Dressmakers, quilters and crafters are finding everything they need to perfect their sewing projects at Nellie’s Fabric Shop. Catering for everyone from absolute beginners to experts, this independent retailer provides a growing range of fabrics and haberdashery, including stretch fabrics such as jersey, denim and linen mix, 100% cottons from Moda and Riley Blake for quilting and pre-cut batches of colourful and coordinating prints.
Fabrics range from delicate muslin to hardwearing upholstery cottons, while accessories include zips, buttons, ribbons and threads. There are kits to help people get started and shop owner Emma White, an accomplished dressmaker, is always pleased to help, advise and source any material or equipment not already in stock.
She plans to offer sewing machine servicing and, after the school holidays, to start running workshops.
Nellie’s Fabric Shop opened in April.“I noticed a big increase in people taking up sewing and crafts again during the lockdown,” says Emma, “And I became increasingly busy selling fabric via my website, www.nellies.store . As demand increased, I outgrew my workshop space and decided to open a shop. It’s lovely to talk to customers about their projects.
“Sewing is a very tactile and sociable hobby. Customers like to see and touch before they buy, and exchange sewing tips. Sadly, Britain has lost many traditional fabric shops over recent years. It’s great to bring one back.”
