The Sewing Room

rufusdog52

lolarosa90 wrote: »

Hi All,

I want to get into sewing again, buying my first machine Friday and I can hardly wait!

I was wondering where I can get cheap fabric from...? Either order online or a shop? I live in South London and work in Central London (where I spend 70 % of my life!) and would appreciate anyone's hints and tips for getting good quality fabric on a budget

thanks!

If you can get to Lewisham there is a fabric store near the corner where the roundabout is and the buses etc, I cant remember what it is called but I bought some fabrics from there the other week for £1 a metre xx

lolarosa90

rufusd!!!2 wrote: »

If you can get to Lewisham there is a fabric store near the corner where the roundabout is and the buses etc, I cant remember what it is called but I bought some fabrics from there the other week for £1 a metre xx

Sounds fab thank you.

Also :heart2: your blog! so inspired!

LR

rufusdog52

Thank you Lolarosa xx I will be so jealous if you do get to the shop lol, my OH's Mum usually lives there but she is staying with OH's Dad for a while as he is recovering from a heart attack so we havent been up there since I got the other fabric. It was nice stuff, they had rolls of it outside the shop in a box. There is another fabric shop there as well but a bit dearer, call something like rolls and reams, its opposite the shopping centre entrance. I dont know the names of the roads up there, I just follow OH around lol. The second shop has lots of remnants in big boxes inside and they stock all sorts of lovely fabrics. There is sometimes a market stall outside the shop that sells cheap fabrics too but it wasnt there last time I went. They have a couple of stalls selling things like lace and threads that kind of thing too xx

lolarosa90

Thanks rufusdog, I will try and get down there to have a look. Sorry to hear about your OH's dad, hope he's gets better soon!

Also, where do you find the patterns for the shirts on your blog? I'd LOVE to be able to make shirts like that!

pollyskettle

I wish I lived near some of these lovely fabric shops - something my nearest town is sadly lacking in. I am planning a trip to Nottingham in the new year, so I can pick up some lace, trimmings etc and there must be fabric shops there - anyone know any good ones, pretty please?

Shirt has ground to a halt today, sleeve #1 is on and finished, but I've got a blinding headache so I'm stopping there for now, just sleeve #2 and the buttons to do so won't take long in the morning. I also need to re-cover a footstool for my mother tomorrow as they are coming over so we can go to the local Primary Schools fireworks display so she can take the blooming thing out of my hallway! Thinking about it, I think I have a long cushion somewhere that she asked me to cover too - could be a long day tomorrow!

rufusdog52

I bought the pattern for the shirts, its a McCalls one, M6044. It is an easy pattern to follow. Only trouble is at the moment, OH is gradually losing a little weight and he needs the next size down which would be on a different pattern (they do two depending on which size shirt you want to make). If it was a simple womans top I would probably be able to just adapt the pattern but with the collar and everything I think it would be a bit difficult.

rufusdog52

I started making myself a short sleeved jacket out of one of my Chinese fabrics. I didnt have a pattern (as usual) but found a blouse in my wardrobe that fitted nicely over the top of a t-shirt so used that to cut out the pieces. I sewed it all up then found it was a bit on the big size (better than being a bit on the small size) so this afternoon I took in the side seams and it fits better now. I need to put a button on the top to close it so I have ordered a pack of self covering buttons from Ebay. Once I have finished it I will put a photo on my blog. I have some of the fabric left over so I am thinking of trying to make a clutch bag to match. I have been scouring the net in between other things to look for a pattern but can't find one I like so I am going to have a go at making one up myself. I have some thin foam so am wondering whether I could use this inside to make the bag more sturdy instead of a floppy one. I will have a play about later when OH goes off to work and see what I can come up with.

tirlittan

Ordered some fabric and fabric bundles from FabricRehab as found on Tamster's blog. Nice fabrics!

nuttywoman

Tamster150 wrote: »

I bought some great fabric there last week with Santas on

they are prettty big, I was thinking of putting 2 or 3 santas on a cushion and then some santa bunting? It was £4.99 a M but I had to buy more than 1m so I didnt chop any Santas legs off (my boys would have been heartbroken lol)

I bought the same :T and did the same cos could`nt chop the legs off lol , it really is pretty fabric is`nt it ?

Tamster150

lolarosa90 wrote: »

One in Kingston sounds absolutely perfect! Thank you so much! :j
I go to Kingston quite a lot, now I know where to drag OH on Saturday!

LR

There is also Calico Fabrics in Kingston, it is tucked away in a passage by the river, opposite the Police station, there is usally a sandwich board directing you there. They only sell dressmaking fabrics mainly Liberty and much more expensive than fabricland (but very good quality)

trillitan - In the summer they had a lot more cotton prints but I suppose they have done away with some of that stock for their seasonal ranges (Christmas/Halloween/heavier fabrics)
I didnt see much on my last visit but it was half term & bit hard to see anything amongst the 12 yr olds planning their halloween outfits lol)