London fabric shopping

So I love living in Newcastle, it really is a wonderful city, I would like to stress that now. However, one thing that gripes me about the region is the fabric shops... or lack thereof. Yes there are places where fabric supplies can be acquired in the Newcastle area, but for the majority of these you need to have a car to get there (Dainty Supplies in Washington being a good example, great shop, in the middle of an industrial estate, far far away from bus services). So I am limited to Fenwick's in the city centre (good variety of material types, not great for patterns), begging my sister for a lift to Dainty Supplies in Washington (better selection but more crafting stuff), or eBay (all hail the eBay). EBay is very good, but you really are taking a stab in the dark where the feel or drape of the fabric is concerned. I love reading other people's blogs about their sewing adventures and always feel very jealous that they have places that they can get beautiful fabrics nearby.
So on my annual 'staycation' to my parents house in Wiltshire, during which we usually have a day out in London (tis but an hour or so on the train), I got very excited about the prospect of visiting a couple of fabric shops while we were there. My Mum is also a sewing enthusiast so she was very up for it (Dad agreed to station himself in a nearby pub and watch our bags)... and I stocked up! I thought it would be nice to share my expedition and the beautiful things I found.

We went to the usual touristy shops that I've not been to before...

Very swish, very fancy... very expensive



Hands down best escalator I've ever seen





But I was really in it for the fabric! So as we started on Oxford Street visiting Selfridge's and John Lewis, I had a look online to find out what was in the area, and the best bet for fabric shops looked like it would be Berwick Street, where we found...

Mum outside the wonderful Misan Textiles

This place was amazing! There were actually several really great shops along this street (I failed to photograph them all, but I also particularly loved The Cloth House), but I really took to Misan Textiles as they have a bargain basement which was just floor to ceiling fabric heaven (and who doesn't love a bargain). They had really helpful shop assistants who were really enthusiastic, and who packaged up my purchases just beautifully..


Wonderful parcel heaven

Who doesn't love their stuff packed in tissue paper and wrapped all pretty. So asides from three which I bought in Fabric Land in Bristol (also a day trip with Mum while 'down south') and one recent eBay buy, all of this was bought in Misan Textiles...

I'm apparently into purple right now

I love my stash, and I'm so excited about planning and making and stuff, I already have many ideas about what I could make with this lot. Ok guys, this is where it gets a bit picture heavy, but I get really excited when I have new things!!

A grey tweed type fabric which I found in Fabric Land in Bristol... on it's way to becoming a winter jacket

A black jersey fabric with white printed flowers, I have no experience of working with jersey so I got this to practice with from Fabric Land... also I want to make the wraparound dress from the Great British Sewing Bee book.
 

I also found this in Fabric Land and fell in love with the pattern on it. It's a chiffon which I've not worked with yet...eep!

A lovely brushed cotton I found on eBay... I'm planning on this being the lining for my winter jacket, not sure if it will work yet, but I'm going to give it a go.

One I found in the Misan Textiles basement. It feels like a lovely soft cotton which is very light, though I'm not sure as they don't label what each fabric is. You also have to buy what is in each bundle, I think I got two meters out of this but will be measuring it again... I'm thinking nice shirt

I paid full price for this bad boy... my Liberty Lawn with blue buds, this photo came out a bit blurry so it doesn't do it justice, it is gorgeous. I don't know what to make with this yet but I feel like it needs to be special

Another really soft feeling cotton in navy blue with daisies on it. I am a little in love with this one... I think a blouse (pattern ordered and on it's way... you will hear more here soon.

I have no idea what this is... it's light, it's floaty, it's not quite chiffon... I'm going to have to have a think about this one, but it's really pretty

Again I have no idea what this actually is, but it feels like silk, it's much darker than the photo lets on, the shiny ness reflected the flash making it look much paler. This one I have hallmarked for a Sencha Blouse (I've made one before and have been looking for a silky fabric to make it in since).

So this is are my new toys, I'm really excited about getting stuck into this lot. The first thing I want to get done is the winter jacked made from the grey tweed. I promise to keep to up to date with progress on that project.
I really enjoyed having a look around the fabric stores of London. I would love some suggestions of other good places to visit, in Newcastle and anywhere else in the country. Please get in touch if you know of a good place.