Guide
Where to Find Fabric in Chicago: 25 Spots Worth Knowing
Megan Lambert at Folklore Fabrics in Bucktown. Photo: Quinn Myers / Block Club Chicago.
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6 min
Finding the right fabric can shape everything that comes after it: how a garment feels, what it costs to make and whether a designer can make another one. The right resource looks different for a student buying a few yards, a designer preparing a small run or someone learning to sew.
Chicago’s materials story is bigger than any one opening. This guide brings together 25 places to start, from apparel and quilting shops to creative reuse and wholesale sourcing across the city and suburbs. Check current hours, inventory and shopping access before visiting; some resources are by appointment or serve the trade.
Chicago
1. Mood Fabrics Chicago
Image via Mood Fabrics; photographer not identified.
A sample-based Loop showroom with fabric samples and sewing supplies, rather than a conventional full-stock shop.
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2. Fishman’s Fabrics
Image: Fishman’s Fabrics.
Apparel and interior textiles, including materials for bridal, tailoring and upholstery.
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3. Textile Discount Outlet
Image: Textile Discount Outlet.
A Pilsen fabric outlet carrying textiles, trimmings and sewing supplies.
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4. New Rainbow Fabrics
Image: New Rainbow Fabrics.
Fabric for retail and wholesale customers in the South Loop; check wholesale access directly.
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5. The WasteShed
Image: The WasteShed.
Creative reuse centers with donated art and craft materials. Fabric selection changes with donations.
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6. The Quilter’s Trunk
Image: The Quilter’s Trunk.
Quilting fabrics, African wax prints, notions and machines on the South Side.
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7. Djenne Collection
Image: Djenne Collection.
African fabrics alongside clothing and accessories in Beverly.
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8. Tailorbird Fabrics
Image: Tailorbird Fabrics.
Fabric and sewing supplies in Lincoln Square; check current classes and offerings.
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9. Fine Fabric Sales — Diana Muzzy
Image: Fine Fabric Sales.
Fabrics, lace, buttons and trim for the trade. Wholesale only; call for an appointment.
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10. Folklore Fabrics
Image: Quinn Myers / Block Club Chicago.
A Bucktown shop featuring natural fibers, European deadstock and sewing accessories. Check current hours and offerings. Founded by Megan Lambert.
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The suburbs
11. Vogue Fabrics
Image source to be confirmed.
An Evanston resource for fashion fabrics, patterns, notions and trims.
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12. Evanston Stitchworks
Image: Evanston Stitchworks.
A stitch lounge and shop offering fabric, yarn and classes in Evanston.
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13. Sew on Central
Image: Central Street Evanston.
Apparel and quilting fabrics, notions, machines and classes in Evanston.
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14. LindaZ’s Sewing Center
Image: LindaZ’s Sewing Center.
Sewing and quilting resources in Arlington Heights; check the current fabric selection.
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15. Thimbles Quilts
Image: Thimbles Quilts.
Quilting fabrics, notions and sewing machines in Lockport.
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16. Quilters Quest
Image: Quilters Quest.
Quilting fabric, patterns and machines in Downers Grove.
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17. Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop
Image: Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop.
Reproduction fabrics, cottons and wool in Fox River Grove.
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18. Sewing Etc.
Image: Sewing Etc.
Fabric and sewing supplies in Yorkville; check current stock.
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19. Blue Willow Mercantile
Image: Blue Willow Mercantile.
Quilting fabric and sewing machines in St. Charles.
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20. Creative Sewing & Quilting
Image: Creative Sewing & Quilting.
Fabric yardage, kits and machines in Geneva.
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21. Top Shelf Quilts
Image: Top Shelf Quilts.
Quilting fabric and machines in Mokena.
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22. Harvest House Quilting
Image: Harvest House Quilting.
An in-home quilting shop in Plainfield. Call ahead; access includes interior stairs.
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23. Warman Cozy Quilt Shop
Image: Warman Cozy Quilt Shop.
Quilting fabric, classes and machines in Barrington.
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24. Roberts Sewing Center
Image: Roberts Sewing Center.
Quilting fabric, machines, notions and repair in Crest Hill.
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25. The Sourcing District
Image: The Sourcing District.
Wholesale fabric sourcing and an Oak Park showroom by appointment; contact the team before visiting.
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A resource worth knowing: AIBI
A fabric store is only one part of the process. The Apparel Industry Board’s Fashion Lab offers shared equipment for making and small-scale production, and its local materials-sourcing list points to fabric, tools and adjacent resources. Check current booking, pricing and events.
From a list to a stronger pipeline
A directory helps us see the resources we already have and ask better questions about what is hard to find: materials, quantities, prices, locations or the ability to source a second run. We want to keep listening to makers, fabric businesses, mills and manufacturers and explore how stronger relationships can connect local creativity to a more complete sourcing and production pipeline.
Know a resource we missed? Explore the CFC Fashion Directory and suggest a business for consideration.
More from CFC: After the ribbon-cutting.
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