Haberdashery

In the UK, the term ‘haberdashery’ refers to the small items, tools, and accessories used in sewing, dressmaking, and crafting. This massive category includes functional items like threads, zips, needles, pins, elastic, and interfacing, as well as decorative items like ribbons, buttons, lace, and decorative trims. If you use it to put fabric together or decorate it, you will find it in our haberdashery section!

Yes, using the correct needle is essential for a successful project! We stock a huge variety of sewing machine needles to suit every material. You will find ‘Universal’ needles for standard cottons, ‘Ballpoint’ or ‘Stretch’ needles for sewing jersey and Lycra, ‘Jeans’ needles for heavy denim, and ‘Microtex’ needles for delicate silks and satins. We also carry a full range of hand-sewing needles for finishing touches.

The general rule is to match your thread to your fabric type. For most modern dressmaking and crafting, a high-quality 100 percent Polyester thread (like Gutermann Sew-All) is the best choice because it is strong, has a slight ‘give’, and works beautifully with both natural and synthetic fabrics.

If you are sewing pure cotton fabrics or quilting, a 100 percent Cotton thread is often preferred. For heavy-duty projects like upholstery or outdoor canvas, always opt for a specialized extra-strong or bonded thread.

Absolutely. While we cater to hobbyists needing a single zip or a few buttons, we also supply bulk haberdashery to professional makers, schools, and theatrical groups.

Many of our essential items, such as elastic, bias binding, and interfacing, can be purchased by the metre or in full rolls at significant bargain prices.