Shop Review: John Lewis
Shop Name: John Lewis
Address: Buchanan Galleries, Glasgow, G1 2GF (on Google Maps here)
Website: http://www.johnlewis.com/our-shops/glasgow
Do they sell online? Yes they have a sewing and knitting section in the 'Sport & Leisure' section of their website. If you buy online you can 'click and collect' in a John Lewis or Waitrose store too.
Easy to get to? Yes, it's very central, right at the junction of Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street, in the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre. The Bus Station is right behind it plus it's near Queen Street train station and Buchanan Street underground. The haberdashery is on the first floor, right before the cafe.
Address: Buchanan Galleries, Glasgow, G1 2GF (on Google Maps here)
Website: http://www.johnlewis.com/our-shops/glasgow
Do they sell online? Yes they have a sewing and knitting section in the 'Sport & Leisure' section of their website. If you buy online you can 'click and collect' in a John Lewis or Waitrose store too.
Easy to get to? Yes, it's very central, right at the junction of Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street, in the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre. The Bus Station is right behind it plus it's near Queen Street train station and Buchanan Street underground. The haberdashery is on the first floor, right before the cafe.
What's the Shop like?
The haberdashery is handily located by the cafe, so it's always nice to have a look on your way to get a cuppa. The section is smaller than in the Edinburgh store but there is still a good selection of craft items which has really increased in the past few years, in keeping with the increased popularity of crafts. They now have an area with sofas, which is perfect for sitting and perusing books and patterns.
The haberdashery is handily located by the cafe, so it's always nice to have a look on your way to get a cuppa. The section is smaller than in the Edinburgh store but there is still a good selection of craft items which has really increased in the past few years, in keeping with the increased popularity of crafts. They now have an area with sofas, which is perfect for sitting and perusing books and patterns.
They seem to be adding more new lines, and I noticed some new ranges when I visited. They sell a lot of craft products - wool, fabric, haberdashery, books, patterns, sewing boxes and storage, sewing machines and craft kits
Their haberdashery range is very good and they sell Prym brand rather than the pink Hemline brand which you find at pretty much every other fabric shop in Glasgow. Earlier this year I found that the Hemline large plastic snaps didn't suit a cardigan I was knitting so it was great that John Lewis carried this different range to save me the hassle of ordering such a small item online. I will warn you that their zips are expensive though...
Their haberdashery range is very good and they sell Prym brand rather than the pink Hemline brand which you find at pretty much every other fabric shop in Glasgow. Earlier this year I found that the Hemline large plastic snaps didn't suit a cardigan I was knitting so it was great that John Lewis carried this different range to save me the hassle of ordering such a small item online. I will warn you that their zips are expensive though...
Impressive selection of Prym products relating to bras, dress cups and lingerie
John Lewis have a 'never knowingly undersold' promise and although this would apply to this area of the store like any other I do find it generally expensive plus I noticed several items which I have seen cheaper elsewhere. A perfect example is the fabric in this picture:
John Lewis have a 'never knowingly undersold' promise and although this would apply to this area of the store like any other I do find it generally expensive plus I noticed several items which I have seen cheaper elsewhere. A perfect example is the fabric in this picture:
This galaxy-print cotton at £9.50 per metre is exactly the same fabric that I bought for £4.95 at the Cotton Print Factory. Hmmm...
What can I buy there?
They have a great range of yarns, the main brands are represented - Rowan, Debbie Bliss, Noro, Sirdar, Wendy. I noticed that they also have a new range of yarns and patterns by Erika Knight exclusively for John Lewis.
What can I buy there?
They have a great range of yarns, the main brands are represented - Rowan, Debbie Bliss, Noro, Sirdar, Wendy. I noticed that they also have a new range of yarns and patterns by Erika Knight exclusively for John Lewis.
They sell Knit Pro needles, including the interchangeable tips and cords, although they are a bit more expensive here than in a couple of Glasgow independent yarn shops (where I would much rather buy them!). I also noticed a range of Susan Bates needles, which is a new brand to me. They stock a good range of the usual Pony brand needles too.
They have a selection of quilting cottons including Amy Butler but also other ranges - this isn't my main area of interest so I didn't examine this closely.
Their selection of fabric isn't enormous but they have a selection of cottons, denim, cord, jersey. The fabric patterns are tasteful, with nothing too outlandish and also generally quite expensive. For example the jerseys I saw were £13-16 per metre and the cord and denim £16 per metre. At the end of the summer I bought some striped jersey at £7/m in the sale, marked down from £14/m. When I got home I was pleased to see I'd only been charged £3.50/m as it had been further reduced but I also then noticed it was 50% polyester jersey. I can't quite fathom how £14/m would have been a fair price for that originally.
What's the best thing to buy there?
I love their ranges of knitting bags and storage boxes. They make great gifts for crafters.
What's the best thing to buy there?
I love their ranges of knitting bags and storage boxes. They make great gifts for crafters.
Cath Kidston knitting and sewing products
Their range of haberdashery is very strong but generally, wait until the sales is my advice. They have good wool and fabric sales after Christmas and Easter and probably at the end of the summer too (check their website for details). To be honest, the only time I have ever bought fabric there is when it has been on sale. It's not a cheap place to buy wool either. Again, one of Glasgow's excellent independent shops will see you right for that.
Sum it up
It's handy with a good range but expensive so shop independent first and check out the John Lewis sales.
Their range of haberdashery is very strong but generally, wait until the sales is my advice. They have good wool and fabric sales after Christmas and Easter and probably at the end of the summer too (check their website for details). To be honest, the only time I have ever bought fabric there is when it has been on sale. It's not a cheap place to buy wool either. Again, one of Glasgow's excellent independent shops will see you right for that.
Sum it up
It's handy with a good range but expensive so shop independent first and check out the John Lewis sales.
This is one of a series of reviews of fabric and wool shops in Glasgow. See more here. All posts are independent and represent my own opinions.
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