Where Is a Good Place to Buy Fabric? Best and Cheapest Places

October 6, 2026

Quick Answer

A good place to buy fabric depends on your project and budget: independent fabric shops give expert advice and let you feel the cloth, craft chain stores offer convenience and frequent coupons, specialist online fabric retailers have the widest choice and sell swatches, online marketplaces and wholesale or deadstock sellers are often the cheapest, and remnant bins, markets and second-hand shops are great for small projects; whichever you choose, check the fibre content, width and weight, order swatches when buying online, and calculate how much you need before you buy.

Key Takeaways

The best place to buy fabric is one that lets you see, feel or sample it first.
Online retailers offer the most choice; local shops offer advice and touch.
Remnants, deadstock and second-hand textiles are the cheapest sources.
Fibre, width and weight tell you how fabric will behave.
Calculate yardage carefully and allow extra for pattern matching and shrinkage.

Where to Buy Fabric: Your Options Compared

Where	Pros	Cons	Price
Independent fabric shops	Expert advice, touch and drape, curated ranges	Limited hours and stock	Medium to high
Craft chain stores	Convenient, coupons, notions in one place	Mixed quality, busy cutting counters	Low to medium
Online fabric retailers	Huge choice, swatches, detailed specs	Colour can vary on screen, shipping costs	Low to high
Online marketplaces	Low prices, unusual prints	Variable quality and descriptions	Low
Wholesale and deadstock sellers	Designer-quality leftovers at low prices	Limited quantities, minimum orders	Low to medium
Markets and remnant bins	Bargains, ideal for small projects	Small pieces, hit and miss	Very low
Charity and second-hand shops	Sheets, curtains and tablecloths to upcycle	Unknown fibre content	Very low

The Best Place to Buy Fabric for Each Project

Dressmaking

Independent shops and specialist online retailers are the best place to buy fabric for clothing, because drape and stretch matter. Order swatches if buying online.

Quilting

Craft stores and quilting specialists are a reliable place to buy fabric for quilts, with cottons in coordinated collections. Pre-cut bundles save time and offer variety.

Home décor and upholstery

A specialist home textile seller is the best place to buy fabric for heavier, durable furnishings. Check rub-test ratings for upholstery. For window ideas, see our guide to the best curtains for living room spaces.

Kids' crafts and small projects

Remnant bins, markets and second-hand textiles are the cheapest place to buy fabric for small pieces and experiments.

Costumes and one-offs

Online marketplaces and discount sellers offer affordable novelty fabrics for items you'll only wear a few times.

How to Read a Fabric Listing

Fibre content: cotton, linen, wool, silk, polyester, viscose or blends. This affects breathability, care and shrinkage.
Width: often around 112 to 150 cm (44 to 60 in). Wider fabric means you need less length.
Weight: listed in GSM or ounces; lighter for blouses, heavier for trousers, bags and upholstery.
Stretch: knits list stretch percentage and direction.
Weave or knit type: poplin, twill, jersey, canvas, satin and so on.
Care: washing temperature and whether to dry clean.
Print direction: one-way prints need extra fabric.

How Much Fabric Do You Need?

Check your pattern envelope or instructions for the requirement at your fabric width.
Measure your project if there's no pattern, adding seam and hem allowances.
Add extra for pattern matching, one-way prints and directional pile.
Allow around 10 per cent extra for shrinkage on natural fibres, or pre-wash first.
Round up; fabric from the same bolt is hard to match later.

How to Find the Cheapest Fabric Without Regretting It

Sign up for newsletters and use craft store coupons.
Shop end-of-roll and remnant sections.
Buy deadstock for quality fabric at lower prices.
Upcycle duvet covers, curtains and tablecloths from second-hand shops.
Order swatches before big purchases to avoid costly mistakes.
Choose wider fabric so you need fewer metres or yards.

The cheapest place to buy fabric isn't always the best value: a low price is no bargain if the fabric pills, shrinks or fades after one wash.

Buying Fabric Online: Tips

An online shop can be a great place to buy fabric if you follow a few simple rules.

Order swatches to check colour, weight and drape.
Read reviews for comments on colour accuracy and quality.
Check whether fabric is cut as one continuous piece.
Compare shipping costs and return policies; cut fabric is often non-returnable.

What to Expect at Each Price

Budget fabrics, such as basic polyester and cotton blends, suit costumes, linings and practice pieces. Mid-range cottons, linens and knits suit everyday clothing and home projects. Premium wool, silk and designer fabrics cost more but drape and wear beautifully. Choose the place to buy fabric that matches the quality your project needs.

Prepping and Storing Fabric

Pre-wash fabric the way you'll wash the finished item.
Press before cutting for accurate pieces.
Store fabric folded in breathable boxes, away from sunlight and damp.
Label pieces with fibre content, width and length.

For more budget shopping tips, see our guides to cheap home decor and cheap clothes online.

Match the shop to your project, read the listing carefully, order swatches and calculate what you need. That's how to find the right place to buy fabric at the right price.

Sewing Essentials From Global Swanky

Once you've found a place to buy fabric, these tools help you cut, sew and store it.

4. Foldable Fabric Storage Box

The Double Window Storage Box Foldable Fabric Organizer for Home is $22.19, for keeping your fabric stash tidy and visible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best place to buy fabric?

Independent fabric shops for advice and touch, or specialist online retailers for choice and swatches.

Where can I buy cheap fabric?

Remnant bins, markets, deadstock sellers, craft store sales and second-hand shops for textiles to upcycle.

Is it better to buy fabric online or in store?

In store lets you feel drape and colour; online offers more choice. Order swatches when buying online.

How do I know how much fabric to buy?

Use your pattern's requirements for your fabric width, add extra for matching and shrinkage, and round up.

Should I wash fabric before sewing?

Yes, for washable items. Pre-wash the way you'll wash the finished piece to prevent shrinkage later.

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