Fabrics online shops!

Photographer: Erik Bolding Model: Marga van der Vet Dress: Velours de panne, purple, Driessenstoffen.nl

Fabrics make you happy. That's a fact. This may not apply to everyone, but it certainly applies to every seamstress. A stash fabrics is a wonderful 'thing' to own. It keeps you sewing or planning the next sewing project!

Where do you buy fabric nowadays?
There used to be fabric stores in every medium-sized city. Sometimes large, deep buildings with lots of tables full of fabrics, or small shops with limited but up-to-date stock. The newest trends and the newest fashion fabrics.  It is (or was) always great to look for beautiful fabrics or an affordable coupon.
Unfortunately, there are only a few physical fabric stores in the Netherlands. Mainly in the big cities, which are not accessible to everyone.

Markets and fabric events
But there are still the markets and fabric events. Or sometimes you can but fabrics at pop-up stores. But, since February 2020, because of the corona-crisis, these markets, fabric events and pop-up stores are forbidden because of the large public and the danger of infections spreading around..

We all hope that the fabric events and markets will come back as soon as possible, because nothing is as fun as a fabric event where you can buy the most beautiful fabrics or find just what you have been looking.

The fabric stores are mostly still open, but it is advisable to check their policy about opening hours and corona-rules.

You can buy happiness,
but you can buy lots of fabric,
and that's pretty close!

Buying fabrics online
There are many opportunities to buy fabrics on the Internet. The online fabric stores are getting better and better and their websites are becoming more efficient in terms of filters and search terms. But sometimes it is not easy, because: how do you search for the right fabric? And how do you know whether the fabric is really what you are looking for?

You cannot just 'feel' the material and that is exactly what we actually always want to do. We want to feel the fabrics and 'feel' if it really suits our sewing project. Is the fabric loose or firm and how thick is the fabric? Is the fabric transparent or too heavy for your sewing project? Is the fabric a bit stretchy or very elastic? Fabrics are like shoes: they need to 'feel' good.

You need to learn how to evaluate the characteristics of the fabrics so you can 'feel' them digitally. It is advisable to know all the terms and for example to know the difference between stretchable or 4-way stretch. Or to know the difference between a 'bouclé' fabric and a 'chambray'.

Useful information that we have already written down for you:

• How-to-handle-difficult-fabrics; (about fabrics which are easy to sew and fabrics that are more suitable for experienced sewers)
• All about designs of fabrics; what is the difference between, for example, 'Pied-de-poule' or 'ornaments'?
• How do you prevent failed sewing projects; keep to the fabric advice stated with the sewing pattern!

Fabrics online stores reviews
In addition, we will come up with even more lists to help you to learn all about fabrics and useful tips for sewing projects.

We are also going to start with a series about the fabrics online stores. Please notice the judgement will be our opinion and experience with the fabrics online stores. We all know that one person might feel very good about a website of a fabrics store while another does not like it at all. And: one customer might have a bad experience with an order which has been delivered in a bad way, while another customer is very pleased with the service of the fabrics store.

Every fabric store is different. In terms of supply, possibilities to search for fabrics, with or without useful tips or a blog, with or without the option to request a fabric sample. Or in terms of mailing lists, service and contact.

We 'judge' the fabrics online stores fairly. We have a lot of experience and would like to share this. We do this on a non-commercial basis and are not paid for it. Although a gift card from the fabric store would be nice;>) and our goal is the reader appreciation* !

* Feel free to send us your opinion or experience, we may find something useful to include in our assessment. Tips, that make us all happy, are especially welcome.