Fabric Shopping in Hong Kong

I’ve just got back from a fabulous couple of days fabric shopping in Hong Kong with a couple of quilting friends who flew over and met me. After organising it in January, we dubbed the trip “Quiltkong 2016”.

You might know them too – Alison is @baroness_stella on IG and Alisa blogs at A Stitch In Between (but is more active here on IG.)

Hong Kong is a two hour train ride from Guangzhou, so it’s very convenient for me to visit. It’s actually my second trip there in 2 weeks – we took the girls to Disneyland over the Easter break.

Hong Kong is an amazing city – so much to see, so much to eat and so many cocktails to drink! Of course we did all that…but when quilty friends get together, fabric shopping is a MUST.

I went up to Sham Shui Po on Monday afternoon which is up in Kowloon and where the fabric wholesalers are located. To be honest, it was a bit of a bust for me. Most fabrics were on display as tiny samples – there was very limited yardage. I do know other ladies who’ve had much better results for fabric in that area – check out these blog posts here and here. I’m planning to go back for a second look when I have some more time.

If it’s haberdashery you are after, Sham Shui Po is definitely a winner – shops full of ribbons, trims, tassels and buttons.

For patchwork fabric, Cat from Raspberry Rainbow recommended a place called Tailor & Alteration Needlework Club. Cat lived in HK until recently so she was able to give me some great tips! This shop was a treasure trove of patchwork fabric, Japanese linens, haberdashery, Japanese sewing books and knitting supplies.

Of course, the trip ended much to quickly…it’s always such an affirming thing spending time with people who totally get you. I feel armed with motivation and ideas for the rest of the year.

I suppose soon we’ll have to start planning Quiltkong 2017!