Fabric Hunting Madeira – In Search Of Inspiration

If you had told me when I was nine years old that I would be one day enjoying the sites and food in Madeira, I would have said you were out of your mind. Where is Madeira? I grew up In Panama; as a child, I used to look in the encyclopedias for faraway places to visit one day. Item 52 was The Azores, according to the list I made when I was nine, But Madeira, as far as I can recall, I have never heard of, so I had no expectations.

The beauty of this place is breathtaking; the many shades of green contrasting with the blue of the sea fill your mind with excitement and wonderment.

The twisted and contorted mountains on such a small island make you wonder what forces shaped such a lovely playground.

Fun fact: Madeira is the home of Cristiano Ronaldo. Those who follow soccer (football as it is called worldwide) would know who that is.

A Bit Of Geography

Madeira is comprised of 4 islands that sit off the coast of Africa. The main island is Madeira, where the capital Funchal is located; next to it is Porto Santo, with fascinating nightlife (so I am told I haven't had the chance). The other two islands are uninhabited but are visited by boats for a day, making up a large portion of the diving scene in Madeira.

The island has very fertile volcanic soil and a semi-tropical climate, making it spring all year.

A Bit Of History

Madeira was discovered in 1419 by two Portuguese explorers looking for a different route to India. João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira claimed the islands for Portugal soon after colonization started. Sugar cane production in the 15th century made the region prosper, and a fortified wine popular with the British in the 17th and 18th centuries allowed Madeira to become a wealthy region. Competition from other countries saw a decline in the economy. Today Madeira relies on tourism and wine-making for its economy.

Best Sites

Madeira is a place for fun-loving culture, sea, and nature-type people. Wear sneakers or very comfortable shoes, a hat, and water with you because you will go up and down for hours, or….you can take one of the most popular things to do in Funchal.

Funchal Cable Car

The trip in the cable car is around 3200 in length, and it takes 15 minutes to climb to the top at the height of 560 meters. It will end at the parish of Monte.

Madeira Gardens

Madeira has over 12 public gardens, but three make the visit worthwhile if you like plants and flowers.

Quinta do Arco in Sao Jorge is a rose garden with 1700 species of this lovely flower which make it one of the most remarkable gardens to visit in Europe. The botanical gardens and Monte Palace Madeira Tropical Garden.

Nature Reserves

Three-quarters of the land in Madeira is protected, where you can find unique species of plants not found anywhere else in the world. There are many hiking and walking spots; below is a small taste of what you can experience.

Pico Arieiro, Laurissilva Forest, with ancient Laurel trees and numerous nature walks, and Porto Santo, with beautiful sandy beaches.

Mercado Dos Lavradore

Fabric Hunting Madeira

Epopeia Casa De Tecidos

I could drop a small fortune in here. I stumbled upon this little gem on a walk through Funchal. It is only a little over a year old and run by Andrea, who will look after you in a friendly and kind manner. The silks come from Italy with unique prints and bold colors, superb quality Belgian Linen, Portuguese deco fabrics for curtains, table cloths, or cushions, and Haute Couture fabrics from India and Bangladesh with exquisite embroidered tulles for a wedding gown or a fancy party. French and Spanish lace and the very renowned Cadena textile; if you do not know about them, check my Instagram, where I have a small video of the catalog of this Spanish fabric company.

Tecidos Zarco

This small chain comprises three stores, two on the island and one in Porto on the mainland. Run by Paolo with help from his sister, this is the place where you will find just about everything you need for any project. Three floors of materials to make uniforms, dresses, curtains, children, women's, and men's clothes, handbags, upholstery, wedding and party dresses, carnival and theater costumes, and lingerie. If you find yourself here, do not forget to check the bargain bin, I saw some pieces worth buying for 5 Euros that would make a fantastic apron or a bag.

Feira Dos Tecidos

This establishment is for someone on a budget or the true bargain hunter who has the time to rummage through bit piles of fabrics. You can find some gems in this place. However, I am willing to give them a pass since the prices are pretty accessible, and if you are looking for something that will not break the bank, you can still say you got it in Madeira.

I still have one more place to share with you. The world-famous Madeira embroidery is still available on the island and deserves a separate post. Technically, this is not a fabric store, but you can buy handmade finished products here. Stay tuned for my article on this well-known exquisite technique. Here is a hint below.

I hope you enjoyed my tour of Madeira, a place I never thought I would be. What I found has left a long-lasting memory of a beautiful island with kind people. I know I will be back, so I hope to update you on what else is available on the island. For now, I will share a little more about the city of Funchal.

Funchal is the picturesque capital city of the stunning Madeira archipelago. Its steep hillsides, adorned with a diverse range of vegetation and terraced gardens, offer us a striking backdrop. The city's cobbled streets, lined with traditional buildings and historic landmarks, exude a charm that is both captivating and nostalgic.

Funchal is renowned for its vibrant, colorful flowers that bloom throughout the year. The rich cultural heritage of the city is showcased through its museums, galleries, and historical sites, which are a testament to its enduring legacy. But Funchal isn't just about the city life. You can also hit the hiking trails and get lost in nature. The mountains are covered in greenery and waterfalls, and there's even a cool levada (that's a narrow irrigation channel, by the way) that takes you through tunnels and over aqueducts.

If you liked this post check out my last article in this series, fabric hunting Paris. Let me know what you think in the comments below

Until next time, let's keep the world together one stitch at a time!

---

If You'd Like To Support Our Site

If you want to help us continue to bring you a wide selection of free sewing patterns and projects, please consider buying us a coffee.  We'd really, really appreciate it.