The 4 Best Fabric Shops in Edinburgh for Every Maker and Crafter

Fabric Swatches: Select merchants offer physical, colour-matched fabric samples, eliminating the reliance on digital images.

Authentic Textiles: Verification of provenance remains critical. Materials marketed as genuine Scottish wool are verified through supplier records to guarantee authenticity.

Expert Guidance: Premier establishments employ knowledgeable professionals who can address complex crafting queries, from zip repairs to distinguishing between subtle textile weaves.

Orderly Layouts: Well-organised displays ensure that finding specific materials is straightforward and efficient, preventing the need to search through chaotic piles of stock.

Purchasing textiles online often leads to disappointment when substandard materials arrive, or when samples take weeks to appear. Buying fabric in person avoids these pitfalls. Edinburgh is home to several exceptional independent retailers where quality is assured and staff offer genuine expertise. The leading fabric shops in the city are detailed below.

How much does fabric cost in Edinburgh?

Basic fabrics generally range from £4 to £16 per metre. This serves as a baseline estimate; final pricing varies depending on the specific merchant, the type of fabric, and the quality.

1. The Dress Fabric Company

Contact Details: +441312210464

Operating Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday - 11 AM to 5:30 PM

Website

Boasting a vast inventory, The Dress Fabric Company stocks everything from delicate bridal silks to substantial rolls of Kaldor linens and James Hare textiles.

The shop also provides a comprehensive range of haberdashery and notions, featuring premium ribbons, trims, buttons, and essential sewing accessories.

Customers can take advantage of an efficient sampling and mail-order service. Initial colour swatches can be collected in-store, after which the team coordinates with suppliers to deliver larger fabric samples directly.

Deliveries are prompt, with orders frequently arriving within two days.

A drop-off sewing machine repair service operates on a fortnightly schedule. For vintage models that require rare components, repair times may extend by a few weeks.

Furthermore, a dedicated bridal consultancy helps clients select materials for bespoke dresses. Consultants guide customers through a selection of premium fabrics, laces, and trimmings to secure the ideal pairing.

A tailored cut-length service guarantees that fabric is cut fresh and clean directly from the roll.

Excellent range of fabrics and sensible prices

“Easily one of the best local shopping experiences ever. This is precisely how small independents can make a difference and starve the internet of ill deserved support. A vastly experienced and hugely knowledgeable owner. Excellent range of fabrics and sensible prices. Add all of that, to an owner who can’t do enough to help and inputs her own invaluable opinion to any proposed purchase. Simply brilliant and thoroughly deserving of full support. Makes shopping pleasurable again…”

• Colin MC, Google Reviews

There is always something new or different

“This is an excellent shop. There is always something new or different on offer. The owner is very knowledgeable and very good at sourcing fabulous fabrics.”

• Catherine Gowthorpe, Google Reviews

2. Cotton & Chintz

Contact Details: +441316675796

Operating Hours: Monday to Friday - 10 AM to 5 PM

Website

Specialising in curtains, drapes, and bespoke soft furnishings, Cotton & Chintz provides an array of suitable materials.

A precise design and make-up service is available. Clients can request complimentary fabric samples, and the team can craft custom curtains, blinds, and cushions to exact specifications.

The shop offers high-quality drapery made from premium cotton, satin, and silk.

Alongside textiles, the shop supplies all necessary fixtures for curtain installation, such as tracks, poles, and tie-backs, complemented by practical fitting advice.

An upholstery service helps clients restore antique or worn furniture pieces. Customers can provide their own fabric or select from the in-store range, allowing the specialist team to manage the restoration.

One minor drawback is that the showroom can occasionally feel cluttered, with various fabric rolls and textile types stored closely together.

Huge selection of materials and designs to choose from

“Julie and her staff at Cotton & Chintz provided an excellent friendly service with good advice and communication, a huge selection of materials and designs to choose from in the shop. We are delighted with our curtains and Roman blinds which they fitted on completion ahead of schedule. Would highly recommend Cotton & Chintz.”

