One of Sydney's newest art spaces. Sew Make Create has been around for almost a couple of months…read morenow. The owner, top Sydney designer Melissa Tan-Lu and Sew Make Create's resident dog Pepper are just adorable. The whole shop is quite funky :) I was fortunate to have been invited (through another blog) to experience their beginners crochet course with Bronwen. I arrived on a Wednesday night at 7pm a little tired yet eager as anything to learn, and learn heaps. My manual dexterity skills deflated me for a while, yet I was amazed with the crochet stitch and getting into a granny square so soon with confidence. The class sizes are rather small which is great. Lindt chocolate balls were provided with water as stunning refreshments, as well as biscuits and tea. This course is also available on selected weekends. Sew Make Create also run a variety of other craft courses. After the beginners crochet course, if you wish to take things further, then the crochet clinic is for you. Instead of yarn, turn that yarn into 'plarn' with a plastic bag crochet course. Sew Make Create is a dynamic arts space that also rents out sewing machines, and hence provides ample working space to design some pretty clothes. Sew Make Create also sell sewing machines and craft supplies. Sew Make Create (from the request of many parents) have put together a fantastic course schedule for the kids school holidays coming up, as at the time of writing this. Beginners crochet is also covered, and kids can also learn cupcake decorating and also learn how to make these adorable felt brooches. Located in Chippendale right near the Broadway Shopping Centre. If you're curious (in more detail) as to how my beginners crochet experience went recently, then follow this link: http://www.weekendnotes.com/crochet-for-beginners-sew-make-create/ For more information on the various courses put on especially for kids these school holidays, then follow this link: http://www.weekendnotes.com/crafty-school-holiday-activities-sew-make-create/ With many initiatives to ensuring that Sydney is an arts and crafts focused city, when is now a better time to learn a new craft? Go on, unleash the craft master within!

From the owner: Sew Make Create aims to encourage learning and creativity through providing the right environment,…read moreassistance and facilities

They sent me the wrong item It cost me more money to send…read moreit back to them Do not trust their photos online or their return policy

If you like textiles, fabrics, design and gorgeous things then chances are you probably already…read morelove Chee Soon & Fitzgerald. This tiny interiors store on Crown Street stocks everything from furniture, wallpaper, lamps, bags and purses, cards, wrapping papers and all sorts of small design pieces. There's a good selection of designers wares including Marimekko and Georg Jensen as well as beautiful pieces by the stores own CSF brand. The owners are passionate and love to talk you through the pieces and the history of the store.

Textiles! Furniture!…read moreDecorative arts! These dapper chaps have been celebrating life and furnishings for 18 years, first at Surry Hills and then at the vanguard of the Redfern revival. As friendly as they are urbane, as urbane as they are storied, there's that much great fabric and lampshades and interesting schtuff in their little shop I feel like one of those kids with melted chocolate all over their hands that goes around touching everything. Massrs Chee Soon & Fitzgerald are also well down for a chat, pick their brains about the history of Surry Hills and the inner west, they're a font of artsy knowledge.

When a search for a wedding outfit, cocktail dress or ball gown becomes frustrating I grab a…read moremagazine picture and go to my dressmaker in Hunter Street and after deliberating with her regarding suitable fabrics my next stop is Saigon Fabrics. And yes I'm not sharing my dressmaker as the hero of this review is Saigon Fabrics. Saigon Fabrics is based in Erskine Street, Sydney which is the perfect CBD location. However it's the range of fabrics that they provide which is the showcase of Saigon Fabrics. They specialise in appliqués, lace and designer brocade all a bit too frou frou pretty for me. However the soft printed silks and the raw silks on offer are a highlight. The colour range is similar to the hues used by Camilla Franks for her kaftans. I have also purchased a yellow raw silk to imitate a dress that Cate Blanchett wore to the Oscars in 2005. It certainly wasn't in the Oscar category but I was just so happy to find the colour and right material that was not popular at the time I was getting the dress made. Jenny Lam the Manager is very experienced and will advise you on all fabrics and make suggestions to either encourage or discourage your choice which she does diplomatically. Saigon Fabrics price points from affordable to premium. It's certainly worth a look if you find you can't find that outfit you are hunting for.

This store has beautiful fabrics for weddings and all formal occasions. There are two floors of…read morematerial and the fabrics are from all over the world. The staff is very friendly and extremely helpful! If you are planning a wedding or need a custom designed dress or gown, this is the place to go. They also know great dress makers and designers.

Found this antique home goods place in the Monocle travel guide for Sydney. I have high…read moreexpectations on furniture / decoration places and I didn't get disappointed here. Ici et la has beautiful old decoration objects from all over the world. From magical local shells to wooden and metal tables, chairs or lamp to handmade bags. Infact they have a seamstress in the store that creates blankets etc. with your initials. If I would live in Sydney, my interior design would be well influenced by this store.

From the owner: We also have classic French vintage ticking, stock ticking, antique linen sheets and linen tea…read moretowels.

I used Fabric Gardens to buy a Christmas present.The passion of the owner (Sue) & her attention to…read moredetail was very good. I recommend this company.

From the owner: Fabric Garden is an online business supplying modern quilting and patchwork fabric and is located…read moreon the lower north shore in Sydney, Australia.

They had a nice selection of papers but outlandish prices. I picked up similar quality at Dymocks…read morefor about 1/2 the price. The staff didn't even acknowledge our presence. There was a sign in the window announcing store closure in Feb. 2018, so check before you go.

I love stationery. Leather bound notebooks, journals of all shapes and sizes, felt tip pens,…read morepaperclips, cards, - you name it I love it and want it. It's been a fetish of mine since I was a kid and it's never gone away. If it's my addiction, then Paper2 is my dealer - this place is amazing. I can spend hours in this store and it's really not big enough for that but the range of cards and gifts on offer here is superb. There's an excellent collection of vintage style posters and cards which I can't get enough of at the moment. Stop in here for journals, notebooks, craft supplies, wrapping paper, globes... I could go on and on. The staff are lovely and helpful, which is no surprise I'd be super happy if I worked here too.