James BensonCape Town is one of South Africa’s biggest hubs for fashion, crafting, décor, upholstery, and textile-related businesses. Whether you’re a fashion designer, DIY creator, tailor, upholsterer, or décor lover, the Mother City has a long list of fabric and material stores offering everything from cotton and lace to upholstery fabric, industrial textiles, haberdashery items, and luxury imports.
If you’re looking for the best fabric stores in Cape Town, this detailed guide will help you find quality, affordability, and variety across the city. Below are the Top 15 Material Stores in Cape Town, including what they offer, why they are popular, and what makes each one unique.
Top 15 Material Stores In Cape Town
1. Fabric World Cape Town
Fabric World is one of the most well-known textile suppliers in Cape Town, famous for its massive inventory of fashion fabrics, décor textiles, and craft materials. They cater to professional tailors as well as DIY enthusiasts looking for affordable yet high-quality fabrics.
Their shelves are stocked with cottons, linens, chiffon, bridal lace, African prints, scuba, lycra, and more. The store also carries patterns, sewing machines, accessories, and haberdashery products.
2. Truworths Material & Fabric Outlet
Known for selling high-end leftover fabrics used by Truworths fashion lines, this outlet is a gold mine for designers searching for premium fabric at bargain prices. From suit materials and luxury knits to chiffon, jacquards, wools, and evening wear fabrics, shoppers find top-quality textiles at a fraction of the retail price.
3. The Fabric House
Located in Wynberg, The Fabric House is popular among tailors and designers for its curated selection of imported fabrics. They offer exclusive prints, bridal lace, beaded fabrics, upholstery materials, and colorful African textiles. Their customer service is exceptional, and their fabric quality stands out compared to many competitors.
4. Material World Cape Town
Material World supplies affordable yet durable textiles for fashion, décor, and upholstery. They have a good range of cottons, denim, fleece, suiting fabrics, lycra, chiffon, and many more. The store is large and ideal for bulk purchases, which makes it a favorite among small clothing brands and home décor artisans.
5. Fabric City Cape Town
Fabric City, located in the CBD, is one of the oldest and most trusted fabric stores in Cape Town. The shop is packed wall-to-wall with fashion fabrics, suiting materials, curtain fabrics, and accessories. Their prices are competitive, and they frequently stock new arrivals, making it a go-to spot for designers seeking variety and creativity.
6. Home Fabrics
Home Fabrics specializes in luxury décor and upholstery fabrics. If you’re furnishing a home, hotel, or office space, this store offers high-end options like velvets, linens, leatherettes, blackout curtains, UV-resistant outdoor fabrics, and more. Their selection appeals to interior designers and high-end decorators.
7. Global Unique Fabrics
A favorite among bridal designers, Global Unique Fabrics is the place to go for lace, tulle, satin, and embellished fabrics. They supply wedding gowns, evening dresses, and formal wear materials. Their range of sequined, beaded, and embroidered textiles makes them one of the most glamorous fabric destinations in Cape Town.
8. Hertex Fabrics
Hertex is one of South Africa’s leading décor fabric suppliers. Their Cape Town showroom features premium curtaining, upholstery textiles, wallpaper, outdoor materials, and rugs. Designers love Hertex for their modern aesthetic, high-quality fabrics, and regularly updated collections.
9. Fabric Zone Cape Town
Fabric Zone is well-known for affordability and wide selection. They stock everyday textiles like cotton, fleece, denim, and jersey, as well as specialized fabrics for uniforms, sportswear, and workwear. Their haberdashery section offers zippers, buttons, elastic, thread, and accessories.
10. MHC Fabrics & Textiles
MHC Fabrics is famous for its diverse collection of African prints, suiting fabrics, chiffon, stretch fabrics, and children’s prints. Many small fashion businesses in Cape Town rely on MHC because of their budget-friendly prices and frequent bulk discounts.
11. Bernina Fabric & Sewing Centre
More than a sewing machine store, Bernina Cape Town also supplies fabrics and haberdashery items. They offer quilting fabrics, cottons, batting, threads, sewing notions, and embroidery materials. This store is great for quilters, crafters, and those who enjoy machine embroidery.
12. Chamberlain’s Upholstery & Décor Fabrics
If you’re working on a home upgrade or furniture renovation, Chamberlain’s is one of the best upholstery fabric stores in Cape Town. They stock leatherette, suede, tapestry, canvas, velvet, and thick upholstery textiles in various colors and textures. They also provide foam, cushions, and décor accessories.
13. The Cotton Company
The Cotton Company specializes in natural and eco-friendly fabrics like pure cotton, linen, bamboo textiles, and muslin. Their materials are high-quality and perfect for clothing brands focusing on sustainability. Customers appreciate the store’s modern designs and organic fabric options.
14. Rag & Fabric Clearance Store
This spot is perfect for bargain hunters. Rag & Fabric Clearance Store sells end-of-roll fabrics, discounted bulk materials, upholstery leftovers, and clearance stock from big retailers. You can find high-quality textiles at some of the best prices in Cape Town.
15. Designer Fabric Outlet Cape Town
The Designer Fabric Outlet sources premium materials from local and international fashion houses. They offer wool, silk, taffeta, linen, suit fabrics, bridal textiles, and unique seasonal prints. Their high-end inventory makes them a favorite among professional designers and tailors seeking exclusive fabrics.
Why Cape Town Is a Top Destination for Fabric Shopping
Cape Town has become one of South Africa’s textile capitals thanks to its vibrant creative industry. From fashion designers and tailors to upholsterers and décor professionals, the city supports a strong demand for quality textiles. Many fabric stores in Cape Town also import directly, keeping prices lower and variety wider than many other parts of the country.
Tips for Buying Material in Cape Town
Before choosing a fabric store, keep these smart shopping tips in mind:
- Know your project – Clothing, décor, or upholstery all require different textile strengths.
- Check for stretch – Especially if sewing fitted clothes.
- Buy extra fabric – In case of errors or shrinkage.
- Inspect color and texture – Lighting inside stores may differ from natural daylight.
- Ask for discounts – Many stores offer bulk or cash discounts.
- Compare prices – Some shops are cheaper for basics, others excel in luxury imports.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a professional designer or someone who simply enjoys sewing or crafting at home, Cape Town offers an incredible selection of fabric and material stores. From high-end décor showrooms to budget-friendly outlets, each store on this list provides something unique.
With this guide to the Top 15 Material Stores in Cape Town, you can easily find the perfect textiles for any project.