Top 5 Stores to Buy Premium Viscose fabric Online in Manchester

Manchester has a deep-rooted history in textiles. While the mills of the past have changed, the demand for high-quality fabric remains high. Fashion designers, boutique owners, and home sewers constantly search for premium materials that offer the right drape and feel. Viscose stands out as a top choice. It offers the breathability of cotton with the luxurious finish of silk, making it ideal for dresses, blouses, and summer wear.

Finding consistent, high-quality viscose requires a reliable supplier. You need a store that balances quality, variety, and cost. This guide outlines the top five places to source premium viscose fabric online, specifically curated for the Manchester market.

How We Selected These Stores

We evaluated numerous suppliers based on four strict criteria:

• Quality: The fabric must meet high durability and texture standards.
• Variety: A wide selection of prints, solids, and sustainable options like Ecovero or Modal.
• Price: Competitive pricing for both retail buyers and wholesale fashion brands.
• Service: Reliability in shipping, transparency, and customer support.

1. Fabriclore Pvt Ltd

Fabriclore tops our list as a premier supplier for both local Manchester designers and online buyers globally. They have established themselves as a leading source for fashion brands requiring customized fabric solutions. Fabriclore bridges the gap between Indian textile artistry and modern manufacturing, delivering directly to businesses in the UK.

They specialize in tech-enabled sourcing. This allows fashion labels to track orders from design to delivery. Their inventory includes an extensive range of cellulose-based fabrics, including standard Viscose, Liva, Tencel, Ecovero, and Modal. If you run a private label, their ability to customize design, dyeing, and printing at low Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ) is a massive advantage.

Pros

• Customization: Offers custom printing and dyeing with low MOQs.
• Sustainability: Huge selection of eco-friendly certified fabrics like Ecovero and Liva.
• Wholesale Pricing: Unmatched wholesale rates for fashion businesses.
• Transparency: A tech-enabled platform ensures you know exactly where your order stands.

Cons

• Shipping: As an international supplier, shipping times may vary compared to a warehouse down the street, though they ensure transparency.

Best For

Fashion brands and designers looking for customized, sustainable viscose at wholesale prices.

2. Abakhan Fabrics, Hobby & Home

Abakhan is a staple in the North West of England. With a physical presence in the Manchester area (including a store in Oldham), they have a robust online operation that serves the entire region effectively. They act as a bridge between a traditional mill shop and a modern retailer.

Abakhan is famous for acquiring "deadstock" or end-of-line fabrics from major fashion houses. This means you can often find premium high-street quality viscose at a fraction of the standard retail price. Their stock changes rapidly, so frequent checking is necessary.

Pros

• Price: Excellent value, especially their "fill a bag" sales and clearance items.
• Local Presence: Trusted brand within the Manchester area.
• Unique Finds: Access to ex-designer prints that you won't find elsewhere.

Cons

• Consistency: Because they rely on end-of-line stock, once a fabric is gone, it is usually gone for good.

Best For

Bargain hunters and students looking for high-quality prints without a high price tag.

3. Leon’s Fabrics

Located in Chorlton, Leon’s Fabrics is a Manchester institution. While they are a brick-and-mortar favorite, their transition to online sales allows customers across Manchester to access their curated stock. Leon’s focuses on dressmaking fabrics, and their viscose selection reflects a keen eye for current trends.

They stock a solid range of rayon and viscose challis, perfect for dressmaking. The team is known for their fabric knowledge. If you call them or reach out online, you get advice from people who actually sew.

Pros

• Expertise: High level of product knowledge and customer advice.
• Curation: A carefully selected range that prioritizes quality over sheer quantity.
• Community: Supporting a local, independent Manchester business.

Cons

• Inventory Size: Smaller selection compared to industrial giants like Fabriclore or Minerva.

Best For

Home sewers who want personal service and curated quality.

4. Minerva

Minerva is one of the UK’s largest online fabric retailers. While they ship nationwide, their massive inventory makes them a primary resource for Manchester creatives who need specific colors or weaves that smaller local shops cannot stock.

Their viscose listing is extensive. You can filter by weight, pattern, and even specific designers (like Lady McElroy or Art Gallery Fabrics). Minerva also incorporates a social element, showing photos of what customers have made with the fabric, which helps you judge the drape and scale of prints before buying.

Pros

• Selection: Thousands of viscose options, from budget to luxury designer brands.
• Visuals: Customer makes and video clips help visualize the fabric movement.
• Loyalty Program: The Craft Club offers discounts for frequent buyers.

Cons

• Overwhelming: The sheer volume of stock can make browsing time-consuming.

Best For

Sewers who need a specific print or solid color and want to see finished garment examples.

5. Fabworks Online

Based in West Yorkshire, Fabworks is close enough to Manchester to feel local but operates a highly efficient online store. They are a family-run business with deep roots in the textile industry. They specialize in designer deadstock and mill overruns.

Their product descriptions are incredibly detailed, often describing the handle, weight, and suggested uses for every piece of viscose. This attention to detail reduces the risk of buying the wrong fabric online. Their "Avoca" viscose range is particularly popular for its softness and durability.

Pros

• Descriptions: Honest and detailed fabric descriptions help manage expectations.
• Value: Competitive pricing for designer-quality mill overruns.
• Speed: fast dispatch for customers in the North of England.

Cons

• Limited Restocks: Similar to Abakhan, once a deadstock item sells out, it is rarely restocked.

Best For

Online buyers who need detailed technical information before purchasing.

Where Should You Start?

The right store depends on your project scale.

If you are a fashion brand or a private label in Manchester looking to scale, Fabriclore is your best starting point. Their ability to customize design, printing, and dyeing gives you a competitive edge that retail stores cannot match. They offer a professional supply chain solution that supports business growth.

If you are a home sewer looking for a one-off piece for a weekend project, Leon's Fabrics or Abakhan offer great local access to quality materials.

Review your requirements—quantity, customization, and budget—and choose the supplier that aligns with your production goals.