Where to Buy Vintage, Reclaimed and Deadstock Fabric in the UK

There are some bits of sewing that feel like a bit of a bother (piecing together home-printed patterns - ugh!) But one thing that never fails to bring me joy is the treasure hunt for sustainable, unique, and budget-friendly materials. Right at the top of my list are vintage, reclaimed, and deadstock fabrics - the kind with a story to tell. When I first started sewing at 14, these types of fabric were tricky to track down. But now, with more people embracing slow and sustainable making, there’s a glorious abundance of brands offering beautiful reclaimed textiles, both here in the UK and beyond.

Today, I’m sharing my favourite places to find these fabrics, plus everything you need to know before diving into the world of deadstock fabric for yourself. 

What are Vintage, Reclaimed and Deadstock Fabric?

Before we jump into the list of my go-to spots, let's define what vintage, reclaimed and deadstock fabrics are:

• Deadstock Fabric: This is surplus material left over from the fashion industry. It might be fabric that’s overordered, out of season, or has slight imperfections, but it’s still perfectly usable. It may also include limited edition fabric that is no longer needed. The beauty of deadstock is its exclusivity—small quantities mean you’re unlikely to find the same piece twice!

• Vintage Fabric: True vintage fabrics are older than 20 years and often feature prints, weaves, and fibres that you don’t see in modern materials. Using vintage fabric can add character to your makes in a way that modern fabric can't. 

• Reclaimed Fabric: This refers to material salvaged from other textiles, like curtains, bed linens, or secondhand clothing. It’s a treasure trove for anyone who loves upcycling or creating something entirely new from something old. 

Why Choose These Fabrics?

There are so many reasons to buy vintage, reclaimed and deadstock fabrics - so much that I've become a little obsessed with it! Here are just a few:

Sustainability: By working with materials that might otherwise go to waste, you’re reducing demand for newly manufactured textiles, which often come with a hefty environmental cost. 

Designer fabrics: Lots of deadstock fabrics are ex-designer, so you're likely to be able to find high-quality fabrics from some of the best textile mills for a fraction of the price.

Uniqueness: Limited amounts mean fewer people with the same fabric so you can truly create something unique

Cost: Deadstock and reclaimed fabrics are much more affordable than their new equivalents

Where to Find Deadstock, Vintage, and Reclaimed Fabric in the UK

Online Stores

1. Rainbow Fabrics 

   Rainbow Fabrics is probably favourite my place to shop for deadstock fabrics. They have a huge range of surplus fabric, offering great choice from knits to wool to cotton and even the occasional deadstock silks.
   
   Their jersey section deserves a special mention - Rainbow Fabrics get some excellent quality knit fabrics that are difficult to find elsewhere. But the best part is their prices. Their fabrics are always affordable and they also have regular sales on top so you can find some real bargains. I recently bought fabric to make curtains for my whole living room for less than £3 a meter. Such good value!

2. The New Craft House 

   The New Craft House is such a gem for finding special deadstock pieces. They carefully curate surplus fabrics from designer brands and fashion houses, and you can really tell they're passionate about sustainable sewing.

   While their prices can be higher than some other deadstock shops, the quality matches the price tag, and knowing you're getting designer fabric at a fraction of the original cost means you still feel like you're getting a bargain. Their newsletter is worth signing up for so you can be notified about their drops. I've found their most beautiful pieces tend to sell out quickly!

3. Sew Me Sunshine
   Sew Me Sunshine has a lovely mix of ex-designer deadstock fabric and new sustainable fabrics. Their deadstock selection features a wide variety of colours and compositions, and I love that they clearly label everything so you know exactly what you're getting.

   They also have a super friendly community around them and their customer service is brilliant. Prices are mid-range and good for the quality you're getting.

4. Cloth House
   Cloth House feels like stepping into a fabric treasure trove. While their new fabrics are beautiful, they also have a dedicated section for reclaimed fabrics that's absolutely worth browsing. What makes them special is their eye for unique, often historical fabrics - beautiful old linens, vintage prints, and deadstock that is often completely unique.

