Where to Buy Fabric Online
Amazon.com/Fabric - This used to be Fabric Dot Com and now is part of Amazon. The good news is you can get 2-day shipping with Prime.
B&J Fabrics - a New York City based fabric store know for designer, high end fabrics.
Fabrics & Fabrics - a reputable & trusted family-run business near the NYC Fashion District since the 1980s. The fabrics are high-end limited stock fabrics from luxury fashion brands and mills.
Fabric Wholesle Direct - specializes in discounted wholesale fabric for designers, event planners, fabric retailers and more.
Fabric Mart - a small, family-owned business specializing in deadstock, designer fabric.
Metro Textiles NYC - the source for your fabric needs at wholesale prices. They only sell in by the yard and up. They do no sell 1/2 yards or anything less than one yard.
Mood - You have probably seen Mood on Project Runway. Mood is probably on of most famous fabric stores in the world and you can order from them online.
Online Fabric Store - has one of the country's largest inventories of first quality upholstery, drapery, apparel, and industrial fabrics.
Shannon Fabrics - A great place when looking for minky and fur fabrics. Transparency, honesty and ethical business decisions are the backbone of the company.
Zelouf Fabrics - Has a great fabric swatch policy. Many of their fabrics are found in retail clothes and the fabric comes from a socially reponsible mill in Asia.
Suggested Sewing Tools*
Brother CP2160L Computerized Sewing Machine - with 60 Built -In Stitches, LCD Display, 7 Included Feet. I've used a simular Brother machine and it is a very nice machine for someone starting out or even a vetern. I also think this hits a nice sweet spot for a starter machine with some nice extras like a drop in bobbin, automatic needle threader, and several auto-size buttonholes for a good price.
Magnetic Seam Guide - Can't sew stright? Neighter can I. Try a magnetic seam guide on your machine. I used one all the time and it is a huge help.
Sewing Gauge - The sewing gauge is one of the most helpful tools to use (once I figured it out, lol). Need to add some seam allowance or do a bust ajustment? This little tool is there for you.
Sewing Measuring Tape - Another of the must basic tools of sewing is the measuring tape.
Sewing Stright Pins - Another of the must basic tools of sewing. You can never really have enough pins.
Sewing Pin Cushion - You need a place to put all those pins as you pull them out and a pin cushion is probablly your best bet.
Sewing Clips - While the clips can't replace pins entirely they are a great addtion to the arsonal. Great for flat things, or vinyl or lether where you don't want to put pinholes through your piece.
Fiskars Sewing Scissors - I think almost every sewist owns a pair of Fiskars at some point or other. A great cheap pair of scissors to start sewing with.
Gingher Sewing Scissors - I have a pair of Gingher Dressmaker's Fabric Scissors and I love them. If you are looking for a pair of sewings scissors that will last a lifetime these are it. Hande made from forged steel I think these are worth the cost.
Fiskars Sewing Snips - A great way to remove all the little thread tails when you are done. The Fiskars Sewing Snips linked here are my favorite style of snips as I have tried a few.
Seam Ripper - If you are anything like me there might be times where you might have to rip out large amounts of of the seam you put in. Or just small amout. But a seam ripper is one of those must have basic sewing tools.
Rotary Cutter - I admit not everyone will need a rotary cutter but again I find this a very useful tool. Great for cutting stright lines and multiple layers of fabric at once. The one linked here is the 45mm which is the medium sized one.
Rotary Cutter replacement blade - Unlike scissors you can't sharpen the rotary cutter blades and so they must be replaced every so often (how often seems to depend on the type of fabric you are cutting). So, it is always a good bet to keep some extras on hand.
Sewing Ruler - I put this type of sewing ruler (hard plastic 6" x 24") because it is also a must for use with a rotary cutter. This will help you get those stright lines. But I use this ruler in my everyday sewing all the time. Hell, I use these ruler for a lot of non-sewing measuring too!
Self Healing Cutting Mat - If you are using a rotary cutter you need something to cut on. A self healing cutting mat is ideal. It will help keep your blades sharp and last longer than a normal mat. Also very useful for any cosplayers out there. Just don't use it for an ironing mat, it will never be the same again!
Tailors Chalk - You will often have to make marks on the clothes you are making. Tailors chalk is a classic tool because it works well and washes out easily.
PILOT FriXion Erasable Gel Pens - While not a sewing supply per se it actually can be used as one. Great for marking lighter fabrics and with a hop iron all the marks will disapear.
Sewing Machine Thread - You will always need thread and keeping some black and white spools on hand is a good idea.
Sewing Machine bobbins - Machine boobins can be tricky. It doesn't matter the brand of machine you have it is possible to use Singer bobbins in a Brother machine. Where it does matter is the type of bobbin your machine uses. This should be in the manual that came with your machine. The set linked here are Class 15 one of the most common classes but do double check before you use them!
Sewing Machine Needles - The good news is that Sewing Machine Needles are universal. Any brand of machine needle can go into any machine. Where it gets complicated is different needles are used for different types of sewing projects. The sewing machine needles linked here are some of the most common sizes of needle and will cover most projects.
Bobbin Case - The more you sew the more half finished bobbins you end up with. Having a case for them is pretty much a must have. The style of case linked is my favorite where the bobbins fit snuggly in and won't fall out everytime you open the case.
Sewing Machine Oil - Keeping your machine in working condtion is important. So, having machine oil on hand is helpful. Also, useful for any other items you have in your home with moving parts.
Hand Sewing Needles - At some point it is likely you will have to hand sew soemthing. Weather it is a just button or tailored clothes keeping some hand sewing needles on hand is handy!
Thimbles - When you have to hand sew a thimble can come in very handy. It can really help push the sewing needle through some thick layers of fabric.