My 5 Favourite Canadian Fabric Shops
I have to preface this post stating that I was not paid to promote any of the fabric shops that I discuss in this post. These are my honest opinions.
When I first started sewing, I noticed how few online fabric stores there were in Canada. The choices were so incredibly slim, with the majority of stores only selling quilting cottons. Although local fabric stores had a large selection of fabrics, I found there was not enough selection on modern designer fabrics, particularly when it came to fabrics outside of cottons. As we all know, this limits what Canadian sewists can make.
I was envious of the large selection of fabrics that were available in the US. Some companies also had the option to pick your print and the type of fabric you wanted, from minky to knit to cotton. I mean that is pure luxury, in my opinion. In fact, when my son was born, I caved and purchased a few prints from these US stores but with duty and currency exchange, it was splurge in every sense of the word.
Since then, so many stores have been popping up online. This is still nothing close to what the US has to offer but it has been so wonderful that there actually is choice and selection. I get quite a few questions about where I shop, so I thought I would share with you, my top 5 favourite Canadian Fabric Shops that I personally have shopped with so far. There are still quite a few stores I have yet to purchase fabric from – so inevitably I will have a part 2 for the post at some point.
1. Thread Counts Fabric
There is just so much to say about this rural fabric shop in Manitoba. I recently purchased some knit fabrics to make my baby bummies and Roo Romper pattern. Since then, I have add more fabrics to my wish list from this small shop. Well, they recently had a flash sale which I had missed out on as I had forgotten to put the order through while watching Game of Thrones. I had messaged Hannah, the owner the next day through Instagram inquiring what she could do for me, and she re-applied the discount code for me. How incredibly kind of her. I splurged on this one but I have some fun plans for this fabric haul in the next month.
Shipping cost: $8.49. Purchases over $99 is free.
2. Simplifi Fabric
This online store located in a small town in Ontario called Iroquois has been around for several years now and focuses on organic fabrics. They have a wonderful selection of natural organic textiles including bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, soy and lyocell. I purchased their bamboo fabric years ago and have used it for several projects including my bandana bibs and my reusable makeup wipes. The bamboo fabric was so incredibly soft which is perfect for baby items and it is incredibly absorbent.
Shipping cost: Based on location. Purchases over $200 is free.
3. Weave and Woven
I came across this small shop located in Dundas, Ontario while I was hunting for Riffle Paper Co fabric. This fabric is so hard to come by in Canada, but sure enough they had it in stock last summer! If you recall, I used the fabric to make an Ogden Cami by True Bias earlier this year. The shop carries some wonderful modern fabric and I just want to buy them all! They constantly update the website with new designs and prints. They carry all types of fabrics from cottons to rayon.
Shipping cost: $10. Purchases over $150 is free.
4. Fabrications Ottawa
I bought quite a few modern quilting cottons from this store last time I was in Ottawa. If you remember my most recent haul post, I bought several prints in the Moonrise collection. Even with the amount of stores in Canada offering quilting cottons, there is still not enough that have the modern prints that I am drawn to. Fabrications Ottawa has a large and fun collection to choose from! They also sell a variety of fabric types including chambray, linen, rayon, knit, flannel, cotton lawns, and much more. I have made some reusable straw bags and a blanket scarf from fabric that was purchased from this small shop.
Shipping cost: $10 to 15. Purchases over $100 is free.
5. Fabric Spark
Another great shop with a large selection of fabric located in Toronto, Ontario. In fact, I have been shopping from this store for several years now and it was one of the first online stores with modern fabric that I could find back in the day. If you recall, I purchased two knit prints from Fabric Spark to make some fun harem pants for a baby shower.
Shipping cost: $8 to 11. Purchases over $150 is free.
I absolutely love that I have the ability now to order from these stores and support other Canadian women led businesses! As a small shop owner, I know how important it is to root for our community and support these small businesses. The only negative is the high cost of shipping.
Pro tip: Wait until you few projects to buy fabric for and then buy enough fabric to get free shipping.
Follow along on Instagram @kukarudesigns.com or facebook at kukarudesigns. Tag me in your makes because I would love to see and share them over on Instagram.