The fabric stash has become a safety hazard. Not physically.
Financially. Because once you see thousands of bolts stacked around you, every one starts looking like a future project.
That yellow could become curtains. That print could become a quilt.
That strange vintage pattern could become something nobody else owns. This Alabama cloth barn has enough fabric to keep creative people busy for years, with buttons, notions, and patterns adding even more distractions.
Makers drive in specifically to browse the selection, while curious shoppers wander in thinking they will “just take a look.” That phrase is not trustworthy here. Especially when the next aisle is always hiding something else.
A Hotel Turned Fabric Hideaway
Long before anyone came here for thread and cloth, travelers came here for a bed. The brick building that now holds Strickland’s Cloth Barn started life as the Williams Hotel back in the early 1900s.
That bit of history gives the whole shop a special kind of charm.
Look closely at the walls and old details while browsing. The building carries the quiet feel of a place that has seen plenty of people come and go over the years.
Fabric now fills the spaces where guests once rested after a long trip, which is a pretty fun thought.
The shop sits at 8 Claud Road in downtown Eclectic, a small town in Elmore County with an easygoing pace. Finding it is simple, and parking nearby is usually not a stress.
Visitors often take a moment outside just to admire the brick before heading in.
History fans will enjoy imagining what the hotel looked like when it first opened. Makers will enjoy something else entirely, which is the sheer amount of material packed inside.
Both groups tend to leave happy.
A quick tip helps here. Snap a photo of the building before going in, because once the fabric hunt starts, time has a way of disappearing.
The old hotel deserves a spot in the camera roll too, right next to all those colorful new finds waiting to become quilts, curtains, and clothes.
Bolts, Bolts, and More Bolts
Count the bolts? Good luck with that.
Stacks rise on tables, lean on shelves, and fill corners in every direction, making the shop one of the most packed fabric spots in the state.
The mix covers a lot of ground. Quilting cottons sit near heavy upholstery fabric, while stretchy knits and printed linen show up in their own little pockets.
Dress fabrics and cotton prints add even more color to the scene.
For makers who have felt limited by chain store choices, this is a breath of fresh air. Many shoppers have mentioned how valuable a place like this feels now that some big craft chains have closed their doors.
The variety here gives creative people real options again.
Planning helps a lot. Bring a list of project ideas, rough measurements, and maybe a few swatches from home to match colors.
It makes choosing much easier when there are so many pretty options calling out at once.
Upholstery lovers get a special treat. The shop has long been known for its deep supply of furniture fabric, and staff have been happy to pull out roll after roll for shoppers trying to decide.
That means reupholstering an old chair or sofa could start right here.
Nobody walks this aisle maze quickly. Expect to touch, unroll, compare, and change minds a few times, which is honestly half the fun of the visit.
Groovy Prints From Decades Past
Orange flowers the size of dinner plates. Brown and gold geometric swirls.
Soft pastel prints that look straight out of an old family photo album.
Strickland’s is best known for its vintage fabric, with lots of pieces dating back to the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. These are patterns that simply are not made the same way today.
For anyone sewing retro outfits, costumes, or throwback home decor, the selection is a dream.
Vintage cloth has a certain feel that new fabric often lacks. The weights, weaves, and colors reflect the style of their time, which gives finished projects a one-of-a-kind look.
A pillow made from a 1970s floral will never match something bought at a mall store, and that is exactly the point.
Some shoppers looking only for brand new modern fabrics may be surprised, so it helps to arrive with the right mindset. Think of the shop more like a sewing antique mall than a typical craft store.
Seen that way, every older bolt becomes a small discovery.
One smart habit is washing fabric before cutting. Older bolts can pick up dust after sitting for years, so a good rinse at home makes them fresh and ready to use.
Pre-washing also helps prevent shrinking later, which saves plenty of frustration during a big project.
Original Tags From the 1960s
Fabric is the main event, but surprises hide around the edges. Shoppers have discovered vintage clothing here too, and some of it is brand new with the original tags still attached.
Those tags date back to the 1960s.
