Something for Everyone at the Haberdashery

Mention the word ‘haberdashery’ and it is likely that one will think of a quaint shop where a genteel man is being measured for a made to order pair of pants and perhaps a jacket or two by a bespectacled white-haired old man. While it’s true that a haberdashery is a shop that caters to men’s tailored clothes, it actually services more people in these contemporary times. You might even be surprised to find out that there is something you will want to buy in a haberdashery.

Not Your Average Store

A haberdashery today, whether it is located in an actual store in the neighborhood or found online, is a one-stop shop for so many different kinds of materials used for many purposes. It is like a fabric store, craft store and specialty supplies store all rolled into one. Haberdasheries all over the world can thank the continued rise and attention to arts and crafts and ‘made to order’ as a hobby, an economic venture or as a lifestyle alternative. A more observant eye will notice that there are more shows, magazines, websites and the like that cater to these things, which really helped draw attention to haberdasheries. Here’s why it pays to go and see one.

Something for the Clothes makers

Haberdasheries primarily service dressmakers and tailors. If you’re into sewing and dressmaking, a visit to the haberdashery (whether a brick and mortar store or an online one) is practically like a visit to a candy shop. A haberdashery will have everything that is needed in dressmaking and any other sewing project. It is actually better to visit a haberdashery than to go to a fabric shop because the former has a more extensive range of cloth to choose from, from plain cotton to fine silk and satin.

For the Craft Aficionados

Apart from materials needed in dressmaking and sewing projects, a haberdashery is also a great place to check out if you are looking for unique craft items for a variety of projects – even the ones that do not require sewing. Some of the materials you can purchase include plain and decorated ribbons, sequins in all colors of the rainbow, buttons in all shapes and sizes and so much more!

For the Toy Makers

If making plush toys is your thing, you will enjoy a visit to the haberdashery. Most haberdasheries have a section dedicated to toy components. Apart from the actual material needed for the actual body of the toy (such as canvas cloth or felt, for example), there are also special parts such as animal joints or even toy noses. These are really appreciated by both fledgling and seasoned toy makers who haven’t developed the skill to make these parts by hand or are looking for a time saving way to make more toys in less time.

For the Accessory Shop Owners

Own an Etsy shop? Have a knack making and selling women’s’ and girls’ accessories? A haberdashery is a fantastic place to replenish your essential supplies and to stock up on new and unique adornments. Most haberdasheries carry elastics, headbands, squares, Velcro’s and other basic materials to make a variety of accessories. For the decorating part, you can find attractive decors in haberdasheries that are ideal for making elegant headpieces, dainty decorative pins, funky corsages and more.

For the Bag Aficionados

image source

Those who have always dreamed of breaking into the bag making business will find that a haberdashery will have everything needed to make a basic bag. Bag handles come in a variety of materials (such as bamboo, plastic, wooden or leather, among others) and styles (curved, fish shaped, round, and more). Zippers come in different colors for when you want them to blend in or stand out, and come with either plastic or metal pulls. Again, the choice of fabric will be an enjoyable task given the extensive range of both plain and printed options.

For the Wedding Party

One of the best customers of haberdasheries are wedding party groups, as you can find everything you will need for the dress, the detailing and even the matching purse. Materials needed to make bridesmaid, Maid of Honor, flower girls and more can be sourced in all different colors and styles at a haberdashery. There are ribbon embellishments, fine laces, boning and waistbands, organza, paddings and more!

Home Textiles and Supplies

If you are looking for materials to make curtains to dress your windows with or you want to make a new sofa cover, a haberdashery will also have the materials you need. Apart from the fabric needed for the home textile project, you can also buy curtain hooks and poles, rods and tape, and a variety of decorative materials to adorn the fabric with such as tassels or bead fringing. For those who want to make new upholstery for sofas and stuffed chairs, bias tapes and trims – as well as stuffing, in some haberdasheries! – can be found there as well.

Other Materials

Haberdasheries also offer an extensive variety of tools for sewing and crafting. There are different kinds of scissors and scissor sets from an assortment of brands (and unbranded ones, too); rules grids and tape measures; and sewing machine accessories and parts such as machine bobbins, machine bulbs, machine needles and other parts.

Having mentioned all these great supplies that can be found at a haberdashery, you’ll probably get all excited and want to visit one in the soonest possible time. Prior to your visit, it is suggested that you make a list of things that you need to get for a particular project. It also helps if you already have samples or “pegs” of what you want, including colors and patterns, in order to save time while hunting for options. Measurements and quantities of fabric and other supplies are also important to ensure that you are buying what you need and not run short on something. It will also help to call prior to your visit to check if they have all the items you need, or you can probably check online if they have an updated inventory that you can peruse.