Brilliant fabric shop!

[JKP]

Hello!

Just want to share with everyone this great fabric shop, which I went to at the weekend - 'Beyond Fabrics' on Columbia Road (East London). I took a friend there this weekend knowing she'd love it and ended up getting the old bank card out to buy some gorgeous fabric with - I just couldn't leave them in the shop!

I've just discovered that they have an online shop too: http://www.beyond-fabrics.co.uk/about-us-1-w.asp, however their website doesn't have half as much fabric as they do in the shop, so I'd recommend a personal visit. If you go on a Saturday, just up the road is wonderful Broadway Market, which has loads of yummy food! Food + fabric buying = a perfect day!

[debbie]

The website looks great - I want to go there now!
I used to go to Columbia Road flower market on Sundays when my kids were doing a course at the circus space - I love the atmosphere round that area of London.

I'm often in London on Sundays at the moment - forgot to check if the shop is open on Sundays, but I did notice the website said they have a Sunday market stall in Brick Lane - another one of my favourite fabric places!

[JKP]

Hi Debbie,

I'm not sure whether they're open on Sundays but I'll find out for you - I've got their business card at home and I'm sure it says on there.

Oooh yeah, it's great around that area. Very easy to spend a whole day or weekend just wandering around looking at lovely things.

I've never checked out the fabric shops around brick lane - what are they like?

[debbie]

Trouble is I'm usually at a loose end in London on Sundays rather than Saturdays, so lots of things in Brick Lane area are closed. There are lots of market stalls in the area though - had a great haul of gold buttons a few years ago about 1000 for £5 (same ones were 60p each locally!)

There are a couple of fabric shops open in the morning on Sundays until I think 1pm or 2pm which do very standard dressmaking fabrics such as poly cottons, silks, satins etc. As they are both really wholesalers the prices are standardish for small quantities, but the discounts are significant if you need 10m or more of one fabric.

One of these shops was featured in one of the series of 'the apprentice' a few years back , when the task was to buy a length of silk. It was great to see the man who usually serves us on tv!

I'm guessing that if I ever get there on a Saturday there will be more of the shops open - a friend tells me there a re some great haby shops round there, but I've yet to discover them.

Maybe someone on the forum who goes there regularly would be able to fill us on?

[JKP]

Hi Debbie!

Sorry for the delay. I've found out that Beyond Fabrics is open on Sundays from 10-4pm, so you'll definitely be able to endulge!

Happy fabric shopping!

[debbie]

yay! Just arranged to go tomorrow!

[LittleScarlet]

wow this looks a great place, I love the florals they look so great! thanks!

[mrsh]

Great looking site - love the sewing inspired prints! You can never find them when you want them. Have stored that one away in my favourites now.

[JKP]

Yay, glad to hear it! I started making a dress yesterday from one of their gorgeous fabrics - it's brown cotton with what look like little cup cakes all over it. I love it!

Hope you had fun there yesterday Debbie!

[debbie]

Hi all

had my trip to Columbia Road on Sunday - with the flower market in full swing I managed not to spot the fabric shop first time round - it was hidden behind some rather tall foliage!

For those wanting to visit, it is on the opposite side of the road to the shop selling deep fired calmari to takeaway (DHs favourite shop) - but I guess its easy to see if you go an a day other than Sunday.

As is often the way, when a big shop is anticipated... I didn't buy a thing!

Still enjoyed my visit and think its a lovely shop, just nothing took my fancy on the day. Thay had lovely buttons, ribbons and tapes as well as fabrics, and great ready sewn stuff like aprons - just that thinking about my already way too big stash at home I couldn't really justify adding to it!

Definitely planning another visit soon though - my mum will love the flower market - and DD will love it all!