but not stadium packed. I scoped out the entire market from end to end and found several stalls & shops that sold amazing fabrics from £.75-£6.00 per metre. I felt like I was in my element and bought so much fabric I was struggling with bags on the bus (next time will bring a pulley). My new plan of action is to visit the other london markets and decide which 3 are right for me.
My ” The London Market Guide” lists the follow markets as a good places to buy fabrics.
Berwick Street & Rupert Street
Brixton Market
Broadway
Chalton Street
Chapel Market
Chrisp Street
Church Street
East Street
Kilburn Square
Leather Lane
Lewisham High Street
Lower Marsh
Nag’s Head
Petticoat Lane
Portobello
Queen’s Market
Ridley Road
Roman Road
Shepherd’s Bush
Walthamstow
Whitechapel
Woolwich Market
Hopes this helps someone.
M.x
