Whoop, whoop! On Saturday I took my first Pyjama Party sewing class at Significant Seams. The lesson covered taking body measurements and making fabric selections – which meant a trip to Walthamstow market to buy fabric!
Saeed Fabrics didn’t disappoint.
It was so nice to meet my students, all of whom are super-lovely. I think we’re going to end up with an awesome collection of pyjama bottoms.
To prepare for our outing, I decided to make a new map of the market, highlighting my favourite places to shop. When I say ‘I made’ I mean someone else made it for me, so a big thank you to Ian!
You can download the map here, perfect for printing out next time you visit the market. It includes a handy meeting point, should you be going with a group of friends. It doesn’t include every single shop and stall, just my favourites. But the really big news is… Drum roll… There’s a new fabric shop in Walthamstow!
I only discovered this place because our cab driver dropped us off outside. It had opened two days previously! The shop is down a tiny side street, but miss it and you’d miss out. (It’s marked number 6 on the map.) Look at this gorgeous paisley one of the students bought here…
So, there we are. New students, new shop. Anything new going on in your life?
NOTE There were several requests for me to add a list of blogger attendees to this post about the V&A outing. I think I’ve included everyone, but let me know if your blog needs adding.
Hi, thanks a million for the map, it’s a great help as I’m just planning a trip for October! Pennies are being stashed, dust blown off the shopping trolley and I’m breaking in a pair of flats especially for the day….. a quick question, does the market finish early on a Saturday? I’d hate to turn up and everyone is packing up!
Don’t rely on late opening. It’s old school and the stall holders are packing up from 4pm onwards, I’d say. Happy shopping!
Thank you!
Actually we were a bunch of sewing friends from Patternreview.com who went to Walthamstow in 2006 (I believe it was) and since then I’ve been wanting to go back. Having only been in London with my son, my mother and my husband since then (and none of them can stand fabric shopping, unfortunately) I haven’t had the chance to go yet, but I think I’ll try to save up for a trip next summer! With fabric minded friends!
Great map Karen (well done Ian!).
You reminded me I never updated my own map I made round Easter time – must get around to it soon LOL
Oh brilliant idea! And yay to starting teaching! Such a great idea to take your students fabric shopping – I remember feeling a bit daunted going into a fabric shop (or even knowing where to go to begin with) when I needed fabric for my first class. Hope it went well xx
Oh my goodness,I love saeed fabrics! I bought a whole load of bargainaceous fabric there in august whilst visiting a London friend. I’m planning a trip with my mum and gran over Christmas!
Glad your first session was such a success, I bet your students can’t wait for the next ones!!! Great map too, thanks very much!
You are SO organised! And that’s exactly what Walthamstow needs – another fabric shop!
Ooh I think a new fabric shop requires immediate investigation – thanks for the tip! Yet another reason to move to Walthamstow!
Oh, this is brilliant – thanks! I live in walthamstow and must investigate. One of the shops I really like is not on your map though – it’s about six doors down from Saeed’s. I think it might just be called Fabric Shop. It’s a very odd shop and often smells a bit funny and they have a very random assortment of fabrics but nothing is more than £3 a metre, and I’ve bought lots of really nice wools and lining fabics from there for absolute knock down prices.
I think I know which one you mean. I think I bought fabric from there for my latest Sewaholic blouse!
it sounds like a wonderful place and as if a wonderful time was had by all
I tell myself to get to Walthamstow market each time I go to London and have yet to make it. Maybe next time. Thanks for the helpful map.
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Thank you Karen, a very helpful post and extremely useful little map. Just been for the first time and it was so exciting!
Hi Karen,
I am looking for curtains and upholstery fabric. Do you think I might find it there?
Many thanks.
Maria
Without a doubt! Hotfoot it to Saeed Fabrics. Good luck!
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hi Karen, thank you for all the tips. i’m new to sewing and find your blog really helpful. do you think i could find some good jersey there?
You’ll find lots of jersey at Saeed Fabrics and Classic Textiles. (Classic Textiles has some nice heavy winter jerseys right now.) If by ‘good’ you mean quality, it won’t be that! If by ‘good’ you mean fun and cheap, it will definitely be that!
thank you
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Hello. I am coming to London and trying to work out where I should go fabric shopping! What days is the Walthamstow Market open with fabric stalls? Thanks!
Saturday is your best day. Everything will be closed on a Sunday and the other days can be erratic.