Fabric shops in India
 

As someone who likes sewing I am interested in buying locally produced fabric [both cotton and silk] on my upcoming trip to India to bring home and then make up the clothes myself. Can anyone recommend any shops that focus on really good quality fabric ? I would prefer to buy in a fixed price place as I loathe bargaining and I will be in Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Agra and Varanasi.

Also does anyone know if fabric in India usually be sold my the metre or by the yard ?

Thanks

Fabric is sold by the meter in India.

FabIndia and Anoki both sell fabric at fixed prices. They are in most big cities; in New Delhi they are both at Khan Market. Anoki is more expensive, but the quality is higher.

The Cottage Industries Emporium, near the Imperial Hotel in New Delhi, has a lot of fabric. They carry everything from basic cottons to the fanciest silks, as well as just about every other made-in-India item you could want. They are not as cheap as they would be at a local market (after bargaining) but are reasonable and prices are labelled. I've found that truth in labelling is very good here. If it says silk, it won't be polyester. Their pashminas The building is air conditioned, too!

Sari shops can also be a great place to get fabric. Saris are basically just a 6 meter piece of fabric, but open it up to make sure the pattern doesn't change in an inconvenient spot.

Another place in Delhi is the Khadi Gramodyog bhavan, or the Gandhi shop. It is in the same general area as Cottage industries Emporium and Connaught place and Palika (sp?) Market.

Oops, that should say, their shawls are also marked correctly and priced well. There is a big difference in shawls...pashmina, silk, wool, wool/silk mix, cotton/silk. polyester, etc

Cottage Industries Emporium, mentioned above, is a place I've bought fabric, including upholstery fabric, and I've been happy with the results for many years. Good quality.

I've also shopped at many a Fabindia location, for clothes & finished household items rather than fabrics, but as a result know their fabrics. They tend to be a somewhat lesser quality, but inexpensive, fun & fashionable solids & prints, many of the block prints we all love and I'd definitely have a look.

You'll see tailors' shops wherever you go and, of course, they all have bolts of fabrics. I'm sure some will sell you just the fabrics if you see something you like.

SOMA!!! LOVE it!!! There are unfortunately few throughout India (there are two in New Delhi, including one at Connaught Place ) but you are lucky: their main and largest store is in Jaipur. It's the first I went to, and i was hooked.

Soma is a smaller version of Anokhi or Fabindia, but has similar block-print fabric of clothes and housewares such as bedspreads and tablecloths, in stunning prints, so I'm guessing they sell fabrics too.

Thanks everyone. I had not realised that Fabindia and Anokhi sold fabric as well as ready to wear stuff so that information is really helpful. I visited the 'Fabric of India' exhibition at the V and A in London earlier this year and got really hooked on the Rajasthan block printing techniques and hence I have already 'bookmarked' the Anokhi museum in Jaipur. Plus will now also try to hunt out Cottage Industries and Soma.

Useful to know they use metric and I will be going prepared with notes on what I need to make up various patterns.

Anokhi also sells the woodblocks for printing in many different designs. Ask for them if you don't see them. Make nice gifts too.

Fabindia, Anokhi, Soma and Central Cottage Industries Emporium all are good places for fabric. All will be found easily in Delhi or Jaipur.