I thought it would be good to tell you where to buy fabric in Japan, but it would be even better to tell you about my city, Brussels! Especially since since May 2022, C'est du Joly has opened its doors in the lively Ixelles cemetery district. So here’s a non-exhaustive overview of haberdasheries in Brussels:

• C'est du Joly! in Ixelles
• Chipote et papote in Etterbeek
• Créacorner in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert
• Goldfingers in central Brussels
• Maison Dorée
• Nostex in Ixelles
• Les tissus du chien vert in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean
• The Wonderland in Ixelles/Uccle

I made a selection of shops I know because I have visited, tested, and bought from them… so I can give a genuine opinion. They are listed alphabetically, not by preference. I have deliberately excluded large chains from my selection.

C'est du Joly

Let me start by introducing C'est du Joly which, after 2 years of online-only business, opened its doors in a lively Ixelles neighborhood at 357 avenue de la Couronne. The atmosphere of the workshop-shop is meant to be zen and relaxing, and the bet is won with a shop where you feel good as soon as you step inside! The fabrics are well showcased thanks to a custom-made wooden piece of furniture that offers an easy view of the collections.

C'est du Joly specializes in Japanese fabrics but offers a wide choice of materials: you will find jersey, french terry, velvet, viscose, double gauze, minky... Eugénie is committed to offering excellent quality products... her motto: “offer products she would love to use herself!” and this is clearly reflected in the very special fabric selection of this shop.

The haberdashery is also well stocked with bias tape, piping, YKK zippers, zippers by the meter, straps, KAM/metal snaps... The product selection for bag making is well thought out, and for lingerie lovers, you will find a beautiful selection of elastics and stretch lace...

You will also find patterns for women and men as well as a selection of reference books to improve your sewing and embroidery skills.

Since summer 2022, the selection has expanded to include embroidery products as well as crochet supplies to make amigurumis. The chosen brand for these products is the well-known French brand DMC. So you will find 6-strand moulinés, thread kits, embroidery needles, as well as Happy Coton and Happy Chenille hooks and skeins. There is also a small selection of materials for traditional Japanese sashiko embroidery.

Finally, at the back of the shop is a beautiful bright workshop with a view of the garden where sewing, embroidery, and leather accessory courses are held in collaboration with Kristina Zouein from the Kinamania workshop. You can learn sewing and embroidery or even make your first leather accessories! For more advanced students, themed workshops such as kimono sewing or lingerie are offered, as well as free project workshops. Don’t hesitate to check out the course offerings, which are really nice. Moreover, public transport options are plentiful: the train station is a 7-minute walk, bus stops 95 and 71 are right outside (Thys stop), the Delta metro and trams 7, 8, and 25 are nearby. Parking is also possible on the street with paid meters.

You will also find the entire C'est du Joly range online with free delivery to Mondial Relay points for orders over €49 in Belgium, mainland France, and Luxembourg. A loyalty card is offered and works both in the online store and the physical shop. It quickly gives you a €5 voucher on your order.

Chipote et Papote

Chipote et Papote is located near the Merode metro station in Etterbeek. Séverine (and sometimes her little dog) welcomes you in a friendly atmosphere to discover her shop, which has a selection of apparel fabrics. You will mostly find cotton poplin, jersey, ribbing, some velvet… Séverine offers the brand See You at Six and sometimes Kakoun Gouchi viscose.

A small selection of haberdashery is available. Likewise, you will find a selection of patterns such as those from Maison Fauve, Ikatee, Les BG...

Chipote et Papote also has an online store.

Sewing workshops are also organized at Chipote et Papote, with options for open or themed classes.

Finally, Chipote et Papote offers printing of PDF patterns in large A0 format for €5 in black and white and €7.5 in color.

Créacorner

Créacorner is not strictly a haberdashery, but rather a DIY store. You will find everything for fine arts: paint, paper, beads, creative kitchen supplies, all kinds of glues... Their haberdashery section has grown and now has a more than respectable size that makes me want to mention it. It offers a very nice selection of coupons from the brands Frou-Frou and Petit Pan as well as pretty quilted fabric coupons and faux leather.

