Fabric Stories

Ray Stitch (London, UK + Online)

Posted by Alice Prier on

Ray Stitch is a fabric shop very dear to our hearts, and very near to Alice & Co Patterns HQ in Islington, London, UK.  Just as the big West End stores were closing or diminishing their fabric departments, lovely Ray Stitch opened up to supply North London with its fabric fix. Alice popped in for a nose around and a zip and left with a job teaching pattern cutting! Owner Rachel Hart has an ever increasing stock of fabrics for sewing dressmaking, quilting and upholstery and a great eye for design and style. Her collection of patterns and books is...

Read more →


Cloth House (London, UK + Online)

Posted by Alice Prier on

We rummaged in our stash to find a some silk jersey to make our Senorita Blouse samples - and came out with a couple of remnant pieces from Cloth House in Berwick Street, Soho. Alice remembers Cloth House opening many moons ago when she was a theatre design student and over the years it has developed into a treasure trove of eclectic textiles specialising in natural fabrics from around the world and are very keen on ethical sourcing and recycled packaging. She also recycled the owner, Justin's, double buggy for business partner Lilia + her brother when they were babies!  On their website...

Read more →


AW Hainsworth (Yorkshire, UK + Online)

Posted by Alice Prier on

We love fabrics with a story at Alice & Co Patterns so we made our Copenhagen Coat in Vivid Hues Melton from AW Hainsworth.  This Yorkshire Mill was founded in 1783 and has a royal warrant for supplying fabric to the military - if you go to see the Trooping of the Colour at Buckingham Palace the scarlet and dark blue guardsmen's uniforms will have been made in Hainsworth Cloth. Should you be lucky enough to own a Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, or Bentley they have Hainsworth fabric lining the interiors. If you do own a car like that you probably...

Read more →


Joel & Son Fabrics (London, UK + Online)

Posted by Alice Prier on

Our Komodo Triangle Dress is made in laser-cut cotton from world famous Joel & Son Fabrics. This is where the Queen goes fabric shopping for many of her jewel-coloured outfits. She might need to get on one of her horses to get around this vast shop full of eye popping colours and textures. If Joel's hasn't got it, probably no-one has! They have a worldwide reputation, so you may find yourself browsing alongside some exotic princesses! It's all top dollar here but top quality too - their carrier bags are so deluxe you can almost use them handbag! There's some market stalls outside...

Read more →


Fashion Enter (London, UK + Online)

Posted by Alice Prier on

Alice's Helicopter Top + Trousers are made in some cheap and cheerful georgette from Fashion Enter. This innovative company has a factory producing garments for companies such as ASOS, M&S and Finery, a sampling studio for up-and-coming designers and a teaching academy for those wanting a career in the fashion industry. It is also where Alice taught pattern-cutting for a couple of years! Look at their website for details of their monthly fabric sales and online shopping.  Fashion Enter FC Fabric Studio, Unit 14, Crusader Estate, 167 Hermitage Road, N4 1LZ

Read more →