Small hair fabric is a soft, comfortable, Velvet Fabric.Its surface has many small villi, forming a similar ice flower effect, hence the name. Small hair fabric is usually made of polyester, polyester, nylon and other materials. Small hair fabric are rich in color and can be dyed according to different needs. Because of its high softness and comfortable feel, it is widely used in home textiles and other fields.
Our company produce small hair fabric and Sofa Upholstery Fabric more than 20 years. we are exporting many kind of upholstery fabric and small hair fabric to the different market, we understand their style and requirements of each market. Our factory is good at control the quality, and also can give you a very competitive price. We will try our best to supply you sofa and curtain fabric with favorable price and the best quality.
Small Hair Fabric,Knitting Velvet Sofa Fabric,Polyester Small Hair Fabric,Printed Small Hair Fabric Shaoxing Wedoo Imp. & Exp. Co.,Ltd. , https://www.sxwedoo.com
Today we're continuing our series on fabric shopping around the globe with a look at Melbourne, Australia. Liesl began the series with her post about fabric shopping in Madrid, and last week I shared my insights on fabric shopping in Minneapolis. Now, it's Shelley's turn to take us on a journey through Melbourne's vibrant fabric scene.
Before we dive in, let's take a moment to highlight Sewing Translator, a fantastic resource many of you have helped create and utilize. This tool is now available in 14 languages and can be downloaded as a native iOS app for offline use. It's completely free and can be found in the Apple App Store. With it, you'll have a handy guide to help navigate fabric shops worldwide. Thanks to all of you who've contributed to this project—it really makes a difference!
Now, let's hear from Shelley about Melbourne.
---
Hello and welcome to Melbourne, my beloved city! To make the most of our fabric adventure, we'll want to start early because there's so much to explore.
Melbourne is home to nearly four million people spread across an area of almost 10,000 square kilometers. We're fiercely proud of our local coffee culture, football rivalries, and unique neighborhoods. If you ask a Melburnian where to find the best fabric shop, they'll likely point you toward a store close to their own neighborhood. While I couldn't visit every fabric shop in the city, I hit up some of my favorite spots, and I'm confident you'd find whatever you're looking for among them.
Let's begin our tour in the Central Business District, or CBD. Known for its laneways, street art, and café culture, the CBD has lost some of its former fabric shops over the years, but there are still some hidden gems worth seeking out.
First up is the Nicholas Building. This stunning structure houses an eclectic mix of artisan craft stores and makers. Until recently, the elevators were operated manually, adding to the charm of this historic building.
On the first floor, you'll find Maria's Beads and Trims, a shop not specifically focused on fabrics but a great place to pick up tiny sparkling embellishments for little girls' dresses. On the second floor, you'll discover L'Uccello, a charming shop brimming with beautiful cotton fabrics, embroidery threads, ribbons, wool felt, vintage buttons, and countless other delightful items. This store never fails to inspire me to add embellishments to everything I sew.
Also on the second floor is Kimono House, offering Japanese fabrics, kimono materials, and everything you need for sashiko embroidery. Unfortunately, Buttonmania, another beloved store, has relocated outside the city center. However, their personalized button consultations remain unforgettable experiences. No matter how tricky the project, they always managed to find the perfect buttons for my creations.
Walking along Flinders Lane, you'll encounter Tessuti Fabrics, located in the heart of Melbourne's old textile district. Surrounded by high-end couture boutiques, Tessuti offers luxurious fabrics at premium prices. Still, if you feel extravagant, you can cross the street and compare prices—Chanel might charge ten times as much! Tessuti also carries their own patterns, and you can often try on samples in-store.
Another long-standing institution was the Job Warehouse. For decades, it housed dusty bolts of fabric and dead flies in the windows, deterring me from entering. However, I learned that the vintage fabrics are now being sold at Crossley Job Lots. It's definitely worth checking out someday.
Heading north out of the city, we arrive at Sydney Road in Brunswick, a hotspot for bargain hunters. In just one block, you'll find four fabric shops offering everything from wool suitings and ITY knits to laces and mysterious ethnic fabrics of unknown fiber content. These shops can yield real treasures, sometimes selling fabrics for as little as $2-$3 per meter that feel far more luxurious than their price suggests. And don't forget to grab some delicious coffee and baklava while you're there!
