30 Great Places to Buy Fabric Online
May 10, 2010
You can make the greatest stuff with your sewing skills but if you don’t have great fabric to work with your projects just won’t turn out as well. Finding fabric that is perfect for your needs can be a bit of a hassle and it’s often a task that’s best done in person so you can gauge weight and texture. Yet, some of the best deals on fabric, especially imported or designer fabric, can be found online. Here are a few sites that I’ve found to be particularly useful in finding and buying great fabrics.
Image from Bloomin Workshop Blog
Big Sites
These sites offer wide selections suited to basic sewing needs.
- Joann Fabric and Crafts: You’ll find pretty much the same collection of fabrics on the Joann site as you would in the store. You can also use those fabulous 40-50% off coupons they send you in the mail with your online orders as well, making it pretty simple to save big on fabrics from this store.
- Hancock Fabrics: Like Joann, you’ll find a wide selection of fabrics on this site, with separate galleries for decorator, fashion and quilting fabrics.
- Fabric.com: You’ll find just about every kind of fabric you could want on this site and it often has pretty good sales. The only drawback is that is can be a bit of a pain to navigate.
- Buy and Create: This online fabric depot has a pretty solid collection of fabrics online, and the way they photograph the fabrics makes it easy to tell what their texture is like.
- QuiltHome.com: While it’s geared towards quilters, this site sells a wide variety of designer fabrics that would work well for any household project.
Budget
Need to do some design on a dime? These sites can help.
- Fashion Fabrics Club: Lots of fabrics some nice and some, well, not so pretty. They do run daily specials, however, that can be quite a good deal.
- Fabric Blowout: (UPDATE: It appears fabric blowout has shut down. Bummer.) Check back with this site regularly to see if any of the $3.50 per yard fabrics they have strike your fancy. I think it’s a better resource for quilters than for home decor, but that’s just my take.
- Fabric Depot: You’ll find pretty decent discounts on fabric and sewing supplies on this site.
- eBay: Not the first place you’d think to buy fabric right? But it’s a great place to get some deals on fabric. Sometimes you can even pick up real vintage prints.
Specialty and Imports
Japanese Import from Superbuzzy
These sites are some of the best for designer and imported fabric.
- ReproDepot Fabrics: Holy heck this site is cool. If you want vintage reproduction fabrics, few sites do it as well as this one. They also sell cute buttons and ribbons that are worth a look as well. UPDATE: Sadly, this store closed its doors summer of 2011. Hopefully an alternative will open up soon.
- The Needle Shop: I think I’m biased because this is a Chicago store, but I do really love the designer fabrics they sell. The cute shop is fun to visit but if you don’t have the time you can pick up many of the fabrics they carry online at their Etsy shop as well.
- Etsy: A simple search through the “supplies” category on this site will yield all kinds of fabrics, many of which can be picked up in small pieces or ordered in larger cuts if you need them. You’ll find a wide range of import and specialty fabrics as well, many of which might be hard to find elsewhere.
- FabricWorm: Great site for imports and specialty fabrics to inspire adults and kids alike.
- Superbuzzy.com: This is one of the best site that I’ve found for ordering Japanese import fabrics. They have loads of designs and cute accessories to match.
- Phat Fabric: You’ll find some big designer names here and some really stylish Japanese imports as well.
- Sew, Mama, Sew!: There are some seriously cute fabrics on this site as well as patterns, imports, ribbons and other notions to check out.
- PurlSoho: There aren’t many designers or styles you won’t find on this great New York shop’s site. Super cute and very easy to navigate.
- Just Scandinavian: If you love all things Scandinavian (they are pretty good at design) then you’ll appreciate the fabrics listed on this site.
- Pink Chalk Fabrics: This is a great source of designer fabrics no matter what you’re working on. Plus, they have an amazing selection of patterns.
- Fat Quarter Shop: This site specializes in smaller cuts of fabric, which sometimes is all you need. You can get larger cuts if you need, however, and they have some great designers.
- Contemporary Cloth: Visit this site for organic, hand dyed, and otherwise specialty fabrics.
Designer Sites
If you want to browse by designer, check out these sites. Not all sell the fabrics directly but they will tell you where to go if you want to buy.
Heather Bailey design
- Amy Butler: You’re unlikely to find many fabric designers that have as much exposure as Amy Butler– and for a good reason. She has loads of beautiful and coordinated fabric collections to choose from, as well as bedding and household items that have already been constructed.
