Fabric markets are wonderful! An incredible abundance of fabrics, sewing accessories - and sewing enthusiasts who will compete with you for the best bargains. Here are my best tips for fabric markets!
The most important things at a glance
- Visiting a fabric market is a great experience for sewing enthusiasts
- It is worth making a plan beforehand so you can shop with a specific goal in mind
- You can often discover the latest sewing trends at fabric markets and get inspired
- Bring enough (self-sewn) fabric bags to avoid using plastic bags
- Take your time and carefully compare the fabrics and prices at the different stalls
Fabric markets are great for spotting trends, discovering new things, and developing ideas. Sometimes spontaneous conversations with other sewing enthusiasts can also inspire you.
Tip: Have you already seen my posts about the 10 things you should buy at a fabric market and my German list of fabric outlets and factory outlets?
You have the opportunity to inspect trims, zippers, and especially fabrics on site and get a feel for what is currently popular in the sewing world.
If you are lucky, there may even be a sewing machine retailer on site, giving you the opportunity to get to know new sewing machines. Of course, there is certainly no harm in entering a competition or two in this context. It is fun. And it usually costs nothing. :)
Planning is important
Perhaps the most important tip right at the start: It is definitely best to have a plan. Even though visiting a fabric market is a spontaneous pleasure: You should have in mind which projects you need the fabric for. Even if you still buy too much fabric (as is often the case with me), you will still have the satisfaction of knowing you didn't just buy it for "the drawer".
The danger is therefore particularly great because the selection at fabric markets is usually enormous. Here you can find many things that may not be available in stores or online shops. Nevertheless: Stick to your plan. Even if not too strictly. Sometimes the ideas come with the fabric purchase. So it also works the other way around. :)
Well packed?
A valuable tip from Astrid on our Facebook page: Remember to bring enough fabric bags. Many traders will almost routinely want to pack the fabrics in those nasty disposable plastic bags. Stop them, pull out your own adorable (self-sewn) bag, pack up your lovely new fabrics, and feel like a Green Goddess! :)
Inspiration is crucial
Speaking of which. Many sewing ideas are simply born on the internet. Here I recommend taking an extensive stroll around Pinterest beforehand. Get inspired, develop an idea, and then go for it and dare to try something new!
Alone or together?
I admit it: socializing is wonderful. This applies to a cozy evening with friends as well as to family celebrations or similar activities. Visiting a fabric market with a friend can be nice - if you have similar interests. Personally, I prefer to strike out alone, because then I can simply follow my own interests without constantly having to look back to make sure no one is left behind.
And what is more annoying than two best friends standing right in front of a crowded stall having an intimate chat? The same goes for husbands dragged along or bulky strollers. :)
Don't forget receipts!
Now for something serious: Remember to ask for receipts when shopping at fabric markets. If you sew commercially (or plan to), you can claim the required materials as a business expense.
The early bird...
Can't find a parking space? But your fabric market only opens at 11 a.m.? And then it is immediately packed? Try being there by half past nine. Then you will not only get a good parking space. The stalls will also still be wonderfully empty.
The traders will still be rested and happy to advise you. And you can browse the selection in peace before you buy. Without someone ramming a bolt of fabric into your ribs. ;)
Of course, it is important that you don't start rummaging wildly through the sale and carrying things from here to there. Or even getting in the way during setup. But a polite question about whether you can already buy something certainly won't hurt. ;)
It is worth comparing
This brings me to the next point: Don't buy right away. Take your time and see if the great decorative fabric* doesn't cost half as much two stalls away. Many traders have special prices or sell fabric remnants cheaper.
Items such as rulers*, bobbin winders*, magnetic needle cases* or bag closures* from well-known manufacturers are not necessarily cheaper at fabric markets than in stores or the online shop. Often the basket trick (see below) is also used here, which tempts you to buy much more and not necessarily what you need.
So it is worth finding out the prices of the respective items beforehand and comparing them objectively. Afterwards, you can still indulge in a proper shopping spree. ;)
Consider a budget
Even if it sounds fussy: Set a budget and stick to it. This will help you stroll through the fabric market without a financial hangover and shop more purposefully. Otherwise, you will end up with endless half-meter remnants that you will never use.
