• 0 items$0.00
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hands Occupied

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

  • BLOG
    • Knitting
    • Crochet
    • Latch Hook
    • Macramé
    • Punch Needle
  • ABOUT
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • YouTube

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 & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now!

Previous Post: « Giveaway Winner: PB Thins & PB2
Next Post: How-to: Neon Picnic Tablecloth Weights »

Reader Interactions

DID YOU LIKE THIS POST?
Visit similar articles...

  • Hands Occupied Studio is Open!Hands Occupied Studio is Open!
  • Moving in to the Hands Occupied StudioMoving in to the Hands Occupied Studio
  • Warm Up with In-Person Events this Winter!Warm Up with In-Person Events this Winter!
  • Long John Cowl PatternLong John Cowl Pattern

DON’T MISS ANOTHER UPDATE

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

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.

UPDATES BY EMAIL

Monthly highlights sent to your inbox.

Find Me Elsewhere, If You’re There

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Latch Hook by Heidi GustadDiscover Unique Items

Footer

INSTAGRAM

handsoccupied

Craft book author & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
.
Please email for pattern support. 🧶

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
When you have four big skeins of pretty 2 ply yarn When you have four big skeins of pretty 2 ply yarn, you immediately think sweater, right? 
.
My wardrobe could use another handmade sweater - I’m thinking something simple, seamed and with a decent amount of ease for potentially wearing tucked in with jeans or skirts. 🤔 
.
Yarn: @universal_yarn Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica and Dragon’s Breath, wound in thick skeins of 100% superwash wool that’s a light DK weight.
How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style . How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style 
.
In knitting, there are a few common knitting styles. Most often you’re going to encounter continental style and English (throwing) style on your knitting journey. I recently had an old video teaching continental style get a lot of views. Based on the comments, it was clear the people wanted to also see a throwing tutorial, so here you go! 🧶
.
Please note that there is a LOT of variation in knitting styles, and one isn’t necessarily better than another. Most often, I’ve found it comes down to two things: how you were taught and whether or not you’re really into colorwork knitting (which can involve a mix of styles). 
.
Longer-term knitters who’ve made it this far: do you prefer one over the other? And why? 
.
#handsoccupied #englishknitting #learntoknit #knitting #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration
How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on / a.k.a. crochet provisional cast on, scrap yarn cast on
.
I read recently that tiktok and Instagram are being used as search engines more and more. 🤔 I thought since I’m going to all the work of making tutorials on YouTube, I should experiment with making a quick version of them for other platforms. There are obvious teaching limitations to vertical video, short-form content like this, but I think I covered the gist of this cast on in a minute. The YouTube version also covers how to unzip this cast on because there was time for it 👍🏻 L1nk is in my profile. 
.
I’m very much looking for feedback as I continue to make instructional knitting & craft videos. Sometimes good tutorials are hard to find, and (ideally polite) feedback helps me improve. 
.

#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #knititngtutorial #knittersofinstagram #crochethook #knittingtutorial
For the first time in a long time, there’s a new For the first time in a long time, there’s a new tutorial from Hands Occupied! 🎉 The video is live on YouTube & the blog. 
.
The post covers what provisional cast ons are & how they differ, and the video covers how to work a one-step provisional cast on using scrap yarn and a crochet hook. (This is a great one to save for future reference.)
.
I learned several names for this method while researching this video & post. Crochet provisional cast on, one-step cast on, scrap yarn cast on - if you know even more names for this technique, please share! 
.
#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #scrapyarn #crochethook
Working on a sample for some upcoming videos. It’s an overcast day with intermittent sunshine & I have a scruffy little sidecar. 🐶 Can’t complain! 
.
What’s on your needles this week? 
.
Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
.
#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 / Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework / Branding by Ink + Mortar
All Site & Shop Policies / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy