- July 1, 2023
Shopping for Patchwork Fabric in Spain
I always enjoy shopping for patchwork fabric in Spain. Years ago when I lived there, quilting was not common at all, at least not in southern Spain. However, it has grown in popularity over the years. Now there are a good number of shops and markets selling patchwork fabric, as well as a good number of patchwork/quilting groups and classes. There’s a national organisation, The Spanish Patchwork Association, as well as well as an International Patchwork Festival in March every year in Sitges near Barcelona. If you’ve missed that event, there’s another one coming up in October in Madrid.
Following are a few of my favorite patchwork fabric shops in the locality where I stay when in Spain.
Trapo’s is one of my favourite places to purchase fabric. It’s within a 5-minute walk of where I stay and just across the street from a churro stand! They have quite a large selection of 100% cotton quilting fabric. In fact, there are so many bolts of fabric that sometimes it’s hard to pull them down off the shelves and put them back again. However, the friendly staff are always very helpful and patient.
Merceria Mentretengo is another favourite place to shop for quilting fabric. Although the shop moved recently, it’s still less than a 10-minute walk from where I stay. Merceria means “haberdashery” in English, and these shops abound all around Spain. Most Spanish women sew and they always need supplies such as needles, thread, buttons, snaps, lace, ribbons, yarns and much more. Some mercerias, like this one, also carry fabric. Merceria Mentretengo carries a very good selection of excellent quilting fabric and quilting accessories as well. They also offer sewing and patchwork workshops.
Merceria Botones Patchwork Puerto is yet another favourite shop. Again, under ten minutes from where I stay, and a good choice of fabrics. They also offer various classes. I’ve picked up some project ideas just by looking in their shop window! They don’t have a dedicated website, but they do have a Facebook page. See the link above.
