Even though this shop was pretty far out of my way--and I only had about 30 minutes before they closed at 5--it was 100% worth it. The selection of canvases was incredible, unlike anything I've seen at other needlepoint stores. So many unique and fun designs immediately caught my eye. From the moment I walked in, Kristen was so helpful and welcoming. She helped me the entire time without being overbearing, and I loved that when I said I was just browsing, she told me to "just whistle" if I needed anything--it actually made me laugh and made the whole experience feel relaxed and comfortable. I also loved seeing popular canvases I've seen online and on TikTok, like the Tootsie collection and other trending designs--it was so fun to see them in person. I had such a hard time deciding on a needle minder because I only wanted to get one that I absolutely loved, and she was so kind to gift it to me. That kind of customer service is rare. Now every time I stitch and look at it, I'll think of Canvas Back and want to go back. They even stayed a little past closing to help me, which I truly appreciated. This is by far my favorite needlepoint store I've been to. I'll definitely be back! Thank you for your service! - Savannah read more

See all

We have a complicated project for our synagogue and Ilene was so helpful! I don't know what we would have done without her help! We ended up taking up about 1.5 hours of her time--and she stayed after closing to make sure we had everything right. She took her time and taught us some crucial moves. You don't see this kind of care everyday--and we are so appreciative! read more

I've been going to the Canvasback for 20 years! Huge selection of painted canvases, fibers galore and super wonderful assistants.

Lovely sales lady eager to help. I have never seen so many Needlepoint canvases in one store in my entire life!

First visit. Very happy experience. Friendly, helpful staff and gorgeous threads and canvasses. Pleasantly surprised with the price of blank 18 count mono. Sadly, they do not carry Penelope. I will go back! read more

These ladies were so kind and patient with me. I am working on a large project, they walked me through all the supplies I needed, explaining all of my options. Everyone working shared their expertise and knowledge. They have an enormous selection of thread and beautiful canvases. read more

Eilene and her team truly know the meaning of customer service! They work with you to help you find the right project, the right fibers and to encourage you along the way. This is an expensive hobby; they are committed to you creating something you really love and have it finished expertly. I have been a customer for over 15 years and I so enjoy going in the store. Eilene is a true artist, such a delight! During our Covid Crisis Eilene and the team help you do virtual shopping and curbside pick up- it's amazing. read more

New owner as of late 2016 - this place is absolutely fabulous! They have late hours on Thursday - vital to those of us with job. Excellent selection of canvas and threads. And WOW are they good with choosing threads. What I would have chosen would have worked, but what the owner suggested makes my projects DIVINE. read more

The Canvasback has been the traditional one stop shop for three generations of women in my family and my grandmother will still beg to stop by when she flies out from Atlanta. It's a modestly sized store with the best selection of artist canvases that I've seen in a needlepoint store (not your amateur painted canvas here!) and an enormous selection of threads. They do outsource their finishing for pillows, stools, wall hangings, ornaments, etc. and they come back impeccable. The women who work here are always very knowledgeable and helpful but since the shop is so small, it's easy to get in the way! You can also order threads over the phone if you run out and they've shipped them to me by mail. My only issue is that occasionally I will be helped by someone who is rude or short with me, but I find that fairly typical of needlepoint stores in general. As a customer, I generally like to help myself unless I have a question (though I do appreciate helpful input!) and I know that is untraditional for this type of store. However, I'm going to keep coming back here for my thread since it's one of the only stores that has a customer loyalty card. Score! read more

Horrible customer service. I stopped shopping at this store years ago. Went in recently to check it out and no surprise, the same lousy service. The canvases not very interesting, all pretty boring. Fibers don't interest me! Overall, poor shop. Not recommend. Parking also a problem. Someone should open a good store in Chicagoland, please!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

This is my favorite needlepoint shop in the area. It's a cozy store with lots of canvases and fiber and a very helpful, friendly staff (and patient when I pick out fibers!) I also took a class there which was very fun - I hope to take more soon! read more

They do have lovely canvases and lot of fibers to choose from, but the customer service isn't very good. I purchased a picture frame canvas and 1) when it came time to choose the fibers, it was ten minutes to closing and the woman told me to come back another day (!!!) and 2) when I brought my completed canvas in for finishing (assuming they had a finisher they used or at least could recommend), they told me they didn't and offered me no help whatsoever. I told my mother-in-law, who works at a needlepoint store in the southwest, and she was horrified at the lack of service. We used to take her to the Canvasback whenever she visited us, but the last time she was here, she said she no longer wanted to patronize the store. So they lost two customers: my mother-in-law and me! read more

My mom really likes needlepoint, and I come by here once every year or so to pick out canvasses for her as gifts. The ladies who run the store are always really, really nice and helpful whenever I come in. read more

The Canvassback is soo overpriced. There are three shops in New Yorkt City that will do your needlepoint into a pillow for a fraction of the price: Rita's; at 129 East 90th Street (212) 427-2557;Wallis Mayers Needlwork at 33 East 68th street (212-861-5318) and Jones Needlecraft STudio at 145 East 27th Street (212) 632-7129. These were alll listed in an article in the New York Times, titled: Where to Find it: Pillows Finishing Touches. GO THERE. The Canvassback is outrageouis. Dishonest and unethical. read more

Whenever I get a chance to visit my folks back in Chicago, I always look forward to a visit to The Canvasback to stock up on fibers and projects. They have such a great selection of canvases and fibers and the friendly staff is always helpful when it comes to kitting a new project or deciding how it should be finished. It is a wonderful store and worth a visit if you are in Chicago and happen to be interested in needlepoint. read more

I went to The Canvasback when we first moved to Libertyville from Seattle. Once was enough. They basically ignored me and didn't seem interested enough to help me. I then went to NORTH SHORE NEEDLEWORKS in Northbrook. Carol and Jim, the owners, are so helpful and friendly as is everyone who works there. Their selection of fibers is huge and easy to navigate. Wouldn't go anywhere else in the Chicago area. Have lived in Boston, LA, San Francisco, San Diego and Seattle. For stores in these cities here is my input. Boston: MaryJo Cole in the Back Bay. Rude and unbelievably overpriced. LA: haven't been to a store there in many years. San Francisco: Needlepoint, Inc. in Union Square. Lots of canvases and owner has her own finishers. Do not support the store for finishing as I have heard she runs a not so nice work environment. San Francisco/Peninsula/Menlo Park (near Stanford): Old World Designs. Linda has owned the store for many years. Very nice selection, very helpful and courteous. Definitely worth the trip if you are in the Facebook/Google/Apple headquarters neighborhood. San Diego: two stores in LaJolla Village across the street from one another. Average selection but could have changed since I moved. Seattle: The Needlepointer in Everett. Great selection and also very helpful and friendly people to work with. Host weekend stitching retreats twice a year, and has participants from all over the country. Happy stitching!! read more