The Secret South Carolina Fabric Warehouse Locals Swear By For Big Projects

Going in for three yards of fabric sounds like a perfectly reasonable plan. Leaving with enough material to redecorate half the house is where things can get complicated.

Somewhere in South Carolina, an enormous fabric warehouse has turned that exact problem into part of the fun.

Inside, rows upon rows of fabric stretch through the space, with everything from upholstery material and drapery fabric to colorful prints, trims, remnants, and unexpected finds waiting to be uncovered. This is not the kind of store where you glance at six carefully arranged bolts and head for the register.

Digging around is practically required.

For anyone tackling a serious project, that can be very good news. A sofa makeover, new curtains, a stack of throw pillows, or an ambitious quilt can require a surprising amount of material, and buying it by the yard adds up fast.

Here, bargain hunting and creativity tend to happen at the same time.

The only real danger may be remembering what you originally came for.

So why do fabric lovers keep making the trip to this South Carolina warehouse? Here are ten things to know before arriving with an empty trunk.

A Small Town Address With A Big Reputation

Picture a quiet Southern main street, the kind where people wave from porches. That is where you will find All About Fabrics, sitting at 15 Broad St in Williamston, South Carolina.

The town is small, but the store has a reputation that stretches far beyond the county line.

Williamston sits in Anderson County, in the Upstate region of the state. It is an easy drive from bigger cities like Greenville and Anderson, which makes it a fun day trip.

Many shoppers say the drive is part of the adventure, with green fields and pine trees rolling past the window.

The store holds a 4.7-star rating from over 535 reviews on Google. That is a lot of happy sewers, quilters, and decorators.

One shopper simply called it a super cool fabric warehouse that was worth the trip, and she came back more than once to prove it.

Before you go, plug the address into your phone and give yourself extra time. Small-town roads move at their own pace, and that is part of the charm.

You might even want to grab lunch nearby and make a whole day of it, because you will likely want energy for the shopping ahead.

Only Three Days A Week, So Plan Ahead

Here is the first rule of visiting: check your calendar. The in-person store keeps short hours, opening Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.

From Sunday through Wednesday, the doors stay closed.

That schedule surprises some first-timers, so do not be the person standing at a locked door on a Tuesday. The owners have also mentioned monthly warehouse sales in their replies to shoppers, and they have told visitors they hoped to see them again in a certain month.

That hints that special sale dates may shift around.

Since hours can change with seasons and holidays, call ahead at 864-846-8300 or check the website before you load up the car. A quick phone call takes two minutes.

A wasted drive takes the whole afternoon.

Timing matters inside the store, too. One reviewer warned that going in hot July is hard and suggested choosing early morning hours.

A warehouse full of fabric can get warm in a South Carolina summer, so arriving right at 10 AM is a smart move. You will shop with more energy, beat some of the crowds, and get first pick of any fresh arrivals sitting on the shelves.

So Huge You Could Get Lost For Hours

“I wandered for hours and didn’t even see it all.” That line comes from a shopper named Calli, and it sums up the size of this place. She called the store HUGE, in all capital letters, and she was not exaggerating for fun.

Walk inside and you see rows and rows of fabric bolts stacked high. Colors pop from every direction, from soft creams to bold florals.

The air has that clean, slightly dusty smell of new cloth, and you can hear the soft thump of bolts being pulled from shelves.

Shoppers describe feeling like a kid in a candy store. Another visitor joked that the store needs a place to park husbands so they quit rushing everyone.

That gives you a good idea of how long people tend to stay.

So wear comfy shoes. Bring a water bottle.

Take photos of the bolts you like so you can compare later, since it is easy to forget where you saw that perfect stripe. If you come with a friend, split up and text each other your finds.

You will cover more ground and maybe discover a section the other person totally missed.

Designer Upholstery Without The Designer Price Tag

Reupholstering a sofa can cost a small fortune if you buy fabric at a fancy showroom. That is exactly why big-project folks love this warehouse.

Shoppers mention designer upholstery fabrics again and again in their reviews.

One happy customer bought three designer upholstery fabrics from the website and said she was thrilled with them. She also said the prices are a huge value.

Another reviewer called the prices the cheapest she had ever seen, which is high praise from someone who clearly shops a lot.

The store even helped a customer identify a swatch as a Robert Allen pattern called Indienne Ink in Coral. Robert Allen is a well-known name in home decor fabric, so seeing brands like that here is a real treat.

Here is a tip for sofa and chair projects. Measure twice and buy a little extra yardage.

Upholstery often needs more fabric than you think, especially if the pattern has to line up across cushions. Matching stripes and flowers can eat up an extra yard or two quickly.

Buying it all at once from the same bolt helps the color stay consistent, since dye shades can vary between batches made at different times.

Hunting Down That Discontinued Fabric You Miss

Jan had a problem many decorators know too well. She fell in love with a fabric that had been discontinued, and she could not find it anywhere.

So she snapped a picture, searched it on Google, and up popped All About Fabrics.

The store had enough of that fabric for her whole sofa. She said the price was terrific, ordering was easy, and the material arrived a couple of days later.

Now she plans to come back for her chairs.

