Textile Discount Outlet

[EvilTadpole]

I hope this is not in contempt of the posting rules, but I thought I'd just share with anyone in the chicago area or planning on visiting my favorite fabric store.  I go to Textile Discount Outlet on 2121 21st Street in chicago (its in the pilsen neighborhood).  It is magnificentally huge and cheap.  There is a pink line el stop one block away and the damen bus also goes all the way down there.  I highly recommend this place.  I learned about it from a set designer I know, a few years back.  Apparently this is the place where many set designers and  fashion designers go in the city to get their stuff.  If anyone is in town and wants to go for the first time, let me know, I go about twice a month at least.

[scuffmark21]

oh man sounds awesome. sounds like i need to go on a field trip!

[Marmish]

Thanks for the tip.  Where else to you like to shop in the Chicago area?

[EvilTadpole]

Pretty much that is the only place I go for fabric.  Once you go there you'll see why.  I tend to pick up random other things on the internet or I go to Dick Blicks for supplies. 

[EllieFunt]

I went there for the first time a few weeks ago.  Love it!

Don't go on a hot day - no A/C.  Be prepared to spend a lot of time there.  Bring a camera for that fabric you're just not sure about.   

Going back when it cools off here.

[razziesbaby]

this has got to be my favorite place in the whole world!!!! it is so big!!!! i have been upstairs and in the basement and you can truly get lost in that place!!!! i first found out about them through my grandmother because she has been sewing since she was like 12 and now she is 62! and when i first went there i was jus in awe!!! recommend them for anything!!

[Marmish]

The Reader had something about this place.  I found it via gapersblock.com, which is very cool itself.

http://www.chicagoreader.com/favoritethings/textileoutlet/

[dooney]

I don't get to Chicago much but when I finally get out of debt I'm going to convince my husband to take me there. Sounds like so much fun.

[scuffmark21]

also: the address makes me feel like this place is just "meant to be" or something. 21 is my lucky number. ^_^

[Nymphara]

Ahh gees!  You found my favorite store!! This place has me entrhalled every time I walk inside. I love how there are just random piles of things in the corner, and they have every type of fabric known to man. You can seriously wander around in here for days. Sigh! I need to go back, soon.

[alyrenee]

I love that place but it can be so overwhelming sometimes.  i just recently made a trip there to buy beaded fabric for my sister's wedding dress.  I go there to buy fabric for costumes as well.  Its always like three fabric stores exploded in one warehouse though.

[craft minded]

Does this store have a good selection of quilting cottons?

I am new to the city and I'm looking for a good quilting fabric store. Textile Discount Outlet is closest to my house so I'm most interested in going there. I am also planning on checking out Vogue Fabrics and The Needle Shop. I thought about going to Quiltology, too, but, after reading some reviews that mention their high prices and small selection, it doesn't appeal to me all that much.

Any suggestions for quilting fabric stores will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Marmish]

I would call Quiltology's selection tightly edited.  It's small, but the most modern collection you will find, and a nice space.  Other options are Fabrics Etc in Elmhurst at York and 290, or Quiltfabric.com has a retail location in Willowbrook at 75th and Rt 83.  Pieceful Heart is a large shop in Lisle, I think.  You won't find quilting cottons at Vogue, but you should check it out anyways.  The quilt shop in Palatine just closed.  There are a variety of Joann and Hancock stores.  That, unfortunately, is about it.

I'd like to know if Textile Outlet has quilting cottons, too.

[craft minded]

Lol, i just called Textile Outlet. How simple!

I talked to Steve and he said their quilting fabrics are very, very limited because quilters like 100% cotton. I asked him for a suggestion of where to get quilting fabrics in town and he suggested Vogue, either downton on Roosevelt or in downtown Evanston.

ETA: I called Vogue downtown and the person I talked to wasn't too encouraging. She said we have cotton fabrics and that you'll have to browse around for them. They do sell batting and thread for quilts, she mentioned.

[Marmish]

Thanks for reporting back!

[jenilee]

yah this place is cool...but! it's mostly synthetic (majority polyester) fabric..which sucks for me. b/c I like to dye fabric...and i love cotton

[Marmish]

Just wanted to add their hours -
Mon + Th 9:30-7
Tues + Wed 9:30-5
Fri 9:30-4:30
Sat - closed
Sun 10-4

[fromsophia]

I love it so much I get boxes of fabric every time I go I highly recomend it and if you go to art school they will give you major discounts

[ghostofpp]

Cool! 

[himtnc1]

I know this is an "older" post; but if you are looking for quilting fabric and have transportation, come south down I55 to Weber Rd, then go south about 5 miles to Roberts Sewing Center in Crest Hill.   I'm not a quilter, but have been there a few times and their selection is fantastic.

[fromsophia]

I went there today  but they did not have any silk that I could dye but they did have some great lace trim