• Barbara Stewart, Google Reviews

Great choice of fabrics

“Great choice of fabrics. Staff very helpful in narrowing down the choices to cater for my needs and requests.

The whole process from start to finish - choosing fabric, make up and fitting - very smooth.

Communication excellent. Super professional service. Would highly recommend.”

• Gordon Brown, Google Reviews

3. Fabric Focus

Contact Details: +441315583888

Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10 AM to 4 PM

Website

Offering a diverse range of textiles, Fabric Focus introduces regular new stock from leading manufacturers including Moda, Makower UK, Hoffman, and Northcott.

The store's collection of flannels and linens is renowned for its durability, with colours designed to remain vibrant even after frequent washing.

The outlet is highly popular with local designers and dressmakers thanks to its wide range of jersey, linen, and British woven wool tweeds, including genuine Harris Tweed.

The shelves are stocked with everything from lightweight chiffon and crepe to heavy-duty denim, corduroy, pattern prints, and realistic faux fur.

In addition to retail sales, the store runs regular educational workshops covering quilting, patchwork, embroidery, and bag-making.

These classes are designed to be accessible, with tutors offering professional guidance and supportive feedback to all participants.

The premises can become busy during peak afternoon periods, which can make browsing the fabric rolls slightly more challenging.

The fabric arrived very quickly

“I ordered a fat quarter bundle of fabric from Fabric Focus. It was my first time ordering from them and I wasn’t disappointed. The fabric arrived very quickly and was wrapped with care in a paper bag with a little sticker. It’s always the attention to the small details that I look for. I have found that if a retailer pays attention to the small details then they’ll pay attention to everything else. I am very impressed with Fabric Focus and I will buy from them again with confidence. Fabulous fabric, fabulous service. Highly recommended.”

• Gail Morris, Google Reviews

Lovely inventory of fabric

“Kevin was very helpful with our selection. The shop has a lovely inventory of fabric with inspirational catalogues throughout. Lots of ideas… We left with materials AND inspiration for our next project. We went out of our way to fit this visit to Fabric Focus into our schedule while in Edinburg and we are glad we did. A score for regional fabrics and overall experience!”

• Lois Johnson, Google Reviews

4. Edinburgh Fabrics

Contact Details: +441316682790

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Saturday - 10 AM to 7 PM
• Sunday - 1 PM to 6 PM

Website

Providing a comprehensive range of textiles, haberdashery, buttons, and trimmings, Edinburgh Fabrics caters to a wide variety of sewing and craft projects.

The shop is particularly renowned for its extensive stock of British, Yorkshire, and Scottish wools.

The inventory includes a wide selection of authentic Harris Tweed which, though premium in price, remains a favourite for creating seasonal garments.

Beyond standard woven options, the store supplies specialist materials such as felt, faux fur, and lace.

The customer service team is highly attentive, assisting visitors with sourcing specific accessories like matching buttons and threads.

One minor detail is that sample cuts can be rather generous, sometimes yielding slightly more fabric than requested.

I was given good guidance

_“_I love this shop! I went in to get some silk and dye for a costume project. Not only was I guided to the variety of silk weights, and told the advantages / disadvantages between them for dyeing, I was able to test them in motion and wave them about. I was given good guidance on the right dyes and how much I needed by weight…he brought out the calculator and helped me through the whole process. I bought what I needed and it wasn’t as expensive as I was expecting! Definitely recommend.”

• Violette Rose, Google Reviews

Literally the best fabric store

“I have been a customer for 20 years. This place is AWESOME. Literally the best fabric store I’ve ever been to on the planet. Beautiful embroidered Japanese, sturdy camo, glow in the dark spooky, blacker than blackout, the softest felts and fleece, tons of sewing accessories, etc! The family is always helpful, efficient, and knowledgeable. The prices are affordable. The best. Here’s to another 20 years! Thank you Edinburgh Fabrics!”

• Jeff Kohl, Google Reviews

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