Art & Crafting Materials

Top Art & Crafting Materials in the UK: Where to Buy Fabrics, Oilcloth and Jewellery Components

Introduction: Why the right shop matters for creative projects

If you’re passionate about crafting—whether sewing a tote bag from oilcloth, upholstering a chair in linen, or building a statement necklace from modular gem tops—finding the right store is like picking the perfect paintbrush. The right retailer will save you time, money, and headaches, and will inspire new ideas. In the UK there are specialist shops that focus on Scandinavian-style fabrics and homewares, niche jewellery components, and high-street craft retailers offering everything under the sun. In this guide I’ll walk you through the best places to source art and crafting materials, including Nordic Nest and Grace & Co Jewellery, and show how to choose the right materials for your next project.

Meet the stores: Nordic Nest and Grace & Co Jewellery

Nordic Nest — Scandinavian design and quality fabrics

Nordic Nest is known for its crisp, Nordic-inspired homewares and a refined range of textiles. If you like timeless prints and durable oilcloths that can handle daily life, this is the kind of shop that feels like a curated studio rather than a warehouse. You’ll find patterned oilcloths perfect for picnic blankets and kitchen table covers, printed cottons and linen blends suitable for cushions and curtains, and design-led pieces that lean Scandinavian. Think muted palettes, smart botanicals, and quality materials measured in yards and inches for easy home sewing.

Grace & Co Jewellery — modular gem tops and creative findings

Grace & Co Jewellery specialises in jewellery components that make assembling personal pieces quick and stylish. If you’ve spotted modular ring tops, crystal gem pieces, and snap-in elements that let you change the look of a ring or pendant, a specialist shop like Grace & Co will be a terrific place to begin. Many components come in compact sizes roughly around 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch—small, but packed with sparkle. For makers who love swapping colours and finishes, modular gem tops are a clever way to build variety without buying a whole new piece of jewellery.

What to look for in art and crafting materials

Fabric quality: weave, weight, and finish

Fabric might be the most tactile decision you make. Look for weave tightness (how tightly the threads are packed), weight (light, medium, heavy), and finish (matte, glossy, oiled). Oilcloths are typically durable with a wipe-clean surface—ideal for tabletops and bags—while linen and cotton blends offer breathability and a soft hand for cushions and clothing. Measure in inches and yards: a standard quilting cotton often comes in a width of about 44 to 54 inches, while decorator fabrics can be 54 inches or wider. Ordering an extra half-yard can make pattern matching easier, especially with directional prints.

Jewellery components: size, setting type, and finish

Jewellery parts sound tiny, but those millimetre differences matter. When converting common gem-top sizes into imperial units, items typically range around 3/8 inch (for a smaller crystal top) to 1/2 inch for larger statement pieces. Pay attention to setting types—snap-in, bezel, or glued—as well as metal finishes like gold, silver, or rose tones. A good supplier will list dimensions in both metric and imperial or give close imperial equivalents so you can visualise scale on a ring or pendant.

Top UK shops for fabrics and crafting supplies

Nordic Nest — for design-led textiles

If your aesthetic is Scandinavian or minimalist, Nordic Nest is a great place to source oilcloths, printed linens, and botanical linens. Their ranges often include celebratory prints and anniversary editions that are great for limited-edition projects. Expect curated colourways and prints designed to coordinate across products, making it easy to build a cohesive home project.

Grace & Co Jewellery — for modular and crystal components

For jewellery making that focuses on versatility and changeable looks, Grace & Co offers modular crystal tops and ring gems in several finishes. These components work well for makers who want to offer interchangeable looks in markets or create multi-colour collections without buying multiple full items. Sizes are small—often about 3/8 to 1/2 inch across—so pair them with the right settings for a snug fit.

Hobbycraft — everything for makers under one roof

Hobbycraft is a high-street staple for crafters across the UK. From paints and paper to fabrics and beading supplies, this is a one-stop shop that suits beginners and seasoned makers. They often sell fabric by the half-yard or yard, and their beading section has a wide range of findings and pliers. If you’re building a basic tool kit, start here—think scissors, glue, thread, and a selection of hooks and clasps.

Cass Art and specialist art suppliers

Cass Art is the go-to for fine art materials: paints, canvases, mediums, and brushes. While not a fabric shop, their quality paint and surface options make them perfect for mixed-media craft and textile painting projects. If you plan to paint fabric or do block printing on cloth, pick up specialty textile paints and priming agents from an art supplier like Cass Art.

LoveCrafts and Etsy UK — for indie patterns and bespoke supplies

LoveCrafts and Etsy UK are marketplaces full of indie sellers offering unique patterns, limited-run prints, and hard-to-find supplies. If you want something unusual—an anniversary-edition fabric print or a handmade leather piece—these platforms connect you with small sellers across the country. They’re also great for sourcing vintage trims and unusual buttons to add character to your projects.

