Back again with another installment of our global fabric shopping series! Today, we're thrilled to have Gayatri from Sew She Writes joining us. She previously shared her favorite Oliver + S patterns with us, and now she's taking us on a fabric shopping journey through Singapore. Thank you so much for being here, Gayatri!
When you shop for fabric in a foreign country, you'll quickly realize that sewing terminology doesn't always translate easily. To help you navigate, we created the Sewing Translator, which many of you have contributed to and used. We hope it will be just as helpful to you during your travels. Available in 14 different languages, the Sewing Translator is now even easier to access if you have an iPhone or iPad—you can download it and use it offline. Give it a try next time you're abroad!
Welcome to Singapore! Known as "The Red Dot" due to its small size on most maps, this city-state isn't typically thought of as a go-to destination for fabric shopping. However, having lived here for nearly five years, I've uncovered some hidden gems—some stumbled upon by chance and others recommended by fellow bloggers. I'm excited to share my top picks with you today.
[Image description: A bustling street scene filled with fabric shops]
There’s one outlet of an Australian fabric store called Spotlight located here. While it’s not my personal favorite spot in Singapore, it does offer decent options for trims, elastic, Guterman thread (the only place I’ve found it locally), and quilting supplies. If you're looking to explore the city more thoroughly, though, there are plenty of other places offering lower prices and marginally better service.
Next up is Arab Street. Stretching between Beach Road to the southeast and Victoria Street to the northwest, this area is lined with fabric stores and tailoring shops, alongside vendors selling Persian rugs and Middle Eastern knick-knacks. Arab Street is ideal if you're looking for special occasion fabrics like expensive French lace, luxurious silks, high-end Egyptian cotton for shirts, chiffon, silk crepe, and Italian designer fabrics. Although bargaining isn't common in Singapore, a little negotiation seems acceptable here. Personally, I don’t frequent this area often since I rarely need silk, chiffon, or lace, but wandering through occasionally is enjoyable. With some digging, you might discover great deals. Many shops are long and narrow, sometimes spanning two floors, so take the time to explore deeper. At first, the salespeople may seem overly enthusiastic, but reassuring them multiple times that you're just browsing usually gets them to leave you alone.
[Image description: Rows of colorful fabrics hanging in a shop]
Another fantastic place to shop for fabrics is in Chinatown. Most of the fabric stalls are located within the People’s Park Complex market—not to be mistaken for the People’s Park Centre across the street, which also houses fabric stores. Shopping here lacks any frills—it’s not air-conditioned! But the upside? Prices are fantastic. For $6 SGD per meter, you can find an impressive range of Japanese cotton. A slight increase in price grants access to various linens, denims, wool blends, and some silks. Need tulle for a fabulous tutu? This is where you’ll find it in every shade imaginable. Glittery fabrics and sequins? Chinatown has got you covered. The only challenge here is finding a good selection of knit fabrics. And nothing opens before 11 a.m., at the earliest!
Here’s a quick rundown of my favorites:
Malin Textiles: Offers exceptionally friendly service, with a solid selection of Japanese cotton, canvas blends, crepes, lightweight wools, and poly-cotton blends—all for just $3 SGD per meter. Perfect for testing out patterns!
Lye Nai Shiong: Your one-stop-shop for notions such as zippers, thread, elastic, interfacing, trims, laces, buttons, and needles. Service varies, and the store is perpetually busy, making it less ideal for casual browsing but perfect for targeted purchases.
Terence and Sylvie: A smaller boutique with a strong lineup of European fabrics including linens, suiting fabrics, and voiles. Prices aren’t the lowest, but the quality makes up for it.
Brighton House Accessories: A quirkier alternative to Lye Nai Shiong for trims and sewing tools, plus an extensive selection of buttons (sold individually). They also stock a nice variety of Japanese cottons in different weights. Occasionally, I’ve spotted some Cotton + Steel fabrics here too.
Nicole Xavier and Fabricity: Two high-end stores tucked away in Chinatown. Nicole Xavier primarily stocks Liberty Tana Lawn, featuring both the current and previous seasons’ collections, along with select premium European fabrics. While pricey, it’s a delightful place to admire the beautiful prints. Fabricity also boasts stunning fabrics, though the selection is limited. The staff are incredibly helpful, and you can often find good deals.
Last but certainly not least is Sing Mui Heng. With two locations—one in the People’s Park Centre (opposite the aforementioned stores) and a larger warehouse in the Outram/Tiong Bahru neighborhood—their offerings are impressive. Located in a quirky 15-story warehouse building housing numerous home furnishing and antique stores, I stumbled upon this gem accidentally and was thrilled by what I found. Most of their fabrics are woven, but they’ve recently expanded into knits, minkies, double gauzes, and flannels. Their woven cotton collection is extensive, featuring renowned brands like Robert Kaufman, Riley Blake, Tilda, Leicen, Art Gallery Fabrics, and more. They also carry interfacing, trims, buttons, quilting supplies, and now offer Liberty fabrics. Everything is neatly arranged and well-displayed, and the staff are quite knowledgeable. Not everyone speaks fluent English, but there’s always someone available who can assist. I struggle to visit without purchasing something!
[Image description: A shopper admiring rolls of fabric in Sing Mui Heng]
Whew! That’s quite a list for such a small island. Whether you're a seasoned sewer or just starting out, Singapore offers an unexpectedly rich array of fabric shopping experiences. Thanks for tagging along!
[Image description: A fabric shop interior with vibrant colors]
Until next time, happy sewing!
[Image description: A sewing machine set against a backdrop of fabric swatches]
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