- Joel Dewberry: I have to confess that I am hopelessly in love with many of the fabrics Joel Dewberry produces. They’re bold, interesting and often have a vintage charm without being kitschy.
- Alexander Henry: This designer’s fabrics range from the cartoony to fabulously fashionable. You’re bound to find something that strikes your fancy.
- Anna Maria Horner: I didn’t know much about this designer until I was looking around for fabric to make throw pillows (I settled on her Sketchbook print in blue). Definitely worth looking through.
- Kokka: Frankly, I am a little obsessed with everything Japanese and this amazing fabric design company is no exception. While many of their fabrics are designed more for fashion than home decor, some of them can easily do double duty.
- Heather Ross: I love, love, love the whimsical designs this children’s book illustrator comes up with. They are ideal for making things for the little ones or just fun things for yourself.
- Erin McMorris: Cute is the word of the day when it comes to this textile designer and illustrator’s work.
- Marimekko: If you haven’t heard of this Finnish (as I was informed by many angry Finns when I called it Icelandic
) company you’re missing out. Their fabric doesn’t come cheap, but it’s super stylish and bold. - Heather Bailey: This designer undoubtedly has cool fabric but her other products (paper crafts, patterns) are awesome as well.
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I just wanted to add my online fabric shop. We are the lowest priced cut order fabrics online! Rather it is Kravet or Scalamandre we price at just above wholesale. NOT off a % off Retail.
Come visit us at http://www.Fabricalley.com.
Thank you for your time.
Jane
You site seems to be outdated, “What’s hot for 2011″, and our selections for Spring 2011.
Just wanted to let you know to change the year on your site.
Kara,
We have updated our site and also changed the name to TwentyOne7.
We sell designer cut order fabrics that are sold to “the trade only” but now everyone can buy them at the best price online and off at http://www.twentyone7.com – I appreciate your comment. Take Care
I have to throw Hawthorne Threads in the ring here. They are by far my favorite online fabric retailer, especially for designer fabrics. They do a great job displaying collections by color palettes and they offer a search by color option that is like no other. They also have weekly fabric giveaways and the fabric pre-cuts are awesome. Lastly, the site design is perfect – easily navigated and displays fabric beautifully!!
Oops – how could I mention Hawthorne Threads without giving the URL!?
http://www.hawthornethreads.com/
Totally agree with you on Hawthorne Threads. I love love love them. They have discounts when you buy a lot of one fabric, a big order, and as you reach certain amounts of fabric in your lifetime as a customer. They are fabulous.
I agree. Hawthorne Threads is awesome!
I’m so glad you mentioned Hawthorne Threads! They DEFINITELY deserve a place on this list!
Have to agree. Hawthorne threads is awesome.
Yep, a definite favorite. . .I admit I’m guilty of finding fabric on other sites then checking Hawthorn to see if they have it too b/c it’s always less expensive!
I also love Hawrhorne threads. Glad you mentioned them again!!
Wow love Hawthorne Threads website, nothing like flat shipping (which many places don’t offer) and tiered pricing for customers who keep coming back.
I agree. I’m a HUGE fan of Hawthorne Threads!
I agree about Hawthorne Threads. They are very responsive ship quickly. I also love that you can shop color-ways from any fabric. Such a great tool when you’re looking for coordinating fabrics that aren’t too “matchy” looking.
I have a question. There are a lot of local fabric shops (some in strip shops/centers) in the area where I live and my wife and I like to reupholster simple pieces of furniture in our spare time. My question is – Is it illegal to purchase fabric from one of those fabric stores and turn around and re-sell them at a higher cost to make a profit?
As long as something along the lines of “not to be used for commercial purposes” isn’t printed in the selvedge of the fabric, you are OK to sell items using the fabric!
i need suppliers for suiting fabrics . it may be either cotton , denim or any other imported fabric.
I make quilts for customers and my favorite of all time is http://www.thousandsofbolts.com They have great quality fabrics for about 1/2 price of quilt stores. Plus their shipping is very reasonable and FAST!!!
Thousands of Bolts and Just One Nut does have great prices on quality fabrics. Lots of batiks…they also have backings…thousands of bolts is NO exaggeration.
Harts Fabric (hartsfabric.com) has a really nice selection of fabric also! Thanks for the list. I love Fabricworm, but would be nice to find some cheaper fabric!
