Fabric Shopping in Paris: My Expert Guide & 2025 Haul

Hello, my creative friends!

I’m just back from one of my favorite trips of the year—my annual creative pilgrimage for fabric shopping in Paris! This is my 6th or 7th trip in the last decade, and it’s a ritual I look forward to all year. I go to recharge my batteries, soak in the art, and, of course, visit my favorite fabric shops.

But this year… this year was different. This year was extra special.

Why? Because this time, I traveled with my girlfriends and our teen daughters.

Now, my friends may not be sewists. They may not fully understand the need to travel 4,362 miles for fabric. But they are a wonderful, supportive group of women. Sometimes in life, people don’t understand what you are doing, why you are doing it, or how you’re putting things together, and they disengage.

Not these women.

They were right there with me in the beautiful chaos of the fabric shops. They didn’t just tag along; they jumped right in, offering opinions, helping me pick out fabrics, and—this is the best part—they insisted on helping me carry all the heavy bolts and bags. In fact, before we left the States for my fabric shopping in Paris, I tried to dissuade them from coming on this part of the journey. They both insisted, while we allowed our teens to explore safely.

That support meant the world to me. Travel means different things to different individuals, and having the support of friends like this is, quite frankly, epic. It was a beautiful reminder that while sewing can be a solo passion, the joy of it is amplified when you’re surrounded by people who love and support you.

So, this post is dedicated to them. This is our 2025 Paris adventure, my expert guide to the district they helped me conquer, and the haul they helped me carry.

My Pro-Tips for Your Fabric Pilgrimage

Before we dive into the shops, let’s talk logistics. This is my expert-level advice from years of experience.

1. Dedicate the Day:

This is not a two-hour stop. I would strongly suggest that you set aside an entire day on your agenda for this. This gives you time to explore without rushing, grab a bite to eat at a local bistro, and really soak it all in.

2. How to Get There (And the Stair Warning!)

The best train station stops for the district are Anvers and Abbesses.

• A note on Abbesses: Get ready for a workout! This station is a beautiful trap. It’s the deepest metro station in Paris, plunging you 36 meters (over 118 feet!) underground. To get back up to the street, you have two choices: wait in line for one of the two elevators, or climb the legendary, art-filled spiral staircase. And when I say climb, I mean it—it’s 176 steps! It is no joke, especially if you’re planning to haul fabric on your way back. If you’d rather save your energy for shopping, I recommend using the Anvers stop. It’s a much more direct and flatter walk to the main shops.

• A Quick Warning: As with any public transportation, be mindful of your surroundings and watch out for pickpockets. Ladies and gents, this is not the time to bring your oversized American tote bags or book bags. The train can be extremely crowded. If you have a fear of crowds or are claustrophobic, this is not for you, especially during rush hours or peak times. My friends and I (in November) were literally squashed into a people mover. Take a slingback, a fanny pack (if you want to look fully American), or a crossbody, and hold it in front of your body. Also, make sure your jacket or coat has zipper pockets, or just don’t put anything in your coat pocket.
• If you are going to be in Paris for more than two full days and you are be-bopping all over the city, I strongly suggest a RATP Metro Paris card linked to your phone. If you have an iPhone, add the electronic Metro card to your Apple Wallet, and voilà, you are good to go like an expert traveler.

3. Explore Everything

Once you’re there, my biggest piece of advice for fabric shopping in Paris is to walk around the entire district first. The shops I’m listing below are my personal go-tos, but there are so many more than I can list here. You’ll find tiny shops specializing in nothing but notions, others just for buttons, and accessories for days. Let yourself get lost.

4. The Most Important Tip… for fabric shopping in Paris

Pack a separate, empty suitcase. No, I’m not kidding. This district deserves its own luggage. I always pack one, but you can also easily buy a cheap one there. This time I packed my pink Barbie color ,Nobl suitcase (read the creative review here) but because of a logistical mishap, all my fault. I didn’t bring it during my fabric shopping. Trust me, you will not regret it.

The Art & Soul of Montmartre: Inspiration for Sewists

Now, on to the “why.” Before it was a fabric district, Montmartre (the “Butte”) was the creative and bohemian heart of Paris. This is the historic hill where artists like Pierre Auguste Renoir and Pablo Picasso, and Toulouse-Lautrec lived, worked, and changed the face of art. Even the train stations are a portrait of art.

You can still feel that creative energy in the air. For me, fabric shopping in Montmartre, Paris (pronounced Mo-Mart-ruh) isn’t just a transaction; it’s a continuation of that artistic tradition, much like when I was in Athens. The fabric shops here are, in their own way, the modern-day studios of this creative hub.