If you are looking for Prym snaps in all colors and shapes, you won’t be disappointed. The pattern selection is limited: you will find the ever-present Burda as well as children’s patterns from Coup Coup. The quality of advice depends on the salesperson you meet, who may be a regular or a student… so it’s better to know what you’re looking for. Prices are sometimes a bit high for a retail store. A loyalty card is offered in-store and there is also an online shop. Finally, DIY/creative workshops are offered for adults and children.

There is a small parking lot in front and the Gribaumont metro station is nearby.

Goldfingers

Goldfingers is my backup shop. Indeed, when I don’t find what I’m looking for elsewhere, I usually find the much sought-after treasure here at very reasonable prices. The fabric selection is limited but more than compensated by the huge choice of buttons, bias tape, piping… The supplies section (snaps, eyelets, needles, boning, Velcro, elastics) allows you to find what you need. If the shopfront puts you off, don’t hesitate to step inside this true Aladdin’s cave.

It is located in the central and tourist district of Brussels, right within the pedestrian zone.

Créacorner

Goldfingers

Maison Dorée

Maison Dorée is a shop located in Ixelles in the Matonge district, the African neighborhood of Brussels. This shop offers a magnificent selection of fabrics, from the most basic cotton to silk devoré, including 100% wool, velvet, lace, sequin fabrics… In short, if you want high-quality fabric, I recommend this shop. Unfortunately, the big downside of Maison Dorée lies in its customer service. Indeed, every time I go there, I notice the lack of availability and rudeness of the staff. For example, you approach two salespeople to ask for advice, you say “hello” and they keep talking about their holidays. After a “excuse me,” someone deigns to serve you… and I won’t mention the unflattering comments I have already heard salespeople make about customers. In short, if I could find the same quality fabric elsewhere, I wouldn’t go to this shop, because when I buy fabric, I appreciate the buying experience and the advice from the salesperson… It’s really a shame for this haberdashery, because even if most salespeople are rude, their advice is knowledgeable and the fabrics are of great quality.

Les tissus du chien vert

Les tissus du chien vert is a large well-established haberdashery with a decoration that alone is worth a look. The choice is immense with more than 2000 fabric references of all kinds at very reasonable prices. It should be noted that Les tissus du chien vert has a nice variety of fabrics (cotton, quilted, minky, terry cloth, cotton gauze…) certified Oeko-Tex. One can only regret that the selection is quite classic, which ultimately depends a lot on your tastes. For those who want to make good deals, head to the Puces du Chien Vert which offer discounted coupons in a 400 m² space. Its strength is also its weakness: the choice! I admit I can spend hours there without deciding… better to know what you’re looking for before going there or you risk losing a lot of time. There is a nice selection of supplies and patterns: Super Bison, Les Patronnes, Les BG, Coup Coup… Le Chien Vert has its own e-shop; shipping is always charged regardless of your order amount. Finally, they also offer sewing courses.

Note that Le Chien Vert offers curtain and drapery making services.

The Wonderland

The Wonderland is also one of my favorites because it is a haberdashery with a fabric selection I would call ethnic. Indeed, Vanessa has made an original selection of Japanese, American, and African fabrics. So you will find Kokka fabrics, wax prints… Moreover, Vanessa is a goldmine of advice and when she doesn’t have what you’re looking for, she directs you to another haberdashery. The supplies section (buttons, bias tape, and piping) is small but sufficient to find what you need. You will also find some Liberty bias tape, which is quite hard to find.

You will find a selection of patterns, including République du Chiffon, Aime comme Marie… Vanessa has a very small e-shop for supplies, and you can buy a gift card via her website, perfect for pleasing the sewers in your circle. Finally, Vanessa offers sewing courses for adults and children, from beginner to advanced levels; she can even support you in making your wedding dress! She has supported me since my sewing beginnings before I could fly on my own.

And you, where do you go to find your supplies?