Julián López has been selling fabric in Spain for 70 years – I walked into their shop on Calle de la Bolsa for the first time intending to spend 5 minutes and left an hour later, carrying some new cushions and a pashmina! The quantity and variety of fabrics on display is mind-boggling; I could have stayed there all day honestly!

I got home and started looking at “patchwork” videos and Googling “sewing classes” – in short, I was inspired! Because they don’t just sell fabric, they have literally everything you would need to make a dress, a quilt, or to upholster that old armchair or make some drapes.

It’s a TARDIS-like Aladdin’s cave of colour and creativity for anyone, but also a great place to find some peculiarly Spanish items classified as “indumentaria”, which is a new word for me. It means all the special trimmings and items that make up traditional costumes.

It’s fascinating, so make sure to walk up the street and step inside when you are visiting nearby Casa Lope de Vega or Café Central.