wardrobe architect – week 12 – fabric shopping

Week 12 of the Wardrobe Architect challenge gives us the green light for fabric shopping. It’s time to pair textiles with all the patterns we’ve selected, but where to start?

(This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience; as a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, I earn from qualifying purchases. See disclosure here.)

Stop right there! No more running around town to fabric stores. I HAVE DONE THE LEGWORK FOR YOU. Really. I’ve spent much of my life on the search for cool fabrics, and I’ve put together a secret list of where to buy them. Not that I’m a fabric store expert, but I do have a good eye for artistic prints and patterns. So grab your coffee and make yourself comfortable while I spill the beans on stores you’ve got to visit.

BIRCH FABRICS – The prints these designers come up with are so sweet, you can’t help but fall in love with them. And did I mention the fabric is all organic? You’ll find cottons, knit, canvas, and even double gauze (a hot trend right now). 

IKEA – You won’t find a huge inventory here, but you will find some pretty darn cute prints at pretty darn low prices. It’s definitely worth a look.

FABRIC BUBB – You can find many of my favorite textile manufacturers on this site – Blend, Art Gallery Fabrics, Kokka, MODA, and even Alexander Henry for your daily dose of quirkiness. These companies are playful and modern. Check it out.

MARIMEKKO – I would be remiss if I didn’t include Marimekko. Many of their fabrics are heavyweight and suitable for home decor projects, but they do carry some lighter weight cottons, too. So if you’re bold, go for it! This company is timeless.

PURL SOHO – I have long been in love with this little site. Such quality fabrics – and yarn! – that inspire me every time I visit. Such a beautiful website with lovely fabrics. It makes my heart beat a little faster.

SPOONFLOWER – If you’re looking for florals, you’ll find them. If you’re looking for acorns, you’ll find them. Heck, if you’re looking for pugs, you’ll find them too. This is a terrific site which allows you shop hundreds of original prints designed by everyday people and artists. You can even design and print your own fabric, if you feel inspired! This is the go-to place for originality.

SARAH’S FABRICS – I just recently discovered this shop, and I’m excited to share it with you. They carry fabrics by many of my favorite designers – Joel Dewberry, Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, and Tula Pink, just to name a few. They also carry sewing patterns by Amy Butler and other indie designers. And if you’re ever in Lawrence, Kansas, check it out in person!

FABRICWORM – If you check out this shop, you may not want to research any others. This place showcases all the best manufacturers (Art Gallery, Westminster, MODA, Cloud9, Echino… way too many to mention!), and they have a wide variety of fabric types, including Japanese import fabric (yes, even Nani Iro double gauze!)

HAWTHORNE THREADS –  This shop carries many of the same manufacturers as Fabricworm. Lots of beautiful fabric collections from modern designers.

There you have it – my list of favorites for online apparel fabric shopping. And if you don’t mind, it’s time for me to split. I’ve got some shopping to do!