Frieda Hain

Frieda Hain on Gärtnerstraße at Boxhagener Platz combines a fabric store and a children's store under one roof. Myriam Kliewer has been running the shop since 2009 and sews school cones, sleeping sheep, name pillows and grow-with-me trousers from fabrics the customers pick themselves. Toys and GOTS-certified clothing round it off.

Fabric and Children’s Store on Gärtnerstraße in Friedrichshain

Around Boxhagener Platz are the streets where Friedrichshain looks least like a thoroughfare, and Gärtnerstraße is one of them. At number 10, Frieda Hain, Myriam Kliewer’s shop, which describes itself as fabrics and beautiful things for children, has been located since 2009. Tram M13 stops at the barrier-free Wühlischstraße station right around the corner, and it’s just a few steps to the market on Boxhagener Platz. From the outside, the shop looks like a fabric store, and it is: American patchwork fabrics, Japanese patterns, classic Westfalenstoffe, muslin, waffle piqué, and terry cloth are stacked in bolts, alongside collections from Nani Iro, marimekko, Petit Pan, and Atelier Brunette. Those who sew themselves receive advice on patterns, fabric quantities, and seam allowances. The accessories are also right: zippers, buttons, ribbons, cords, patches, and pacifier chain clips are in their own drawers. For adult fabrics, the store largely avoids synthetic fibers, while for children’s jerseys, it relies on certified cotton.

Gifts for Children from the In-House Sewing Workshop

The second half of the store is what makes it interesting for children’s gifts. On the shelves are toys and home accessories from Petit Monkey, sindibaba, Sebra, OYOY Mini, ferm LIVING Kids, Klippan, and Flensted Mobiles, as well as backpacks, lunchboxes, and water bottles from Trixie Baby, Blafre, and dopper. Children’s clothing from loud+proud and Trixie Baby is GOTS-certified. But what’s special are the in-house creations: sleeping sheep, each one unique, with the option to embroider a name on the larger version; name pillows for birth or baptism; grow-with-me pants made of jersey and wool; patchwork blankets; baby sleeping bags; hats; and musical mobiles. Particularly popular are the school cones, available with glitter, neon, leopard print, or reflective tape, with or without a name. All of these are available ready-made in the store, but can also be sewn from a fabric of your choice. Frieda Hain advises bringing some time for a patchwork blanket. If you don’t know what to choose, you can take a gift voucher for any amount, which the store also sends by mail.