I just wanted to leave a quick comment that Marimekko is not Icelandic, it’s from Finland…and we are kind of proud of that, so just wanted to correct
Felt I should add that Repro Depot closed down this summer for good… which is terribly sad because I LOVED the fabrics they had there!
Oh, that stinks. I updated the list to reflect that. Haven’t bought anything there for awhile, but that’s a real shame.
love these ideas, especially ebay for fabric, you might just get me in trouble!
This is an old posting, but I just wanted to make a small correction. I love Iceland, but Marimekko is a Finnish company
Both belong to the so called Nordic countries, but we are located about 1500 miles apart.
It’s bricks and mortar, but if you’re looking for Marimekko for cheap, check out Crate and Barrel Outlet!
The Fabric Company has great designer fabirics for the home. They have been so helpful with design advise and tracking down what I am looking for. Also their website is great – multiple pictures of each fabric – so easy to make decisions about what works best for me. http://www.theFabricCo.com
Howdy and thanks for the listing! Very inspiring sites, but I want to point out one thing. Sorry if this seems like nagging, but as a Finn I take this matter quite seriously
Marimekko is a Finnish brand and company, not Icelandic. I can understand how this error has occured, since so few even know that Finland exists 
Great post!!
Marimekko is Finnish company, not Icelandic
Elsa-Maija
Finland
For beautiful florals, fabrics from Moda, RJR, Robert Kaufman, Maywood Studio, and more, take a look at http://www.shabbyfabrics.com. They also have nearly 1000 patterns, in addition to quilt kits, pre-cuts, and Block of the Month programs! This is a quilter’s paradise!
I am looking for a type of flimsy thin stretchy fabric to make headbands….in vintage/electic patterns….any ideas?
the ReproDepot store is closed.
It looks like FabricAlley is closed, but I wanted to mention the site TrueUp – there are Friday sale postings for North Ameria and beyond – check each Friday!! http://www.trueup.net
(posting this as I came across it on pinterest!)
http://www.craftymamas.com.au
Also http://www.JubileeFabric.com Great budget-friendly source for the niche market of homespun fabrics! Jubilee Fabric also sells quilt packs and craft buttons.
How about http://connectingthreads.com ? They are a bargain even for Canadians.
One of my favorites. You can mix & match alot between the in house fabric lines.
I LOVE connecting threads. Wonderful quality. I’ve bought from them many times.
Love Connecting Threads thread. It doesn’t break or fray.
Reply to all Finns: I have corrected my geography error. And yes, I am aware that Finland is a country quite distinct and separate from Iceland. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. : )
This is a great resource! Thanks for sharing. I just thought I’d add that fabric.com also sells through amazon and you can get some of the same fabric for cheaper through amazon. I got a fabric that was on clearance at fabric.com from amazon for about 1.40 less than it’s clearanced price!
Also, I always check http://www.retailmenot.com/ for discount/coupon codes from any site I order from. I got $20 off my last order of $75 from Fabric.com! Always good to get a little more for you money!
I also order from Hawthorne Fabrics – + the more you order from them you get greater discounts per yard
Thanks fo the post, I added a link to your article at http://craft-connection.blogspot.com/2011/09/buying-fabric-online.html
Fabricblowout is closed as well. Thanks for the great list!
Can I plug my shop? We are one of those eBay sellers: CreativeMerchandise. We can be found at http://stores.ebay.com/Creative-Merchandise-Auctions/FABRIC-TEXTILES-/_i.html?_fsub=10&_sid=54928418&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
or on our own website at: http://www.flyingbulldogs.com
We sell Westminster/Free Spirit/Rowan Fabrics which include many of the designers you listed above: Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry, Anna Maria Horner, Heather Ross, and some you didn’t list, like Brandon Mably, Philip Jacobs, Denyse Schmidt, Jay McCarroll (of Project Runway fame), Robyn Pandolph, and more…
And I personally cut all your fabrics. We are a small family run business, not a big box.
Thank you for your list. I’m also loving the comments. One that I’ve used before is Fabric Hound – http://www.fabrichound.com
I found Marimekko remnants at a Pottery Barn outlet in San Antonio..sold by the pound. Some pieces were large enough for valances! I think I spent 7.00 for a big bag of fabric!
Thanks for the list – been needing more good online options for a while. Check out Craftyplanet.com. Cute and affordable!!!
