Buying dressmaking fabric in London

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Match fabric to the pattern

Start with the garment, pattern and required properties: weight, stretch, drape and opacity. An attractive print does not suit every dress. For early projects, following the pattern's fabric recommendations is easier than adapting it to a difficult material.

Cloth House lists fabrics and haberdashery ↗, while Liberty has a dedicated fabric department ↗. They offer different starting points; check visiting information, stock and budget before travelling for a specific cloth.

Use a sample

Order a swatch or inspect in person. Check daylight colour, feel against skin, thickness and folds. A screen poorly represents transparency and sheen. Ask for composition, width and care instructions.

For a precise match, compare fabric with the intended shoes or lining. Check that separate garment sections come from the same dye lot. A later purchase can differ in shade despite an identical name.

Calculate the complete cost

Establish whether the price is per metre, half-metre, fat quarter or prepared piece. Match width to the pattern's requirements and allow for print matching, nap direction and shrinkage. Do not transfer narrow-cloth yardage to a wider fabric without checking the layout.

Include lining, zips, thread, interfacing and delivery. Discuss expensive purchases with the person sewing the garment. A higher per-metre price may be offset by width or may produce considerable waste, depending on the design.

Before cutting

Read cut-fabric return conditions before payment rather than assuming every cut can be returned. Inspect for flaws and ask how they are handled. Retain the composition label and quantity receipt.

Follow the material's preparation instructions. Test a sample before prewashing or other treatment. Identify print direction and right side before cutting. For complex garments, a trial version in inexpensive cloth can be more useful than buying another metre of costly silk.