Pongees

This fabric store is right in Hoxton Square, so it’s super-​convenient for all of the arty people and fashion students in the area, but every time I’m in here it seems empty. Since the store is pretty decent, I can only think that either nobody knows about it, or the fact that you have to push a buzzer to be let in causes some to think that it’s just for wholesalers… but it’s not, so don’t let the buzzer intimidate you! Especially since they’re rather student-​friendly.
The fabric isn’t on bolts… cloth is draped onto racks much the way Oriental carpets are displayed, so you kind of have to swing through the lot, which can take time… but they have *so* many different types of fabric, and practically each one comes in ten different colourways.
A lot of the prints are outdated and not very fashionable — they tend to err on 90’s auntie look… but let that discourage you… there are definitely some good finds to be had.
The staff is really friendly… although you’ll probably have to wait to be served, and then wait again to get your swatch or order, but they anticipate that, and have kindly set up chairs and tables — piled with plenty of magazines.
Prices are reasonable… and another major plus is that it’s easy to open an account here — and they ship!