I’m really surprised you didn’t mention Hawthorne Threads. They are my go-to site for designer fabrics. They have competitive pricing and the more you buy the more you save. They email you when the fabric you want is in stock, they have a color grid AND a very large selection of fabrics.
http://www.marshalldrygoods.com/
Best price on fabric…if you want whole sale ask for Pat
DeltaPatchwork.com Always stocked with fresh new fabrics at great prices! Check it out.
DeltaPatchwork.com – awesome!
http://www.connectingthreads.com FOR SURE! Just a little self promotion. I love designing for Connecting Threads and am so happy to be part of this company, providing people with a variety of fun print collections, nice quality and fantastic prices!!! Please check us out!
Jenni
Connecting Threads does have very nice fabric at an EXCELLENT price…and is made in the U.S.A.
Don’t forget about Pink Castle Fabrics!
Http://www.etsy.com/shop/Pinkcastlefabrics
My new favorite shop for all kinds of apparel fabric with a great selection of knits and wovens, especially cute kids fabrics is at http://www.thefabricfairy.com Also, Ottobre has it’s own fabric shop on etsy with some great stuff like they use in the magazine.
Spoonflower.com let’s you design your own fabrics and some designers sell too. They do contests every week for theme designs and some really great unique prints are available. You do have to dig a little, but since it’s on demand, you can choose which fabric type gets printed. Pretty cool
Nature’s Fabrics has a great selection of natural and organic fabrics
I have found some of the best prices for fabric and shipping at Down Shadow Lane Fabrics on etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/downshadowlane?ref=si_shop They also ship really fast and will refund over payment in shipping charges.
I’m surprised no one mentioned Fabric Guru. I’ve had loads of friends that buy from them, but just recently made my first online fabric purchase from them. They’re a very small company so their customer service is excellent. I highly recommend it.
Hancock’s of Paducah has a great website. It can be overwhelming to navigate, but I’ve found their service good, and fabric better!
http://www.hancocks-paducah.com
Best source for online fabric!!!! I find it hard to believe it did not make the top 5 list. Thousands come to Paducah every spring for the Annual AQS quilt show and are completely overwhelmed by HANCOCK’S OF PADUCAH!!! They offer wonderful email specials and often have free shipping. And unbelieveable customer service.
Check it out, you really don’t know what your missing!!!
It’s really a shame you don’t have Hawthorne Threads on there. Those guys have some of the best prices I have seen on things like Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry… etc.
http://www.hawthornethreads.com/
It would be nice too if you revised your list to include some of the ones mentioned in the comments so people don’t have to go through them all to find good sites.
I would like to add my online shop on etsy
http://www.aspenfabrics.etsy.com
let me know how?
What about Calico Corners? http://www.calicocorners.com They have home decorating fabrics in all sorts of styles, from traditional to contemporary.
Connecting threads is an excellent online shop that is great quality at great prices!
Emmaonesock at http://www.emmaonesock.com is the site I go to for designer fabrics from Europe (mostly France and Italy). The knits are super quality, and the pictures and description are detailed. If you sew your own clothing, this site is a must!
Equilter.com has great fabrics also. They also feature a “design board” where you can place fabrics that are in your cart for a look at how well they go together….also when you click on a fabric for closer inspection, you can touch any color in the fabric and equilter will find fabrics in the color family you clicked on in the fabric….nice site….
I use them a lot… a really user-friendly site. As well as the design wall, they have a colour matching tool. You can also easily find other fabrics that are included in the range of the fabric you’ve chosen. Service is goof and they give a portion of their profits to charity.
I also like connectingthreads.com
I love equilter.com, though it’s not just for quilters. They have a great selection of beautiful fabrics and at checkout you have your choice of 6 or 7 charities and they donate 2% of your sale. It doesn’t sound like much, much I think they are nearing $1 million in donations.
What about Spoonflower? They are an amazing source of unique fabrics.
I agree with Courney. HawthorneThreads.com is by far my favorite fabric store online. Fabric Depot is my favorite to visit in person if you are ever in the Portland, Oregon area!!
Please consider my site for future lists. Buythepiece.com We just re-launched with a new layout today
For all Canadians out there check out http://www.fishskinfabric.com
Reblogged this on CREATIVELY{delicious} and commented:
Happy Sewing!
