July 11, 2016

Where to buy Japanese fabric


Oh, I love Japanese fabric so much. Sigh. Just thinking about my trip last year makes me all warm and hazy with fabric drunkenness. But sadly I can’t pop over every time I have a hankering for some salt-treated seersucker or unbelievable watercolour Nani Iro double gauze… Luckily, I’ve found a few great sources without leaving the comfort of my own home! So here is my guide on where to buy Japanese fabric if you can’t actually go to Japan.

Where to buy Japanese fabric

Just some of my garments made with Japanese fabrics! Renfrew sweatshirt, Nani Iro Shirtdress, Butterick B5929 lemon and grey canvas skirt.

Miss Matatabi

By far my favourite Japanese fabric store is Miss Matatabi. Run by Australian Frances who lives in Tokyo, Miss Matatabi has a really phenomenal selection of Japanese fabric – Frances has great taste. There are the “big names” like Nani Iro and Kokka, but also loads of unusual fabrics from smaller designers, including quilted knits, metallic linens and seersuckers. Not only that, but the prices and shipping are actually much more reasonable than you might imagine for fabric coming directly from Japan. Here a few of my fave fabrics on there at the moment (I can feel an order coming on…)

Where to buy Japanese fabric

  1. Nani Iro for Kokka Fuccra rakuen “St Moritz” double gauze – I’d love a dreamy summer dress in this.
  2. Plaid double gauze would make a fantastic popover shirt!
  3. Gingham check seersucker lawn – gathered summer skirt, coming right up.
  4. “Pearls” seersucker lawn would be a really sophisticated woven summer top
  5. “Cat Jumble” cotton lawn – cats. Because. Cats.
  6. Green waffle knit – wouldn’t a sweatshirt in this look fantastic?

Super Buzzy 

Super Buzzy is a gorgeous shop in Ventura, CA about 90 minutes drive north of LA, and it specializes in Japanese fabrics. They stock mostly wovens, from lawns to canvas and jacquard, but they also have a small but lovely selection of knits. There are many of the “big name” Japanese designers in stock, along with more unexpected bolts. They also have really fun Japanese notions, gifts and even sweets in store! If you can’t visit in person, they also sell online.

Here are some lovely fabrics from Super Buzzy:

Where to buy Japanese fabric

 

  1. Indigo Road Kenji cotton
  2. Mt. Fuji Indigo cotton dobby
  3. Vintage Japan “chicks and sticks” cotton
  4. Nani Iro Mountain Views Bud double gauze
  5. Nani Iro Free Way Thick Gauze – Tanoshi
  6. Yarn dyed waves cotton

Fabric Worm 

Another great online option is Fabric Worm, who have a lovely selection of Japanese import fabrics. Lots of cute animal prints as well as some really dreamy double gauzes.

Where to buy Japanese fabric

  1. Sheep Toss canvas
  2. Seeded dots canvas in red
  3. Penguin brushed cotton/linen blend
  4. Paint dots cream cotton
  5. Gulls night double gauze
  6. Colorful pocho teal by Nani Iro double gauze 

So that’s your guide to where to buy Japanese fabric – are you as much as a fan of this fabric as I am? And have you found any other really good suppliers? I’m mostly aware of US-based stockists but if you live elsewhere and have found some stockists, let us all know in the comments!

Where to buy Japanese fabric if you don't live in Japan! Gorgeous double gauze, Nani Iro cottons, seersucker, knits and more. Check out the Cashmerette fabric guide!

13 thoughts on “Where to buy Japanese fabric

  1. Rebecca M Davis says:

    Jenny, you are so devilish. And so helpful. And so devilish. Love this post, love Japanese fabric. Thank you, I think.

  2. PsychicKathleen says:

    Thank you for that reference to Miss Matatabi! I love Japanese cottons a LOT and knowing their shipping costs are reasonable (I’m in Victoria BC so just across the pond after all 🙂 ) I will definitely be bookmarking her shop!

  3. Leigh-Anne says:

    Jenny we made it! I’m in Japan right now! Shopping Nippori later this week 🙂

    1. How exciting!!!! Have fun!

  4. cristina says:

    Purl Soho carries a limited stock of cute Japanese fabrics.

    1. Yes I love checking out their double gauzes when I’m in NYC!

  5. Kristie says:

    Great Post! Thank you for sharing.

  6. Nell Lee Stinson says:

    I too am obsessed with Japanese fabric. Try Red Beauty Textiles and Hart’s

    1. Thanks for the tip!

  7. http://bunnysdesigns.com/ is another really great shop. She is also open in Austin Texas on Thursdays so you can shop her wonderland in person!

  8. Sara Scopp says:

    What makes Japanese fabrics so desirable?

  9. Peggy A. Riordan says:

    Marcy Tilton also sells Japanese cottons and says that the short widths are made on their old looms which, to her, means they are better quality than the ones made 55″ or wider.

  10. Michelle Collyer says:

    I know it’s been a minute since this blog post was written but I wanted to share the following (U.S.) shops that specialize in Japanese Textiles.

    http://fabricandart.com/
    https://okanarts.com/
    https://www.quiltingfoxes.com/
    https://shiboridragon.com/

    Generally, Japanese fabrics cost a little more but it’s totally worth the quality and textile tradition you get in return.

Let me know what you think!