Cluttered Fire Hazard! Old trim, old fabric, old yarn. Selling at insane high prices. Guy who runs the place isn't really friendly. We paid $40 to park for an hour to go here. What a waste. Will never go here again. read more

Chicago Fabric Yarn & Button Sales - Fabric Aisle One of Two. - Fabric Stores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I'm not sure why there's so many negative reviews... Sure the store is packed, but digging through isn't so bad if you have the time. The wool, denim, and silk collections are really great. There's also some really beautiful and unique vintage patterns as well. If you have an idea what you're looking for ask the owner. Buddy (the owner) is extremely kind, knowledgable, and funny. Some of these comments about him are just plain rude. The store has been in business for 97 years and I hope it continues to be a staple in the loop. I also hope anyone that is interested will give this place a shot, especially if you'd like to support a local business. read more

Wow, I can't believe the fire marshal hasn't shut this place down yet. Needed climbing gear to walk through the store. Messy or Cluttered just doesn't explain it. The pictures on here are pretty accurate. If I'm being honest I kind of knew it was a mess before I went but I had to see this in person. There were little to know cottons or flannels that I could see (I'm a quilter). Unfortunately, I bought nothing :(. read more

LOVE THE CLUTTER! Real crafters know this is absolutely perfect, all the fabric you can dream of! Just wish there was more

If I could give 0 stars I would. I drove AN HOUR to this location. Online and in the window state they are OPEN Saturdays at noon. I get there and ITS CLOSED. How do you run a business like this? What a waste of time. My advice, skip this place. Do not give these LIARS your money. read more

Customer service was rude on the phone and for that reason, I decided not to waste my time or gas!

This place is a disaster pile of mostly fabrics and some yarns. It's beyond me how they are still in business honestly. Prices aren't great for basic items and everything smells like it's decaying. You know that old damp dusty fabric smell. Not great. read more

This place was a fire hazard. It's very hard to find anything because you're so busy trying not to fall or get bitten by a dust mite.

Very helpful, super kind! Had exactly what I needed when no other store did. Would highly recommend!

small shop with huge selection of fabrics at great prices. difficult to find things due to small space but very helpful & knowledge owner.

Other than the clutter you have here, the shopkeeper knows his stuff and has everything you could need for any sewing project. Place is cluttered because his shop is small but in the heart of the city, where you can't find a Michael's or a JoAnn's. I was visiting from Florida and needed a zipper, thread & needle for my new grandson's sleeper I just finished crocheting. Chicago Fabric & Yarn had exactly what I needed. His selection of fabrics and yarns are amazing, especially the beautiful fabrics that I noticed that were from Africa. I also noticed many laces and fancy fabrics. I wish I lived close by as I believe I would use this place to build up & replace the fabric stash I gave away to a design school while downsizing last month! Shame that sewing is a dying art, but for those of us diehards, keep this place on your list. Especially if you live in the center of Chicago or close by! Certainly beats out the chains like Joann's, Michael's and Hobby Lobby or online companies that begin with an "A." Nice to have a shopkeeper who knows what you are talking about when you request a specific sewing item. Am I dating myself! Gees, real customer service! Sure beats going online to buy- you mean I get to see what I'm purchasing? What a novel idea!!!! Thank you Chicago Fabric and Yarns! read more

A LOT of fabric and sewing supplies. Owner is so lovely and humorous. Has been in business for 95 years with 95 years of fabric accumulated. Has a little bit of everything. Highly recommend! Will definitely be going back!! read more

Don't bother with this place. I love the thrill of the shopping hunt but this place is ridiculous in a totally off-the-rails way. There is a small display of old and outdated yarn at the front door. Several balls have obviously been re-priced multiple times. Maybe two different brands. Joann's selection is a million times better (and I would NEVER recommend Joann yarn because I am a yarn snob.) There are battered notions that you have to strain to see behind the counter. There are very outdated ribbons and trims along the right wall near the back. Some of the trim spools were yellowed with age. Everywhere else there are bolts of fabric piled atop each other with no organization whatsoever divided by two aisles. I could only travel halfway down one aisle before it got dangerously narrow and I worried fabric would collapse on me. Most of what I saw were out-of-date prints and polyester blends. I saw some outrageous price tags on a couple items. I didn't want to moved any bolts to check prices or material content for fear of creating a domino landslide effect. The worker, the owner I supposed, said hello and when I asked where the yarns were, he gruffly responded then walked away. I'm too busy to waste my time in such a mess and hoofed it to Yarnify! read more

