vintage/scandi fabric, wadding and felt - best places to buy ?

[crochetqueen]

I've just started making some felt/material little dolls for presents. I'm just wondering where people buy good value felt, nice scandi/contemporary/vintagey fabrics and also wadding...

Would you use wadding (like quilting wadding) for stuffing or anything else ? I've seen some on ebay which is way cheaper than John Lewis (unsurprisingly) but do you have any favourite websites for those sorts of things ?

I'm recently redundant and have always sewed through my life but am now hoping to fill those more dull days with craft projects to keep me sane !...but need to do it economically as the money is obviously tighter now I'm out of work.
Many thanks

[LatteLady]

No, do not use wadding for stuffing, buy a bag of toy filler... it's a bit like cotton wool on speed... softer and goes quite far. Ebay is a good source but actually, just google around and keep a note pad so you know where you have been, so you can go back.

Don't just think about dolls but have a look at these Nordic pixies I am deffo going to try something similar next year

[craftynclothy]

Toy filler rather than wedding but it can be pricey. The other option which can be cheaper is to buy cheap pillows/cushions and use the stuffing in them.

[ChunkyPickle]

I do what craftynclothy says - to stuff big, square stuff I buy a quilt and cut/fold to size, and for little things I get a cheap pillow pack and use that - I can get those in Asda, and so avoid paying the seemingly exorbitant postage everyone wants online to send stuffing

For vintage fabric I often browse charity shops for dresses or curtains. I don't have any good online sources (and I hate buying fabric online because I like to see and feel it in person)

[tiggy114]

I have an even cheaper option that toy stuffing. Get those cheapo cushions from home bargains and use tgeir stuffing instead! It's fire retardant and just as good but you get loads for cheap!