I originally wrote this post in 2013 not long after starting teaching sewing classes as a result of being asked where to buy fabric locally. Recently I have been sorting and organising my blog, clearing out old posts that no longer seem relevant. This post still gets a lot of attention so I have decided to update it as fabric shopping in Leicester has changed a fair bit since I first wrote the post.
Firstly I am now among the fabric shopping options, which in 2013 was not even an idea. I stock over 600 lines of carefully selected fabrics catering for dressmakers and crafters who are looking for lovely quality fabric. Though my shop is online I am happy to arrange visits to my unit where you can see the fabrics.
I have a good range of cotton elastane jersey fabrics, I carry stock from designer brands like Art Gallery and organic from Cloud 9 as well as great quality unbranded that are all Oeko-tex certified.
Prints include fun designs that make great baby and childrens clothing through to attractive florals and stripes that make lovely dresses and tops.
I stock lots of designer craft weight cottons including ranges from Michael Miller, Alexander Henry, Licenced ranges including Peter rabbit, Avengers, My little pony and most recently Liberty’s quilters weight range.
I also stock lots of fabrics suitable for dressmaking like 100% linen, printed scuba, viscose jersey, woven viscose, boiled wool and a great selection of colours in this Robert Kaufman yarn dyed cotton and linen blend.
I have denim in a mix of weights and colours including stretch and non-stretch and these lovely printed Sevenberry chambray lightweights. New fabrics are added on a regular basis. I love to see what you have made with your fabric so please keep sharing on Instagram and Facebook.
Another new arrival since my original post is Sarah and Freyas lovely shop in St. Martins.
Another new shop that wasn’t around when I first wrote my post. Material Magic is located in Odeon Arcade near the market and have been selling fabrics for over 40 years in Leicester.
They sell a good selection across the board for dressmaking and home furnishings.
They have a Large range of cottons and craft prints always in stock.
An even newer arrival on the scene is Thimbles and crafts which I haven’t even had a chance to visit yet. However I am reliably informed they are very friendly and helpful and the shop is stacked with all sorts of sewing and crafting products. The shop is located next to Screw fix on Empire Industrial Estate on Ulverscroft road.
Alongside a wide selection of fabrics they also sell knitting supplies, haberdashery and craft materials. All under one roof at affordable prices.
Although Montreux have been around for a long time they have only recently opened their shop. The shop is located at The Old Shoe Factory, Bardolph Street East. Which is open Monday to Friday and the first Saturday of the month.
They stock an ever-expanding range of fashion and furnishing fabrics, their speciality being jersey, which they produce themselves here in Leicester. The fabric selection available on their website is just a fraction of what you can find in the shop.
There is lots of unrestricted on-street parking available. You can shop in a relaxed atmosphere with comfy sofas and complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits available for shoppers.
Stuarts Fabrics on Leicester market:
Most Leicester sewers will know about Stuarts market stall which has been in the centre of Leicester market since as long as most of us can remember. He offers a great selection of dressmaking fabrics as well as craft fabrics. Its an Aladdin’s cave worth exploring.
He carries stock of party and bridal fabrics, a good range of crafting cottons and all the bits you need for sewing like lining, net and wadding.
The Button Boutique has all your haberdashery needs. Located in Malcolm Arcade near the market.
They have a huge range of buttons, ribbons and braids.
They have a section for knitters, they also sell fat quarter bundles, trims and beads as well as all the general sewing things like thread, zips, elastic, bias tapes etc.
The haberdashery department in John Lewis is small but well stocked with a nice variety of fabrics. Located in The Highcross shopping centre. They stock cotton prints from brands like Amy Butler and Cath Kitson alongside a selection of good quality dressmaking fabrics for day to evening wear. They also sell patterns and trims as well as sewing machines and yarn.
Upstairs they have a large furnishing fabric department with a good selection of fabrics for curtain making and other home furnishing projects.
Direct Fabric warehouse:
This is a large shop located at Lee circle offering a huge selection of furnishing fabrics, dressmaking and bridal fabrics.
Over half the shop is dedicated to furnishing fabrics some of which are in stock while others are ordered in. The selection covers a made to order curtain making service.
The other half of the shop caters for dressmaking, costume making and bridalwear. Craft fabrics include fake fur, sequined fabrics and fleece. They sell fabrics for fancy dress and costumes. There is also a good range of trims and sewing basics.
Since first writing this post the Fabric Guild has relocated to 54 Kenilworth Drive, Oadby. Despite the move the offering is still very much the same.
The focus is on quilting, they sell a good variety of designer branded cotton prints and plains at low prices.
There is a great selection of all types of batting and wadding from recycled to cotton and polyester in different weights. They sell rulers, threads, felt, buttons, books and felt squares. It is worth checking the opening times before making the journey.
Indian shops:
The Golden mile, Belgrave gate in Leicester and the Highfields area of Leicester both have a number of sari fabric shops selling beautiful Indian fabric.  I was once given a guided tour of the Highfields fabric shops by an Indian factory owner, they are fabulous places to go and worth a trip if you need sari fabric or bright and sparkly. Many are tucked away down little side streets and mainly known to locals.
Hopefully this is a comprehensive up to date list of the fabric shopping options in Leicester. Do please let me know if I have missed anyone out. The choice is better than ever, I hope it stays this way. I love to support local.
Thank you for this comprehensive lowdown on fabric shopping in Leicester! I live in Loughborough and occasionally make my way over to John Lewis – they also stock home dec weight fabric and beautiful oilcloth fabric – and they have a remnant pile which I always rummage when I go there! The Button Boutique come over to Loughborough Market on a Saturday which always saves me a trip and I buy plain cotton drill fabric from a lovely chap called Gary at Loughborough market too. But that market stall in Leicester looks amazing so will need to make a special trip me thinks! Thanks again 🙂
Thank you Louise for your comments, great point about the furnishing fabric in John Lewis. They do have a fab furnishing fabric department.
A massive and grateful thank you. Live here all these years never knew such beautiful place for new sewers are available
Kisses
my daughter lives in Leicester and I often visit fabric guild and the market.
I am looking for silk sari remnants at the mo, do you know if the shops in Belgrave Road sell remnants?
Thanks for your blog, I haven’t visited the
Button Boutique, it’s a must next time I go to stay!
Hi Marion, There are a lot of Indian sari shops around Belgrave gate and some in Highfields but I don’t know what they sell. Perhaps I should go and investigate and write another report! There are also now two new fabric shops since this post. Material magic near the market and Crafty Sew & so in St. Matins.
Lots of useful information here – but you need to update your page as we now have a wonderful haberdashery and sewing studio in St Martin’s Square called “Crafty Sew and So” – brimming with ideas and resources for all sorts of sewing projects – including a wide range of Brother sewing and quilting machines – and offering workshops from beginners to advanced and even the opportunity to rent a high quality Brother sewing machine by the hour!
Hi Kim, thanks for your comment. Yes this is quite an old post and indeed I know Sarah and Freya well, they had not set up at the time I wrote this post. Material Magic was not about either. What a lovely hub of sewing Leicester is becoming 🙂
As I’m relatively new to sewing it’s great to know where to go. So many new places to check out. Thank you. Fiona
Thank you Fiona, I hope you find some nice fabrics.