(Back in Chicago for lunchtime, Heather treats us to a tour of a local hotspot. Comment away)
So, you sew? In the Midwest, every serious sewer knows that Vogue Fabrics is an endless source of materials, information and ideas.
Holding high the moniker, America’s Premier Fabric Store, groups get bussed in by the dozens (and I’m not even kidding) including sewing clubs, costume designers and school groups. But it’s the rest of us who need to be let in on the well-kept secret that Vogue Fabrics offers suggestions, solutions, and fantastic fabrics for every budget.
Spanning more than half a block, the store is a bustling, huge workshop with a no-frills interior showing that Vogue Fabrics gets straight to business. The staff in each department couldn’t be more perfect: friendly, knowledgeable, and super proud of the Vogue “machine” that they help operate. The operation is flawless, as on any given day dozens of people meander about in search of the best materials for a particular project. In addition to fabrics, the store sells sewing machines (along with free lessons), accessories and software, and also provides repair service.
This beloved institution was born in 1945 and the staff has the old school skills to re-work your furniture with slipcovers and upholstery. On-site professionals are also there to measure and install blinds and custom window shades, create custom-made comforters, duvets, curtains, pillows, (yes, the list goes on). If you’re looking to take up sewing or upholstering yourself, the store offers a number of classes throughout each year.
In addition to the Evanston store, Vogue Fabrics has two other metro area locations and an online catalog. The website helpfully categorizes fabric lists, sales and specials (like the $1 per yard deals), but the overview is nothing compared to the touch-and-feel aspect of experiencing this place firsthand.
- Heather
OMG I remember that place. It's crazy huge. You can spend all day in there (if you are a fabric lover like me).
I've made so many "don't know what you need til it's right in front of you" discoveries at this store, I had to stop going.
How crazy - I lived in Evanston for ages and never knew this was right in my backyard. Good to know it offers classes...don't know many places that do.
I love this place. It's great that it is so close to a purple line stop - makes the trip to Evanston easy.
Vogue Fabrics is very inspiring! I love to browse there and let my imagination take over.
If you can't find it at Vogue, there is always Fishmans Fabrics around the corner.
http://www.fishmansfabrics.com/
Between the two, you are bound to find what you need.
Oh, I thought the post was about the Vogue Fabrics on West Roosevelt near South Desplaines in Chicago. Fishmans is around the corner from Vogue on South Desplaines
Free sewing lessons...that's awesome, had no idea. Thanks for a very informative story. Fabric and buttons can make me so happy sometimes.
Vogue is the most fabulous fabric and sewing needs store in the city of Chi. All others sink their heads into thier overpriced craftgoods in shame. Vogue is about fabric, not tchatkes, sewing, not crafting, and creating clothes, blankets, duvets, gifts, etc. at affordable prices, which is why a history of sewing even exists. When I lived in Philly, JoMars was the only experience to which it could compare...
Wow, this place sounds awesome! I'm definitely going to have to check it out the next time that I am in Evanston. I'm actually in need of some new window treatments and just might choose Vogue Fabrics to help me do it. Thanks for the inside scoop and the informative article.
Love love love Vogue! They successfully talked me through reupholstering a chair when I had zero experience and they managed to breathe new life into my tired old 1970s sewing machine. Their remnants tables are a ridiculous bargain bonanza, and I've got the pillows and the a-line skirts to prove it.
Awesome... With all of the recent sturm und drang about the closing of various Chicago institutions, this post reminds us that there are glorious unpretentious sleepers on the city's edge. The guest posts from this last month have successfully highlighted the distinctive character of this city: it's simultaneously cosmopolitan and cozy, and you can live rich and fun at a vast range of tax brackets, whether you choose a small vintage walkup or a gigantor loft. Can't wait to see how the Chicago site shapes up!
The staff has always been quite helpful to me here too. Check it out!
I love vogue! they have some great sale bins and the staff is super helpful. highly recommend it.
I am homesick reading about Vogue fabrics--right next to Good's, and down the street from Virag's jewelery repair!
(but brooklyn trumps e-town, hands down.)
This is news to me...haven't sewn anything in years...maybe will visit and become inspired...
Kathy
Glad to know there are others like me out there who appreciate this place as much as I do. My best friend's Mother used to buy her fabrics here to make us costumes when we were little and it was the first place I ran to when I needed to rent a sewing machine and make window treatments for the first time. The staff are soooooo helpful and I subsequently bought my rented sewing machine at a steal of a price and always seek advice from these sewing compendiums!
wow. what a walk down memory lane. i grew up in evanston and went there all the time with my sewing mama. but i never learned any skills myself. my loss. now that the family has moved away, i really miss that place.
I never knew that a fabric store would offer furniture re-working services. I am definitely going to stop in. I am relatively new to the Chicago area and love learning about incredible resources like Vogue Fabrics that make the city so special. I am also very intersted in the sewing classes... I love that. I thought you could only learn sewing from your grandmother!
Vogue is great but another store you might want to check out is Supreme Novelty Fabrics (www.supremefabrics.com) on South Pulaski in Chicago. I know a few professional dresmakers who swear by the place.
And once again, I kick myself for not knowing how to sew.
As a teacher (with a meager income), I'm always looking for ways to do-it-myself----this sounds like the perfect house of inspiration. I love that Vogue installs blinds and does custom work. Also impressive is their variety of classes offerred!
Sewing is something I must get back into. Sounds like Vogue is a one stop, all in one sewing shop! Just the kind of place I need to check out!
I learned to sew there in junior high. i now have my daughter taking classes there during school breaks. She wants to be a designer, like Project Runway. I put my name on their email list, so i now get emails when they have their big 2 week sales and when they have their new classes. When I can't get in right away, I shop online for my fiber fix. Do not try to cure me of my fabricholism! Super friendly, super knowledgable staff who seem like they have been there forever! And my favorite section is the ribbons and trims -- Oh, I could go on! Great job with the pix, by the way...feelin' an urge to shop!