I have been meaning to write this blog feature for quite some time, I wanted to write something that could become a signpost, which could be added to, grow as an information source, or at least a starting point.
So………………. I am often asked this question, “Gary, where do you get your fabrics and art materials from?”
The reply is always the same, “both locally, and online.”
Living in the relatively rural setting of West Somerset, suppliers for sewing and creative art projects are a little limited, but with some research and general browsing I can usually find what I require.
I will start off with my own personal examples and experience. For any of you living outside of my local area of West Somerset, I am sure you have similar examples you can explore.
Firstly, I am very well served by a fabric and haberdashery shop called THREADS, Material Needs & Threads Haberdashery & Wool Shop , this is just off the main shopping avenue of Minehead. (They also have an additional shop also in Burnham on sea). “Threads”, supply anything and everything sewing, knitting and stitching, as well as a supplier of Brother Sewing Machines and Over Lockers. I have two Brother portable domestics and also my studio industrial sewing machine. I find they do a good job, and parts and accessories are easy to purchase. Apart from the industrial, the two domestics are easily portable and don’t require a “Sherpa”, to fetch and carry them for me. A good note here, is that Threads also do machine servicing and repair.
There is also “THE WORKS”, Art & Craft Supplies | The Works , a high street chain offering budget crafting and art supplies; from paper, paint, glues and equipment. I describe this shop as an “Aladdin’s Cave” of creative stuff, for any beginner, or perhaps someone who likes collecting stash! Just check on the quality of some materials.
Here in Minehead, we are still hanging on to TG JONES (once called WHSMITH), TGJones, The Parade, Minehead, as I understand, sadly many have now closed and gone from the high street. From a quick conversation on my last visit to this shop, there has been no mention of closure discussed with the current staff to date. Here you can purchase better quality art supplies, such as various types of paper from water colour to drawing and tracing paper. They also retail Winsor & Newton Branded paints, which I use for their strong pigment saturation and viscosity…In my opinion excellent products!
And lastly, “PROPER JOB” Proper Job – Great products at proper prices , which has 21 stores mainly in the West of the Country. This store is primarily a hardware, DIY store; but does have some cheaper range art materials such as paints, papers, and PVA glues. These are all ok to use for projects. Do take a look around the DIY area of the shop for value masking tape, and a range of domestic paints, which I use for my creative projects. Also in store are a range of Dylon fabric dyes, which are great for adding colour to fabric and threads.
If you don’t have a “Proper Job” in your high street, it is worth looking for similar haberdashery shops and DIY stores in your area, and you will be surprised what can be related to textiles and art and crafting.
Additionally I can travel 50 minutes by car to my nearest larger town of Taunton, I then have a choice of further chain stores and independents.
Note: Here though is the moment you have to weigh up the cost of travel / fuel / time against possibly using the internet. I often use a “Trip to Town”, for multiple reasons or purchases to make it worthwhile.
When I am visiting Taunton, I would recommend THE RANGE, Arts & Crafts | The Range which stock a reasonable selection of crafting and art materials. I have in the past picked up some bargains with multi pack offers on good quality papers and brushes. Although I was a little disappointed on my last visit to see they were no longer stocking a branded (Winsor & Newton) acrylic paint range anymore. I did purchase a lesser known brand called Art Studio Premium, a white acrylic which actual covered the paper quite well. I have also checked out a very small fabric range they have from time to time, which is basic and can be predominantly synthetic in fibre content.
HOBBY CRAFT, Find a Store is situated out of town. I have to confess, this is not my first go to choice. Why? I just find their pricing a little high, and actually has too much choice on show which can over whelm you. Not all staff are fully versed in their product knowledge. But, that said you will probably find something you need, or perhaps something you didn’t need but bought it anyway for your materials or equipment stash.
I must also mention BREDONS, https://www.bredons.co.uk an independent shop which has been established in Taunton for many generations. Primarily first choice for any sewing machine servicing or breakdown, they have a vast knowledge on repair of all types and brands. But, they also sell a range of fabrics and haberdashery. It does take some time searching through to find a treasure or two, as I don’t think that side of the business is merchandised or displayed very well, but there are some good quality fabrics there to discover. Worth a visit.
So, the key point with all the above, is they are all physical shops with a physical product on a shelf which you can see, touch and therefore make your own informed decision to purchase from, considering the quality, handling, drape, thickness, lustre, colour and actual size / quantity.
These factors are then lacking when making decisions with purchasing online.
With my hands up, in all honesty I do search Amazon from time to time; and although this statement might cause some to answer with indignation and apocalypse scenarios of the high street. Well, I am afraid it has happened, and there isn’t any going back.
