Fabric Tales is a web site selling Japanese fabrics in traditional and non-traditional designs to the rest of the world. It's run by English-speaking Japanese women. For really distinctive fabrics in gorgeous patterns for both clothing and crafts you can't beat this site if you love Japanese designs.
It also stocks some Japanese craft supplies, such as patterns (all in Japanese), ribbons and beads. Patterns come with the warning that they are drafted for Japanese sizes - which would be on the small side.
There is a gallery showing clothes and other items made by customers. You can also click through to a Japanese-language sister site with a more extensive gallery.
A couple of years ago Fabric Tales had some lovely T-shirt weight cotton jersey in traditional patterns, which were expensive but fabulous and worth splurging on. Alas, these knits have sold out and not been repeated, but I'm watching the site like a hawk in case they are offered again. The T-shirt I made wasn't a success but I still remember the fabric fondly. I also bought the silk in which I made Burda 8153 (reviewed on PR) from Fabric Tales.
Another house special is ripple cotton (i.e. seersucker) perfect for hot weather blouses in delightful prints.
How is the web site look & feel/user friendliness? Is it easy to surf? This is not the best designed site, but it's generally pretty good to use.
Is this a commercial web site? If yes how are the prices? Do they have a secure shopping cart? Yes, it's commercial and secure. Prices are generally moderate (except for the T-shirt fabric mentioned above).
How is the customer service? Very good. Orders are despatched promptly. If you sign up for their email newsletters they don't deluge you with frequent bulletins full of effusive drivel as some do but contact you only when they have something substantial to say, i.e. news of several new fabrics.
Their shipping costs are very reasonable because they use post rather than insisting on couriers, and one of the options offered is SAL (Surface Air Lifted; a combination of air and surface mail), which is very cheap!
Prices are quoted in US dollars and fabric is cut in yards, not metres. Samples are available on request for a very modest charge.
Note that most fabrics are narrow - only 42-44in (108-112cm) - and precise widths for individual fabrics are not stated, so you must calculate your required length carefully before ordering.
Have you bought anything from this web site? If yes, was the item delivered on time? I've bought from this site a few times and always been happy with the service and delivery time. Usually I opt for SAL, which takes 2 to 3 weeks to reach the southern hemisphere, but that's fine with me as it makes shopping more affordable. Faster options are available.
Would you recommend this site to others? Yes, very much so. Don't let the naff name put you off.
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I've spent a lot of time browsing this site, and I've been very happy with everything I've bought. The various weights of cotton are indicated in the descriptions by their thickness (!) and sometimes by their use (see the gallery). The $5 SAL shipping rate is amazing, and it doesn't seem to take much longer than a cross-country package.
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