image above via Diary of Dinners After last week’s top 50 wallpaper sources post, I started getting requests for all sorts of “top” lists for basic home resources. So today I decided to write one for my favorite design essential: fabric! If I had to give up everything in my home and only focus on one key design element, it would be fabric. Everything in my being responds to fabric — I love bright colors, playful patterns, and interesting textures. And man, find me a great striped fabric and you have a friend for life. So today I thought I’d round up my top 20 fabric resources, ranging from inexpensive and vintage designs to higher-end trade studios. I’ll keep it real and say that I am not a fan of trade-only designs. I understand why designers do it, but I only recommend trade-only fabric if I think it’s definitely worth the extra cost of hiring a designer or consultant to buy. So 99% of these sources will be open to the public because beautiful fabric should be available to everyone, trade or not.

Have a favorite fabric studio or shop that’s missing here? Feel free to add it below! I’m always looking for great places to buy fabric. Resources are listed in no particular order. Purl Soho: This NYC institution is my go-to shop for great fabrics online or in person. They have a phenomenal collection of colorful basics and imported designs from Japan. Repro Depot: Repro is closed for the summer (due to open again soon) but when they re-open, they’ll resume being one of the best places to buy affordable fabrics and vintage/retro-style textiles online. Ikea: The strength of Ikea’s fabric collection improves every year. Though the ease of procuring it in person depends on the customer service quality at your local store, you can often buy their newer styles online. Their modern florals are my favorite. Marimekko: Marimekko’s bold designs are always a good choice if you need a strong dash of color and pattern. Hable Construction: Ok, trade-only alert.

Hable only sells their fabric design to the trade, but I’m hoping that if I keep begging them every year, they’ll eventually change their policy. They make my favorite pattern in the world (Beads in Green Bean) and are definitely worth the extra fee of hiring a designer or D&D building to order for you. Update: the Hable team told me that they now have “Hable Design Service” and can facilitate fabric orders and serve as your designer! Skinny LaMinx: I’ve loved watching South African designer Heather Moore expand her collection of textiles over the years. White German Shepherd For Sale PriceHer playful style has a slightly retro feel but always comes in a modern color palette.Best Ceiling Fan With Light Singapore Studio Bon: Bonnee Sharp’s sophisticated patterns are in my top three at all times. Red Lobster T Shirt

They’re the perfect combination of fun and ladylike. Mod Green Pod: Eco-friendly fabrics in playful patterns. Their “Aspire” pattern in grey is one of my current loves. Ebay: Ebay is an endless source for amazing vintage (and new) fabric. Whether you’re looking for vintage Swedish textiles or discount patterns from contemporary designers, someone’s selling it here. (The craft section is great for inexpensive options.) Just Scandinavian: If you lust after Josef Frank’s iconic patterns like I do, this shop is a must. They stock most of Mr. Frank’s patterns. (For the majority of Frank patterns, you need to call to place an order, but you can view the pattern, price, and availability online.) Textile Arts: This great online boutique sells a nice selection of Marimekko, Ljungbergs, and Mod Green Pod fabric. Imagine Fabric: A nice one-stop shop for fabrics from designers like Joel Dewberry and Amy Butler. Hancock’s: Hancock’s may not be super cutting-edge, but they are a great source for basics like toile, plaid, and stripes.

Joann Fabrics: Ditto for Joann Fabrics. Not the “coolest” right off the bat, but they have a great collection of classic designs for reasonable prices. Frelis: I love their basic linens. I’ve been dying to find a place to use their “Wasabi” linen. Contemporary Cloth: This website could use a little face lift, but they stock a nice range of designer, organic, and simple cotton fabrics. Modern Fabrics: If you like classic designs from companies like KnollTextiles and Maharam, this shop has you covered with sophisticated designs. Rubie Green: Super chic fabrics (I have the zig zag fabric on my office chair) from Lonny Magazine‘s Michelle Adams. Sew Mama Sew: A nice selection of small and large-scale prints. Etsy: Etsy is a great spot to find up and coming designers. Some of my favorites are Kalla, Melbomba, and Frumafar. Spoonflower: Custom printed fabrics at reasonable prices from new and up-and-coming designers. You can also print you own designs!

Zarin Fabrics is the largest resource of discounted designer fabrics in New York City and the surrounding tri-state area.  Established in 1936, this third generation family-owned business is a three-floor fabric wonderland stocked with thousands of bolts of upholstery and drapery fabrics.  Zarin offers a wide selection of furniture, lighting, home accessories, ready made drapes, drapery hardware, upholstery supplies and trimmings from all of the most recognized brands in the home furnishings industry.  Zarin Fabrics also offers full decorating services, and is a certified Hunter Douglas Centurion Showcase dealer carrying the exclusive Alustra line of window fashions. Zarin's vast selection of fabrics is unsurpassed by its competitors.  Its famous fabric warehouse holds millions of yards of fabric, so you can choose your fabric and take it home with you the same day!  It also allows you to see the entire pattern, and not just a sample memo like in most fabric showrooms.  Imagine the convenience of one stop shopping for all of your home decorating needs at prices well below retail! 

A favorite of decorators and set designers, Zarin has been a resource for many theater productions, films and television shows such as “30 Rock”, “Gossip Girl”, “Cashmere Mafia”, “Lipstick Jungle”, “The Real Housewives of New York City”, “Law & Order”, “Sex and the City”, “What's Your Sign Design?” and Zarin is proud to have created the complete set decoration for “The Gastineau Girls II” for E! Zarin is also a resource of the restaurant and events trades. Zarin Fabrics has earned the trust of generations of satisfied customers as evidenced by their continued patronage.  The knowledgeable sales staff and reliable custom labor service has earned the company recognition from ABC Eyewitness news which called Zarin's "...the best source in town or anywhere for bargains and discounts on fabric, upholstery and window treatments for over 50 years". The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences honored Zarin Fabrics with a Five Star Diamond Award for the "Best of the Best Fabric" and Zagat has rated Zarin as the number one resource for drapery and upholstery fabric in New York City.