We have witnessed the decline of the high street over several years, with some shop fronts darkened and empty and more decimated than others. With all the best of intentions to purchase from these outlets, it is perhaps our modern life styles or even geographical location which can limited our purchase freedoms, choices and ability. There is a sense of, “I need this now”, or “I want the easiest route to finding that specific item”, this all makes a quick google search, a very convenient method for resolving a pending need.
As for my thoughts on shopping through Amazon, I am beginning to now see this as a sort of new “Virtual High Street”, where you have many individual independent suppliers coming together in one area, to be found by the inputting of search criteria from the shopper. Who then has the opportunity to browse, compare and make a certain amount of (not all) informed purchase choices?
My advice here though, do take the time to read both the positive and negative customer feedback comments. This can be quite enlightening and help and also prevent you from making the wrong purchase choice. I myself have made several purchase mistakes in the past and probably will still do so in the future. The caveat here is; with all the read feedback, and the studying of the photos supplied and recommendations, you can still end up being disappointed.
I remember not too long ago, intending to purchase what I call Calico, to only receive unbleached muslin! I think a language or wording issue. You then have to consider, can you be bothered to send it back or will you keep it? More to add to the “stash”, or shall we now call this newly acquired collection of stuff “Misguided Stash” or Whoops Stash”.
I think the most valuable internet purchase research and advice is the recommendations from other creatives. As I opened this blog with the question posed to me, I would also pose that question back to you.
Networking amongst fellow creatives supports and helps you form a list of go to web pages. Conversations and stories of good and poor purchases, helps build a series of sign posts, which inform where possibly you can purchase from.
Where to find supplies online?
Here below is the beginning of a suppliers list for you to explore, please browse through…………… but more importantly you can add to this. Just send me an email with any good websites you have used, with any notes or positive stories you wish to add, and then I can upload to this blog post. Therefore it will always stay current and up to date.
FABRIC & HABERDASHERY SUPPLIES:
A note here for you. If you are purchasing a high value amount or quantity of fabric from a website, when at all possible I would always recommend a swatch sample being sent before purchasing. Find a contact telephone number in the website information and ring up to discuss your purchase, ask for a sample, always offer to pay for postage if this is an issue. There is nothing better as being able to touch and feel that fabric, to then make up your mind to buy.
SEW HOT, Sew Hot – The Hottest New Trends in Sewing and Quilting – Fabric, Patterns, and Notions has been recommended, and taking a look around their website, offers a wide range of fabrics and bundles for all sewing enthusiasts. More than just fabric, as also offers all haberdashery needs. Worth signing up to their newsletter so you can keep up to date with new stock and any discounts. Quality looks good.
ORGANIC TEXTILE COMPANY, Organic Textile Company is a great recommendation for those natural fabrics which I just love to use in my making. Wools, Linens, Cottons etc. With some beautiful subtle and muted tones, for all textile projects.
PURPLE STITCHES, PURPLE STITCHES | Modern Fabric Shop in North Hampshire – Purple Stitches Offering modern fabrics for your projects, with bright colourful prints and value pricing. They are have a wide range of haberdashery, and specialist hobbyist supplies. The title “Mystery Bundles” intrigues me, so if you do ever purchase or have done in the past, do please let me know. What was it? Again another recommendation from a satisfied past customers.
THE ETERNAL MAKER, The Eternal Maker – UK Fabric Shop and Sewing School comes as another recommendation for an array of fabrics, and haberdashery, along with sewing patterns to purchase. I like the layout of this website, keeping it clear and easy to find your way around. Worth having a browse through their site.
CROFT MILL, Fabric Shop Online, Dress Craft Fabric Patterns Haberdashery, again recommended, great range of fabrics and haberdashery, with good clear photo images of their range. I have also used them for water proof fabric, I needed to make a collar for a riding jacket once, and can say, I received exactly what I wanted, in good time and good value. I have just browsed through the website, and I particularly like their garment patterns which offer a wide range of brands and great contemporary clothing designs.
MORE TO COME HERE
ART SUPPLIES:
ART VAN GO, Homepage A great supply source of general art supplies, which started life in 1989 with a van, filled with art materials, travelling around the country ‘taking the art shop to the artist‘! The van then evolved into the ‘The Studios‘ shop, which in turn gave birth to the website & online shop! I have used this website for art materials and also for my Indigo and Cyanotype chemical supplies. Very broad in their stock content.
ART DISCOUNT, Art Supplies, Art Materials & Art Products Online – ARTdiscount More general art supplies, with recommendations from several of my art based friends take a look and browse around the store full of lovely art supplies.
MORE TO COME HERE
Thank You to the Contributors to this blog to date:
Kathryn Edwards
Jill Davies
Georgina King