u/Riotmama89

I am getting fairly serious about my sewing hobby - and pressing seams, hems, corners and getting meters of fabric flat before sewing is pretty essential. I’ve been using a craft iron for the past few years, but it’s getting laborious doing it all with a tiny iron.

Can anyone recommend something good quality but reasonably lightweight that will do everything I need it to? I work with natural and synthetic fibres so I need it to have a god range of adjustable heat, steam and an auto shut off (gotta love ADHD!). Needs to be available in the UK!

I've had a search of the past posts and the last answered one was a year ago - and considering the economic situation both in the UK and globally so many indie businesses have gone bust and even larger chains have become a bit useless! I wanted to start an up-to-date listing of where people are going for their fabric and haberdashery.

Online and in person:

Oh Sew Crafty! Based in Kidderminster (Worcestershire), very knowledgeable staff but hard (but possible with staff help) to get around if you have mobility difficulties, as it's all packed in! Reasonable prices. Large haberdashery and yarn range too. Website is good too and quick to dispatch. Family owned

Rainbow Fabrics Based in Kilburn (NW London) and Enfield (N/NE London) but often have roadshows - next ones are in Warrington and Nottingham. Website is good but very in your face!

Fabricland Based in Bristol, Kingston Upon Thames (SW London) and warehouse (for click and collect only) in Ringwood (Hampshire). Quality is mixed, its cheap, but I've had a few very misleading colour matches sent.

Little Legs Fabrics - Based in Preston (NW England) - large selection of quiting materials and crafting fabrics and vinyls.

Online only -

Pound Fabrics - good selection, good quality and excellent resources on the website

Minerva - Very large selection, reasonable, but not cheap. Large range of sewing patterns and haberdashery too. Delivery is a little slower than hoped at times.

Knighton fabrics (facebook only) - Affordable and great resources but I find that being facebook online is really difficult to navigate.

Dalston Mill - gorgeous dress fabrics, not the cheapest but very good quality.

Fabric Giant - reasonable prices but many photos are not very clear or out of focus.

Haberdashery Fan - Etsy shop - large selection of haberdashery

Guthrie and Ghani - higher end fabrics and haberdashery. Run by a former GBSB contestant. Often holds classes and workshops upstairs (no lift unfortunately).

In person only -

Fancy silks (Birmingham) - a huge amount packed into a small space! reasonable quality and prices but difficult to manouver around!

Please tell me about anymore anywhere in the UK and UK-based online fabric sellers and haberdashers!