fabric in Chicago/north suburbs

I cannot find a fabric store that sells designers like Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, etc. in the Chicago or (especially) north suburban area. Anyone? Thanks!

I can't find any in the west suburbs either... We have several adorable quilt shops but I'm new to sewing and I'd love to find some Sandi Henderson and Amy Butler and more modern and designer prints. I'm sure that they did carry some of these lines when they first came out but as they sell out, they don't re-order because their regulars are looking for new things.  I might check out one of these "shop hops" and travel a little farther, but otherwise I think I'll be ordering online...  Good luck! Please share if you find anything!

Erin

I'd love to know, too!  There's a store in Libertyville called Libertville Sewing Center (on Peterson Rd) that I'm actually planning to check out this weekend, so I'll post back on my findings.  I often buy fabric online, but I'd love to find a source nearby so I could touch and combine prints myself!

Third Margaret,

I love Libertyville sewing for expertise and sewing supplies (I bought my Bernina there and take classes), but their fabric is very folksy. Not the designers we're discussing. I've been all over the internet looking for something within an hour from here, but haven't found anything. I'd even travel to southern Wisconsin. I also buy on line, but would love to see some of these in person. Anyone? Ugh!

Michelle Renee

*sigh*  I've been asking around and can't find anyone who knows where to find what we seek!  You'd think an area  as big as Chicagoland would have numerous options...I can't even find a place downtown!  Perhaps someone will show up who knows more than I can figure out!

I haven't been to the actual store (N side of Chicago), but I recently discovered Quiltology, which offers classes and some fabrics -- including Amy Butler.  Their address is www.quiltology.com where you'll find a link to the online store, too.

In NW suburbs, I have found some interesting fabrics at Quilters Destination, which is on Rand just south (?) of Palatine Road.  It's very close to the JoAnn Fabrics on Palatine.  But not as many of 'my designers' as I'd like to see.  . . . I, too, would love to see these fabrics in person. 

Maybe if a bunch of us started contacting a particular store about these fabrics, the buyer would begin to purchase them???

You are all right...it seems like there is not much to speak of for Chicago. Quiltology (Lincoln Park) is amazing though and has everything your little heart desires! On Damen near 94 there is a place that has good stuff, called The Needle Shop. It's got a good selection of designer prints...it's just in a basement of a three flat, so the ambiance isn't ideal.

There used to be a place in Bannockburn, but it closed, so now up north, that one in Libertyville seems like it's all they've got, but it doesn't carry designer fabrics like Amy Butler, Joewl Dewberry, etc. last time I checked. In the west suburbs, Geneva has Windmill City Quilts...again though, no Amy Butler. Evanston has Vogue Fabrics...but that's more for apparel.

How can a city as wonderful and large as Chicago have so few fabric stores?!

It's getting worse. The Libertyville shop is going out of business. So sad. They just cannot survive in this economy. They are recommending that I go all the way to Elgin to have my Bernina serviced. Ugh!

Thanks for the info on the Lincoln Park shop. I did run into that online and wondered if it's worth the trip. Spring makes me feel like getting out and getting into the city more. So, now I have an excuse.

Does anyone know of any sewing groups in the area? I don't know many women who sew around here.

Oooooooooo The Needle Shop looks great!  I need to get me into the city.

Re: sewing groups -- don't know of any.  I know that Quilters Destination has classes, but I've never attended.  I'm not the sewing class kinda gal, and the projects I've seen there are a little less than hip.  (Not that I'm hip, but I try!)

Are there any Park District or Forest Preserves that have classes or groups?  Or libraries?

Well, I went straight to the source at least as far as Amy Butler fabric!  According to her website here are the stores that carry her fabric in Illinois:
http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/buy/locator.php

I will try to call some of the closer ones (I go through Barrington regularly these days...might just run by!) and see who's still in business!

Well, this isn't super close, but if you want to go on a little day trip and see some Amish country and get beautiful fabric, go to Shipshewana!  There are several lovely, lovely quilting and fabric stores.  It is probably about two hours outside of Chicago.

I knew about Quiltology as well. I vaguely remember hearing about a shop in Evanston but my memory fails me right now and I can't remember the name exactly-something like Vogue Fabrics or so. But yeah, not too much around here...I know

My daughter lives in Wheaton and she tells me that Stitches 'n Stuffing in Naperville carries Amy Butler fabrics.

If any of you have to go to Sew Unlimited in Elgin to get your Berninas serviced, it might be far but I've always had stellar service there. Their techs are great.  I took a class there and that was great too.  They sell & service Brother machines now too.  They only have a small fabric section, but lots of purse patterns and all of their machines are on display to test out!

I checked out Tammy Tadd in Sycamore and they had a bunch of cute purse-worthy and baby/kid fabric.  Lots of Marcus and Michael Miller.  I didn't see any Amy Butler there, but they had some modern prints that were not AB. (I really like the "Snow Flower" line by Dena Designs)

I also heard that Stitches N Stuffing closed.  I don't live nearby though so I haven't driven by to confirm.  Windmill City Quilts in Geneva also closed recently.

We have a quilt shop in Batavia (Prairie Shop Quilts) that has cute novelty fabric, great for kid quilts and they have a line with cookies and pretzels and popcorn - great for aprons.  They definitely cater to quilters and not bag-makers, but they are super nice there and close to me so I still buy thread and "extras" there.

Also, my mom said my Grandma used to shop at Fishman's in Chicago? http://www.fishmansfabrics.com/  Anyone been there?  If it's worth the trip I may hop on the train!

Hi Michelle,
Last week I went to Quilter's Heaven in Glenview.  It is on Shermer Road and they carry Amy Butler and a host of many others.  Lots of brights, batiks, fun stuff.  The website just doesn't do the store justice...it is much better in person.
For Berninas, there is always Linda Z's in Arlington Heights/Rolling Meadows (?)...she is on Central near Wilke Road.  That is where I bought mine and have it serviced.

I hope you find what you are looking for!
Cathy
www.sewingforlife.wordpress.com