When we travel, two things are always at the top of our list before we’ve even unpacked our bags: finding the nearest fashion or design museum, and tracking down the fabric stores in town.
It is exciting to discover the local style and textiles in different parts of the world. If we find something unique or specialised to the area, we love to add that to our souvenirs and make plans sew the material into something special. Our wardrobes tell a story of our travels, and we can tell you where many of the pieces of fabric came from.
When Lauren was travelling in Switzerland over a cold winter, this was not an exception. Here are some of the stores she came across to add to your list too.
stofftraum in Basel
stofftraum is a fabric store located in the heart of Basel, Switzerland, on Pfluggässlein in the city’s old town. The shop specialises in a wide range of dressmaking and fashion fabrics, including silk, wool, jersey, cotton, linen, coat and knit fabrics, along with linings and a selection of designer materials. The store also stocks sewing essentials such as zippers, buttons and patterns, with staff on hand to offer advice for a variety of projects. stofftraum has been part of the local sewing community for over three decades, celebrating 30 years in operation. You can find more information about the store on their website at www.stoffe.ch.
L'étofferie de Berne
L’étofferie de Berne – Situated on Moserstrasse 12 in the Breitenrain district of Bern, Switzerland, this fabric store offers apparel fabrics by the metre, a curated selection of sewing notions like zippers and haberdashery, charming small mercerie items, and patterns. A focus on sustainability means many materials are made from natural fibres and are as plastic-free as possible, with both newly produced textiles and deadstock from overproduction in the fashion industry. The shop also provides helpful services such as fabric measurement assistance, custom zipper orders and links to alteration services. They host events like pre-loved fabric sales. Website: https://www.etofferie.ch/
VERO Stoffe - Stoffgeschäft in Bern
VERO Stoffe – This fabric store is located on Rathausgasse 42 in the old town of Bern, Switzerland. It offers a curated selection of dressmaking fabrics, with a focus on fashionable, high-quality materials suitable for garment sewing, and the owner provides personalised advice and services such as pattern guidance and fabric sampling. The shop has roots back to 1989 at this location (initially as “TXT 42”) and was taken over and renamed in 1999; it has been operated by the current proprietor since 2017. Website: https://www.verostoffe.com/
Oh La La Stoffe Bern
Oh Là Là Stoffe – Nestled on Rathausgasse 14 in Bern’s old town, this beautifully layed out fabric store is a treasure trove for sewing enthusiasts. They carry a wide mix of textiles from around the world, including Italian silks, French lace, Swiss embroidery, African cotton prints, Japanese fabrics, and fine English cashmere and coat materials. The store has been running under its current ownership since July 2017. Website: ohlalastoffe.ch
Stoffartig in Bern
Stoffartig – This fabric store is located on Gerechtigkeitsgasse 54 in Bern, Switzerland, with another branch in Solothurn at Kronengasse 3. They offer a large and diverse range of fabrics, including knits and other apparel textiles suitable for everything from everyday garments to special sewing projects, plus a selection of sewing notions and accessories to support your creative ideas. The shop also stocks a variety of local pattern (“Schnittmuster”) brands and you can browse in their broad accessories section. Website: https://www.stoffartig.ch/
Bazaar58 in Bern
Bazaar58 – Located on Gerechtigkeitsgasse 58 in Bern’s old town, Bazaar58 is a playful spot for sewing lovers and creative souls. The shop is especially known for its huge collection of buttons in every colour, shape and material, from wood and mother-of-pearl to horn and vegetable ivory. Beyond buttons, you’ll find a mix of fun accessories, unique sewing notions, and small creative gifts, all chosen with a quirky, artistic vibe. Website: bazaar58.com
Alja Stoffe & Mercerie Brig
Alja – Alja is nestled in the small town of Brig. You can visit this fabric and haberdashery shop you can visit in‑person or browse online, offering a very wide selection of textiles and sewing supplies for all kinds of projects. They stock everything from fashion and basic fabrics like cotton, jersey, linen and denim to decorative and seasonal prints, carnival and children’s fabrics, along with a huge range of buttons, zippers, threads, ribbons and other sewing notions plus curtain fabrics and craft materials. Website: alja.ch
Please note this is not an exhaustive list of fabric stores in these locations. There may be other brilliant shops we didn’t get a chance to visit, and their absence is not a reflection of their quality. While we do our best to keep the blog up to date, we recommend checking current opening times and locations before planning your visit — we’d hate for you to be disappointed.