   They're particularly good for natural fibres and unusual weaves that you won't find anywhere else. While not the cheapest option, their fabrics have such character that they're worth spending a little more on for special projects.

5. Last Yarn
   While I haven't personally shopped at Last Yarn, I felt they needed to be included here because they're a little bit special! Selling unusual ex-designer fabric, Last Yarn offer a huge range of niche fabrics that are perfect for fashion design students and others who are looking for fabrics that are out of the ordinary.

   What's lovely about them is their transparency - they tell you exactly which brands the fabrics have come from and where they were made. Their website makes it easy to filter by fiber content, weight, and stretch percentage, which is helpful when shopping online. 

6. Fabric Godmother
   Known for their bold, colourful range of new fabrics, Fabric Godmother also has a deadstock section that lives up to their reputation. Sourced from luxury design houses and high end high street brands, their fabrics are versatile and beautiful.

   Their descriptions are detailed and honest, and they include helpful information about weight, drape, and transparency. 

7. Simply Fabrics

Simply Fabrics is a hidden gem where patience pays off. Their ex-designer section is a mixed bag, made up of some unusual weaves and prints alongside some lovely simple denims and linens.

If you can get to their physical shop in Brixton you'll find mountains of fabrics to sort through at really excellent prices. It's definitely a place to hunt through, rather than a curated collection, but their prices are some of the best around.

8. Haines Collection
If you're into upholstery projects, Haines Collection is the place for you. They specialise in beautiful upholstery and soft furnishing fabrics. Think country house style with a contemporary edge. Yes, their prices are higher, but upholstery fabric is always expensive, and their quality is worth it.

Their deadstock selection features fabrics from high-end interior design companies, often in generous cuts that are perfect for reupholstering furniture or making gorgeous cushions. The website shows some of the fabrics alongside Little Greene paint sample cards so you can get a good idea of colour before you order.

9. Merchant & Mills
Merchant & Mills has such a distinct aesthetic and is one of my absolute favourite places to shop for fabric. Their small deadstock section tends to feature beautiful linens, cottons, and wools in muted, earthy tones. The quality is consistently excellent, and while not cheap, everything I've bought from them has lasted for years.

Their website presents everything beautifully with clear, detailed descriptions and lovely photography that gives you a good sense of the fabric's texture and weight. They also offer helpful suggestions for what each fabric might be suitable for.

10. Etsy
You’ll find countless small sellers offering vintage and deadstock fabric on Etsy. The trick is to be specific in your searches - try terms like "vintage linen UK" or "designer deadstock wool" to narrow things down, and use the search filters if needed.

Prices vary enormously, but will generally be higher than on another marketplace like Facebook or Vinted. Some of my favorite Etsy shops for vintage and deadstock fabric include Suzie Sharp Vintage and Sew Much Moor.

Charity and Reuse Shops

1. TRAID: TRAID’s mission to keep textiles in use means you can find reclaimed fabric alongside secondhand clothes.

2. Emmaus Vintage: Often overlooked, Emmaus stores are wonderful for finding vintage and reclaimed fabrics like curtains and tablecloths.

3. Local Charity Shops: Don’t underestimate your local charity shop - I've found some real gems in the form of vintage bedsheets and old curtains!

Online Marketplaces​

The rise of secondhand shopping has brought with it a boom in online marketplaces, of which the most popular in the UK are Vinted, Facebook Marketplace and eBay. While they are best known for other items, all three of these platforms are fabulous sources of secondhand fabric. They each have their own strengths - I tend to find Vinted the best for newer fabrics, though they can be a little pricey with shipping. Facebook is great for quilting supplies and remnants, but is very cheap. eBay is an excellent source of vintage and harder to find fabrics, which may be more pricey but can be super special.

Now you know where to source your fabric, you might like to take a look at this post with some of my favourite cottagecore sewing patterns.

You might like …