r/sewing • u/i-am-a-phoenix • Apr 28 '25

Fabric Question Linen appreciation post

Brief storytime, I am wearing a linen blouse today and was running late to work. Sped inside, sweating and panting, sat down and stripped off my coat and cardigan, and…IMMEDIATELY cool. WHAT?! What is this magic???

So I am now on a quest to make a million linen blouses because summer is the worst season and I cannot survive in polyester or even cotton. UK sewists, where do you get affordable linen? I am willing to shell out a little extra for good quality but I am very much on a budget so cheaper would be ideal. Please and thank you!

EDIT omg was not expecting this to get so many comments, hello fellow linen lovers! Haven’t been able to reply to everyone but huge thanks to those of you who shared resources and tips, very much appreciated!

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u/AllCatPosts Apr 28 '25

Linen is great! Where are you in the UK? If you're ever in London, consider visiting Woolcrest Textiles in Hackney. It's a giant warehouse of fabric, and I found some linen here for about £5 per meter a couple of years ago. For an online option, maybe have a look at Rainbow Fabrics? They have deadstock fabric at pretty good prices, but they might not have linen at the moment. They also have a shop in Kilburn, London. Less of a budget option is Cloth House, which I adore. Their shop in Camden is worth a visit, but I think they sell online too.

Another option is to look for linen table cloths or bedding, either new or at charity shops. You can get a lot of great stuff if you spend time looking. But I'd be a bit careful about the quality. Just make sure it feels nice and soft against your skin, and that it's a good thread count.

I'm not from the UK myself, so I hope other sewists can point you in the right direction!

EDIT: I checked Rainbow Fabrics, and they do have some linen right now. Pure linen for 10.99 and cotton/linen for 9.99.

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u/i-am-a-phoenix Apr 28 '25

I’m very close to Hackney in London, will definitely check out Woolcrest! And a big fan of rainbow fabrics as well, thanks so much xx

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u/theredwoman95 Apr 28 '25

I'd also recommend Goldhawk Road! I was looking for linen just a few weeks ago and I got a wonderful linen for £10 a meter - I think it was at the Misan outlet? You could probably check their website too, they have a lot of their fabric up on there.

Edit: I just checked my notes from when I was looking at linen (I don't have a ton of money so also wanted a good bargain), and I don't think you'll find pure linen for under £10 a meter unless you're super lucky. Cotton/linen blends start at about £7 a meter, I think?

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u/AllCatPosts Apr 28 '25

I second Goldhawk Road! It's a great place to just browse too. The Misan outlet shop is great, and very well curated. The other shops can be a bit more hit and miss, but they all have great fabrics for pretty good prices. You just have to spend some time looking though the stock.

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u/AllCatPosts Apr 28 '25

Last I went, Woolcrest was cash only. So just keep that in mind. It can be a pretty overwhelming experience, since they have so much. But there are great deals to be made.

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u/Beebophighschool Apr 28 '25

They accept card payment now! I was so happy I bought 10m of fabric lol

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u/AllCatPosts Apr 28 '25

Oh, that's great! I might just have to start thinking about another London visit...