“I opened Fabrics Galore in 1992 and have managed the business ever since. I have been in the textiles industry from a very young age and you could say it runs in the family. Fabrics Galore takes its name from the shop my grandmother started in Skipton and my father’s store was until very recently the best place to buy fabric in Bradford.
My family’s industry experience means that many of our suppliers go back several generations, just like Fabrics Galore. The benefits of these long-term relationships are passed on to you, both in range and price.
I travel far and wide in search of the very best. You’ll also find me exhibiting at many of the big quilting, sewing and craft fabric shows nationally.
If there’s anything that you admire, cherish or want to see more of, I would love to hear from you. Welcome to Fabrics Galore London, grab a cup of tea (Yorkshire of course), and discover our history below.”
Paul Johnston
The Fabrics Galore story spans four generations of the Johnston family and begins in the former mill towns of West Yorkshire.
1930s – Moore Johnston, Bradford West Yorkshire
“My great grandfather George Johnston established Moore Johnston on Canal Road in Bradford as a Merchant Convertor, purchasing cloth woven in Yorkshire and Lancashire mills. The cloth was then taken to specialist mills to be ‘finished’, before being sold on to garment manufacturers.”
1950s – Canal Road
The original Moore Johnston building today.
“Moore Johnston’s two most successful lines were ‘Abrist’, abrasion resistant school wear cloth and ‘Moorston’ the world-famous luxurious lining which was exported throughout the Commonwealth. My grandfather Edmund Johnston took over the family business in 1948 while my grandmother quietly opened the original Fabrics Galore on Newmarket Street in Skipton as a little side line...”
1960s – The Shuttle
“My father, Anthony Johnston established The Shuttle selling fabric by the yard on Otley Road in Shipley and on Main Street in Bingley. Shops in Harrogate, Keighley and Preston soon followed after he took over the running of the original Fabrics Galore in Skipton, when my grandmother retired in the 1980s.
The Shuttle in Shipley remained open as a fabric shop until 2023. My father, still visited his shop on a daily basis well into his 80s, such is his passion for the fabric business.”
1992 – The Launch Of Fabrics Galore London
“Coming from a long line of fabric wholesalers and retailers, I began my own career at what I consider to be the flagship of British retailers, John Lewis on Oxford Street. Learning from the best how to offer consistent quality and customer service, I talked to my father about my dream of opening a fabric shop together in London and the dream eventually became reality with the opening of Fabrics Galore on Lavender Hill in Battersea in April 1992.
The first exhibition we ever showed at was a few years later at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace in October 1995. We now sell at over 12 shows throughout the year from Exeter to Birmingham.
Our shop on Lavender Hill, Battersea is a fun and inspirational shop stocked with all kinds of fabrics – from dressmaking to craft to soft furnishing and quilting. As well as our own carefully curated product range we are authorised retailers of Liberty Fabric, Alexander Henry, Cath Kidston and Orla Kiely fabrics.
The Fabrics Galore London shop is a place where you can pop by and quickly find what you need when you’re after something specific. However, if you’re not in a rush, you can simply enjoy a browse through our extensive range.”
2016 – Fabrics Galore Launches Online
“Noticing a shift in the way people shop for fabric, we launched our online site in 2016. We’ve selected all our favourites for you to enjoy and stock over 1000 fabrics so that no-one has to miss out on the Fabrics Galore experience. If you sign up to our newsletter you are sure to be the first to see all our latest fabrics. We also offer click and collect for our more local customers.”
2021 - The Re-Launch Of Fabrics Galore London
“After 5 years of Fabrics Galore online we felt it was time for a brand refresh and to improve our growing customers’ online shopping experience with us with a brand-new interactive website. Keen to underline our London heritage while also reaching out to customers across the globe, we have re-branded as Fabrics Galore London, yet all the good stuff remains the same including our fabulous fabric team.”
THE FABRICS GALORE TEAM
“It’s important to us that our team are just as fun and inspirational as the shop. Our team are more like a family while also offering a friendly and professional service. We all have a passion for fabric and are always on hand with expert advice if you need it.
I love working in the shop when I’m not setting up stall at the various shows. I hope you enjoy Fabrics Galore London wherever you encounter us, whether at the shows, in our shop in London or online, we want it to be the best fabric buying experience it can possibly be.”