Swimsuits and men’s shirts have been among the finds. Picture a never-worn shirt that has been waiting on a shelf for sixty years.
That kind of thing makes vintage collectors practically giddy.
These pieces are great for more than just wearing. Costume designers, theater groups, and history buffs can all find use for true vintage garments.
Some makers even study the seams and stitching to learn how clothing was built back then, which is a clever way to improve sewing skills.
The shop has also been known over the years for carrying many kinds of clothing items. Some older visitors have mentioned the store could even order certain pieces when they were not in stock.
That old-fashioned approach to service fits the building perfectly.
Keep an open eye while browsing. Clothing may not always be in the most obvious spot, so peeking into different corners pays off.
It is the kind of place where the best treasure often shows up right when a shopper is about to leave.
Check sizes carefully, since vintage sizing runs differently than modern labels. Bringing a measuring tape makes the guesswork much easier.
Buttons, Zippers, and Tiny Treasures
Small things matter in sewing. A special button can make a plain jacket shine, and the right zipper can save a whole project.
At Strickland’s in Alabama, these little extras are part of the adventure.
Beyond the bolts, the shop has carried ribbon, buttons, zippers, drapery supplies, and other sewing and quilting goods. Many of these notions are vintage too, so the designs often look different from what shows up in stores today.
Buttons on old cards are especially fun to look through.
Here is the trick. Much of this stuff lives in boxes, and finding the good pieces means digging.
Shoppers who enjoy sorting through bins tend to walk away with the most delightful finds.
Rolled remnants are another thing to watch for. These shorter pieces of fabric have been offered at very friendly prices over the years, making them perfect for small crafts.
Think patchwork squares, doll clothes, hair bows, zipper pouches, or kids’ projects.
Makers who love scrappy quilts will find remnants especially useful. A handful of different prints can come together into something colorful and full of personality.
No two scrap quilts ever turn out the same.
Bring a small tote bag for these extras, since loose buttons and notions are easy to misplace. Keeping them together makes the checkout much smoother and the drive home a lot less messy.
Why Hunting Here Beats Any Theme Park
Some shoppers have gone as far as saying creative people would pick this place over Disney World. That is a bold claim, but it makes sense after spending an hour inside.
The thrill here comes from searching, not from rides.
The shop is not a neat, perfectly labeled store. Bolts stack high, boxes wait to be opened, and certain sections take real effort to explore.
For some people that sounds tiring, but for hunters, it sounds like a great Saturday.
Staff have been working on reorganizing, and recent visitors have noticed things getting easier to browse. Even so, patience still pays off.
The best finds rarely sit right at the front door.
A few practical tips make the hunt smoother. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, since there may be items on the floor and plenty of walking to do.
Dress in clothes that can handle a bit of dust.
Time matters too. Rushing through in fifteen minutes will not work, so plan for at least a couple of hours, and maybe more.
Many shoppers say they could have happily stayed all day.
It also helps to bring cash, as some visitors suggest. Having it ready keeps checkout simple after a long, happy search.
Then comes the best part, carrying an armful of surprises out to the car.
Friendly Faces and a Family Legacy
Good service never goes out of style. For years, shoppers have praised the people behind the counter at Strickland’s for being kind, patient, and truly helpful.
Many visitors have said a simple chat with the staff was a highlight of the trip, right here at 8 Claud Rd Eclectic, AL 36024 United States.
The business has long been family owned and run. Donald Wesley Strickland, the longtime owner, passed away on March 22, 2026, followed by his son Michael Strickland.
For a while, the community wondered what would happen to the beloved shop.
Happily, the store has reopened and is back to its regular hours. That news brought relief to many makers who count this place as a true local landmark.
Shopping here now feels like supporting a piece of Eclectic history.
Current hours run Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM, with Sundays closed.
Staff have long been known for their deep knowledge of fabric. Ask questions about fiber types, best uses for upholstery, or how certain materials might hold up.
Answers from experienced folks can save a project from mistakes.
Leave with fabric, sure. Many visitors also leave with a warm feeling, a new favorite spot, and plans to come right back soon.
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