Over 150 Years of Experience

About Whaleys Fabrics

Whaleys was established in 1869 by Mr Samuel Whaley, about whom not a great deal is known. The activities of his enterprise at that time were silk and jute weaving, with one floor processing textile sacks and bags.

Over 150 Years of History

We are a UK-based textile supplier with over 150 years of heritage. We provide a diverse range of fabrics and materials for various industries.

  • 1898

    Whaleys Bradford Limited is established by Mr Samuel Whaley.

    Not a great deal is known about Mr Samuel Whaley; the activities of his enterprise at that time were silk and jute weaving, with one floor processing textile sacks and bags.

  • 1908

    Whaleys moves to new premises on Bolton Road, Bradford.

    The original premises were off Leeds Road in Bradford, West Yorkshire, before moving to Bolton road in 1908, finally taking over its present site, Harris Court Mills in 1973.

  • 1900

    Harry Jowett takes over Whaleys Bradford Limited.

    Harry Jowett was the great-grandfather of the present Managing Director. During the First World War, weaving was suspended and silk making abandoned. When normal work recommenced an industrial fabric section was established to furnish the textile finishing industry.

  • 1921

    Harry Jowett's sons-in-law take over Whaleys just before his death.

    Just before Harry Jowett’s death in 1921, the firm was taken over by his two sons in law, Fred Popplewell (MD, on photo above) and James Robert McIlvenny.

  • 1945

    Whaleys Bradford: a fourth generation family business.

    After the last world war Fred and James Robert were joined by James’ sons, Harry and James Fredrick, eventually being joined by James Frederick’s son and Managing Director, Peter, who now represents the fourth generation.

  • Present Day

    Over the years the company has expanded and diversified.

    It has introduced a department which specialises in producing theatre curtains along with a range of flame proofed fabrics, in addition to a large fashion fabric section supplying fabric designers direct. It is interesting to note that this includes offering Silk again, after an absence of 70 years!

Our Best Sellers

Our most popular fabrics at great prices.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 Mr E Gilmore 
 
 
 Mr E Gilmore 
 
29/02/2024
 
 
  
Excellent on every metric. Prompt to answer the phones and answer questions knowledgeably. Very prompt dispatch and delivery. Competitive pricing. Excellent quality products, and a superb range.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Cath Bull 
 
 
 Cath Bull 
 
19/02/2024
 
 
  
really pleased with fabric
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Wendy Young 
 
 
 Wendy Young 
 
19/02/2024
 
 
  
Ordered canvas to make stretchers for painting, arrived today.  Very well packaged, exctly what I ordered and a fast service.  Would have been useful to know it had been dispatched so I could watch out for delivery, but no problem.  Looking forward to painting on it.
RTS sculpture
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Ray Clarke 
 
 
 Ray Clarke 
 
19/02/2024
 
 
  
Website easy to negotiate. Goods delivered promptly.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Patrick McVeigh 
 
 
 Patrick McVeigh 
 
08/02/2024
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Alan Pergusey 
 
 
 Alan Pergusey 
 
04/02/2024
 
 
  
Great service, and my order arrived promptly
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Fashion Fusion CIC 
 
 
 Fashion Fusion CIC 
 
02/02/2024
 
 
  
Items arrived quickly, well packaged and a fabulous selection of eco friendly materials to choose from. Communications have been excellent in the past when a parcel was lost by DPD and the issue was quickly resolved.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Mark Collins 
 
 
 Mark Collins 
 
02/02/2024
 
 
  
Great service and products as always. Would highly recommend Whaleys to anyone.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Alison R Tyler 
 
 
 Alison R Tyler 
 
01/02/2024
 
 
  
Alaways a rapid delivery and always just as described . Really good value fabrics
Thanks you
  
 
  
 
 
 
 pam law 
 
 
 pam law 
 
01/02/2024
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Google rating score: 4.0 of 5, based on 42 reviews