There’s no single textile centre in Berlin as you might find in other cities. However, there are one or two fabric sellers in different neighbourhoods. The best of the bunch is Frau Tulpe in Mitte (even some local fashion designers pick up bits and pieces here). Wool, denim, corduroy and a huge range of colourful cotton prints in oriental florals are at your fingertips, plus cute spots and eye-catching patterns at affordable prices (from €12 per metre). Accessories including appliques are also available, as are ready-made cosmetic bags to pop them in for safe keeping. If you’re not sure how to thread a sewing machine or you’d like to refine your skills, the evening sewing courses here are popular (€18 for three hours).

Wholesalers such as Stoffland and Gebrüder Berger have a huge assortment of quality fabrics for clothes, curtains and upholstery.

Bargain hunters should also head to Stoff Wohnkultur in Wedding as it has an ever-changing range of leftovers from international fabric labels (mostly last season’s stock and generally only in small quantities). For oriental fabrics, try Bella Casa in Kreuzberg, for classic French go to Maison DFH in Mitte, while Stoff’I in Steglitz has gorgeous traditional German fabrics. If you’d rather leisurely search for the right fabric from home, www.buttinette.de has a reasonable selection of fabrics (including more unusual fluffy mohair and animal prints).