June 25, 2012

Review: Rathdowne Fabrics


Rathdowne Fabrics is a little to close to my house for my comfort. It is an easy walk and an easy place to spend a lot of money on fabric...

It is basically a big shed or warehouse full of fabulous fabric and notions. The ladies are lovely and the fabric is super easy to peruse. I really like how the fabrics are sorted according to type. Knits, swimwear, rib trim, craft cotton, corduroy, silk, dress, printed sateen... The list goes on.

If you're after t-shirt material, I've had great success at Rathdowne Fabrics. And out the back, there is a whole section of upholstery fabric.
Store Details
Store: Rathdowne Fabrics, 154-158 Victoria Street, Brunswick (near Lygon Street)
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 8.00am - 4.30pm & Saturday 9.00am - 3.00pm.
Parking: Limited parking spots out the front but plenty of street parking. 
Access: It can be a bit tricky to get down the aisles with a pram, but there is plenty of room around the counter to park it.
Extras: Public transport options (Lygon & Sydney Road trams), good coffee around the corner on Lygon Street, near other fabric shops on Lygon Street (Clegs and GJ Fabrics), limited seating for uninterested shopping partners.

All in all it is a great shop with lovely and helpful service, a great selection of basic and fancy fabrics, a great knit selection, and a large range of notions and supplies. The only thing is it can be a bit hit and miss with the fabric (so you just have to come back again!)
This is what my latest haul looks like.

I've got a charcoal knit merino for another Renfrew, a spotted denim for a skirt, a textured spot knit for a casual tshirt, a lovely super soft Collette Dinnigan cotton for a Hazel dress (even though I don't have the pattern yet), some swimwear fabric for a new swimsuit for our upcoming Fiji holiday and a geometric cotton.


I'm not sure why this view from our back deck is one of my favourites but it is. Maybe it is something to do with the tin roofs, galvanised fence and autumn leaves.  You can see my fabric and elastic drying on the washing line.

Happy, happy days!

L x






5 comments:

  1. That indeed is a great view! I live in Brisbane but would travel to Melbourne for work in another life and LOVED Rathdowne Fabrics. Not that I need more fabric but hope to get back to Melbourne soon for a girlie weekend. It is so lucky for you that you can walk there!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi, I just found your blog. I will read it all as I have time and subscribe. I like the scene from your deck also because it encapsulates Australia life and we have a rich and interesting history of which corrugated iron is a big part. I'm from North Queensland but lived in Broken Hill for 8 yrs and there was lots and lots of roofing iron...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the review. I live in Bayside Melbourne but have never made it to Rathdowne. If I am up that way I go to The Fabric Store (and spend way too much on Marc Jacob prints and knit). I have been reading through your blog and I love your post on your swimsuit - I am going to give it a try. I was in Myer yesterday and picked up a lovely Seafolly Tankini and it was $129.95! That is why I sew. Great blog - do you sew for your boys?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by! I do sew for my boys. Mainly shorts and pants plus a few button up shirts and hoodies. I am about to embark on the shorts for summer!

      Delete

 
Sew Brunswick © 2013.

Design by The Blog Boat