Anyone from the UK here?

I get rather depressed when I read these forums and see all the wonderful supplies and resources our American friends have at their disposal whilst we in the UK have virtually nothing and what there is is extortionately priced, so I wondered if there is anyone else here from the UK who knows of any good places to get supplies from.

I was just looking at the 'favourite magazine' thread and there wasn't one on there that you can get in this country  it just really winds me up.

At the moment I buy all my fabric from the US because even with the postage it still works out cheaper than buying it here but also because none of the the prints I buy are even available in this country.

Sorry for the moan, but when you're desperate to enjoy a simple hobby like dressmaking it's very frustrating when your own country puts obstacles in your way, just because it's not popular with everyone then apparently nobody is allowed to enjoy it.

Surely I'm not the only UK member to feel like this, please say I'm not a moany old whinge bag on my own!! lol

Another whinger from the UK here! Just thought I'd let you know you are not alone.
I agree 100% with what you say. I am so jealous of the choice, price etc that is available elsewhere. There are pretty much no resources where I am and the two shops that are available have a poor choice and are incredibly expensive. I too order from the US. ( I also think they tend to think that it is only the over 60's that sew - nothing funky out there at all!)

I'm afraid I don't have any gems to share with you - will be interested to see if anyone does!
Axx

I so agree with you both, when I first discovered Amy Butler fabrics a few years back, I was certain that they would be really popular here and that it wouldn't be long before I would be seeing them everywhere - I went into Libertys to ask them if they would be stocking any soon but they hadn't even heard of her, let alone be remotely interested in stocking any!  To be fair, I know some branches of John Lewis do now stock some of her fabrics but we do seem to be lagging so far behind the States in terms of having a good range of quilting and dressmaking fabrics and notions etc over here.

There are a few gems to be found though.  I live in London and often visit the fabric shops in Shepherds Bush and usually manage to find a number of fabrics I like.  It would be heaven though to walk into a dedicated fabric store which regularly had  pile upon pile of great fabrics and notions to choose from.  Still, at least it is easy for us to order from the US

Whereabouts in the UK are you both and what kind of fabrics etc are you after?

I am from N Ireland, UK, and we get even less choice than you all on the mainland!  I also order from the US as all I can get here, thats when I can, are ditsy traditional prints, which are fine but I want the funky and colourful.  My sister goes to the US on holiday and I usually end up giving her a list of what I want including magazines etc.

I moved from London to Felixstowe 8 months ago, I used to go to the fabric shops in Forest Gate but the fabrics are all Indian and so very elaborate and lots of sequins and embroidery, occasionally I might get a nice linen but only rarely.

There is a large fabric shop near me now but it's a remnant shop and sells end of lines etc and it's all really boring grungy, drab stuff.

Got my latest batch of fabrics from the US the other day, guess that's how it has to be, sigh.

Hi I'm new here and not sure if any of you still check this thread.....but I'm in the UK and now of the problems of getting good quality fabrics at a reasonable price.  I mainly make quilts, bags and small items and use mainly quilting fabric.......if you're looking for Any Butler there are quite a few places that sell it now and I think Cotton Patch has the largest selection.

Not sure where everyone lives but there are a few gems out there.....Fabrics Galore in Battersea is great, good prices and great selection.....anyway I won't waffle on too much cos ther might be no one reading this thread - if you do then I'll look forward to 'meeting' you

Hi everyone
I'm from N.Ireland too and caught the quilting/bag-making bug about 2 years ago. Since then I've made over 60 bags, purses, wallets & backpacks, 5 quilts & half-completed so many projects I don't want to count them all!! 
I completely agree with the previous comments & must admit I do get a bit fed up with the very limited choice we have here. But as long as I can access websites like SMS, film in the fridge, u-handbag and primrose corner (not forgetting buttonberry & flossie teacakes) to provide inspiration, I'll keep going on my endless search for nice (and hopefully not too expensive) fabrics.
Keep going everyone!

I too am from the UK and I agree with the previous comments from all the replies.  Little choice, big prices.  I buy my fabric from the US too.  However, there is something we have which is rather good: U Handbag.  It's an online shop for all your bag making goodies.  It's based in London and run by Lisa Lam.  Excellent range of stock products and good prices.

Oh yes U-handbag is one of my regulars.....sometimes when you use a particular place so much you sort of think that everyone knows about it just like you   I also use a place in Dorset, called Hansons, not online but I love a little run down there, shop to my hearts content and then have a lovely lunch and head home with all my purchases

hi there- know what you mean. I haven't ordered fabric from the net yet as most of my fabric i get from Craft fairs and stock up!, particularly from knitting and Stitching show at Alexandra palace. but being an avid researcher and never getting around to making much I have looked into uk suppliers and compared prices. Perhaps we could swap details sometime
Megan

Do you know it would be great if everyone from the UK posted the good, bad and ugly sewing resources they have found locally. If there were associated web addresses this could be a really useful resource.
I'm off to compile a list!
Ax

Hi
I started a discussion on UK handmade which might be of interest to UK based sewers : http://ukhandmade.ning.com/forum/topics/uk-fabric-suppliers
Also Flossie Teacakes has compiled a list:
http://flossieteacakes.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-lovely-list-of-uk-online-fabric.html
Happy sewing!