Your online haberdashery department

Haberdashery & Sewing Supplies

Find the sewing essentials and finishing touches you need for your next project, from thread, zips and interfacing to buttons, elastic, bias binding and sewing machine needles. Then explore our wider collection of sewing tools, trims and haberdashery.

I need the essentials

Sewing Essentials

Start with the everyday haberdashery supplies most sewing projects call for, then follow the collection links when you know what you need.

Neat edges and useful detail

Bias Binding

Bias binding is a strip of fabric cut on the bias, making it useful for neatening raw edges, finishing necklines and armholes, binding seams or adding a neat contrasting detail.

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Popular picks

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Liberty Print Bias Binding Tape - 20mm - Michelle D

£2.25 GBP

Liberty Print Bias Binding Tape - 20mm - Wiltshire Bud C

£2.25 GBP

Liberty Print Bias Binding Tape - 20mm - Wiltshire Bud B

£2.25 GBP

Liberty Print Bias Binding Tape - 20mm - Ava C

£2.25 GBP

A basic sewing essential

Sewing Threads

Thread is one of the everyday essentials for both machine and hand sewing. Choose a thread that suits the fabric and project, and use colour matching where a neat finish matters.

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Matching Gütermann Sew-all Thread

£2.50 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £2.50 GBP

Matching Gütermann Natural Cotton Thread

£2.60 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £2.60 GBP

Gütermann - Pure Silk Thread (100m)

£4.65 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £4.65 GBP

Gütermann - Top Stitch Thread (30m)

£2.30 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £2.30 GBP

Practical fastenings and design details

Zips

Zips combine a practical fastening with a design detail. Explore options for dresses, skirts, trousers, jackets, bags, cushions and other projects where the right zip helps the make work well.

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YKK Concealed Zip

From £2.55 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ From £2.55 GBP

YKK Dress Zip - Closed End Dressmaking Zips

From £1.85 GBP

YKK Brass Jeans Zips

From £1.65 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ From £1.65 GBP

YKK Metal Trouser Zips

From £1.65 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ From £1.65 GBP

Support, structure and stability

Interfacing

Interfacing is used to add support, structure or stability to selected areas of a project. The right choice depends on the fabric, pattern and the part of the make you are reinforcing.

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272 Thermolam – Insulating Polyester Wadding

£4.70 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £4.70 GBP

Fusible Woven Cotton Interfacing - Lightweight - White

£9.99 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £9.99 GBP

Vlieseline Fusible Interfacing Fabric - Ultrasoft Light - White

£4.70 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £4.70 GBP

Vlieseline Fusible Interfacing Fabric - Standard Medium - White

£3.70 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £3.70 GBP

A fastening with personality

Buttons

Buttons can be practical fastenings or a finishing detail that changes the feel of a garment, bag or home project. Compare size, shape and finish with the fabric and pattern.

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Mother of Pearl Shank Button - Emerald - 18mm

£0.45 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £0.45 GBP

Mother of Pearl Shank Button - Natural - 15mm

£0.99 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £0.99 GBP

Button - Orla Flower Blue - 12mm

£0.50 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £0.50 GBP

Vintage Shell Button - Lunar Peaks

£3.50 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £3.50 GBP

Match the needle to the job

Sewing Machine Needles

Sewing machine needles are project-specific supplies. The appropriate needle depends on the machine, fabric and sewing task, so check the manufacturer or pattern guidance when choosing.

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Schmetz Sewing Machine Needles - Assorted Universal Large Pack

£4.75 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £4.75 GBP

Schmetz Sewing Machine Needles - Universal 80/12 Large Pack

£4.75 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £4.75 GBP

Schmetz Sewing Machine Needles - Assorted Combi

£2.75 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £2.75 GBP

Schmetz Sewing Machine Needles - Jersey Ballpoint 80/12

£2.50 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £2.50 GBP

Useful stretch and shaping

Elastic

Elastic can be used for waistbands, cuffs, sleeves, underwear, children’s clothing, pyjamas, bags and other projects where stretch or shaping is part of the design. Check the product details and pattern requirements.

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Ribbed Non-Roll Elastic - 38mm - White

Sold out

Ribbed Non-Roll Elastic - 38mm - White

£2.40 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £2.40 GBP

Sold out

Ribbed Non-Roll Elastic - 38mm - Black

£2.40 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £2.40 GBP

Ribbed Non-Roll Elastic - 25mm - Black

£1.80 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £1.80 GBP

Ribbed Non-Roll Elastic - 25mm - White

£1.80 GBP

~~£0.00 GBP~~ £1.80 GBP

I want to browse more

Shop All Haberdashery

Explore the wider department when you are looking for a particular sewing tool, trim, component or finishing detail.

Pins & Needles

Everything you need for hand sewing, pinning and everyday sewing jobs.