Stories like hers are common. Another shopper ran out of a particular fabric and was happy to find it still available.

When you are halfway through a project, finding the same fabric again feels like winning a small lottery.

Want to try this trick yourself? Take a clear photo of your fabric in natural daylight.

Then use an image search tool on your phone. If a match shows up on the store website, you can call to double-check the stock before ordering.

Ask about the yardage left on the bolt, too. Discontinued fabrics may not come back once they sell out, so if you need a lot, grabbing it quickly is a wise idea.

Samples Save You From Screen Color Surprises

Phone screens can be sneaky little liars. Libby learned this when she ordered samples for a window valance project.

What looked like pale teal or green on her phone turned out to be gray in real life.

Luckily, she ordered samples first. Her valance fabric came out just as she expected, and she said she was glad she checked the others.

Samples get mentioned in many reviews, and smart shoppers use them before buying big amounts.

Another customer ordered six one-yard pieces to try out the store. She said every single fabric was better than she expected, with vibrant colors and wonderful texture.

That is a fun way to test quality before a large order.

A few reviewers did mention delays with samples in the mail, so leave yourself extra time. If you are working with a client or a deadline, order samples weeks ahead, not days.

Once they arrive, look at them in different light. Check them by a sunny window, under a lamp, and next to your furniture or wall paint.

Fabric can shift in tone throughout the day, and seeing it in your actual room beats guessing from a tiny screen every time.

Helpers Who Know Their Stuff

Ninety-eight reviews mention one thing above everything else, and it is not the fabric. It is the helpful staff.

In a giant warehouse full of choices, a friendly guide makes all the difference.

Sandy called the store helpers wonderful. Another shopper said the workers are amazing and the atmosphere is unbelievable.

One reviewer simply wrote that the service is exceptional, and those kinds of words tend to stick.

The team even goes the extra mile in small ways. A few customers mention receiving a handwritten thank you note with their order.

In a world of automatic emails, a note written by a real person feels warm and personal, like getting a letter from a neighbor.

So how do you get the most from these helpers? Bring your measurements, photos of the room or furniture, and any swatches you already have.

Tell them what the fabric needs to do, like hold up to kids and pets or block sunlight. Good staff can point you to the right weight and type much faster than you could find it alone.

Asking questions is free, and it may save you from buying the wrong material for your project.

More Than Just Fabric On The Shelves

You might walk in for curtain fabric and walk out with pillow forms, trim, and a roll of landscape fabric. Yes, really.

The store carries a surprising mix of supplies.

One reviewer described the selection as everything crafty, from misc supplies to every type of fabric imaginable. Shoppers have mentioned pillow forms and even landscape fabric, the kind gardeners use to block weeds.

That makes this a handy stop for both indoor and outdoor projects.

Seasonal goodies show up, too. A visitor noticed that in early September, the store already had Halloween and Christmas items ready.

If you love making holiday decor, that early start gives you plenty of time to sew before the rush.

Here is a smart strategy. Make a full list of everything your project needs before you leave home.

Think beyond fabric to things like stuffing, forms, thread, and lining. Since the store has so many extras, you may be able to grab everything in one trip.

That saves gas, time, and the frustration of realizing you forgot the pillow inserts after you already got home. A complete list keeps you focused when the colorful aisles start calling your name.

Can’t Make The Drive? Order From Your Couch

Not everyone lives close to Williamston, and the store knows it. Its website, allaboutfabrics.com, lets you shop from anywhere.

Fast shipping comes up in 56 reviews, which is a big number.

A shopper making pleated shades said delivery was super fast. Sara keeps reordering the same fabric for curtains and cushions because the service is so quick.

One customer praised the tracking updates, saying the communication about shipping times was excellent.

Of course, shipping is not always perfect. A few reviewers had packages lost or delayed by the mail carrier.

The owners replied that once a box leaves their building, they cannot control carrier delays, and in one case they reshipped an order at no cost.

International buyers should take note. A Canadian customer loved the fabric but was surprised by a $73 duty charge.

She suggested using FedEx for faster delivery, though it will not remove duty fees. If you live outside the United States, look up your import costs before ordering.

Also read the return policy carefully before buying, since the owners have explained that full refunds depend on the fabric actually being returned to them. Knowing the rules upfront keeps things smooth.

Your Game Plan For A Perfect Visit

Ready to go? Think of your trip like a treasure hunt with a map.

A little planning turns a fun visit into a great one.

Start with timing. Aim for Thursday, Friday, or Saturday morning, close to the 10 AM opening.

Early hours help you avoid summer heat and give you the best selection. One happy shopper said she plans to return next month and make sure she has more time, so block off a good chunk of your day.

Parking details are not clearly listed online, so call ahead if you have concerns. The same goes for accessibility.

Since warehouse aisles can be tight and stocked high, asking about wheelchair access or seating beforehand is a good idea. Prices vary widely by fabric type, and exact costs are best checked in person or on the website.

Pack a tape measure, your project measurements, swatches, and photos. Leave extra space in your trunk, because big projects mean big bolts.

Most of all, bring patience and curiosity. Sandra said her fabrics were so pretty it would hurt to cut them up.

Walk in with an open mind and you might feel exactly the same way.