Sew Essential and The Range — practical, affordable materials

Sew Essential stocks sewing machines, tools, and a decent range of fabrics and haberdashery. The Range offers budget-friendly home textiles and craft materials that are particularly useful for larger projects like curtain-making or covering furniture. Both are handy if you need larger yardage without breaking the bank.

How to choose the right fabric for your project

Match function to fabric type

Start by asking what the finished item will face: daily wear? Moisture? Heat? For a picnic blanket or kitchen splash area, choose oilcloth with a wipe-clean finish. For cushions and soft furnishings, linen-blends or heavier cottons with a tight weave work best. Clothing needs breathable fabric—linen or lightweight cotton—while bags benefit from heavier canvas or coated cotton. Thinking about use first keeps you from choosing something pretty but impractical.

Measure in inches and plan yardage

Always plan in inches and yards. A small cushion might need about 1/2 yard (18 inches) of fabric if the pattern matches well, while a standard cushion or a decently sized tote could require 1 yard (36 inches) or more. Curtains and upholstery demand more yardage—think in increments of yards and remember to account for pattern repeat and nap. If a fabric width is listed as 54 inches, you’ll get more coverage per yard than a 44-inch wide fabric, so calculate accordingly.

Top tips for jewellery-making supplies

Choose the right findings and settings

Findings—clasps, jump rings, and earring hooks—are the unsung heroes of jewellery making. Match the finish of your findings to the gem tops for a cohesive look: gold-coloured jumps rings with gold gem tops, silver-tone hooks with silver settings. For modular gem tops, ensure the bezel or snap mechanism size matches the component’s diameter—remember those gem tops hover around 3/8 to 1/2 inch across. If they’re too loose, they’ll wobble; too tight, they won’t click in.

Use quality adhesives and tools

When glue is involved, choose a jewellery-grade adhesive—epoxy or specialist metal/glass glues bond better than craft glue. A pair of precision pliers and a magnifying mat are simple investments that make tiny work far easier, especially when working with pieces under 1/2 inch across.

Budgeting and where to save or splurge

When to splurge

Spend more on materials that will be handled frequently or need to last: upholstery fabrics, high-wear bag covers, and metal findings that won’t tarnish easily. A high-quality linen or heavy oilcloth can be the difference between a bag that survives seasons and one that falls apart after a few uses. Similarly, invest in good jewellery findings if you plan to wear pieces constantly.

When to save

Save on novelty trims, one-off craft tools, and practice materials. If you’re testing a new technique, it’s okay to use a budget-friendly fabric or lower-cost beads until you’re comfortable. High-street retailers and online marketplaces often have affordable bundles or sample packs that are perfect for experimentation without a big upfront cost.

Care and maintenance of materials and finished projects

Caring for oilcloth and coated fabrics

Oilcloth is a workhorse—wipe clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid hot irons directly on the coated surface; if ironing is absolutely necessary, use a protective cloth and a low heat setting. Store rolled or folded loosely to avoid deep creases; a light roll around a tube preserves the finish and keeps wrinkles at bay.

Storing fabrics and tiny jewellery parts

Store fabrics in a dry place, away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. Fold larger pieces carefully or roll them to avoid sharp creases. For jewellery parts, use compartmentalised storage—small boxes with dividers are perfect for keeping tiny gem tops, jump rings, and clasps sorted. Label compartments by size in inches or by finish to speed up project assembly.

Project ideas to get you started

Simple projects with oilcloth

Oilcloth is brilliant for quick wins: try a lined tote bag that uses 1 yard of 54-inch oilcloth for the outer and 1/2 yard of cotton for the lining, or make a wipe-clean placemat measuring roughly 18 by 12 inches. These are fast to sew and great for gift markets because they’re practical and low maintenance.

Jewellery projects using modular gem tops

Create a modular ring with a simple band and an interchangeable gem top. Start with a small top around 3/8 inch for subtle sparkle, or go for a 1/2 inch top for a bolder statement. A set of three tops in different colours is a clever product idea: one band, multiple looks—think of it like a colour-changing outfit for your fingers.

Final checklist before you buy

Measure twice, order once

Confirm fabric width in inches and total yardage required, account for pattern repeats, and if possible order a small swatch before committing to large quantities. For jewellery components, check the exact diameter in inches and ensure compatibility with your settings.

Read product descriptions carefully

Look for details on composition (linen, cotton, coated fabric), care instructions, and sizing. Photos are helpful, but accurate dimensions and fabric weight tell the true story of how the material will behave in the real world.

Conclusion

Whether you’re sourcing Scandinavian-style fabrics from Nordic Nest, hunting down modular gem tops at Grace & Co Jewellery, or picking up basics at Hobbycraft and Sew Essential, the UK offers a rich landscape of suppliers for makers. The trick is to match materials to function, plan yardage in inches and yards, and invest in quality where it matters. With the right shops and a few practical tips—measure carefully, choose the right findings, and store materials properly—you’ll be turning small ideas into lasting handmade pieces in no time. So go ahead: pick a pattern, grab a gem top, and start creating.