This Longtime Michigan Fabric Store Keeps Creative Projects In Style

A fabric shop that opened in 1958 is still helping people sew wedding dresses, curtains, and costumes today. That’s more than 60 years of bolts, buttons, and big plans.

The original family ran it for decades. Then a longtime manager and family friend took over when they retired. I like that the shop stayed in trusted hands instead of fading away.

The store has moved around metro Detroit over the years. Its current home sits in a small Michigan city just north of the big one. The shelves hold bridal fabric, apparel fabric, home decor fabric, trims, and plenty of notions.

I believe every sewing project deserves a starting point this good. So what makes a fabric store last through so many decades of changing styles? Let’s unroll it one section at a time.

Say Yes To The Dress Fabric Before You Even Pick A Pattern

Wedding plans can pile up fast. Luckily, bridal fabric is one of the specialties at Haberman Fabrics.

That’s a big deal for anyone making a gown from scratch. It also helps when a seamstress needs the right material for a custom design.

Bridal sewing is not a casual weekend craft. The fabric has to look beautiful, feel right, and hold up through a long, busy day.

Having a store that focuses on wedding fabrics makes the search simpler. You can compare options in person instead of guessing from a tiny online photo.

Lace is one of the topics that pops up often with this shop. So are formal wear fabrics, which fits right in with the bridal focus.

My advice is simple. Bring your pattern, any sketches, and a clear idea of how the dress should move.

Bridesmaids, flower girls, and mothers of the bride can benefit too. Matching colors and textures is easier when everything comes from one well-stocked spot.

Honestly, choosing wedding fabric might be the most fun part of the planning. Way more fun than seating charts, anyway.

Fourteen Mile Threads Its Way To Fabric Heaven

Haberman Fabrics sits at 1060 West 14 Mile Road in Clawson, Michigan. From Interstate 75, follow the 14 Mile Road corridor west toward Clawson, rather than heading for the city’s downtown streets.

The shop is on the 14 Mile Road shopping stretch near Crooks Road. Look for the Clawson Shopping Center and the Haberman Fabrics storefront, a more useful clue than any distant downtown landmark.

Enter the shopping center through a marked driveway and use the shared retail parking area. From there, head straight to Haberman’s entrance along the storefronts.

Your Closet Might Get Jealous Of These Apparel Fabrics

Sewing your own clothes is a little like cooking at home. You control every ingredient, and the results fit you better.

Apparel fabric is a core focus at Haberman Fabrics. That means shoppers can look for materials for dresses, shirts, skirts, jackets, and more.

Buying clothing fabric in person has real perks. You can feel the weight, check the stretch, and see how it drapes.

Those details matter a lot. A fabric that looks great on a bolt might behave very differently once it becomes sleeves.

Quality fabrics are one of the things this store is known for. That’s good news for anyone tired of garments that lose their shape after a few washes.

Here’s a helpful tip for beginners. Check the back of your sewing pattern first, because it lists suggested fabric types and yardage.

Bring that list to the cutting counter. It saves time and helps the staff point you toward smart choices.

Costume makers can find inspiration here too. Somebody has to keep Michigan’s historical reenactors and cosplayers looking sharp, after all.

Bare Windows And Tired Pillows Are About To Get A Glow-Up

Curtains can change an entire room. So can a fresh pillow cover or a reupholstered chair.

Home decor fabric is another specialty at this Clawson shop. It’s a handy stop for anyone planning drapes, cushions, or other projects around the house.

Decor fabrics usually need to be sturdier than clothing fabrics. They face sunlight, daily use, and the occasional pet who thinks the couch belongs to them.

Choosing in person helps you picture the final look. You can hold a sample up to your paint color or your existing furniture.

Swatch books are part of the process for home projects. That’s useful when you want to compare patterns before committing to several yards.

One smart move is measuring your windows or furniture before you go. Write down the numbers so you don’t have to guess at the counter.

Special orders are also something to ask about if you need a specific design. A good fabric store can help you track down the exact pattern for your room.

Your living room might finally look like the photo you saved months ago.

Tiny Buttons And Fancy Trims Steal The Spotlight Here

Small details can make or break a project. A plain jacket suddenly looks custom with the right buttons.

Haberman Fabrics carries trims, buttons, and other sewing supplies alongside its fabric. That means you can grab the finishing touches in the same trip.