The Humble Nest did such a great job with this post, that I’m just going to share her whole article today
Have a delicious day,
Sara Dunning
Try Fabricguru.com
Also http://www.theribbonretreat.com has a large selection of fabric. A lot of it designer. And they always have a huge clearance section. And every wednesday they have a deal, usually 15 percent off of a specific designer or new fabrics. They also sell every kind of ribbon under the sun. One of my very favorite companies.
1-800-maryjos is in Gastonia NC. maryjos.com They have all kinds of quilting fabrics and designer fabrics. Thanks for several other leads.
Visiting from Pinterest – this is such a fantastic list and I loved reading through the suggestions in the comments too. Thanks!
I just purchased for the first time from Fabric Mart (http://www.fabricmartfabrics.com) and couldn’t be happier with the experience. The fabrics were exquisite quality, and many were incredibly cheap. I got Marc Jacobs fabric and silk chiffon, each for $4/yard! Shipping was fast, too.
there is an internet site called a thousand bolts and one nut. i believe that’s how the name goes. the prices are good and the selection is great. sales really make the material inexpensive
I had always loved repro depot when I was in high school (broke), then college (broke), and now I have the money and time. go figure ;-;
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ScandinavianFabrics is a great place to buy Marimekko fabric at affordable prices!
Also check Amazon.com At the very, very bottom of the page, you will see a grey lettering that says sewing and quilting supplies. Click on it and surf. You can find some amazing deals. ;} Happy hunting.
Inweavefabric.com has awesome prices and huge selection. Found you from Pinterest.
Please add http://www.wishuponaquilt.com to your list. We have amazing 100% cotton high quality quilting fabric and notions. We ship worldwide.
Id like to suggest Hawthorne threads. They have an awesome online shop that I’ve purchased from before with the cutest prints and great prices!
I really like your blog. Great discounts on fabrics in Huntsville. Thanks for posting.
How about these sites. I particularly LOVE keepsake quilting! The have great quality fabric. Sorry, but JoAnn’s fabric just doesn’t measure up to a strictly fabric store or quilt shop.
http://www.keepsakequilting.com ; http://www.equilter.com ; http://www.cranstonvillage.com
I’d like to suggest Farmhouse Fabrics — http://www.farmhousefabrics.com/ — a friend got me a gift certificate to them several years ago. They are all about smocking, and have many wide-width fabrics (great for quilters, smockers, or similar projects). Classic fabrics, natural fibers, just all-round cool stuff. And I’ve had good customer service from them, too.
I love connectingthreads.com. You should really check them out for 100% cotton budget-friendly fabrics and great thread.
I always shop at http://www.hawthornethreads.com and they offer tierd pricing – so the more you buy, the more you save!! They’ve got AMAZING selection, and their site is very user friendly. I highly recommend them!!
thanks for this!! all we have in my town is a JoAnn’s, so I have to get my fancy fabric elsewhere. i really appreciate this!
i also wanted to add that FabricWorm.com has lots of organic stuff, and I’m sure many of the other sites do, too.
But most importantly, I wanted to tell you all about something even better – PurlSoho’s amazing blog! It’s called the Purl Bee, and it has great patterns and tutorials for knitting, crocheting, and specially sewing (and lots of handsewing things, too). it’s really amazing and those citrus coasters totally got me into sewing. check it out: http://www.purlbee.com/ and you can see the projects i’ve done on my blog, ashleylois.blogspot.com.
anyway, thanks again, and enjoy the Purl Bee!!
http://Www.equilter.com is a great place also.
Check out our on line fabric and face book page at http://www.tjsfabrics.com
fabricguru.com is my favorite! if you can find what you want there you are gonna have a hard time finding it anywhere!
Just wanted to add my sister’s site. She has all the fabrics and more that were in this pinned picture
Thank you!
Treasurebayonline.com
I have to say that for fleece http://www.yourfleece.com deserves a place on this list. Higher quality fabric than Joann’s or the other big ones, less expensive, and just as fast shipping. I’ve been a customer for 2 years and I’ll never go back…
Flannel 2 yard cuts for 7.50 at http:www.etsy.com/shop/lovetocreate3
Not sure why http://www.beverlys.com/ has not been mentioned – great prices – great fabrics. Also there “Bolt End Bundle! Assorted Fabric Packs” that are not always in stock for $5 each are awesome, if you like a bargain and a challenge to figure out what to do with $25-$50 worth of “surprise”fabric!, this is for you.
May I Suggest looking at http://www.aubussonhome.com!