Faux fur, swimwear fabric, sequins, and bridal lace all share one roof at a single shop. That alone made me stop and look twice.
The store has been around since 1958. It has moved across metro Detroit over the decades, yet it never lost its loyal following.
It covers almost every kind of project. Wedding gowns, home decor, cozy knits, and even athleisure all have a place here. The staff includes experienced sewers who can help you sort silk from rayon.
I can’t imagine a better stop for anyone in Michigan with a half-finished idea and a sewing machine waiting at home. So what would you make first if every fabric you wanted were right in front of you?
The Small Storefront Hides The Big Selection
Haberman Fabrics sits on West Fourteen Mile Road in Clawson, Michigan, west of Rochester Road near the Royal Oak border.
Follow the commercial stretch of Fourteen Mile Road toward the Clawson Shopping Center.
The shop occupies a modest storefront in a low retail development, so the outside gives little indication of the space within.
Look for the Haberman Fabrics sign along the center’s row of businesses. Turn into the shared shopping-center parking area and walk to the marked storefront entrance. Check current opening hours before setting out.
Twenty-One Fabric Categories Await Your Next Big Idea
Athleisure, brocade, faux fur, leather, and velvet all appear on the same category list. Add swimwear, wool, linen, and sequins, and the options get a little wild.
The store organizes its stock into more than 20 fabric types. You will find cotton, knit, lining, net, novelty, polyester, rayon, silk, and seasonal fabrics too. That range covers nearly any project you could dream up.
Planning a cozy winter coat? Wool and faux fur are on the list. Need something stretchy for workout gear? Athleisure and knits have you covered.
I think this variety is the real secret of Haberman Fabrics. Big chain stores often focus on basic quilting cotton. Here, the shelves stretch far beyond the basics.
Here is a smart tip before you go. Bring your pattern and check the fabric suggestions printed on the back. Then you can match those suggestions to the right category quickly.
It also helps to bring a photo of your inspiration piece. Seeing the drape and shine you want makes choosing much easier.
With this many choices, a plan saves time. Otherwise, you might wander the aisles happily for far longer than expected.
Brides And Formalwear Fans Should Head Straight Here
Wedding season brings serious fabric pressure. One wrong choice can make a dream gown look more like a costume rental.
That is where this Clawson shop shines. Haberman Fabrics is known for elegant materials made for formalwear and wedding projects. Bridal fabric is one of its main specialties.
The selection includes lace and embroidered net, silk, brocade, and sequin fabrics. Those are the building blocks of gowns, veils, and fancy party dresses. Velvet adds another option for cooler-weather celebrations.
I believe brides who sew deserve a store that takes their project seriously. A wedding dress is not the time to settle for whatever is left on the clearance rack.
This section also works for prom dresses, quinceanera gowns, and holiday party outfits. Anyone making a showstopper piece can find something worth touching here.
A practical tip: buy a little extra fabric for formal projects. Lace and beaded fabrics often need careful pattern placement, which uses more yardage.
You may also want trims to finish the look. Pairing your main fabric with matching lace edging can make homemade formalwear look truly custom.
Your Living Room Might Be Begging For A Makeover
Tired curtains have a sneaky way of dragging down a whole room. Fresh fabric can fix that faster than new furniture.
Home decor is one of the three big areas at Haberman Fabrics, along with bridal and apparel. You can shop for drapery, pillows, and other decorating projects in one stop.
The store also offers sample books for home decor shoppers. These books let you see many patterns and colors without needing every option on the shelf.
Need something that is not in stock? The shop can help with special-order fabrics. That opens up even more choices for picky decorators.
I like this setup for big projects. Choosing curtain fabric under store lighting is tricky. Seeing samples helps you picture the finished room more clearly.
Before you shop, measure your windows, cushions, or furniture carefully. Write down the numbers and bring them along. The staff can help much more when they know your sizes.
Snap a few photos of your room too. Wall colors and flooring matter when picking prints. A fabric that looks great alone may clash with your couch at home.
Tiny Buttons And Trims Can Steal The Whole Show
Ever finished a project and felt something was missing? Often the answer is a better button or a fun strip of trim.
Haberman Fabrics carries trims, buttons, and other essential notions. These small items handle big jobs, like closing jackets and adding sparkle to hems.