Lots of fabric but it's overpriced which is surprising from a store like this. It's so cluttered it's hard to walk through so no accessibility at all. I came for the yarn and you have to ask about it? And there's very little. Also higher prices than online. And no better selection than JoAnn's. Overall just kinda meh. read more

If you need something for any sort of project, go here! People keep saying "clutter this, clutter that"- but if you are actually a crafty person, this store is a dream. There is an unbelievable amount of fabric, lace, yarn, buttons, thread, and literally anything else you could imagine packed into this tiny little shop. My friend and I stopped by after class to grab something for a project of mine and had a blast digging through the product he had available. If you are in the area, definitely go stop by! My one piece of advice is to dress for warmth, because it is practically a sauna in there- we were dripping with sweat once we got back outside. But So worth it! read more

Found this store online...wife and I are in Chicago for the weekend and wanted to find a cool shop my wife would enjoy...she loved it!! We will return!! read more

Chicago Fabric Yarn & Button Sales - All the fabrics!! Store owner was so sweet!! - Fabric Stores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was just in looking for buttons for a coat. Upon entering I was totally taken aback by the clutter! I can respect that this place has clearly been around for several decades but it LOOKS ancient and in total disarray. If you're claustrophobic stay away!! The owner was impatient, rude and ironically haughty. As I politely asked and described the buttons I was looking for, he rudely cut me off, and gave me a decrepit book of buttons that he only had one of each of. All in all, from the moment I walked in I had a feeling it would be a weird experience and sure enough it was. Unfortunately it wasn't weird in a good way. Total waste of time! read more

DO NOT EVER SHOP HERE!!! Owner is the absolute WORST person I have ever come in contact with as a customer. First, I called to ask if they had 1" foam for an upholstery product (for some reason it was sold out everywhere else) He said yes. I got on the blue line and went all the way downtown to find out it wasn't foam, but foam alternative. He argued with me about it, and I pointed out that on the box it said "Nu-Foam, the foam ALTERNATIVE". Whatever, I decide to use it anyway, since I am already here. So I ask for 2 pieces cut to 51 inches long each. He cuts it, and tries to chat with me, but like previous people have mentioned, he is strange. No big deal. I get home and 2 days later I decide to start my project. Now I find he cut one piece 46" long and one 47.5" long. Well, my project is 50" wide so I have a huge gap on the sides. I call, he agrees to stay open so I can go all the way back down to the loop to have him re-cut it. I get all the way down there and he begins to argue with me about it being the wrong length. I had brought a tape measure for this reason exactly. I laid it out on the floor and he continued to argue with me, then telling me I must have cut some off. (Right dude, just so I could come back here, exactly what I wanted to do) He continued to argue with me, saying the ruler on his table is the only one that can be used. I then take my tape measure over to it, and it is exactly the same. What is wrong with this guy?? He finally says it is 48" (still wrong, but at least I have him admitting it isn't 51") and said I can credit you the 3 inches. No, I do not have enough for the project. Finally after 10 minutes going back and forth he agrees to cut new pieces. Well, turns out they don't have enough left, awesome. What a waste of 4 hours of my life! So I say, I will make it work if he can give me a discount, he refuses saying he already paid for the material and he can't give any away. I finally am like, just refund my money. He agrees. Then he has the audacity to say I have to pay the "visa charge" of 5%. I almost lost it. I said, you are the one who cut the fabric incorrectly, there is no way I am paying that. He says, "I hope you never come back here". CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! I mean, what a clueless business owner. He screws up, then tells me not to shop there again. Don't worry about it!! I WON'T BE BACK! And I will tell everyone I know not to shop there! Dirty, cluttered store with a clueless owner who can't measure...and when you own a fabric store, that is a huge problem!! read more

I walked in to CFYBS yesterday and this was my encounter with the owner: * Me: Do you have knitting needles and accessories? * Guy: Yes * Me: Where are they located? * Guy: Just tell me what you want and I'll tell you if we have it. * Me (slightly annoyed): Do you have point protectors for knitting needles? * Guy: No * Me: Do you have circular needles smaller than 26"? * Guy: No * Me (racking my brain for what else I need): Um, kthnxbye I'm a tactile person by nature. I need to touch, feel, write and Google things myself for them to make sense to me, which is why my encounter yesterday was extremely frustrating. Today, I returned armed with a list so I could hopefully get exactly what I needed. It's really nice that there's a fabric store in the Loop proper. They not only sell fabric, but buttons, knitting needles, ribbon and other crafty-related items. I've never purchased fabric here, but it was handy when I needed some last minute items for my Halloween costume. Here's why the place only gets 3 stars: 1) I'm not a big sewer, but the fabric selection seems limited and is very disorganized. 2) The owner is nice, but he really creeps me out. From reading other reviews I'm not the only one. 3) Service is slow. It seems like the owner is the only one who mans the store and speed is not one of his strong suits. 4) Non-fabric items aren't such a deal, maybe even overpriced Bottom Line: If you've got any sewing projects in mind you may want to pop in since all fabric is on sale. If you want something other than fabric you may want to go elsewhere; I could've gotten my needles somewhere else for a few bucks less, but I guess convenience has its price. read more

anybody complaining about clutter would faint at what a real artist's studio looks like... BEST PLACE FOR FABRIC EVER!!!!!!

The owner was very polite, He has a large collection in a small place so fabric is everywhere and it's not easy to look through or even move through with prices that someone from california can't understand... printed polyester for $12.99/yard. read more

Decent store, close to downtown area which is great when you're in a pinch and can't make it out to a bigger, more distant place (Textile Discount Outlet, I'm looking at you). Selection is alright, but rather disorganized. Basically nothing is self-service here (zippers!! I had no idea they required such intense protection from theft) and both times I was in here, there was only one person working. So, if you come in for one zipper and there are three ladies in front of you all with like 8 bolts of lace and they want to do some price comparisons...be prepared for a long wait. The prices aren't marked on each bolt, but on the wall to the right of the door as you come in most fabrics are 4.99/yd, which isn't too shabby as most of them are interesting apparel fabrics and also 60" wide. As for the "yarn" in their name - nope. Narrow, ancient selection. read more

Fabric. Small. Not organized. Prices not posted. Interesting encounter with owner. Locally owned. Some fabric quality is old and messed up. In the loop. Not as crowded as big chains. Not accurately measured. Take it for what it's worth; I'll still shop there. read more

Um....whoa. Is this where ugly and/or leftover fabric goes to die? The place does look like a tornado just went through it, which I could deal with if they'd had interesting fabrics. But I only saw one thing I liked, there was maybe 2 yards of it and I didn't actually have a use for it. And they should take "yarn" out of the name. Nothing interesting, and some of what is there, I could get at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc. I didn't have any interaction with the owner everyone complains about, but he was with another customer and from what I overheard seemed pleasant enough. I don't see myself going to this store. For yarn, go to Loopy (or any craft store). For cheaper fabrics, go to the Textile Discount Outlet. read more

This place DOES NOT sell LESS THAN a YARD. Negative. After digging - gotta pack it in, people, NYC garment district fabric stores are similar- fabric selection is great. Positive. The (owner?) salesperson kept trying to sell me more that I didn't need (just doing his job). Negative/Positive? The PRICES AREN'T POSTED on bolts of fabric. Negative. I dunno - if you need fabric and are in the area, I suggest stopping by. Other than that, I'm glad it's down the street from where I work because I would've been disappointed if I made a special trip here. Just can't get over that ONE YARD minimum. read more

This is the only fabric store in the Loop. As other reviews stated, it's disorganized and prices are a little pricier than the big box stores. (If Project Runway ever came here to buy fabric, they wouldn't be able to get much in 15 minutes of shopping. I prefer to shop for fabric at a more leisurely pace though.) Anyway, CFY&B fulfills my needs of fabric backdrops for tabletop photography. ;-) (Honestly, I don't think the owner was weird or rude. Perhaps quite the opposite, at least when I was there. Or maybe, he's just as weird as I am so I don't notice!) read more

to love this place, you have to love digging. it is a mess - but one with potential. i got a really nice quality cotton with swiss dots for three dollars a yard! it was such a good deal. there were lots of other fabrics i wanted and at great prices too, but didn't have a project in mind for them so wasn't sure how much to get. this strikes me as the kind of place where a lot of regulars come, maybe the design students, and they know what they want and can ask for it. i don't mind browsing the mess though - it's still fun. it's true that the measuring isn't the most precise... i'd ask for a quarter yard more than what you need. i also don't know why the guy cut the fabric rather than ripping it since it was a cotton woven. that could have helped a little maybe? anyway, i may not make a dedicated trip here, but i really did enjoy stumbling upon this place and will be back when i'm in the area! read more

