One of the joys of living in Abu Dhabi is the option to have your clothes made for you by a tailor – see our own favourites in the last issue of Abu Dhabi Week. Once you’ve chosen a design, your tailor will send you to a fabric shop to get the raw materials. Whether you’re working with a tailor or sewing for yourself, here are the five best places to buy fabric.

1: Cairo This three story textile shop on 3rd/Khalifa Street opposite Al Noor Hospital is an absolute fabric bonanza. With everything from silk and satin to cotton and wool in store there, you’ll find knowledgeable salesmen and whatever fabric you could want.

2: The unofficial fabric souk Though the Central Market is far from being finished, you’ll find a sort of souk-style neighbourhood devoted to fabric in the back streets behind the Hamdan Centre. Though these shops boast all sorts
of material, they specialise in Indian styles and can certainly meet all your sari needs.

3: Madinat Zayed A cross between a shopping mall and a souk, this local style shopping centre is home to several fabric shops – some that carry hard-to-find fabrics like pleather and seersucker.
Next to the Gold Souk on 4th/Muroor Road between 7th/Electra and 9th/Al Falah Street.

4: Al Omara Textiles Though not the biggest shop in town, this unassuming store on the road behind Madinat Zayed is two floors groaning with options. Helpful staff can direct you to the best fabrics for your needs at excellent prices.

5: Malik and Shaheed Whether you’re sewing or tailoring, you can find all the attendant bits and bobs at this little shop on the street directly behind Madinat Zayed. Stuffed with every sort of thread, beads, buttons, sequins, embroidery thread, ribbons, elastic, snaps, and
even a dress makers dummy or two plus anything else you (or your tailor) could possibly need ...  

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