Buttons are one of the things this store gets noticed for. Trims and notions add even more options for dresses, costumes, and home pieces.

Notions is just a sewing word for the little extras. Think zippers, thread, elastic, and similar tools that hold everything together.

Matching these items to your fabric works best in person. Colors can look totally different on a screen than they do in real light.

A good habit is bringing a small scrap of your fabric along. Hold it next to buttons or trim before you decide.

Also, buy a spare button or two whenever you can. Future you will be thankful when one inevitably pops off at the worst moment.

It’s the kind of section where a quick errand can turn into a long, happy browse. Consider yourself warned.

Bring Your Questions Because The Experts Actually Sew

Fabric shopping can feel confusing. Charmeuse, crepe, chiffon, and organza all start sounding the same after a while.

That’s where the staff at Haberman Fabrics comes in. The team includes knowledgeable sewers and specialists with years of experience.

People who sew understand what actually happens at the machine. They know which fabrics slip, which ones fray, and which ones behave nicely. That kind of advice is hard to get from a product label. It can also save beginners from buying the wrong material.

Helpful staff is one of the most common topics connected to this store. Expert guidance shows up often too.

To get the most help, explain your project clearly. Share what you’re making, who it’s for, and your skill level.

Bring photos of inspiration pieces if you have them. A picture can explain a style faster than five minutes of hand waving.

Big chain stores can be useful, but independent shops offer something different. Talking with experienced people makes the process feel less like shopping and more like solving a puzzle together.

Learning To Sew Gets Easier With A Class On The Calendar

Every great sewer started by threading a needle badly. Practice is the only real secret. Haberman Fabrics offers in-person classes and events. That gives curious beginners and growing sewers a chance to learn in a hands-on setting.

Classes are great for building confidence. Watching someone demonstrate a technique often clicks faster than any video tutorial.

Learning in person also means you can ask questions on the spot. That’s a huge help when a seam goes sideways.

Event listings have appeared on Eventbrite, so checking there is a smart idea. The store’s own site is another good place to watch for updates.

Topics and dates can change, so plan ahead. Popular classes may fill up, especially before holidays.

Taking a class with a friend makes it even better. You’ll have someone to laugh with when your first pillowcase looks a little lopsided.

Learning a craft like this pays off for years. Hemming pants, fixing curtains, and making gifts all become possible. Not bad for a few hours in Michigan with some fabric and a sewing machine.

No Online Shop? A Phone Call Still Gets Swatches Moving

Plenty of stores push everything online now. This one takes a more personal route.

Haberman Fabrics doesn’t currently have an online store. Instead, the team helps customers with swatches and samples over the phone.

That approach has some real advantages. Seeing an actual sample beats squinting at colors on a phone screen.

Swatches let you check texture, weight, and color in your own lighting. That’s especially helpful for curtains and wedding colors.

Before calling, gather your details. Know the type of fabric, the color range, and roughly how much you need.

Clear information helps the staff find good matches quickly. It also keeps the conversation focused and easy.

For decor projects, swatch books may be available too. Just keep track of what you borrow and return it on time.

Out-of-town shoppers will appreciate this option the most. Not everyone lives close enough for a quick drive.

Old-fashioned? Maybe a little. But getting real fabric in your hands before buying is a pretty smart system.

Clawson Became Home Base In 2018, And The Hours Are Easy To Remember

Early 2018 brought a big change for this shop. It moved from Royal Oak to Clawson, Michigan.

You’ll find Haberman Fabrics at 1060 West 14 Mile Road, Clawson, Michigan 48017. It’s an easy trip for shoppers around metro Detroit.

The move continued a long pattern for the business. Over its history, it has operated from several locations across the area.

The address changed, but the focus stayed the same. Apparel, bridal, and home decor fabrics still lead the way.

The store is open seven days a week. Most days run from noon to 5 PM.

Wednesday is the exception, with hours from 11 AM to 7 PM. That later closing helps folks who work during the day.

Hours can shift around holidays, so double-check before heading out. Nobody wants to arrive with a pattern and find a locked door.

Plan time to browse rather than rushing. Fabric decisions go better when you aren’t watching the clock.

After more than 60 years, this store keeps showing up for creative people. That’s a pretty good reason to stop by.