Sew good
No.8 of 100 things I love about Cabramatta.
One of the many delights of Cabramatta is fabric shopping! Shopping for fabric is probably the second most common reason for visitors (food being the first….obviously!). People from all over Sydney (and beyond) come in search of that one particular print, lace or silk. Many come simply for inspiration.
The number of fabric stores in Cabramatta stands at 9. If you were serious about finding a certain lace, button style or zip you’d probably have your best chance here. Often people will bring items of clothing in to stores, to find a match (in colour or trimming). This is more often than not in those stores specialising in bridal fabrics ( ie. Van Hung & Sogo). A slight mismatch in ‘white’ can be disastrous.
At every store you’d find expert advice. It seems that sewing is a skill that is highly treasured amongst the Vietnamese community and fabric store owners are expected to be custodians of such knowledge.
WARNING! The stores are SO tightly packed with rolls of fabric that the aisles are extremely narrow! Not a place to bring children….you lose sight of them too easily!
On the main street of John street, business is competitive, and thus fabric shops have become niche. Stores have chosen to stock heavily in specific fabrics to diversify from Joe Blow down the road (….or Minh Nguyen in these neck of the woods). See below for a better guide.
For cheap fabrics (eg cotton, prints,stretch & fleece) starting from $1 a metre! My mum likes to go to these two key locations (4 shops):
(1) Hung Thanh 46 Park Rd, (02) 9726 7527
(2) Tuong Hung Fabric 48 Park Rd, (02) 9727 4829
(1) & (2) are 5 metres apart
(3) Leena Thai Thuy 6/2 Hughes St
(4) Thanh Thai 3/2 Hughes St, (02) 9726 0676
(3) & (4) are 10 metres apart
For that more ‘tailored ‘ garment, eg. evening wear or dance costumes head to this store. This is where my aunt likes to get her evening and traditional Vietnamese fabrics from.
(5) My Hung Fabric Fashion 94A John St, (02) 9727 3428 – My aunt says that she would often ask the ladies here for expert advice when working with specific drapes. My Hung has 3 other stores throughout Sydney metro. Love their trimmings!
For curtains:
(6) Duy Thanh 95 John Street, (02) 9727 2917. Affordable high quality curtain fabrics – a renovator’s dream.
For Bridal, these fabrics and laces have been sourced from Japan, France, Spain etc:
(7) Van Hung Fabrics 46 John St, (02) 9726 6026. Most exquisite collection of laces. Even their ‘casual’ fabrics are higher quality than most.
(8) Sogo Fabrics 73-79 John St, (02) 9755 9922. So so.
A quick and easy guide attached to all My Hung fabrics
Such colourful shots! I remember as a child we’d spend ages in the fabric shops in Cabra. Mum used to sew everything for us (even our school uniforms) and she’d spend ages in her favourite shop My Hung. The owners have been there forever.
Hello Anna, thank you for very informative information of the local fabric shops.
I am looking for 100% cotton to use for quilting projects such as bags and small quilts. Do you know if the local fabric shops stock such fabric?
I love the button and trim pictures, I can see wonderful uses of these.
Cheers, Monica
Hi Monica,
Yes I have seen 100% cotton fabrics.
Anna
hi IHEARTCABAMATTA DO YOU HAVE aweb site please I am looking for some fabric and i live 4 hrs away
Kerrie,
I only write about fabric shops, I do not own one. Please call the fabric shops directly. They are very helpful and i’m sure they will be able to help you.
Anna
Hi my name is Pauline John justing asking what is the cheapest silk material you sell in your store colour turquise in the light colour
Hi Pauline John,
I don’t sell fabrics. However you can try calling those fabric shops I’ve listed. They are very helpful. It may be worthwhile bringing a sample of the colour or fabric you want along with you to Cabramatta. That way you can ensure the right match. You may even negotiate a price if you ate buying quite a lot!
Good luck!
Anna
Oh I haven’t included phone numbers! Give me some time and they will be updated shortly!
Hi there.
I’m from Perth and I have heard alot about a little store in Cabramatta (across the road the the train station) where material is cheap & they can hem anything you want on the spot at a cheap price. Do you happen to know of this store? As I am going on a little family trip in April, specifically for this little shop.
Thank you, Amelia
Hi Amelia,
There are two sides of Cabramatta (train station) and I am only familiar with the west side. There are a clusters of 3 fabric stores across from the train station. They are located at 2 Hughes street (where it intersects with Railway Parade).
I’m afraid I don’t know if any of them hem on the spot.
If you are looking for a seamstress that will hem on the spot, there are a couple around Cabramatta. My fav one is Therese.
Hope that helps!
Anna
P.S. I’m so happy to hear that you’ll be visiting!
Hi, just wondering if you know of a store that stocks minky fabric?
Hi Amy,
Unfortunately I’m not familiar with minky fabric. The best thing to do is to give them a call. Van Hung and My Hung have the most diverse range.
Good Luck 😉
Anna
Hi there. Great thread. Just wondering if you’ve seen prices around the $1.99 mark? I’m looking for a sturdy cotton or linen. Thanks
Hi Lauren,
You should be able to find cotton and linen in that price range (if you don’t mind dated prints!), however I don’t buy fabrics that often so I’m not sure!
Anna
Do you know of any seamstresses there ? I am looking at getting sewn simple scarves in a square shape and just being hemmed/overlooked around the edges
I got quoted $25 off of gumtree which I think is a bit ridiculous
Thanks
Hi devina,
Sorry I don’t know their rates. Best you call them directly.
Anna
Hi, I am on the hunt for silk/rayon burnout velvet. Sheer. Can you recommend the best place? I am really having trouble finding the right fabrics…….
Hi Ashleigh,
I’m afraid I don’t sew myself so am not qualified to tell you which fabric stores are best for silk/rayon burnout velvet. It’s best you call each store and ask them directly.
Good luck!
Anna
Hi I’m looking for organza fabric for wedding decorations , where is the best fabric shop to go to , I need about 4 full rolls
Hi Yvette, I visited van hung (on john street next to commonwealth bank) today and enquirer in your behalf. I’ve previously bought rolls of fabric from them to decorate my own wedding.
They quoted me $3.80 per metre, or $2.50 per metre if you purchase 20 metre or more. I’m sure if you are purchasing 4 rolls you might be able to get an even better price! $2.00?!