The problem with fabric remnants
They are quickly bought because they don't have to be cut from the bolt: At many stalls at fabric markets, there are rolled-up fabric remnants, mostly made of jersey fabric. The same applies here: It is worth comparing. The remnants are often rolled up in such a way that they look like more than they actually are.
You will be amazed at how meager half a meter of jersey is if you want to sew for a child who has outgrown size 98. Then the remnant may be too small to sew something decent from. And then we are back to: Fabrics for the drawer. What a shame. Even the best buy-5-pay-4 offer is useless there.
The power of baskets
At the haberdashery stalls, there is often the opportunity to fill small baskets with all the nice things that are on sale there. If you want to save money, skip the baskets.
The principle is exactly the same as with the huge shopping carts at the discount store. You may only need a nice bias tape*, but so that the bias tape is not so lonely, you end up with 2 meters of pink invisible zipper*, 10 buttons*, one and a half meters of elastic cord* and five different webbing* (none of which match the fabric you just bought) in the basket. Good for the trader. Bad for the budget.
The I-show-you-mine-you-show-me-yours trick
When you stroll along the stalls, it may happen that a fabric particularly catches your eye. Many traders recognize indecision combined with a willingness to buy at first glance and almost automatically roll out a few meters of fabric from the bolt. And because they have made so much effort, it creates a kind of guilt in us. So we pull out the wallet and buy fabric that we wouldn't sew into anything for a hundred years.
So keep in mind: It is the traders' job to present their selection. After all, they want to get rid of the goods. Especially good deals don't need to be advertised much. They sell themselves.
Those who come too late
Contrary to what our "early bird" tip might suggest, it is not always the first ones who can make great bargains at fabric markets. Sometimes it really is the latecomers who are lucky. The traders are often quite exhausted at the end of the fabric market and no longer feel like lugging all these bolts of fabric back into the vans.
Then comes the big hour for the late sleepers: Here it really is worth negotiating. If you are lucky and meet a particularly generous trader, you can still make one or two great bargains just before closing time!
Think about small change!
Remember to pack enough smaller bills. Especially if you arrive at the fabric market very early. No trader appreciates it when you pay for two zippers with a hundred-euro bill. :)
Time to think pays off
You saw a particularly beautiful fabric at the fabric market, but you can't decide whether to buy it because it is a bit more expensive? Write down who makes the fabric - and then check online if you can get it cheaper. You now know the texture and quality. :)
Sometimes it is simply good to sleep on it before you decide.
He who writes, stays!
Be sure to note down the required amount of fabric for the planned sewing project. There is hardly anything more annoying than 10 cm too little! If you want to sew clothes, you should also find out beforehand how stretch the fabric should be. Often this stretch is given in percentages. If you are lucky, the fabric trader is well informed and can suggest the right type of fabric for your project.
The remnant trick
Super tip from Eva Uschi's Facebook sewing group: "If you are looking for a combination fabric, take a piece of the main fabric with you. For multiple fabrics: Tack them all to a sheet of paper so you have them quickly at hand!
That really helped me. Often there are no suitable solid fabrics* online. Sometimes you also think it matches and then it is a completely different shade and somehow doesn't match at all."
Great! Thank you, dear Eva Uschi!
How much fabric to buy if I don't know what I want to sew yet?
A good and valid question!
So: It depends. And specifically on your sewing habits.
- If you are someone who loves sewing bags, then 1 meter of fabric is plenty
- If sewing blouses and shirts is your thing, you can usually easily get by with 1.5 meters
- For pants or sewing a dress, 2 meters is a good guideline
Important: Of course, the fabrics must match the planned project. Do you know which fabric is suitable for what?
- You can find the planned fabric market dates here
- If you love patchwork, you can find out on this page whether there are also patchwork fairs near you
- The current dates of creative fairs where you can also buy brand new fabrics can be found here
- If after the hunt for great fabrics you now want to go on the hunt for great patterns and freebooks, you can take a look in my shop
I'd also love to hear about your experiences at the fabric market - I look forward to your tips and suggestions!
P.S.: Were you, like me, unable to resist the wonderful muslin fabric at the fabric market?
Then read what you can sew great things with muslin! :)
Happy simple sewing, your Sabine
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