Crafty Supplies

Pic from Nie Nie Dialogues

I am still yet to find a beautiful haberdashery or wool shop in Manncy town that I can fall in love with like Mood or BJ's in NY infact the whole garment district was inspirational. I used to run there on my lunch break to get my button fix - oooo I do love me some buttons. I also loved my china town stores with their chaotic madness and bargains, I actually went there most of the time and often came back with tonnes of stuff I was never looking for - as you do. The wool shops were amazing too there was that knitting shop on 14th street on the eastside and the one near union square and or the Lion Brand shop, the shop in Brooklyn where I took classes, the one in Greenwich and I forgot there was even a nice one in my building * big dreamy sigh* They were all so pretty and I loved the fact you could sit down and have a knit and have a cup of tea or coffee in some of them. I had the best coffee in my life from that 14th street one and it was free - that was also the shop where I was told about the internet site for fatties but I won't go into that one right now.

Point is I am on the hunt for my Manchester equivalent. A nice fabric shop (got to stop saying store) and a gorgeous friendly wool shop that has the variety and inspiration.

When I hear of any new sources I will let have to jot them down on here but these are the ones I have been to or know of so far.

Leon's Fabric Superstore - Chorlton, Manchester (One of the most local and I guess one of the biggest supplies - I like it but it's not Love)
Abakhan- (Maybe my closest actually - O.K supplies wise and ok on price too)
Hobby Craft - Stockport went and looked at the wool section this weekend actually was pleasantly surprised, It ain't Michaels though - that U.S Craft shop was great for a bargain.
Bambers - I know they sell and fix sewing machines and they have some workshops but I think they might sell fabrics too I am yet to go and see.
John Lewis I think they sell fabric in both stores but the Cheadle one is the better one- or is that classed as Hanforth Dean?
Sew In - I remember them having some nice wool but I didn't get to look the last time I went in because I was in a rush and the lady was sooo frosty with me I was really put off. I will try again tho- everybody has their off days.
There is one I visited in Hyde the other day I want to say it is called the Sewing Box but I think I could be lying so will double check.

Then there are some that are listed and I don't know even know if they exist... The recession has put a lot of small businesses out. (If and when I find out they are non existent I will take them off the list... it would be a lot easier if they all had websites ho hum)
Craft World - The Lowry Outlet is supposed to have a wool section.
Busy Hands - Old Street Ashton Under Lyne
The Craft Shop - Audenshaw Rd- Audenshaw
Wool n Stuff - Wood street, Middleton
Janet's - Bolton Rd, Pendlebury

Whilst I was at the knitting doo daa on Sunday I was also told that around Bury Market there are some great wool shops and stalls on the market. I kinda love a nosey round the market so I am hoping and me and me ma can take a trip down there this week (why waste time eh)

Ohh and just found another in Salford - called "Razzle Dazzle’em" sounds like a Bobby dazzler!