For a similar shopping experience with a broader range, visit Eliza's Fabrics in the western suburb of Sunshine. Their sign claims they sell "almost summer" fabrics, though I'm not entirely sure what that means. Regardless, they stock an impressive variety of items, including linens, denims, wools, and lingerie elastics. Just beware of the shiny, low-quality items near the entrance—the real gems are tucked away deeper inside. The only downside? The shopkeeper rarely smiles.
Back to the east, we find Rathdowne Fabrics, my go-to spot for knit fabrics. They boast an extensive collection of plain and printed knits, ensuring you'll find the exact color and weight you need. But they also offer a fantastic selection of cottons, denims, wools, formal fabrics, and even furnishings in their back room.
Further east lies GJ's Discount Fabrics in Fairfield. As Melbourne's mecca for quilting cottons, they feature an expansive store stocked with perfect carded bolts of cotton and delightful sample quilts and toys. While they do sell some apparel fabrics, their primary attraction is their vast selection of spandex knits. Fun fact: mentioning you're sewing a costume earns you a 10% discount. Considering my kids' outfits, I could probably argue that everything is a costume!
A bit further east, in the leafy suburbs, is The Cloth Shop in Ivanhoe. This charming boutique is a favorite among locals, offering fresh, modern fabrics at reasonable prices. Their staff are knowledgeable and helpful, often displaying samples of popular patterns to give customers a better sense of the fabrics or styles.
Just a short trip away is one of Darn Cheap Fabrics' three locations. They carry a wide range of apparel fabrics and trims, though inventory varies between stores. Interestingly, certain fabrics occasionally become incredibly popular, leading to a sudden surge in demand. Don't miss out on their sales—they're legendary!
Back toward the city, we venture into the inner northeast, the hipster haven of Collingwood and Fitzroy. Here, your coffee will never taste better—or be brewed by someone with a more impressive beard. One of my all-time favorites is Jimmy's Buttons, an Aladdin's cave of buttons and notions. Hidden behind a quiet street, this tiny shop leads to a narrow tunnel of stacked fabric bolts, revealing an incredible array of ribbons, elastic, trims, buttons, bag hardware, and zippers. If you can't find what you need, Jimmy will happily dye something to order. Neat freaks might find the clutter overwhelming, but trust me—it's a magical treasure trove.
In stark contrast, we now visit The Fabric Store, a pristine, light-filled sanctuary. Originally from New Zealand, this chain has expanded across Australia and even to Los Angeles. They're renowned for their merino wools, ranging from thin jerseys to fleece knits and coatings. However, they also offer exquisite linens, Liberty apparel fabrics, and luxurious dressmaking materials. Their leather selection is ideal for bag-making enthusiasts. Sign up for their mailing list and wait for their massive sales events.
Next door to The Fabric Store is ClearIt, an outlet store for samples and seconds from fast-fashion brands. Upstairs, you'll find a decent selection of fabrics, mostly designer bolt ends or surplus stock. It's an excellent source for coat and dress linings, and the changing inventory makes each visit exciting.
Residents south of the Yarra River might protest that I've overlooked several key spots. Let's head that way to visit Phillips Shirts Factory in Malvern. Once located in the CBD with a vast fabric stash open to the public during special events, the factory has since moved. While their fabric collection has diminished, the upside is that visitors can now drop by weekdays to browse the entire stock.
Cotton shirtings dominate the selection, but you'll also find linens, Liberty fabrics, and a small collection of knits. After selecting your fabric, you can head next door to The Button Shop or stroll up the street to d'Italia, a store stocked with exquisite imported dressmaking fabrics.
Are you tired yet? I am! This list barely scratches the surface, and I haven't even mentioned specialty shops like bridal fabrics, dancewear, or leather goods. What I adore about Melbourne is how each neighborhood reflects its unique character, influencing the fabric shops accordingly.
My suburb has seen waves of migration post-WWII, from Italy in the '80s, and more recently from South Sudan. This diversity means I can buy African wax prints in one shop, enjoy a fantastic coffee and cannoli next door, and then stroll down the street to my favorite overlocker thread and ping pong table shop.
That's my Melbourne!
---
I hope you enjoyed this whirlwind tour of Melbourne's fabric scene. Whether you're a seasoned seamstress or just starting out, there's something here for everyone. Happy shopping!
June 03, 2025