My Go-To Fabric Shops in Montmartre: A Veteran’s Guide

After you’ve explored, here are the “can’t-miss” spots my friends and I hit. These are my four essential stops:

1. Marché Saint-Pierre (Dreyfus) This is the anchor. You can’t miss it—it’s the massive 6-floor “grand department store” of fabric. The vibe can be a little chaotic, but it’s where I go for my staples and to see a huge variety all in one place. You’ll find upholstery, novelty fabrics, basics, and a truly impressive selection of silks and wools. My pro-tip: Start on the top floor and work your way down!

2. Les Coupons de St Pierre This is my “treasure hunt” spot. This shop is famous for selling pre-cut 3-meter ‘coupons’ of fabric, and you can find the most incredible high-end designer remnants here. An update from this trip: They’ve changed the layout. Sadly, all the apparel fabrics are now upstairs, while the notions are downstairs. The apparel section feels a bit smaller, but there is a decent new selection of upholstery fabrics. The quality is still very high (though not cheap!) with lots of beautiful silks and tweeds to choose from. And in a moment that just felt so wonderfully familiar, the exact same person who cut my fabric on my last trip cut it for me again this time!

3. Merveilles de St Pierre This is where you find the “jewelry.” After you have your main fabrics, this is your next stop. Don’t let the small storefront fool you. This is my go-to for the “extras”—a wonderful, floor-to-ceiling selection of high-quality buttons, unique trims, zippers, and all the notions you need to give your project that perfect, professional finish. This is where you find the buttons that make the coat.

4. Au Gentlemans des Cuirs This is my expert-level secret. If you are ever interested in sewing with genuine leather or suede, you must stop here. It’s a specialist shop that sells high-quality hides for apparel. The selection is incredible, and it’s the perfect place to find a unique piece of leather for a moto jacket or a statement skirt. A true gem for any sewist looking to level up their craft.

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The Official 2025 “Paris Fabric Haul” (Friend-Approved!)

And now, for the reason we brought that extra suitcase! This haul is entirely different from my last one in 2023 because the things on my sewing table are different. My haul was small but mighty this year. I focused on quality over quantity, coming home with 10 beautiful pieces for under €400.

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1. The Statement Silks & Prints

My heart will always belong to a beautiful, printed silk.

• The Teal & Orange Print: This was the one that stopped me in my tracks at Les Coupons de St Pierre. This print is just… me. The colors are a rich, unexpected combination of deep teal, fiery orange, and burgundy. The fabric itself is a silky, fluid print with a gorgeous drape. By the way, my friend picked this fabric too.
• The “Made in Italy” Red: You just can’t beat a classic. This is a stunning, vibrant red cady with a beautiful weight. The “Made in Italy” on the selvage is just a little promise of the quality. This is destined for a holiday celebration dress or a power blazer.

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2. The Luxe Textures

This trip, I was also on the hunt for unique textures.

• The Green/Silver Brocade: This is my “treasure” from Les Coupons! This is a heavyweight, incredible brocade with metallic threads that catch the light. It has enough structure for a jacket or a statement skirt.

• The Faux Snake Skin: I couldn’t resist this. This faux leather has an incredible snake-skin texture and a metallic gold sheen. It’s so edgy and cool! I’m picturing a moto-style jacket or a really sharp pencil skirt. As a bonus, it has a jean color base and about 20% stretch. I paid 5 Euro for 3 meters.

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3. The Winter Workhorses

Finally, I picked up a few sophisticated, everyday fabrics.

• The Dusty Rose and Paris Rouge Fleece: This was my “practical” purchase. This mauve-y, dusty-rose sweatshirt fleece is unbelievably soft. It will become a beautiful tracksuit this winter. Think elevated adidas track suit. Stay tuned for all the juicy deets. I also bought another three meters in Paris rouge. So much to sew.
• The Navy Textured Crepe: This (the navy blue fabric in the stack) is such a beautiful, versatile piece. It has a subtle, pebbled texture and would be perfect for chic trousers or a structured wrap skirt.

By the way, my friends picked out both of those fabrics. I love them.

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My Plans… And Where I Need Your Help!

Now comes the fun part: committing to a project! My head is spinning with ideas, but I would absolutely love to hear what you think. This part of fabric shopping in Paris is always the most exciting.

• What would you make with that vibrant teal and orange print?
• Should the red silk be a dress or a top?
• What’s your favorite pattern for a beautiful wool trouser?

Please let me know your ideas in the comments! And if you’re planning your own trip for fabric shopping in Paris, I hope this guide helps!

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P.S. Can’t Get to Paris for Fabric Shopping?

If you’re feeling inspired but can’t hop on a plane, you can get the same high-quality silks, wools, and prints from my favorite online shops! My go-to partners are @MinervaFabrics and @MoodFabrics. They have an incredible selection to bring your own ‘Parisian’ look to life.

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This trip was an unforgettable creative ritual, made even more special by the friends I shared it with. I’m back with a full cup, a full suitcase, and so much inspiration to pour into my next makes.

Happy Sewing, Shontae