Earlier this year, it was announced that Joann (or Joann Fabrics as I will forever call it), was going out of business and closing its hundreds of stores nationwide. Crafters, sewers and anyone who ever DIYed a Halloween costume two nights before the big day all shed tears. But for real, I’m very sad about this. I grew up being dragged (begrudgling) to Joann with my lifelong sewer of a mother what felt like every week. I can still remember what our local store smelled like, sounded like—the snipping of the Gingher shears down the metal yard marker—how the lights were never quiet bright enough for my taste. I recall how it felt to run my hands down an aisle of fabric, the gentle thud thud thud of each new bolt.
When I eventually discovered the home decor fabric aisle, with the wide horizontal bolts, I’d dream up projects to do with everything I saw. Of course back then, I didn’t know how I’d grow up to be a top tier level lover of textiles. I would have skipped through the parking lot into the store with my mom if I had. And now, the stores will be no more.
Yes, a lot of larger cities and towns have their own local fabric shops, but those are so few and far between now. I’m glad to say I recently found a Calico near(ish) where I love now, but for most people, Joann was it. The go-to spot for some thread, zippers, fabric glue…all the things. It’s a sad existence we have now where nearly everything is a big box homogenous store and nothing is a small boutique specialty shop.
So, the big question now is…where on earth are we all buying fabric without Joann? While I can admit that Joann didn’t carry a huge heap of designer-worthy home textiles, it did do the trick most times. And going in person to touch, feel, and see will never be beat. I’m about to share 15+ online destinations for buying fabric, but nothing will ever compare to holding a fabric in your hands. Samples can be ordered, sure, but the process takes so much more time. Sorry, I’m moping. Let’s get to the point here.
Below, I rounded up 17 sources for where to buy fabric for home projects as consumers (not trade professionals), from budget options like Etsy all the way to super luxe fabrics that are typically only available to the trade.
$ ($0-$50/yard)
Spoonflower
We love Spoonflower around here. If you want what feels like endless options when it comes to prints and plenty to choose from in terms of fabric type and weight, Spoonflower is great. Their stuff is digitally printed on top of fabric which works for most applications, but keep that in mind in the case that you’re looking for something with a woven design (this is much more expensive, FYI).
Dandelion in Yellow Light Blue By Apostrofo Design | Fraser Hunting Tartan Plaid Outlander by Laura Wright Studio | Small Linocut Block Print Floral French Provincial Country Plaid in Dark Red By Pemjo Studio
Etsy
There’s nothing I can say about Etsy here that most of us don’t already know. It’s an absolute treasure trove for fabrics of all kinds, from all over the world. I’ve gotten some amazing block prints here, some gorgeous quality linen, and always for way less money than I’m expecting to pay. It can be overwhelming, for sure, but the more specific your search terms, the better. Also, if you have a specific fabric in mind from a designer or even trade-only brand, make sure to look here in case someone is selling some yardage. You just may find what you’re looking for.
Pure Linen 58″ Wide Natural Fabric With Floral Hand Block Print by Fabritual | Natural Linen Fabric with a Check Pattern by Lino Takas | Blue & White Striped Drapery Fabric by Home Style Fabrics
Tonic Living
I knew Tonic Living from years ago, as they used to make custom window coverings, but now they’re a great source for fabric by the yard and other soft home goods like pillows. I got the beautiful Siena Stripe linen that’s below for the window treatments in my kitchen and it’s amazing quality (I believe mine was about $36 a yard). Tonic Living has some great neutrals and stripes, but also some bold prints like that Elora fabric in Forest Green.
Elora Fabric, Forest Green | Brunswick Stripe Fabric, Moss | Siena Stripe Linen, Buff
Loom Decor
Loom Decor has SO MUCH amazing stuff. Fantastic linens, stripes, checks, plaids, florals, and abstract prints. They also offer custom drapery, custom bench cushions, and other home decor that’s significantly more affordable than other spots online. I even found a quote from Emily on their website talking about how much she loved Loom, so we know she gives it her sign-off of approval, too.
French Laundry Stripe – Champagne | Country Toile – Sapphire | Checking In – Honey
$$ ($50-$100/yard)
Calico
I used to spend my lunch hour at Calico back when I worked at a design magazine. Being constantly surrounded by images of beautiful homes makes you hungry for design progress, let me tell you. Calico is like an upscale Joann, with more designer-named fabrics. That makes it pricier, of course, but I always found that they had some great sales. I should mention that Calico focuses on home fabric, which is always wider and more durable than say, fashion fabric. Like Loom, they also offer a ton of design services including reupholstery, custom drapery, cushions, custom pillows, and more both online and in-store.
Littlefield Check – Spring | Tylan Plum | Kuba (Kc) – 3 Green
Mood Fabrics
Anyone who ever watched Project Runway is going to be familiar with Mood. They offer both fashion and home fabrics, plus tons of specialty things like trim, super long zippers you can’t find elsewhere, beading, buttons, etc. It’s kind of a fabric Mecca in person (particularly in Manhattan), but their online component isn’t half bad, either. Prices are all over the price as they have really affordable things, and really luxe things, depending on what you’re looking for.
Rose Diamond and Stripe Checks | Pear Rectangle Checks | Kingfisher Ikat Checks
Luna Textiles
This one was new to me, as I found it during my search for this article. But I really loved all the contemporary and geometric prints Luna sells. Prices range from around $40 to upwards of $80+ a yard, and much of their fabrics are made from natural, recycled, or rapidly renewable fibers.
Angled Ombre in Unaka | Aperto in Rustic | Broome in Andy
Serena & Lily
Did you know Serena & Lily sells fabric by the yard? (Hot tip: So do places like Pottery Barn and even Lulu & Georgia.) It’s all in the style of what you’ll find there and prices range from $98 to $188 a yard.
