Quality dressmaking fabrics | European & Designer

The Winter 2023 Collection is here!

28 November 2023

From eye-catching party wear to cosy loungewear, classic wools and beautiful dress weights, our fabulous Winter 2023 Collection has everything for the season and beyond. Contact us for more information or advice.

We wish you all a very Happy Christmas!

Browse Collection...

New to Chrysalis?

What it's all about

Chrysalis Fabrics supplies premium quality fabrics to hundreds of subscriber dressmakers throughout the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. We have a hard won reputation for a prompt, reliable and efficient service.

Chrysalis' proprietor, Diana, has been a professional dressmaker for over thirty years and, as such, can offer a wealth of practical advice and guidance on all aspects of dressmaking and tailoring to help subscribers get the best results from the fabrics.

Fabrics for each of our Collections are hand-picked to include a wide range of fibre content, colour and weight. As well as superb quality British, French and Italian woollens, cottons, linens and synthetics, we are often able to source special, unusual and designer fabrics. Subscribe now...

To get the full story click here

The full story

Chrysalis Fabrics is run by Diana - a professional dressmaker/tailor with over thirty years experience in making every conceivable kind of garment.

The original mail order fabric business was established some 25 years ago and has been owned by Diana since 2007. At Chrysalis, we firmly believe that the only way to successfully choose fabric is to touch it and feel it. And, with our subscription-based mail order service, that's exactly what our subscribers are able to do. The focus of the fabrics we offer is day-wear and special occasion wear for which we supply wools, cottons, silks, linens as well as man-made fibres and versatile fabric blends.

We're passionate about sourcing the finest quality cloths, mainly from Europe, at the best prices so that our subscribers are able to complete their projects successfully and cost effectively. The success of our business is due to both the loyalty of our regular subscribers and the care with which we source and prepare our quarterly Fabric Collections.

Unlike the traditional (and rapidly disappearing) high-street fabric retailer, we do not stock a relatively small range of cloth in a wide variety of shades. Instead we focus on small quantities of quality material which we tend to buy in a single shade. Although we don't, as a matter of course, sell haberdashery and linings; we can (and do) supply lining, zips and thread to subscribers, on request, for a particular project.

Our service is used by professional dressmakers, sewing enthusiasts and sewing schools both in the UK and the rest of the world.

How The Service Works

Each quarter (Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter) our subscribers receive an envelope containing between 55 and 60 fabric samples together with a printed catalogue giving a description of each fabric including, fibre content, width, care instructions and suggestions for use. Each fabric sample is approximately 5cm square and the samples are arranged in four swatches of approximately 15 samples per swatch. We also provide, on this website, an online "Collection Browser" (see below) which enables subscribers to get a better idea of, for example, pattern repeat and layout.

Subscriptions

An annual Chrysalis Fabrics subscription is only £18 (for UK residents) or £22 (if resident overseas). That's less than 1 penny per fabric sample! If you join just after a new Collection has been despatched - don't worry. We'll send you the most recent Collection (unless a new Collection is due to be sent out within a couple of weeks) so that you don't miss out. Subscribing is easy. Either download our subscription form, complete it and post it to us - or simply telephone Diana direct ((+44)(0)7748 530 318) with a debit or credit card and you can be enrolled immediately.

Ordering and Delivery

A printed order form accompanies each Collection. Subscribers may complete the form and post it to us together with either a cheque or payment card details. The majority of our regular subscribers order via telephone or e-mail as we do operate a first-come-first-served order process. Delivery is by standard Royal Mail Letter or Parcel Service depending on the weight of the order. Delivery charges depend upon the overall value of the order and range from £4 to £9. Orders over £250 are delivered free of charge. Order payments can be made by debit or credit card, cheque or bank transfer.

The Chrysalis Collection Browser

Our online Collection Browser is an additional service for our subscribers and, indeed, for any visitor to this website. Although it's primary purpose is to allow subscribers to get the 'bigger picture' of the actual fabric samples they receive, it is also very handy for newer subscribers to browse past Collections. If you find a fabric from one of our past Collections then, as a subscriber, you can request a sample of it (subject, of course, to availability) at no additional cost.

Subscribing is easy

What you get

For an annual cost of only £18.00 (or £22.00 if you live outside the UK) you will receive, each year, around 240 gorgeous fabric samples presented as four seasonal collections for you to keep.

Each Collection contains around 60 fabric samples. Each sample is approximately 5cm square, so that you can see the colour and feel the texture.

We also provide photographs of the fabrics from each Collection on this website. This way, our members can see, for example, pattern repeats more clearly.

Subscribers are under no obligation to purchase any fabric from any Collection. However, if you do decide to buy, you can order as little or as much (subject to availability!) as you need.

How to subscribe

You can download, print and complete a subscription form which you can then either post or fax to us.

However, the easiest way is to simply telephone Diana with your debit/credit card details.

Alternatively, you can text or message Diana with basic name and contact details and we will contact you to get payment details. DO NOT text, message or e-mail credit card details!

Subscriber extras

As a subscriber you can request samples from our back catalogue at any time and at no extra cost.

If you require a larger sample - just ask.

We can also supply some items of haberdashery, linings and interfacings if required.

Contact

By Telephone: (+44)(0)7748 530 318

By e-Mail: diana@chrysalisfabrics.co.uk

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Chrysalis is proud to be a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen.

Diana's Top Tips & Picks

A Word About Care Instructions

The care instructions we give with our fabrics are only a guide and err on the side of caution! Some of the fabrics can take a hotter wash (should that be required) and some of the "dry-clean only" fabrics can be washed with care, depending on the garment that they are made into.

We suggest taking a measured square from your remnants and washing that as you would want to wash your garment.

Autumn 2023 #16

Autumn 2023 #46

Autumn 2023 #2