Croft Mill Sampling Service

We get it. Shopping for fabric online can feel a little like sewing blindfolded.

Even with the best photos, the most detailed descriptions and the truest-to-life colours we can capture on screen… there’s nothing quite like holding the fabric in your hands. Feeling the drape. Stroking the texture. Folding it gently to imagine how it might fall as a sleeve or swish as a skirt. That’s the magic moment.

And at Croft Mill, we don’t think you should have to commit to metres of fabric until you’ve had that moment.

That’s why we offer a generous sampling service - and why so many of our customers tell us it’s their favourite thing about shopping with us.

The Challenge of Buying Fabric Online

We know from talking to you (and from our own experience!) that choosing fabric online comes with its fair share of worries:

• “Will it be see-through?”

• “Is this the right weight for a pair of trousers?”

• “Does it have stretch?”

• “What does it feel like?”

• “Is that green more olive… or more lime?”

We do everything we can to describe our fabrics thoroughly: from weight and composition to drape, transparency and suggested uses. Our team works hard to write descriptions that give you the clearest picture possible and we take pride in honest, detailed fabric storytelling.

But sometimes, you need more than words and a screen can give you. Sometimes, you just need to feel it.

Our Sampling Service: What You Can Expect

We offer a sampling service on the vast majority of our fabrics, whether you’re planning your next special project or just want to build your own mini fabric library for inspiration.

Here’s how it works:

• On each fabric page under the 'Add to Basket' is an 'order sample' button 

• Each sample is a small swatch of the actual fabric, large enough to give you a true sense of its weight, texture, colour and drape.

Why Sampling Matters – Real Stories from Real Makers

We’ve heard so many brilliant stories from customers who sampled first and were so glad they did.

Like the dressmaker who had her heart set on a delicate viscose, but once she felt it in her hands, realised she needed something with a little more structure for her chosen pattern.

Or the customer making a jacket for a wedding guest outfit, unsure which shade of navy would complement her accessories. Sampling made all the difference.

And the beginner sewer who simply wanted to learn the language of fabric to compare cotton lawn with poplin, or understand how a twill weave differs from a plain weave. Starting with samples gave her confidence without any pressure.

Whether you're planning a garment or just learning, fabric sampling takes away the guesswork and makes the process that little bit more joyful.

Our Promise to You

We’re not here to pressure you into a purchase. We’re here to help you make the right choice for your project, your budget, and your style.

That’s why we’ll always:

• Be honest about what a fabric is suitable for (and what it isn’t)

• Show you how it behaves through photos and videos wherever possible

• Offer samples so you can decide for yourself

Because sewing is too personal, too creative, too meaningful to take chances with the materials you use. We respect that, and we’ll always make it easy for you to shop with confidence.

Start Sampling Today

So, if you've been eyeing up a few fabrics but can't quite decide, don’t sit on the fence. Order your samples and see what speaks to you.

Feel the fabric. Hold it up to the light. Lay it against your skin. Imagine the garment it could become.

And when you’re ready, we’ll be here.

Happy Sewing, The Croft Mill Team