Fabric Dye

Change up fabric with dyes for creative projects, colour updates and custom makes.

Pattern Cutting Supplies

Tools and essentials for preparing, cutting and working with sewing patterns.

Hardware

Practical components for bags, garments, accessories and other sewing projects.

Trims

Add finishing detail with trims for garments, accessories, craft projects and more.

Motifs & Patches

Easy ways to personalise, embellish or repair your makes.

Scissors & Rotary Cutters

From fabric cutting to detailed sewing jobs, find tools for different stages of your project.

Fabric Marking Tools

Mark fabric accurately before cutting, sewing or adding details to your project.

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What does this stuff actually do?

Haberdashery connects the fabric and pattern to the practical supplies that help a sewing project come together.

The small supplies that help a project come together

Haberdashery is the broad term used for the sewing supplies, notions, fastenings, tools and finishing details used alongside fabric. That can include thread, zips, buttons, elastic, interfacing, needles, pins, trims, scissors and pattern-cutting supplies. In other words, it is the practical department between choosing your fabric and finishing your make.

Thread
Zips
Buttons
Elastic
Interfacing
Pins and needles
Trims
Scissors

Browse All Haberdashery

Start with the project, then make the list

The answer depends on what you are making. A useful route is to choose the project or pattern, check the recommended fabric and materials, choose your fabric, then list the thread, needles, fastenings, support materials and tools it calls for. Basic cutting and marking tools are useful foundations, while notions such as zips, buttons, elastic, bias binding or interfacing are usually project-specific.

Choose a project or pattern
Check the materials list
Choose your fabric
List the required notions
Gather the tools
Start making

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What might I need for making clothes?

Dressmaking projects often use a combination of thread, sewing machine needles, interfacing, zips, buttons, elastic, bias binding and trims. The exact list depends on the garment and pattern, so treat the pattern instructions as the final authority. Pair your haberdashery list with dressmaking fabrics and sewing patterns when planning the complete project.

Thread
Sewing machine needles
Interfacing
Zips
Buttons
Elastic
Bias binding
Trims

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Small details can make a project feel like yours

The fabric might be the starting point, but the little details often make a project feel personal. Buttons, trims, motifs and patches, bias binding and hardware can add contrast, character or a useful finishing function without changing the whole project.

Buttons
Trims
Motifs and patches
Bias binding
Hardware

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A simple route into your first project

You do not need to know every haberdashery term before you begin. Start with a pattern or project, check its materials, choose your fabric, then gather the basic tools and project-specific notions. Buy what the make calls for, and let each project teach you something useful.

Choose a pattern
Check recommended materials
Choose fabric
Make a notion list
Gather basic tools
Start making

Browse Sewing Patterns

Keep exploring the whole project

Continue from haberdashery into dressmaking fabrics, sewing patterns, patchwork and quilting, sewing machines, Christmas sewing and crafting, felt fabric, interiors and made to measure. The full route is simple: sewing project, fabric, pattern, haberdashery, finished make.

Dressmaking Fabrics
Sewing Patterns
Patchwork & Quilting
Sewing Machines
Christmas Sewing & Crafting
Felt Fabric
Interiors
Made to Measure

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Helpful answers

Haberdashery & Sewing Supplies FAQs

The project instructions remain the authority for materials, quantities and techniques.

What is haberdashery?

Haberdashery is the broad term for the small sewing supplies, notions, fastenings, tools and finishing details used alongside fabric. It can include thread, zips, buttons, elastic, interfacing, needles, pins, trims and scissors.

What are sewing notions?

Notions is another common term for the smaller tools and supplies used in sewing. The terms overlap heavily with sewing supplies, while haberdashery is often the broader retail category.

What sewing supplies do I need for dressmaking?

This depends on the garment and pattern, but commonly includes thread, sewing machine needles, interfacing and some combination of zips, buttons, elastic, bias binding or trims.

What is interfacing used for?

Interfacing adds support, structure or stability to selected areas of a project. The right type depends on the fabric, pattern and part of the make being reinforced.

What is bias binding used for?

Bias binding can neaten raw edges, finish necklines and armholes, bind seams and add a neat or contrasting detail.

What type of sewing machine needle do I need?

The appropriate needle depends on the machine, fabric and sewing project. Check the sewing machine manufacturer’s guidance and the pattern or fabric recommendations.

How do I choose sewing thread?

Choose thread that is suitable for the fabric, project and whether you are sewing by machine or hand. Colour matching can help create a neat finish where the thread is visible.

What is the difference between haberdashery and sewing supplies?

The terms overlap considerably. Sewing supplies describes the things used for sewing, while haberdashery is often the wider retail category covering notions, fastenings, tools and finishing details.

What sewing supplies should a beginner buy?

Start with basic cutting and marking tools, suitable needles and thread, then buy project-specific notions such as zips, buttons, elastic or interfacing as your pattern requires.