Fabric Stores in the City (Chicago, Evanston: living in, shops, move)

[squishy506]

There used to be a couple of Hancock Fabrics stores in the north side, but according to the site, they are gone, and the only ones around involve taking a train to the suburbs and wasting several hours. Does anyone know if there are fabric stores downtown or on the north side? I found one place on Google called Vogue Fabrics downtown, but I fear it may be closed judging by the number of broken links on the website.

[jahk]

Unless it's closed in the last 6 months, the Vogue Fabrics on Roosevelt is a big store with wide selection.

I looked at their website, and it looks different than the last time I checked them out, so the broken links may not be connected yet.

There's another fabric store near there, Fishman's Fabrics - Casablanca Scrim . I've never been there, but since it's so close to Vogue you could check them both out in one trip.

[River North]

Joann Fabrics, 2647 N Elston Ave
Jo Ann Fabrics & Crafts - Bucktown - Chicago, IL

[SubconsciousMe]

I live close to this one and it's always really busy

Textile Discount Outlet - Pilsen - Chicago, IL

[squishy506]

I saw that Joann has a presence here, but I've never gone inside. Years ago, their fabric selection sucked. What's it like now?

[bornlucky23]

Joann's fabrics have improved a lot, probably because most of the other fabric stores have closed. I use fabric in the artwork I make so I'm always looking for new outlets but unless you have access to a car you are going to have a hard time finding those few stores that are remaining. There is also a Vogue Fabric in Evanston on Main St. that is fairly big but the place is really bedraggled and needs some interior rehab, which means nothing for us artists LOL! Textile Discount Outlet on 21st St. is really interesting too. By 'interesting' I mean very old, with an enormous amount of huge rolls of fabric, with, as i remember lots of 'specialty' (read; sequins, velours, etc.) fabric and upholstry fabric. When I am in the burbs I always stop at Hobby Lobby, which has an ok fabric section and some WalMarts seem to have fabric departments, esp the more rural ones. The further out of the city you go, the more quilt shops you see. Quilting seems to be more of a thing for rural women than urban women. The quilt shops I shop at in Nortwestern Wisconsin in the summer have some really trendy, gorgeous fabric. The Hancock Fabric that closed last year on Broadway had a sign that they were going to reopen somewhere nearby but so far, I have not seen anything.
Hope this helps.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by bornlucky23

Joann's fabrics have improved a lot, probably because most of the other fabric stores have closed. I use fabric in the artwork I make so I'm always looking for new outlets but unless you have access to a car you are going to have a hard time finding those few stores that are remaining. There is also a Vogue Fabric in Evanston on Main St. that is fairly big but the place is really bedraggled and needs some interior rehab, which means nothing for us artists LOL! Textile Discount Outlet on 21st St. is really interesting too. By 'interesting' I mean very old, with an enormous amount of huge rolls of fabric, with, as i remember lots of 'specialty' (read; sequins, velours, etc.) fabric and upholstry fabric. When I am in the burbs I always stop at Hobby Lobby, which has an ok fabric section and some WalMarts seem to have fabric departments, esp the more rural ones. The further out of the city you go, the more quilt shops you see. Quilting seems to be more of a thing for rural women than urban women. The quilt shops I shop at in Nortwestern Wisconsin in the summer have some really trendy, gorgeous fabric. The Hancock Fabric that closed last year on Broadway had a sign that they were going to reopen somewhere nearby but so far, I have not seen anything.
Hope this helps.

Thanks, I was trying to remember the name of that place. My wife loves it.

Edit: sorry didn't notice the OP mentioned Vogue.

[squishy506]

If my stars are aligned, Hancock will reopen before I move back. I've been going there since I was a toddler (I knew how to drive), so it's always been in my life. But if it doesn't, at least I have some decent options.

[Thepreacherswife]

From my wife (a "modern" quilter), in addition to Vogue and Fishman's, there's The Needle Shop on Lincoln just north of Addison (across from Trader Joe's). If you're looking for quilting fabric, hit the burbs. Fabrics Etc. II in Bensenville is the closest to the city.

[squishy506]

I actually bought a notion from the Needle Shop on Etsy not long ago. I don't think they were there when I was living in Chicago, so thanks for reminding me of them.