[Francoise]

Hi, I'm keen on sewing and wondered where the best places in ChCh are to purchase dress fabric, curtaining fabric etc.
Thanks,
Francoise

[YouMeAndThree]

Hi, I'm keen on sewing and wondered where the best places in ChCh are to purchase dress fabric, curtaining fabric etc.
Thanks,
Francoise

Have you tried Spotlight (https://www.spotlight.co.nz/store_locator?cid=14&pid=126)?

[Fern01]

Nice to hear someone who enjoys sewing, it was one of my favourite things to do when my kids were young, plus I sewed for myself. Spotlight stores are great places to shop.

[Jo Jo]

When I was searching for oilcloth, I came across Femme de Brocante (http://www.fdb.co.nz/), which is in Rangiora - is that far away? Their range of fabrics looks lovely, but sadly I'm miles away so I haven't been able to check it out in person.

[YouMeAndThree]

Have actually just come back from Spotlight (Auckland) myself. Purchased some fabric, trim and pattern to make my eldest daughter a dress for her 7th birthday party next Saturday - total cost excluding pattern $19 (I've already got net and lining fabric). Also picked up some fabric for middle daughter and myself at just $3/mtr. They have a load of character fleece for around $4/mtr at the moment too, but I resisted the urge.

I bought myself a new sewing machine at the Hamilton Craft and Quilting show a few weeks ago - it's getting a pretty good workout thanks to Spotlight :nice1

[tea drinker]

where abouts is spotlight in Auckland?

[Flutterby]

I love sewing too....a sewing machine is top of my christmas list LOL

I know its nowhere near Christchurch but in whangarei theres a shop called Arthurs Emporium which has an excellent selection.

[Ngeru]

where abouts is spotlight in Auckland?

Link Drive, Wairau Park (North Shore) , beside Freedom Furniture

or

Manukau City Centre Corner of Cavandish & Lambie Drive

[YouMeAndThree]

Link Drive, Wairau Park (North Shore) , beside Freedom Furniture

or

Manukau City Centre Corner of Cavandish & Lambie Drive

Also one at Panmure too. :yes

All the store locations can be found here (https://www.spotlight.co.nz/store_locator)

[YouMeAndThree]

I love sewing too....a sewing machine is top of my christmas list LOL

I know its nowhere near Christchurch but in whangarei theres a shop called Arthurs Emporium which has an excellent selection.


Arthurs Emporium, now I saw one of those stores near the Manukau Spotlight store, didn't know they did fabric too - somewhere else for me to explore! Thanks.

[Jon-and-Lou]

There are a couple of big fabric stores in Papanui, Chch too (On Papanui Rd). Think one is called Fabric vision (on right as you head towards city), and then a little further on there is another on your left. This second one is quite often on the Canterbury TV "Lets Go Shopping" (yes, I'm very sad)

[KerryS]

I've never found nice fabric in Spotlight. In Auckland there is Global Fabric in Newton Road for dressmaking fabrics, and the wonderful Martha's in Newmarket for furnishing fabrics.

[Flutterby]

Arthurs Emporium, now I saw one of those stores near the Manukau Spotlight store, didn't know they did fabric too - somewhere else for me to explore! Thanks.

Really? i live quite close to that and haven't seen it, can you tell me more specifically where and i'll go and check it out. i thought Arthurs in Whangarei was a one off shop.

[Hibiscus]

For dressmaking fabric these are the 2 that made the cut for me - both in the centre of Christchurch

Global Fabrics on Tuam - http://globalfabrics.co.nz/
Fabric Vision on Bath St - http://www.fabricvision.co.nz/

I've seen a couple of places for curtain fabric but haven't been in yet, for example http://www.fabrichouse.co.nz/

Cheers,

Hibiscus

[nativecolo]

what about Wellington...I did go to Spotlight in Kaiwharawhara...are there any others?

[Arwen]

My daughter drags me along to a lovely shop called Thimbles and Threads in Upper Hutt. It's an Aladdin's Cave of all things Haberdashery. :)

My daughter is a whizz on the sewing machine and makes endless crafts, clothes etc (and she's only 11 nearly 12)!!!!

Move over Viv Westwood, Donatella and Stella, my daughter's on her way!!!:D

[nativecolo]

That's really cool. My nine year old DD just took to knitting....

[Flutterby]

What i'd give to be 12 again, back then i had so much more time to sew!

[YouMeAndThree]

One of the things my Mum packed up for me to ship over was the nightdress I made at 6 yrs old on her Singer sewing machine (it was a treadle one, but my Grandad had attached a motor to it for her). I wore it till I was 10, and the worn elbow prove it :laugh. She also gave me the pattern, which did bring (another) tear to my eye. I use to love sitting watching my Mum makes clothes for me and my 3 brothers. Happy Days.


What i'd give to be 12 again, back then i had so much more time to sew! :wah Oh yes! I'm almost finished with the dress for DD1's birthday party..............but the house is now a tip!

[Flutterby]

I haven't had the chance to go in yet, but i can confirm that Arthurs Emporium in Manukau is the same shop as in Whangarei.

Now i can't wait to go shopping!

[tea drinker]

have just found in Devonport;
Cushlas fabric - lovely shop for patchwork (no idea how expensive it is as I have little to compare it with)
next door (or next door but 1) lovely wool shop
and round the corner an Ikes Emporium (definately cheaper)

for knitters in AKL city - Mascos in Downtown Westfield Centre- has a lovely selection

generally I find the cost of wool/yarn here a bit more expensive that in the UK but have found a good range

[Flutterby]

and the verdict on arthurs was that although not as much choice in the manukau shop, its much tidier and better organised, so easier to find what you need!

[YouMeAndThree]

and the verdict on arthurs was that although not as much choice in the manukau shop, its much tidier and better organised, so easier to find what you need!

What's it like compared to the Spotlight store for fabric? I feel a fabric stash buying session coming on :D

[Flutterby]

Nowhere near as much choice but generally cheaper, most of what they sell is seconds, so you need to keep your eye open for flaws!
but they have heaps of thread, buttons, ribbons, webbing etc which is way way cheaper than spotlight.
Did you find the $4 fleece in the manukau spotlight store?

[GrumpyGoat]

anyone seen inexpensive fleece in Christchurch?

[tea drinker]

Newmarket AKL

Centrepoint Fabrics Morrow St (big banner advertising the place hanging across street)- lots of lovely stuff, fancy, plain, wedding dress fabric, cottons, fleeces etc and patterns/threads
(with a lovely place nearby for a tasty smackeral)

AB Fabrics 2-4 Eden Street - furnishing fabrics mainly