The address seems fuzzy to me since a previous girl mentioned it was near SAIC but later on the guy moved further away in the loop somewhere, I heard he was evicted. First off, when I encountered this place I was a meek and naive freshman who like many people in my department were ripped off as punishment for trying to get fabric last minute. I went against my instinct when I felt the a fabric which didn't feel like cotton, but the guy kept assuring me and who was I to argue against him the expert. It totally burned under the iron. The teachers were less mad at the students because apparently the owner had a history of fleecing students (no pun intended). I bought a bag of fabric & trims that the math seemed fuzzy on because they were on sale and the price was way over 100 dollars. I was uncomfortable and wanted to put stuff back, but the guy kept insisting on it and ran my credit card through several times despite the fact it was rejecting such a large number on my balance. I mustered up the courage and came back to return most of it since the price was just ridiculous and realized the "no returns" sign was buried under fabric and hidden in the back. I was really lucky that I charmed the guy into taking a good portion of it back (not all) due the fact I just couldn't afford it. But most people get screwed. The owner relies on his convenient location, less experienced crafters and tourists to buy his stuff as well as his friendly disposition to make sales. I would never even think of buying from him again. read more

I've been here two times so far and let me just say, I love it. Even though it's very cluttered with fabric inside, I love how it's noticeable that there are a wide range and variety of fabrics. I can run in here whenever I need fabric for a project since it's nearby my dorm. The owner is very nice and I enjoyed talking to him while getting my fabric. I can't wait to try out other beautiful fabrics I saw in there! read more

I stopped by this place just yesterday and bought some buttons for my dress. Today, I called them asking if I could return the buttons because turns out I didn't need them. He said I could get store credit. When I was buying them yesterday, he never mentioned anything about no refunds AND he didn't give me a receipt. The place is kind of weird, the guy who owns it is weird, when I called him he couldn't understand what I was trying to explain to him for like 10 mins! Uber weird...kind of like twilight zone...maybe cuz it's so cluttered with fabric, it's feels claustrophobic in there... Probably not going to come back...it's hard to say since it is the ONLY fabric store in the loop (convenient location moving soon to Franklin and Adams) read more

I went to visit the store at their new location on W Adams street and I will say I was underwhelmed. There were a lot of different fabrics rolled up and leaning on the wall, stacked up on tables, but none that I would use to upholster or make anything with. I felt like I was inside a fabric store that was for halloween. There were so many fluorescent fabrics, I can't even count. the sales clerk was helpful, (hence the additional star) but I was expecting too many choices, tear me away from this store. I walked in, circled the room and didn't feel compelled to touch anything. read more

Yes the owner guy is a bit weird but I kind of like that. He knows what he is doing and he is very helpful. The only complaint I possibly have about this shop is that he might be too helpful. He is the only one who sells in the shop so if you are unlucky and a bunch of fashion students who are doing their first project are in front of you, then it can take a long time before it's your turn. But I think the place is charming in it's own way and so is the owner. They have a moving sale going on which I see after reading all of the reviews before - seems to have gone on for at least a year (but if he it keeps the prices low I am all for keeping the moving sale going). Also from the reviews I see that some people get really good deals and some people get very bad deals - I was one of the lucky ones who got good deals every time I have been there so far. The shop doesn't have a funky fabric selection like The Needleshop or reprodepot.com but it's good for basics. I'll be back. read more

I just found this place today and apparently they're moving soon to a location a bit farther West (probably because it's easier to move than clean and organize the current location), but anyway.... The store is f'n crowded with fabric. And it's kind of dirty. And messy. And dusty. But it's still pretty cool, in a weird way. The man that, I think, owns the place is very friendly but there needed to be more people working there because I waited for a solid 30 minutes to get my yarn. Before they move locations a lot of the fabric is 50% off. They seem to have a decent selection but if you're looking for something specific you should call first and see if it's worth a trip in. I recommend that you don't go in there if you're claustrophobic b/c you'll have a freak out if you do....it's just a very small space that is crammed very tightly and there's barely an aisle to walk through. read more

