Price Comparison
Where to Buy Cheap Fabric, Craft and Hobby Supplies from China
By the DirectFromChina.ca team · Published · Updated
The short answer
Use Taobao for smaller quantities and variety — fabric by the metre, moulds, kits — and 1688 once you need bulk, where minimums are often just a few metres or a few dozen pieces. Search the specific craft term in Chinese for the widest selection, and always check a 1688 listing’s minimum order quantity before comparing its price to a retail one.
If you've ever priced out fabric by the metre at a Canadian craft store and quietly done the math on a big project, you already know this category gets expensive fast. A lot of what's on the shelf is imported in bulk from Chinese textile markets and re-sold with a significant markup, which means going closer to the source usually means meaningfully lower prices — especially if you're buying more than a metre or two.
| What you want | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric, small quantities | Taobao | Curated shops selling by the metre, widest print variety |
| Fabric, large project | 1688 | By the roll or by weight; minimums are often just a few metres |
| Resin, moulds, pigments | Taobao | Enormous selection; many Western hobby retailers source here |
| Jewellery findings | Taobao, 1688 in bulk | Cheap per unit; bulk packs are dramatically cheaper |
| Kits (cross-stitch, diamond painting) | Taobao | Often more complete than pre-packaged kits sold here |
Fabric
Search 1688 for wholesale fabric by the roll or by weight if you're doing a larger project — quilting, cosplay, upholstery. Minimum order quantities exist but are often just a few metres, not the huge bulk lots you'd expect. Taobao is better for smaller, curated fabric shops selling by the metre with more print and pattern variety.
Resin, moulds and jewellery-making supplies
This is a genuinely enormous category on Taobao — silicone moulds, pigments, embedding charms, findings — at a fraction of what specialty hobby stores charge, because a large share of the moulds sold worldwide by hobby retailers are sourced from these same Chinese manufacturers to begin with.
Kits
Cross-stitch, embroidery, calligraphy and diamond painting kits: search by the specific craft in Chinese for the widest selection. Kits here are often more complete — better thread and bead quality, more design options — than the pre-packaged kits sold at North American craft chains, at a lower price.
A word on quantity and on weight
Some of the best pricing on 1688 assumes you're buying in bulk, which is useful if you're stocking a small craft business or splitting an order with friends, and less useful if you just want one small mould. Check the listing's minimum order quantity before you fall in love with a price. Fabric is also heavy, so international shipping is a real share of the landed cost on this category specifically — see what actually drives the shipping cost.
Frequently asked questions
Is buying fabric from China worth it after shipping?+
It depends on weight. Fabric is dense, so shipping is a meaningful share of the landed cost. The saving is largest on larger projects and on fabrics that are expensive or simply unavailable in Canada, and smallest on a single metre of a common material.
What is a minimum order quantity on 1688?+
The smallest quantity a wholesale seller will accept for that listing. It is often modest — a few metres of fabric or a few dozen small parts — but the advertised per-unit price generally assumes you meet it.
Can I get fabric samples before ordering a roll?+
Many sellers offer swatches or sample cuts, sometimes for a small fee. An agent can request them, though sending samples to Canada first and then the main order means paying international shipping twice.
How do I search Taobao for a specific craft supply?+
Search the craft term in Chinese for far better results than an English query, since these are Chinese-market listings. Copying the Chinese name of the material or technique into the search box is usually enough.
Are craft chemicals like resin shippable to Canada?+
Liquid resins and solvents are commonly classed as hazardous goods and are restricted or prohibited on air freight. Dry supplies, moulds, fabric and kits ship normally. Check the specific item before ordering.
Found something you want to order?
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Taobao, Tmall, 1688 and AliExpress are trademarks of Alibaba Group. DirectFromChina.ca is an independent buying agent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Alibaba Group. Customs thresholds, duty rates and shipping times change — figures here reflect the rules as of the date above, and CBSA is the authority on Canadian imports.