Dressmaking Fabrics
As passionate dressmakers ourselves, we know there’s nothing quite like discovering that perfect fabric — the one that feels just right, drapes beautifully, and brings your sewing vision to life. That’s why we stock a carefully curated range of high-quality dressmaking fabrics at prices that won’t break the bank.
From buttery-soft cotton lawns and breathable linens to elegant viscose and cosy knits, every fabric in our collection is chosen for its style, quality and performance. We regularly hear from delighted customers who tell us our fabrics are even more gorgeous in person—and we love that!
We understand how important it is that your handmade clothes not only look stunning but stand the test of time. That’s why we focus on fabrics that wash and wear beautifully, so your creations stay looking fresh and fabulous wear after wear.
Whether you’re sewing your first garment or adding another me-made masterpiece to your wardrobe, we’re here to help you find just the right fabric to make it special.
Find the perfect dressmaking fabric
We know what it’s like, you have an idea in your head of what you want to sew next and it’s just a matter of finding the right fabric. Or perhaps you’re a stash hoarder who loves to spot a pretty print and buy now ready for when inspiration strikes later. Either way you need to understand how the fabric feels, looks, moves and drapes and what type of garments it might be suitable for.
Is this fabric right for my dressmaking project?
To help you find your fabric heaven we stock a wide range of fabric types, provide clear images and give detailed information in the product descriptions on drape, weight, composition, opacity and washing instructions. We also make suggestions of suitable sewing patterns so you can find inspiration for what to sew and get a better understanding of the type of garment that could work. You can also find lots and lots of inspiration on our social media platforms, especially YouTube and Instagram where you can see our customer’s and our team’s creations.
Even with this information we know it can be hard to choose fabrics online and therefore we also offer a free sample service on our dressmaking fabrics. Just drop us an email or give a call and we’ll be happy to help.
Sew a handmade wardrobe you love
Pairing the right dressmaking fabrics with the right patterns will leave you with a handmade wardrobe you love and clothes you want to wear again and again, not to mention a whole lot of compliments from your astonished friends and family! We know only too well how satisfying it feels to see those beloved fabrics hanging in your wardrobe in all their glory just waiting to be chosen for the day ahead!
Dressmaking Fabric FAQ
► What is the difference between woven and jersey fabrics?
Woven fabrics are created by weaving fibres at right angles, which creates a stable fabric with minimal or no stretch. Jersey and knit fabrics are created using interlocking loops of fabric which makes them flexible and stretchy and generally more comfortable to wear.
You can sew a wide range of garments with either type of fabric, however, it is important to consult the sewing pattern instructions to check which type of fabric it is drafted for. This is because patterns drafted for stretchy jersey or knit fabrics will often have negative ease, which means the finished garment is smaller than your body measurements so it can stretch to fit when you’re wearing it. If you sew one of these patterns up in a woven fabric your finished garment will be too small to wear. If you sew a pattern designed for woven fabrics in a jersey or knit fabric it can be too big and baggy.
To make life easier when trying to match your fabric and patterns you can filter our sewing pattern range by fabric type - woven or stretch jersey
► Which dressmaking fabrics are good for beginners?
Some nice, easy fabrics for beginners to sew with are cotton or denim because they’re stable and generally behave well on a sewing machine. By this we mean that you don’t have to control the fabric as you sew other than making sure you are trying to sew a straight seam by keeping your seam allowance even. Some trickier fabrics might require a little more coercion and control as you feed them through and have a tendency to move more or sew better with specialist sewing machine feet, such as super silky crepe de chine or very stretchy jersey fabrics. Cotton and denim are also perfect for simple beginner sewing projects like pyjama bottoms, bags and cushion covers too.
► Which fabrics are more sustainable choices?
Fabrics made from natural fibres like organic cotton, hemp, linen, lyocell and recycled fabrics are generally better for the environment due to the way they are produced. You can look for certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Okeo Tex Standard 100, which confirm that fabrics have been produced using sustainable and ethical practices.
Another great option to explore is deadstock fabric. These are surplus fabrics originally produced for the fashion industry that were never used. Instead of going to landfill, they're rescued and made available to home sewists like you. Choosing deadstock is not only a more sustainable way to sew, but it also means you can get your hands on some truly unique and limited-run fabrics—perfect for creating something one-of-a-kind.
It is also worth considering how durable your fabric choice is, if it will last a long time and withstand wear and tear well you won’t need to replace your garments as often.
Another way to make your sewing more sustainable is to look for ways to reuse and recycle your fabric scraps and remnants left over from sewing projects by creating small items like scrunchies, small bags, patchwork projects and garments that require less fabric. We have some great ideas for patterns that require less than 1m of fabric on our blog.
► How do I choose the right fabric for my sewing project?
The most important thing to do first is to consult the information on the sewing pattern packet. Here it will tell you a range of suitable fabrics and if it is a pattern designed for knit or jersey fabrics there will usually be a ‘pick a knit’ test or similar, which allows you measure a piece of fabric and see how far it stretches to make sure it is suitable.
Also think about how much you would like the fabric drape and how you would like it to hang. Does it need to be structured to hold pleats or create shape like a fit and flare dress or do you want it to flow and hang loosely over your body like a slip dress?
It’s important to consider opacity, more often than not you might want trousers or skirts to be opaque whereas blouses might lend themselves to a delicate sheer or semi sheer fabric.
Think about the types of fabric you prefer to wear – lots of people much prefer natural fibres these days to manmade options like polyester.
Also, if you’re a beginner, consider your sewing skills and how easy it might be to work with your chosen fabric.
One final top tip – take a look at similar ready made garments in your wardrobe, you will find so many clues and ideas for your sewing right there. Not just in terms of suitable fabrics, but also ideas for finishes and sewing techniques you could use too.
► Should I pre wash my fabric?
As long as the fabric is washable we would always recommend a pre-wash. If you don’t pre-wash your dressmaking fabric you run the very real risk of sewing something beautiful, washing it after one wear only to realise it is too small and we just hate to think of that! Just make sure you unfold the fabric before you wash it.
Some fabrics might also bleed some dye in the first wash so you can usually eliminate that issue with a pre-wash too.
