About Us

1st for Fabrics is a family-run fabric retailer based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Our vibrant shop houses a treasure trove of fabrics, trims and haberdashery for dressmaking, crafts and furnishing projects.

Established in 2000, we set up shop in the factory space of one of the last clothing manufacturers in the North East – Varahwear on Albert St in Blyth. As we were finding our feet, our customer base steadily increased to a loyal local following. Word soon began to spread among the region’s talented factory seamstresses, then onto teachers and budding artists, students and photographers – soon we had a huge variety of people traveling from far and wide.

Our fledgling stock swelled in-line with our customer’s demands, and (despite taking over more of the Varahwear factory floor) we soon out-grew our little shop and began the hunt for bigger premises.

In 2001 we took two units on North Tyne Industrial Estate in Benton, just across the car park from where we are today.

Over the next 10 years in Units 20 J & H we took the shop in some exciting new directions – not only did our stock expand to dress patterns, haberdashery and top branded soft furnishing fabrics, but we also began our Made To Measure curtain service for which we are now renowned for.

As a new generation fell in love with creating and crafting for themselves, our reputation for being the one stop fabric shop spread and our popularity continued to grow. In 2011 we once again found ourselves in need of more space. We didn’t need to look too far – just across the car park in fact!

In the summer of 2011, we opened the doors of Unit 9B and transformed it into a shop bigger than any of us could have imagined.

As yet, we haven’t out-grown 9B, but with new stock arriving weekly … you never know!

With over 6000 sq/ft of space to fill, we have a HUGE variety of fabrics in stock, as well as stacks of designer books to order from.

No matter how big or small your project is – whether you are a first time crafter or a confident seamstress, a photographer in need of a backdrop or a School putting on a Theatre production – we have the supplies to suit your requirements.

Our endless list of fabrics includes (but is not limited to):

Cotton – Jersey – Satin – Crepe – Velvet – Chiffon – Denim – Wool – Corduroy – Tweed – Taffeta – Suitings – Viscose – Lace – Linings – Linen – Fleece – Felt – Wadding – Interfacing – Oil Cloth – Canvas – – Cotton Lawn – Hessian – Dress Net – Lame – Scuba Jersey – Brocade – Upholstery – Bi-Stretch – Lycra – Gingham – Sequins – Faux Fur – Flannel – Minky – Faux Leather – Waterproof – Cordura – Silk – Cotton Drill – Polycotton

We sell fabrics from as little as 10cm (50cm online), so you’re able to buy what you need with minimal waste.

If you’re looking to update your interior with some new soft furnishings, we hold stock of designer fabrics from Orla Kiely, Chess Designs, Romo ,Clarke & Clarke, Villa Nova, Porter & Stone, Harlequin, Scion, Ashley Wilde, Fryetts and many more. Our designer fabrics are suited to soft furnishings and upholstery as well as craft projects as some heavier weight garments.

We also have an extensive range of haberdashery and trims – we stock Gutterman and Moon threads, plain and patterned ribbons, Prym products (Scissors, pins, needles, tapes and more). If you’re in need of a sewing pattern then we have Simplicity, McCalls, Butterick, and Vogue in stock as well as fabulous patterns from indie designers Tilly & the Buttons and Sew Over It.

Our friendly staff are approachable and willing to help – from deciphering dress patterns to quoting for bespoke curtains, we pride ourselves on customer satisfaction.

Our Featured Fabrics