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Hands Occupied

Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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Chicago’s Textile Discount Outlet

July 9, 2012 Leave a Comment

Yesterday, I went to Chicago’s Textile Discount Outlet. I feel a little like Stefon from Saturday Night Live when I say this, but this place has EVERYTHING… and then some. Everyone on Facebook and Instagram was so excited after I posted a shot from the ribbon section of the store, that I thought I’d share more info about the place and what I scored on my trip!

To give you an idea about just how huge this place is, check out this video profile I found by The Grid:

Textile Discount Outlet from The Grid on Vimeo.

Isn’t it crazy?! I used a Groupon and got a ton of stuff. Most of what I used my Groupon for was foam for dog beds and a new camera bag. Foam, if you didn’t know, is not a cheap crafting material.

First off, here’s the fabric I purchased. A couple yards each of some nice upholstery fabric, green gingham, and gold stuff (I didn’t think to write down what the heck it’s called). I plan on making an everyday dress for myself with the gingham, and a shift dress out of the gold stuff to wear to a renaissance festival my friends and I are planning to dork out at this year. It’s going to be awesome.

As you can see, I also snagged a couple zippers, the white one for the gingham dress. Then there’s this awesome elastic I plan on making myself cinch belts with. The beige striped elastic is 4 inches wide, and the black is three. I have my eye on some vintage cinch belt clasps to make these super sweet. I’ll definitely post a tutorial when those are all done.

Finally, I want to share my absolute favorite finds from the trip with you. In one of the building’s upper floors, there are some chaotic bins filled with newly-acquired ribbons and accent pieces that are yet to be placed in their retail homes on the lower floors of the store. I found two complimentary sets of red ribbon that read “my bag” and “not your bag” and I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. I’m going to make a duffel bag with the upholstery fabric, the red zipper I got, and this hilarious ribbon, though it might take me 6 months to finish. Maybe that and the dresses will be my Christmas present to myself…

Then there’s the yard-and-a-half of labels from the Decatur, Illinois School of Practical Nursing that read “STUDENT” in all caps on a shield. One of my grandmas was a nursing teacher, so I think I’m going to have to use some of these on a project for her. I’m thinking maybe a makeup bag or cross body purse. We’ll see!

Filed Under: Craft Fairs & Store Tours Tagged With: chicago, fabrics, textile discount outlet

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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Craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Weekend knitting design aftermath. Remember kids, Weekend knitting design aftermath. Remember kids, it’s always good to stop, swatch and block it. 🧶
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#stopswatchandblockit #handsoccupied
Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting in the round in 90 seconds. / Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. 
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For a longer, full-width & more detailed overview of magic loop knitting, check out my u2be & b1og, the 🔗🔗 are where you’d think. 🧶
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#handsoccupied #magicloop #knitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitter #knittinginspiration #knittinginstagram #knittingintheround
Since it won’t be clean for long, swipe to see w Since it won’t be clean for long, swipe to see what my home studio looks like these days. Nothing will ever quite be like the old Hands Occupied Studio, but I’m pretty pleased with how I shoehorned everything in this space. Function over form + a layer of yarn cuteness-meets-chaos is how I’d describe my creative space needs. 😆 When I was still renting the studio, those needs included “doesn’t rain suspicious brown water from a crack in the ceiling for a year,” so this is an improvement! 😆
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For a time lapse of the studio organizing and tszuj-ing process, scroll down a couple posts on my feed. (There’s also a video or two featuring the old studio if you’re curious.) Happy June, friends! 
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#handsoccupied #handsoccupiedstudio #knitdesigner #craftdesign #yarncrafts #latchhook #makerlife #heidigustad #chicagocrafter
Who doesn’t love magic loop knitting? Who doesn’t know what it is? How about when circular needles were invented?
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In todays new bl0g post + video tutorial, you’ll learn about the magic loop method for knitting in the round, how to do it and why to use it, and when it came to be. The 🔗 is in my b1o. 🧶 
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#handsoccupied #magicloop #knitting #howtoknit #knittinginspiration #knittingintheround
Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches on my home studio. After losing my studio space last fall, it’s feels really great to *occupy* this new space all the way. 😉
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I started by removing general clutter & returning straggler supplies from various WIPs, videos & design deadlines to their homes. Next, I hung a third peg board in the space - this one is mostly for display and less for organizing tools or projects. For the first time ever, I’m displaying projects from my book, plus a couple other faves. (The best thing about designing more yarn crafts besides knit & crochet is that I have some really fun -and delightfully pettable 😆- samples around.) I finished by adding a square dowel to my small supply storage tower to keep it from tipping over, plus re-arranging and de-cluttering the closet. 
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This cleaner space already has me feeling so much more creative and less overwhelmed. Now to find a safe spot in the basement for the tower of project samples in Rubbermaid tubs I liberated from my WIPs closet. Also why are there five?! 
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Here’s to keeping it clean for a few weeks! 🧶 
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#handsocupied #handsoccupiedstudio #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #yarncraft #knitter #crocheter #latchhook #latchhookbook
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