The best fabrics shop in Leeds! I always come here to get my yarn and the service is always warm…read moreand welcoming! I definitely recommend this stall if you're looking to get super soft, great quality yarn.

M K Fabrics is one of the slightly more chaotic fabric shops in the market with rolls of fabric…read morepiled so high you can't quite imagine how some of them will ever come to be purchased. This shop has some quite fun fabrics with fluffy animal print, neon chunky fur, gingham, spots, stripes and a large stack of net in a rainbow of colours. M K Fabrics also has a neat little wool section with a room of its own tucked away at the side. Fabrics aren't really organised into types so a browse around this shop may require a bit of a dedicated rummage, but prices are reasonable and the staff are very helpful.

This gorgeous gem of a material shop is somewhat hidden, being tucked around the corner (on a busy…read moreroad, granted) and so slightly off the beaten track, but that doesn't seem to detract from the quality herein. As the canal bubbles away next door, people mill in and out, browsing the many racks of bargain cuts, huge rolls of material and various assorted items. I came here for the first time a few weeks ago and it's like a crafties' dream. The shop itself is much bigger than those I've visited in Leeds, so there's a lot more choice, and the staff are really lovely and helpful. They have tons to browse, including a number of rolls with money off, and a range of racks with bargain-priced cuts. I purchased some gorgeous tapestry style material and some beautiful embroidered silk for a mere £10! It was meant to be a little more but she knocked off a few pounds and rounded it down to ten. Although there was a bit of a queue, which can't really be helped when purchasing different types of material, that certainly made it worth the wait. For a seriously dreamy browse bring your imagination and let it run wild. There's so much in here to choose from you'll forget what it was that you wanted to make in the first place and start a number of new projects based simply on the exciting material they have in stock!

Lovely little place. Really enjoyed looking. Got a few patterns half price and lovely material to…read moremake my dress. The two ladies who served us are lovely. Will be making a few more visits to this little gem.

A major drawback to The Wool Shop is its rather random location. On the Whingate Juction, just…read moresouth east of Armley, I only happened to stumble accross it when I was driving home, and was admittedly, lost! In the early evening light, it looks like a cozy little haven in the midst of its ominous industrial surroundings. The warm lighting shines out of the windows, enticing whoever it is that walks around there, to have a gander inside. Steps lead down into the shop once you are inside, which I have to say, doesn't make it particularly disability-friendly. Once down the few steps there are, the walls are covered in shelves that are housing a fairly large collection of colour and brand co-ordinated wools, and knitting ideas sweetly pinned to examples hanging around the shop. The lady in the shop is very helpful to anyone that enters her shop, giving customers tips and advice. I happened to find the exact brand and colour wool I had purchased from another shop in town, that I had recently run out of, and as there was only one or two balls left, I received a discount. Another hesitation I have with The Wool Shop, is that the majority of the wool in there are acryllic blends, rather than the real deal. Though there is an excellent selection of colour, it would have been nicer to see more local wool being sold as well, or instead of the cheaper, more synthetic, widely sold brands.

I'm afraid I can't admit to knowing much about wool. I've recently learned the basics of knitting…read moreand have a couple of nice homemade scarves to my name, but that's it. However, what I can tell you is that not only does The Wool Shop have an impressive amount of yarn adorning shelves, and examples of knit-work dotted around the shop floor, but they are cheaper than Samuel Taylor in the City Centre (at least in the yarns that I have purchased in both venues) and the staff are so incredibly helpful! I've been in a few times now, and each visit I have left the shop with both wool and a new knowledge to help my with my knitting endeavours. Last time, I got shown how to make tassels for the end of my scarves - they look ace! It may be slightly out of the way in it's location, but it's right on the Number 4 bus route, and well worth it if you're serious about your knitting, or learning the skill. Worth noting it's not open on a Monday though - that's caught me out before!

This is probably the best-stocked fabric shop in the market with an extensive range of fabrics from…read morecotton, wool, acrylic, polyester and netting to lino and PVC for table cloths. B&M fabrics also earn bonus points for keeping their stock well organised and neatly displayed, which allows for easy browsing - other fabric shops in the market can have rolls of fabric stacked in slightly chaotic piles. Rather than just a counter you can actually step into the shop and browse the fabrics more closely enabling customers to get a good feel of all the fabrics on offer. The staff always seem to be very helpful but are also happy to allow you to browse. The prices here are probably about average for fabric shops in Leeds. If you don't find what you're looking for at B&M fabrics there are at least two other fabric shops nearby.

When I had grand ideas of making myself clothes with my recently inherited sewing machine I skipped…read morealong to the market to see what it had in store for me. I found B and M Fabrics with a great range of things, probably because they are providing fabric to people who can and do actually make their own clothes. I explained my idea to the fabric lady and she took the time to discuss and demonstrate how I could make a wrap-around skirt and how much material I would need to do this. So this was all really helpful but, alas, the skirt remains unmade. Aside from my grand plans, this fabric store has a wide range of fake-fur animal prints, and rolls of table cloth lino and lots of foam or wading.

