The Insider: How to find top textiles

I wish I could sew, as I adore browsing fabrics (Timorous Beasties' urban toiles and sanderson-uk.com's 50s range are big loves). But where to stray from the beaten track for such delights?

Magic touch

Wallpaper company tactilewonderland.com also prints its stunning designs on to fabric. Check the lush, laser-cut "Pelangi".

General pattern

Be inspired at the gorgeous printpattern.blogspot.com.

Coming of age

"Linen wears beautifully," says Beth Smith, editor of the glossy textiles magazine, Selvedge. "Try foglinenwork.com's simple Lithuanian linens." Smith also rates the expertise of elizabethbaertextiles.com.

Artbeat

Textile art? Oh yes. Discover some at the cockpitarts.com open studios, suggests Smith, or be dazzled by the master at ptolemymann.com.

All change

"I bought a maxi skirt made of vintage Welsh tapestry and made it into half-a-dozen cushions," says Heather Linnet (eclectic-chair.com), who sews insanely beautiful covers from old kimonos. "Don't just think of fabric rolls. Try curtains, blankets, tapestries and silk scarves from retro shops, eBay or fairs such as Discover Vintage."

In your face

Like Ruth McAllister's designs at Quincy Lampshades? She buys her "ballsy and bright" fabrics from amy butlerdesign.com, fabricrehab.co. uk, seamstar.co.uk and fancymoon.co.uk and name-drops designers including Alexander Henry, Dan Bennett, Heather Bailey, Kaffe Fassett, Michael Miller, Moda, Tanya Whelan and Etsuko Furuya.

Fancy creating your own?

Upload your designs at US site spoonflower.com and buy from £10 per yard, or choose from others' uploads (I love "Birdies"). Postage is reasonable.

Find Kate's blog on affordable interiors at yourhomeislovely.com