By Corina – July 20, 2025
Every dress I make for Cori Tailor begins with fabric — not a sketch or a moodboard, but a simple moment of contact. When I touch the right textile, I already see the dress it’s meant to become.
This post is a little behind-the-scenes look at the 10 sources I return to again and again — the shops and stories that give life to the handmade designer dresses I create in our small atelier in Iași, Romania.
Why Fabric Matters to Me
I don’t buy fabric in bulk, and I don’t follow trends. I source materials slowly, in small batches — just enough to create one-of-a-kind, made-to-measure dresses that honor each customer’s body and story.
That’s the foundation of slow fashion:
✨ No stock. No waste. Just thoughtful creation, one piece at a time.
When I choose a fabric, I look for:
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Natural fibers like cotton or linen
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Movement and softness
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Vintage-style prints that spark a feeling
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Ethical suppliers who support makers like me
This is what allows me to craft everything from a handmade retro cocktail dress to a luxury handmade day dress — with care, detail, and meaning.
1. Bubufabrics.ro – Reliable Cotton & Sweet Prints
Bubu is my go-to for soft printed cotton and breathable fabrics that make everyday silhouettes feel special. You’ll find their textiles in many of our handmade cotton summer dresses — especially the more playful designs.
2. Latextile.ro – Structured, Clean, Beautiful
When I need a fabric that behaves — something with body and a clean finish — I go to Latextile. Their cotton sateen and blends have helped shape several of our luxury handmade day dresses, with crisp seams and elegant drape.
3. Almafabrics.ro – For Romantic, Flowing Pieces
Alma is where I turn when I want something delicate: light viscose, voile, or dreamy linen in faded pastels. Their fabrics are perfect for the softer, vintage-inspired handmade dresses in the shop.
4. Texmag.ro – The Understated Helper
They may not look fancy, but Texmag is steady and versatile. I often use their organic cotton and simple weaves for linings or test garments. But sometimes, the result surprises me and becomes a final piece — like an ethical retro-style midi dress you’ll wear again and again.
5. SharbekTextil.ro – For Vintage Surprises
Sharbek feels more industrial, but it occasionally hides treasures — old-school prints, deadstock patterns, retro gems. These fabrics often inspire my most nostalgic designer retro-style midi dresses.
6. Evelintextile.ro – Everyday Cotton with Character
Affordable and dependable. I use their fabrics to test cuts, but I’ve also created full looks from them — including a few handmade retro cocktail dresses with more edge than their price suggests.
7. Fabrix.ro – Color Therapy
This shop is pure fun. Bold solid colors, quirky retro prints — Fabrix helps me bring out the brightness in designs like a 1950s swing vintage dress or a playful summer look.
8. Canadafashion.ro – For Statement Looks
This is where I go when I want a dress to really sing. Their structured fabrics and graphic prints elevate any design into something that belongs in a cocktail dress small boutique Europe. When you wear one of these pieces, you feel it.
9. Croitoreseleanonime.ro – A Sisterhood of Makers
I love this community. It’s not just about buying — it’s about being seen as a creator. Their curated fabrics often inspire my more personal, ethical handmade women’s clothing, and I admire how they uplift small businesses like ours.
10. Personal Fabric Stash — A Family Legacy
This one is the most personal of all.
At the beginning of 2025, after my husband's grandmother passed away, we had to clear out her apartment in Iași. In one of the back rooms, we found a stash of fabric left behind by his aunt — untouched for years.
She had once dreamed of opening her own tailoring studio. With help from her parents, she set up a workspace, bought materials, and gave it her all. But life was hard, and she eventually left Romania to work as a tailor abroad.
She never looked back. But we did.
I kept everything — neatly folded rolls, vintage buttons, scraps of dreams. Some pieces are over two decades old. Now, they’re being woven into made-to-measure dresses with real meaning behind them.
This legacy reminds me why I do this work:
To honor the past, slow down the present, and create beauty that lasts.
Thank You for Being Part of This Story
These ten sources — and the stories behind them — make up the world I create in. Whether it's a vintage-inspired cotton or a piece of fabric passed down through family, each dress I make carries these threads within it.
If you'd like to learn more about our philosophy, you can read:
📖 What Slow Fashion Really Means
🧷 How to Send Your Measurements
🪡 The 10 Tools I Use to Craft Your Dresses
🎀 Ready to explore the latest pieces?
Browse our current designer dresses, each made one at a time, just for you.