I have a blouse that I love, have hardly worn, that came with some incredibly flimsy buttons, one of which cracked on the second wearing. I took that blouse out of the closet earlier this week and thought really, all it needs is new buttons and I'm good to go (my great grandmother - a very handy sewer - is reading this review from heaven and smiling). Not a seamstress myself, I came to Yelp for advice on where to buy buttons and other sewing notions. Despite the reviews here, this place was too close to my office not to try it first before venturing further out. Took blouse to store, and patiently waited while the owner assisted another customer with fabric. True, it's not really set up for browsing, but I got the impression that the repeat customers pretty much arrive knowing what they're looking for. When my turn came, I showed the gentleman the blouse, and he instantly produced samples similar to the current buttons, and suggested some different options to dress it up a bit. I actually went with one of those suggestions, and when I remarked that I was disappointed in how quickly buttons seem to fall off of newly purchased things, he explained that manufacturers often use fabric thread instead of button thread which is more durable (who knew?), and handed me a spool the exact color of my blouse. Total cost of the buttons (I took some extra just in case) and thread: $18.00. Of course, it's sad that I had to spend any extra $$ on an almost brand new item of clothing, but I'd never be able to replace the blouse itself, and actually like the new buttons better. As for the people unhappy about not getting refunds: there is a fairly big sign right up front that says "All sales final" - so there should be no surprises there. I'm happy I took the chance and would go again. read more

I've not had much need for fabric in my craft endeavors, but I stop by this little gem every once in a while just to look around. I first discovered the place (after walking by it over and over without noticing) on a quest for for some inexpensive ribbon. I stepped inside and was overwhelmed by the huge wall of fabric to the left, piled high with stacks of bolts of every kind of fabric imaginable. At the time, I was really into "Project Runway," a reality show about fashion design. So it was particularly exciting to step into a real fabric shop. I'm no judge of fabric selection or price, but this place just has a wonderful small (seriously--it's tiny) business feel. Check it out if you have any interest at all in fabrics or craftiness in general. read more

I came here after work one day, and I was the only customer. Normally, I'm very intimidated by fabric stores. I'm a beginner, and I'm just not comfortable asking questions and things yet. However, the owner asked me a ton of questions and was very helpful. The customer service made a big difference to me, and I don't doubt that he'll recognize me and continue to help save the girl-who-won't-ask-for-help a ton of time. There's a big sale going on right now - I don't know much about fabric yet, but I got some wool for $5/yard and I think that's a lot cheaper than at JoAnns. read more

Awesome. Whole bunch-a fabric and doo-dads, cord, etc.. The nice people at Dick Blicks pointed me here when I couldn't find what I needed at their place. The owner / guy working there was really nice and helpful, picked up on the fact that I was clueless right away, and baby-stepped me through the purchase. read more

Honestly, I would give this place 3 stars because it is incredibly hectic inside but I had a decent experience in there today. I got there probably 5 minutes before closing - and considering the way things work in the loop, I didn't even expect the doors to be open. But it was. I walked in and it was a bit of a mess. There's stuff everywhere. I had a hard time figuring out if there was any order to the craziness and the only thing I could figure out was that there was a corner for felt, a wall of fabric, and an area for yarn. The wall of fabric didn't seem to have any order to it - at least to a foreign/objective eye. However, there was a decent selection - it's just hard to quickly find what you need without any help. The needles, zippers, buttons, etc - are on the wall behind the register - which I didn't like because I like to stand in front of my options and be able to look at them without asking for help. If you are the type of person who likes to do things without help, this is not the place for you to go. I'm giving it the 4 stars because the guy who was working there let me shop despite my 5-minutes-before-closing arrival - and I left with all the things I needed. It's your typical small-time shop that you find in the loop - so I knew what I was getting myself into so it's hard for me to fault them. FYI: This might be the epitome of "organized chaos". I'm pretty certain the man knows where everything is but when you walk in, you will be completely lost as to where to find things - which is why the man has no choice but be super helpful. And he was. read more

Oh this place makes me think of all the things I need to organize at home. I'm sure the shopkeeper knows exactly where things are and what the prices are, but for the consumer coming in it's a bit chaotic. His personality seems a bit unapologetic. I was looking for brown ribbon with some sort of pattern, and didn't find any but the plain brown ribbon for $3/yard. I have come another time as well and left empty handed. There is quite a variety of fabrics here and unique patterns, and arguably justifiable prices with its location downtown. I might be out of touch but it was too pricey for me. read more

Delightful place. 10 lbs of fabric in a 9 lb bag and I love it! It has been in the owner/shopkeeper's family for 90 years and he is such a charming and funny guy. The store is really crammed with fabric but somehow he knows where everything is read more