Dealer Focus: Emporia Fabric & Craft, Ashford

In today's Dealer Focus, we look at Emporia Fabric & Craft in Ashford, home to an array of workshops, haberdashery and Brother machines.

Fabrics, patterns, machines and classes in Ashord

Emporia Fabric & Craft is an independent sewing shop located in Ashford town centre, owned and run by Clair Heal and selling a range of dress fabrics, quilting cottons and haberdashery. The shop also features a range of independently designed dress patterns created by Clair herself; these patterns form the basis of her sewing classes where she teaches everyone from beginners up to skilled sewists how to produce her designs.

Clair has a history as a costume designer, and she studied pattern cutting and clothing technology at KIAD in Rochester before she set up Emporia. One of her first businesses was designing a range of maternity wear, which she started up whilst on maternity leave with her second child. It was after the move down from London to Kent that Clair decided she wanted to get back to pattern designing, so opened up her own fabric shop in 2013.

Starting out in a basic two room unit, Emporia has since expanded and moved into a much larger premises as part of Ashford's town centre regeneration project, and can now boast of being a destination shop for the large number of crafters that live in and around the town. Hosting workshops, sewing classes and kids’ parties from the off, the business surfed the wave of a renewed interest in handmade crafts and has gone from strength to strength ever since.

A huge range to satisfy every customer

Emporia sells a range of 100% cottons, alongside a variety of dressmaking fabrics including jersey, sweatshirting, wool, lace, lining, crushed velvet, fleece, brushed cotton, needlecord and denim. They also stock a range of independent sewing patterns from the likes of Tilly and the Buttons, Deer and Doe, Sew Over It, Ikatee and Grainline. 

The store has their own range of independently designed sewing patterns made by Clair herself . These have been growing in number since the launch of their first pattern, the child’s Reversible Dress which was released in 2016. Since then, the range has expanded to ten and Emporia has another five designs scheduled for release this year - watch this space! 

Emporia stocks a small range of sewing and embroidery machines, from the very basic to all singing, all dancing models! Prices range from £99 to the £2999.99 V5 embroidery and sewing combi machine. They also have Brother overlockers in stock for their very popular Beginner’s Overlocker class, and customers can also get their hands on a variety of machine accessories, including items such as feet, attachments, stabilizer and embroidery threads.

Exciting sewing classes and workshops in Kent

A range of classes and workshops take place at the shop, mostly with Clair at the helm. From the basic beginners to teaching the range of Emporia pattern designs, plus crochet, knitting, patchwork and seasonal workshops, there is always something going on in the workshop area. These aren't just for adults either, with Emporia inspiring the next generation with their fun and friendly fortnightly Saturday kid’s club.

Emporia always uses Brother machines in their classes so that customers can experience the various models before they buy. One of their best-selling machines is the F420, used regularly in the classes since it works well to help newbie sewers get comfortable. The store's range of classes is listed on the blog and class lists are also available in the shop. 

Customers can start off with the Beginner’s Class sewing an envelope-close cushion cover and a pencil case, before they graduate onto dressmaking classes, where they can choose from the range of Emporia patterns to make a kimono style dress, a pair of loose legged summer trousers, an a-line skirt or one of the craft centre's other designs.

All Emporia's patchwork classes are taught by two local patchwork designers, Mandy Munroe and Beth Studley, and their overlocker class is taken by another local star who runs a collective craft shop, also located in the shopping centre.

Taking the sewing world by storm with Emporia patterns

Emporia has so far released ten patterns, including both children's and adult designs. The patterns are all suitable for beginner to intermediate sewists, and are inspired by Clair’s love of simple and effective designs and Japanese minimalism. Her latest releases, the Issey Culottes and the Lotta Dress both proved popular at the Knitting and Stitching Show in London this year, alongside the Kimono Dress and the girl’s Reversible Dress. 

Clair also appeared on the Sewing Quarter in February this year, demonstrating the Kimono Dress and Alice Trousers and is set to go back again to release a new pattern in late spring. Following her appearance both these patterns sold in great quantities and the business saw a huge increase in visitors to the shop. As well as stocking a great range of exciting and vibrant fabrics, it's Emporia's own patterns and passion for sewing and design which make the shop truly unique.





Emporia is located right in the middle of the town centre in an open shopping centre that has several other independent shops located around it. Several car parks are in very close proximity and there are plenty of tea and coffee shops nearby - perfect for stopping off for a little treat after you’ve visited the shop or enjoyed a class!

21 Park Mall

Ashford

TN24 8RY
01233 612278

Open Mon-Sat, 10am – 5pm and open Sundays during the Christmas period

Website – https://www.emporia-fabric.co.uk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/emporiafabric/
Instagram – @emporiafabricandcraft @emporia_patterns
Twitter – @emporiapatterns
Blog – https://emporiafabricandcraft.wordpress.com/