Where to Buy Embroidery Supplies in Manchester: A Guide to Abakhan

 One of the most common questions I get, especially after a workshop, is: "Where can I buy embroidery supplies in Manchester?" The answer is always Abakhan, located in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Based right at the end of Oldham Street, heading toward Ancoats, Abakhan, with its bright green storefront and crafty window display, is hard to miss!

Spread over three floors, Abakhan has all the fabric you could dream of, an impressive section dedicated just to wool and knitting, a serious array of trimmings, and oh-so-tempting crafty bits and bobs.

Fabric Shopping at Abakhan

If you’re new to fabric shopping, don’t be alarmed when you first walk in and find racks upon racks of fabric to rummage through—it can be a bit overwhelming at first. A bit like walking into TK Maxx during December—it can be hard to work out what you are looking at and if they have what you want. But unlike TK Maxx in December, there is actually an order to everything, and the staff are extremely helpful.

If you’re specifically looking for embroidery fabric, my go-to is calico (another blog post all about fabric is on its way shortly!). You’ll find it on the ground floor as you walk in, usually towards the back and on the right.

One thing to note about the fabric on the ground floor: Abakhan sells it by weight, so you’ll find pre-cut fabric on the racks. For me, this is great because I get through a lot of calico for my kits and workshops. But if you only want enough for a couple of projects, you can ask the staff to cut the fabric to the size you need and check the cost before you pay. I’ve always found it very reasonably priced.

As a side note, if you're a dressmaker and need longer pieces of fabric instead of the cut-up folds, head upstairs where they stock more traditional rolls of fabric.

Finding Embroidery Threads at Abakhan

One of the best things about Abakhan is the wall of embroidery threads. When I shared a video on my Instagram, someone commented that they hadn’t seen such a wide selection in a physical shop since the 90s!

They stock a nearly full range of DMC thread, including the traditional 6-stranded cotton, Pearle, and metallics. DMC thread prices can vary massively depending on where you shop, but I’d say Abakhan falls somewhere in the middle of the price range. They also carry their own brand of cheaper thread, but I haven’t tried it, so I can’t speak to the quality.

If I’m planning for a workshop, I usually buy my thread in bulk wholesale, which works out cheaper for the quantities I need. But for personal projects or when I’m looking for inspiration, Abakhan is where I head. There’s nothing like picking up the thread, seeing it with your own eyes, and laying out the colors next to one another to find the perfect palette!

The Best (and Not So Great) Embroidery Hoops at Abakhan

Next to the embroidery thread, you’ll find a small and generally not very well-stocked selection of embroidery hoops—and this is where Abakhan falls short. I don’t rate the brand of standard hoops they carry at all.

My favorite brand for hoops is Elbesee, and while they are pricier than the ones Abakhan stocks, you can buy them in person at Fred Aldous (I’m writing another blog post all about hoops and what to look for, coming soon).

That said, I do buy the occasional oval hoop from Abakhan—they’re not perfect, but I haven’t found anything better for the shape. They also stock more decorative rubber/plastic hoops, which aren’t my style, but I’ve seen plenty of people make lovely pieces using them.

Why Abakhan is Still My Go-To Craft Shop in Manchester

Less-than-ideal hoop selection aside, Abakhan is definitely still my go-to craft shop in Manchester. It’s reasonably priced and offers by far the best selection of fabric, wool, and other textile-based craft supplies in the city center (unless there’s somewhere I don’t know about!).

They offer a loyalty stamp card and discounts for students and NHS workers. Plus, as I mentioned before, the staff are incredibly knowledgeable.

If you’re not in Manchester, don’t worry! Abakhan has several other branches across the North West (and Wales, I believe) and they also have an online store.

Key Takeaways:

• Abakhan in the Northern Quarter is the best spot in Manchester for fabric, threads, and craft materials.
• Stock up on calico and browse their impressive range of DMC threads.
• Their embroidery hoop selection isn’t the best, but Fred Aldous offers high-quality alternatives.
• Abakhan is ideal for craft lovers, with multiple branches across the North West and online shopping available.

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Where is your go-to craft shop? Any other questions you’d like me to answer? I’m planning a whole series of tips and advice! Everything from individual stitch tutorials to how to create your own designs!

Feeling overwhelmed by sourcing supplies yourself?
Why not try one of my DIY embroidery kits? Each kit comes with everything you need to get started, including fabric, threads, and a detailed pattern!