Sussex Needlecrafts, 37 Warwick Street, Worthing - Here again Val the owner is hiding an Aladdin's Cave of jewels out the back, just walk through the front of the shop, up the stairs and there they all are, jewels and beads of every description, shining just longing to join a garland of hearts. The staff in this shop need an award for being so helpful. Take a look, sometimes inspiration for sewing comes with embellishments before fabric?
County Interiors, 21 Warwick Street, Worthing - Although this is a furnishing fabric shop, do not dismiss it for your craft projects. Last year many students chose to make a messenger bag (Check students gallery) with fabric
bought from this shop. Tapestries and curtain fabrics are great for bag projects. Take a look also at their extra wide sheeting fabric in great colours, ideal for bag lining, cushion backs etc and if you go in at the right time, they sell off curtain fabric sample books cheap, great for small projects.
The Fabric Shop, Chapel Road - This is Worthing's only dress fabric shop. Here you will find everything you need for the dressmaker including patterns.
The Eternal Maker 41 Terminus Road, Chichester. This is a huge warehouse in Chichester, it has its own car park and is very near to the train station therefore very accessible. If you like to roam around for hours
checking out cotton fabric and buttons (which incidentally they dye themselves) then this is the place for you. The buttons are housed in huge pots of all same colour but different shapes and sizes, therefore finding eight that match for example can be a challenge. I have never seen in my life such a huge selection of cotton craft fabric and fat quarters, bundles etc, I almost find it overwhelming. The fabric is of the highest quality therefore expect to pay high prices, they stock Michael Miller, Amy Butler, Echino and many many more. Worth a look, if just for the experience, but not good for clothing fabric, no silk, wool, lace etc etc etc. Good choice for cotton though.
Fabric Land Western Road Brighton - A Fabulous Shop where many local designers and dressmakers go to buy fabric and haberdashery. It is very well staffed with assistants who know their stuff. Try to go during week if you can as gets very busy and hot at weekend. You will find every type of fabric imaginable here, even everything to make a bra or corset (If that's what you are into). But be warned! Dress light, there are two floors to this shop and the higher you go the hotter it gets, but worth the trip there. Very reasonably priced for all your needs. You will find this shop, opposite side of road to Primark and approx 50 yards towards Hove. Keep going!
C&H Fabrics Western Road, Brighton. This is a great shop, all dressmaking requirements are on second floor. I like this shop particularly for good quality special occasion fabric, like silk,wool and lace. Pricey, but as usual you get what you pay for.
Ditto North Lanes, Brighton- Maybe I have left the best til last? This amazing little shop was opened by Gill Thornley in 1983 about the same time as I moved to Sussex and it has excited me ever since. Gill sources her fabric from all over Europe and her passion for fabric always shows in her stock. It is a very trendy place to find the best up to date fabric of excellent quality. Upstairs houses Bridal and evening fabric. Just exquisite darling!
