Altering your existing clothes is easy peasy! And making your own clothes can be just as easy also…

Occasionally, when I’m completely demotivated to make any new clothes (or just lazy) I head off to one of the hundreds of fabric shops around the city, because I know that, give me 5 minutes inside, and I’ll be utterly inspired!

I’m pretty lucky to live and work in a city thats surrounded by the most incredible fabric shops… so here’s the lowdown on the best in London town…

• MacCulloch & Wallis- A huge favourite of mine when I was at university. Just off Oxford Street, this little gem sells everything you need! Also selling online (which is handy) Prices are a little steep, but these guys have been around for about 100 years and know what they’re talking about!

• John Lewis -  Another favourite during university mainly because it was next door. The Oxford Street Flag ship store does have better selection than other branches, however it’s all still pretty basic and heavily overpriced! They do a great range of haberdashery however, so still worth a look.

I have spent a lot of time traipsing between the fabric shops on Berwick Street,  Soho. This street is littered with the most exqusite silk specialist shops along with the trusted Borovicks, Berwick Street Cloth and the Cloth House

• Borovick Fabrics A small fabric shop, with an original selection of bridal and theatrical cloths. Along with all your basics, you can order Samples online

• The Berwick Street Cloth Shop Is a great, super friendly shop next door to Borovicks and has a slightly bigger selection. Student friendly and reasonably priced(ish) they give free samples before 10am.

• Cloth House is the most divine of the Berwick street bunch, but the most expensive! they source the most incredible fabrics from around the globe which are spread over two shops. It is definitely worth a trip to the Cloth House if only for the  experience and to have a lookaround.

There are a few more fabric shops on Berwick Street, mostly specialist silk shops. Pricey, but brilliant quality!

Head away from the West End to Shepherds Bush and you’ll find , in my opinion, the most bargainous fabric shops in London.  These shops line both sides of the whole road… there are so many! And the great thing is, because they are all in competition with one another, you can barter and haggle them down on fabrics for next to nothing.The fabrics aren’t as unique and exquisite compared to the wonders of the Cloth House, but they are fantastic all the same! You can spend hours going from shop to shop, so wear flat shoes!

I have always been a bit dubious about shopping online for cloth. I’ m slightly picky and akward about having to feel it and see it in day light etc etc.. however it can be alot cheaper to buy online so worth a look.(watch out for shipping costs)

Cheap Fabrics online Cheapish fabrics! can’t really complain with that

purlsoho have the most glorious selection of fabrics and accessorise

Doughtys online are also pretty cheap with an ok range of basics!