Where to Buy Fabric.
I may have mentioned once or twice that I will be have just moved. And, I don’t want to pack/unpack a huge stash of fabrics.
With that said, I did indulge a bit and purchased a little denim. Why, you ask?
Because Fabric.com (affiliate) had an awesome sale on some fabulous denim and I didn’t want to miss out. I plan to make two pairs of jeans for Fall/Winter as soon as I’m settled in the new house (‘cuz this stuff is already packed!).
I first discovered Fabric.com (affiliate) when I started my Etsy apron store. At the time I was making and selling aprons. If I had any hope of making even a small profit on my aprons that meant I had to buy my fabric at a reduced price.
This left me with two options: 1.) Purchase bolts of fabric from the manufacturers in massive quantities OR 2.) Find the best deals possible on fabric.
I went with option #2 because it didn’t require a huge outlay of cash for a fledgling cottage business. And that is when I started buying the bulk of my fabric at Fabric.com. Back in 2008 I wasn’t required to pay sales tax on the fabric (that has changed for Texas residents; can’t tell you why). And, they had better prices than most stores.
Another huge benefit was getting my fabric mailed directly to me. If I purchased $35 or more then shipping was free {and still is!}. This saved me time which I used to design and make more aprons.
I also like how easily I am able to search for fabric by designer. Since I know the designers I want to select from, this makes my shopping that much easier.
This also works when you are searching for a specific type of fabric, like denim or linen. Type these words in the search box and all options will pop up.
For at least 5 years I have been buying fabric from Fabric.com (affiliate) and they have saved me tons of moo-lah. That doesn’t mean I don’t shop locally ~ I shop both places. With Fabric.com I tend to shop their sales.
What if I purchase a fabric that I don’t like? This has happened more than once. Fabric.com has a hassle-free return policy. If I don’t like the fabric I can call them and they will take it back ~ no questions asked! Sometimes, they let me keep the fabric (like the coral denim above which wasn’t what I really wanted after all).
Did you know that frequent buyers will get coupons. When I was sewing for my Etsy shop, the coupons always meant I would make more money selling my aprons. Best of all ~ coupons are applied after reaching the $35/Free Shipping threshold. Meaning, if my total adds up to $35.01 and I have a 15% off coupon, my total is $29.80 AND I still get Free Shipping. I love it when businesses make their deals in my favor ~ it breeds loyalty.
Unusual notions and hard-to-find patterns like the one I use to make my jeans are almost always available ~ sometimes at a discount. Factor in a coupon with free shipping and suddenly sewing garments becomes economical.
I can’t end this post without mentioning a couple of negatives. It takes a few days for your fabric and supplies to arrive. If I order on a weekend, it may be the end of the week before I receive my package . And, I’m not the only one who knows about Fabric.com, so popular items (especially on sale) get snapped up and leave you high and dry.
For me, these small inconveniences don’t amount to much and I am perfectly happy to save a few dollars on my sewing.
Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Fabric.com and receive compensation when you make a purchase from the highlighted links. With that said, I would still recommend them regardless of this affiliation.
I’ve been buying from Fabric.com for about 2 years and it’s my number one fabric source for all the steering wheel covers that I sell on Etsy. I love being able to find just about everything that I”m looking for. Chevron patterns have been the hot seller for the past year and Fabric.com always have a great selection to choose from. I would love to buy locally but even in Las Vegas, NV it’s difficult finding the popular styles like chevrons. I only have one thing on the negative side to mention. Be sure to check your order against what you actually purchased. The last three times I ordered from them, I was given a totally different fabric than I ordered and on two occasions not the right amount of fabric ordered. On the plus side, I emailed customer service and they rectified the problem by mailing me the correct amount. And, they did not want the wrong fabric returned, they said keep it. It’s a great company and comes highly recommended by me, too. PattyV”the gal with two first names”
Thanks Patty for adding to this conversation. Your experience is exactly why I am such a fan of Fabric.com. When they make a mistake, they take care of it immediately.
I’ve never ordered fabric online, but you’ve tempted me…I might need to try it. I’m always worried it’s just not going to feel or look like I thought. I suppose if I can return it, its not that big of a risk. Thanks for sharing this!
Exactly. There is a risk, but fabric.com stands behind everything. In the comments read what Patty has to say about them.
I was very reluctant in the being but all my fears have vanished. With Fabric.com you can return the item if you’re not happy. On most of their items there is a ruler so you can determine if it is the right scale that you might have in mind.
I like ordering from fabric.com because they carry the fabrics that I just cannot find in my town, and even when not on sale their prices are exceptional for the quality that they carry! I’ve never been unhappy with the fabric that I’ve ordered, even though I’m a tactile sort of person and like to feel fabric before I buy it. The only place I like purchasing fabric better is the garment district in LA…unfortunately, I don’t live in California, so going there is a once in a great long while trip for me. 🙂
Nothing to fear because you can return anything you don’t like ~ and it won’t cost you to return.
I absolutely love shopping at Fabric.com, I get so much of my fabric there! Thanks for sharing!
Darcy @ The Ruffled Stitch