To a vintage shop enthusiast such as myself, a well stocked haberdashery is essential. Samuel…read moreTaylor's more than fits that description. Where else would I go for eyelets to adapt a skirt, shoulder pads to customise a jacket or a selection of decorative buttons to transform a shirt. Oh, the buttons! There is a whole wall dedicated to displaying these shiny treasures. It brings out the child in me, definitely provoking a kind of kid in a sweet shop reaction. Downstairs, there is a large number of fabrics to buy off the roll. I recently made a cape out of some gorgeous electric blue material from their basement, the vibrancy of the colour is stunning. I am constantly mentally modifying and reshaping clothing whilst shopping, safe in the knowledge that Samuel Taylor will be able to help me.

I absolutely rely on this shop. Being a total crafty I am always nipping in and out of here to top…read moreup on bits of ribbon and whatever other bits of shiny that I might need. For a start, this shop has got crafts covered from every angle. Card making, dress making, jewellery, masks, glues - you name it and they have it, or can order it in for you. I was looking for peacock feathers one time and the lady even offered to make a special order just for me! The shop is literally bursting with exciting bits, full of potential energy, to make and do. I love it. I think the thing that sets it apart for me, from most other craft shops, is the staff though. Even though the stock prices a little more than other places, the staff are so friendly and helpful that they make it feel personal and independent. When you ask their advice you are not asking some disinterested minimum wage robot, you are asking the wealth of, dare I say it, over thirty year's (*ahem* maybe even more!) knowledge and advice, which is always given over with great care and attention to detail. They deserve every star, and satisfy all my creative crafty needs!

This is just a quick update, as it was a quick visit, but as you can tell from the rating my love…read morehasn't decreased over the years! It's a fabulous wee shop, with stacks of tempting wools and knits, and all the advice you could wish for. Beginners or experts are welcome as the staff are keen knitters themselves and are more than happy to pass on their wisdom to a budding young wool-artist like myself. Within minutes we'd sussed out an idea for my first garment, which needles and which wool to use, and she happily mentioned that they also hold classes should I wish to check them out. I adore the pre-mades in here too, and will have to come back to grab something special soon. Once I've mastered the art somewhat I'll also be back to pick up a decent pattern book, rather than buy one for my Mum in the hopes that she'll make all my clothes, as was my previous cunning plan... Basically, it's friendly, warm, full of all the things you need, and the staff are excellent. Truly, what more could you want?

If Leeds' shiny bars, international population and global cuisine have left you lacking a sense of…read moreplace, and you're seeking a reminder of where you really are, look no further than Baa Ram Ewe. Set in a Yorkshire stone building, this shop/workshop space is pure Dales-gone-cool, stocking a huge range of locally made wools and yarns, artisan knitted goods and crafty accessories. Bravely leading a one-man knitting revolution, Baa Ram Ewe also hosts a programme of workshops teaching everything from Beginners' Knitting to traditional skills like felting and spinning. And if you're in any doubt that knitting is the new drinking, head on down to the Thursday knit night, which can get nearly as busy as Arcadia across the road.

Situated right at the top of Leeds Kirkgate Market, The Sewing Basket is one of my more favoured…read morehaberdasheries. Although it sells the expected selection of useful items such as lace, thread, eyelets, elastic and a whole host of other things; I tend to visit the stall for a different purpose. I am obsessed with the art of gift wrap. As I have previously mentioned, I have been known to lavish more money on the presentation than the gift itself, during the more penniless periods of my life! The Sewing Basket is a positive haven for my wrapping needs. Last Christmas, my theme was brown paper with bright, festive shades of thick, red ribbon. This stall supplied me with copious metres of the embellishment, at extremely reasonable prices. To the extent that I had enough money remaining to buy a red feather to place on the side. Receiving a gift fro me really is a sight to behold! An excellent and conveniently located stall to satisfy your haberdashery needs, and more besides.

The Sewing Basket is a petite haberdashery shop that, despite its size manages to stock a wide…read morerange of sewing essentials - all the obvious sewing essentials as well as buttons, sewing machine accessories, ribbon, net, elastic, lace and loads more! They also stock a range of craft items for cross stitch, decoupage, stickers and many other card decorations. The staff there are always very friendly and helpful and the prices are reasonably cheap. The Sewing Basket is definitely a valuable addition to the modest variety of haberdashers in Leeds.

Duttons sells buttons. Their slogan is Duttons for Buttons. As Ronseal say, it does exactly what it…read moresays on the tin. It's not a big shop but it stocks many, many thousands of buttons, of all kinds, shapes and sizes. Even though a purchase of a couple of buttons is only going to mean a sale of a few pence, the staff are very friendly and willing to spend time helping customers to sift through their massive selection in order to find exactly the button they're looking for. It's exactly what you'd want in a button shop. They don't sell anything except buttons. I think it's amazing that such a specialist shop continues to survive in the bustling city centre of York, surrounded by all the major shopping chains in an extremely busy tourist and shopping area. Long may it continue.

This is an amazing shop. There are thousands of buttons, of course, but threads, ribbons,…read moreinterfacing, trims, sequins and for those who can climb the narrow twisty staircase, a veritable Aladdin's cave of wools, tapestries and goodness only knows what, because I can't get up those stairs any more. Any time I need something to go with what I'm making, it's a case of just go to Duttons for Buttons - it's not often I can't get what I want from them, but they're also very reasonably priced, and the staff are so helpful.