Notions are the supporting cast of sewing. Think zippers, thread, interfacing, and the little bits that hold everything together. Without them, even beautiful fabric stays unfinished.
Here is a fun way to think about it. Fabric sets the mood, but trims add the personality. A plain dress can turn playful with pom-poms or classy with lace edging.
A smart shopping habit is to bring a fabric swatch when choosing buttons. Colors can look very different side by side. Matching them in person saves you from a surprise later.
I also suggest grabbing extra buttons when you find ones you love. Losing one later is annoying, and finding an exact match can be tough.
Trims are perfect for upgrading store-bought items too. A simple pillow or tote gets a fresh look with the right border. Small change, big payoff.
Experienced Sewers Are Ready To Untangle Your Questions
Silk or rayon? Knit or woven? Those questions can stump beginners and even confuse seasoned sewers.
The team at Haberman Fabrics includes knowledgeable sewers and specialists with years of experience. Some have worked with the business through earlier store locations, so their history runs deep.
They can help narrow down fabric options when the choices feel overwhelming. They can also explain how different materials behave. That kind of guidance matters when your project has to stretch, drape, or hold its shape.
The staff supports all kinds of work. Everyday clothing, formalwear, and home decorating projects all fall within their wheelhouse.
I think this personal help is what sets an independent shop apart. A website can show you a photo. It cannot tell you how a fabric will act once it hits your sewing machine.
To get the best help, come prepared. Bring your pattern, your measurements, and a clear idea of your goal. Be honest about your skill level too.
Beginners should ask which fabrics are easiest to work with. Slippery silks can be tricky. A friendlier fabric may save your first project from a frustrating ending.
Workshops Turn Curious Beginners Into Proud Makers
Learning to sew from online videos works for some people. Others need someone nearby to say, wait, flip that piece over.
Haberman Fabrics hosts in-person sewing classes at its Clawson location. Past class options have included a Pillow Workshop and a Fabulous Tote/Bag workshop.
Those projects are smart choices for newer sewers. Pillows teach straight seams and corners. Tote bags add handles and a little more structure, which builds confidence step by step.
I love the idea of learning right where the fabric lives. If you need a different trim or more thread, the shelves are steps away.
Classes also make great gifts. A friend who keeps talking about sewing might just need a nudge and a scheduled date.
Class topics change over time, so check the schedule before planning. Spots in small workshops can be limited, so signing up early is a wise move.
Bring a notebook to jot down tips. You will probably learn small tricks that make future projects smoother. And you get to walk out with something useful you made yourself, which feels pretty great.
No Online Store, But Swatches Can Still Find You
In a world where almost everything has a shopping cart button, this store keeps things old school. There is no online store at all.
That might sound inconvenient at first. But Haberman Fabrics still offers a helpful workaround for people who cannot visit in person.
Customers can call the shop to arrange swatches and samples. That way, you can feel the fabric and see its true color before committing to a purchase.
Honestly, that is a big advantage. Colors on a screen are rarely accurate. A small swatch in your hand tells you far more than any photo ever could.
This option works well for people who live farther away in Michigan. It also helps busy sewers who cannot make it during store hours.
When you call, have your details ready. Know the fabric type, the color family, and what you plan to make. Clear details help the staff pick the right samples for you.
Then compare swatches at home in natural daylight. Hold them next to your paint, furniture, or other fabrics. It is a little extra effort that prevents costly mistakes.
Wednesday Evenings Are Your Secret Shopping Window
Mark your calendar for Wednesday. That is the one day the shop stays open later, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Every other day, Haberman Fabrics opens at noon and closes at 5 p.m. The good news is that it operates seven days a week, so weekends are fair game.
You will find the store at 1060 West 14 Mile Road, Clawson, Michigan 48017. Clawson sits in Oakland County, north of Detroit, making it an easy trip for many metro area shoppers.
The Wednesday hours are a real gift for people with day jobs. You can swing by after work and still have time to browse without rushing.
I would suggest giving yourself plenty of time either way. With this much fabric, a quick stop can easily turn into a long, happy treasure hunt.
Bring your project list, swatches, and measurements. A little planning helps you leave with everything you need in one visit.
And if your sewing pile keeps growing? Well, that is a problem many crafters are glad to have. This shop is ready to feed it.