Lily of the Valley Linen | Classic Gingham Linen | Seahaven Linen – Terracotta
Folio Fabrics
Again another new-to-me destination. Here, you’ll find a good mix of modern prints, classic florals, global patterns, and plenty of nubby neutrals and solids. Their website says they are “designer-curated” so at the very least, it’s not an unending marketplace of fabrics that feel like they go from bad to worst, with just a sprinkling of decent thrown into the mix. It definitely feels culled and organized but with hundreds of pages of options.
Adrian Oxford | Bella Dessert | Faye Heather
Sunbrella
You can grab Sunbrella fabrics from lots of different retailers, but don’t forget you can go straight to the source, too! Sunbrella is a fantastic choice for all your outdoor upholstery needs, as well as indoor upholstery that you want to withstand a house that goes hard on its things (think: teenage boys, clumsy husbands, rowdy dogs).
Exquisite Aloe | Cabana Classic | Lure Denim
$$$ ($100+/yard)
Chairish
Guys, Chairish has fabric!!! I had no clue, to be honest, but found it when I was doing a Google search for “Zak + Fox fabric to consumers.” Most of the sellers here offer a set number of yardage (from a single yard to multiple yards), though some will do by the yard. You can even find vintage fabrics here, which is always an exciting treasure hunt of sorts.
1 Yard Linen Fabric Harley in Saddle by Heather Chadduck | Sweet Pea Rose Print on Cotton/Linen Blend Fabric by Stevie Howell Studio | 1 ⅝ Yards Tulu Linen Fabric in Blue by Zak + Fox
Cathy Nordström
Once upon a time, I found an image that I fell head over heels for (shouldn’t it be heels over head???) and after hunting down the fabric that was featured in it, I found Cathy Nordström. Her fabrics are designed, produced, and hand-printed in the designer’s native Sweden. They’re all homey and playful in a way that feels grounded and ever-lasting. I promise that one day, when I own a home and have some permanence, I will be using that Anita print in Plum on a dining banquette just like in the photo I linked above.
Anita – Plum | Gingham – Lemon | Faye – Rust & Lilac
Perigold
Perigold is Wayfair’s bougie interior designer sister. They sell all kinds of home goods just like Wayfair, but on top of that, they also have designer fabrics from trade brands like Schumacher, Scalamandre, Eastern Accents, Sanderson, and Kravet (plus more). A heads up that this is not where to go if you’re looking for a wallet-friendly fabric, but it is worth a bookmark if you’re on the hunt for something super special you’re willing to invest in (without having to find your way into your city’s design center).
Copley Square Fabric by Roth & Tompkins | Poppy Hand Block Print Fabric by Schumacher x Molly Mahon | Lyla Embroidery Fabric by Schumacher
Fabric World
Fabric World sounds like Walmart’s equivalent to textiles, but no my friends, it’s SO much better than that. This is to-the-trade designer fabric made available to consumers. Lee Jofa, Thibaut, Cole & Son, Brunschwig & Fils, Anna French (one of my favorites)…all the names I used to write about in my luxury interior design magazine.
Poppy Paisley Ochre Fabric by G P & J Baker | Lily Flower Coral Fabric by Thibaut | Maya Teja Fabric by Gaston y Daniela
The Expert
The Expert launched a few years ago as a marketplace of sources for highly selective interior designer advice. You could book an hour consultation with say, Hendricks Churchill, to help with any given task, instead of hiring them for tens of thousands (or more) of dollars. Now, they also have a shopping component, and their fabric curation is TOP NOTCH.
TOP.
NOTCH.
I mean, that Blips and Ifs fabric by Jennifer Shorto I included below is so wildly good. I want it on a sofa. And who doesn’t love a sweet Lulie Wallace print?!? Anyway, if you have a good chunk of change to spend, absolutely come here to peruse. You’re going to find something really special.
Blips and Ifs Fabric by Jennifer Shorto | Sallie Fabric by Lulie Wallace | Elko Plaid Fabric by Schumacher
Rebecca Atwood
Not only do we all collectively love Rebecca Atwood’s designs, but she’s also just such a lovely person. Of course, you’ve seen plenty of her prints across multiple of Emily’s projects, so I couldn’t not include RA here in this roundup. Her fabrics range from about $80/yard to $180/yard, depending on the base fabric, whether it’s digitally printed or woven, and a handful of other variables. I have the Scribble fabric in Eucalyptus on the curtains in my dining room and it’s so beautiful (though I may actually change those out in place of something else and use this fabric on pillows elsewhere…a story for another day).
Blocks Fabric in Sage/Marine | Crescent Plaid Fabric in Shell Pink | Scribble Fabric in Eucalyptus
L.A. Design Concepts
Don’t be mistaken: L.A. Design Concepts is not just for people in Los Angeles. Their website offers all of the big trade names I’ve already mentioned, but what makes them pretty special is that you can bring them the name of a trade-only fabric you want that they don’t sell, and they can help you source it.
Citrus Garden by Schumacher | Sameera by Oscar De La Denta for Lee Jofa | Kelmscott Tree by Morris And Co
And there you go! Of course, as I was finishing this list, I stumbled upon a few other spots (like the absolutely adorable Pepper Home and The Inside), so there are plenty of other stores out there that sell great home fabrics to consumers. In fact, I’m sure you all know tons of other places, too, so please be sure to share the wealth of knowledge in the comments as you always do.
Until next time…
Opening Image Credits: Design by Emily Henderson and Max Humphrey | Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: My Brother’s Beautiful Guest Bedroom – A Warm and Modern Retreat
