The Needle Shop

The Needle Shop is great! I’m new to sewing and already obsessed. I’m in the middle of their beginner sewing series and I’ve learned so much! It really does make a difference having a professional there to walk you through your machine and project. They’re quick to respond via email and very helpful.
My only compliant is one of my instructors from the beginner sewing series made me feel awkward for asking questions. I’m a naturally curious person and when a question pops up. I ask it! However, I found myself regretting asking the question and feeling like I had to explain why I asked it. I ended up googling my answer later that day.
The shop, classes, and fabrics they offer are lovely. I’ve already signed up for another class and can’t wait to take many more :)
**UPDATE**
After reading my review the store owner reached out to me (the same day) and was concerned about my experience. She wanted to learn more about the situation, so she could address it with the instructor and make sure all questions are welcomed. This is great customer service! She could have brushed off my comment (since I am still very happy with my class and will be returning) but she took the extra step to resolve the issue.

While the fabric may be pretty, the staff is often unpleasant and
Snobby. However, today is definite my last time going to The Needle Shop. It’s 90 degrees outside and I knew exactly what I needed but they wouldn’t let me come in with my tiny, non-​shedding little dog and asked that I tie him up outside. Clearly on a 90 degree day that is not an option. I asked if she would rather me not burly fabric rather than have my little dog in the shop for 5 minutes at most and she told me to leave. With that I will happily find someplace else to get fabric.

I took the Sewing 101 course and it was fantastic. The teacher was funny, detailed and patient. It certainly didn’t feel like a 4-​hour class and I learned a ton! The fabric selection is fabulous! Off to more sewing projects now.

AMAZING!!! While the store is a great place to find unique, fun, modern prints, the real treasure is the people who work here and the classes they offer.
The classes are worth every cent! I have tried learning from books and videos, but nothing can really compare to having a real person there to guide you through your first sewing projects. So far I have taken Sewing 101, Mitered Blanket, Hand Embroidery, and Christmas Stocking. All of my projects have been a success, and I have learned skills that I have been able to apply to other projects. Plus, I had fun!

I feel so lucky to have this place in Chicago. I’ve taken classes at 3 other places, but always left frustrated and feeling unsuccessful. I’ve now taken 2 classes at The Needle Shop and I’m already feeling success! So far I’ve taken a pillow class (with a hidden zipper) and a pajama pant class. I’ve recreated several pillows and an extra pair of pajama pants on my own! The difference is in the instruction. So far I’ve had Rachel and Alison (sp?) and both were phenomenal at breaking things down for beginners. At other schools, the instructors started with projects that were far above my ability level and the classes had as many as 8 students. At The Needle Shop, there are only 4 people in a class and everyone has a large space to learn. I am so impressed with the shop itself, I find every excuse to run in and get more amazing fabric and supplies.

This is a great sewing shop in Chicago. The classes are kinda expensive, but definitely worth your time and money. I have always come out of them proud and satisfied and the projects are cute! The fabric for purchase is high-​quality and nothing like you’d find in Joann fabrics or other chain stores, but again, very expensive. Definitely worth supporting this local business.

The Needle Shop is very great! I attended the beginner series to make three projects. This is my first time to learn about a sewing machine and techniques about it. The instructors Allison and Cherry are very nice. I am a Asian and I have some kind of language barrier. However, they are patient enough to teach me and show me what To do. I am going to register my next class as I can’t wait!

I have taken two classes here and was happy with what I learned. They have nice fabrics here also.
However, I recently signed up for a 6 week quilting class. I spent time buying my fabric for the project to be taught and prepping the fabric — washing and ironing. I made room in my calendar for 6 2-​hour classes. A few weeks before the class was to start, I was informed by e-​mail that they changed the class to 4 3-​hour sessions. I was not happy with this since the class would now end at 9:30 at night and I would have to spend money on a cab since CTA to get to my home does not run that late. But I made the decision to invest this additional money because I really want to learn how to quilt.
A day before the class was to start, I was sent an e-​mail that the class has been cancelled due to low enrollment.
I am out the time and money I spent getting ready for this class. I am also no closer to learning how to quilt.
The store did immediately refund my money and offered to put me in touch with an instructor for one-​on-​one classes but I think I have spent enough time and money trying to make this happen. I will find another provider for my educational needs.

I’ve come here quite a few times to get fabric for special projects. They have a nice selection of high quality fabrics. Fair warning: this place is absolutely nothing like Vogue Fabrics or Joann Fabrics. The needle shop has a very limited selection compared to the previous mentioned stores. Because all of the fabric here is high quality, it is also quite expensive.
They do carry some thread, but only one brand and a limited selection of colors. Again, it’s very high quality stuff, but also pricey. They have a very limited supply of notions and other accessories, but if you have a pretty run of the mill sewing machine, you’ll be fine.
Come take a look– the staff is super friendly and always helpful. They have beautiful, high quality fabrics.

I love this place! Worth every penny I have spent.
Everyone at The Needle Shop is so friendly. The place itself is adorable, with high quality fabric and notions.
I have been experimenting with sewing on my own for a few years, but I felt like I needed formal instruction. I signed up for the ´´beginner sewing series´´ and ´´easy alterations´´. I am so proud of all the projects I completed. And I really appreciate the personalized nature of the classes. I am constantly checking the class schedule and I hope to take most of them.
Every time I leave I have the biggest grin on my face. See you soon!

I haven’t taken one of their sewing classes yet, but I’ve visited the shop several times. I really like their concept and they have outdone themselves! I’ve found myself wasting my time going to Joann’s looking for oil cloth and a good interface when all I should have done is walked down the street to this shop! They have much better options and better prices believe it or not. They seem to be in a busy location across from Trader Joes and in a hidden gem of a neighborhood. I like that I can just walk down the street if I need something to finish a sewing project.

The Needle Shop is a very small store that carries a lot of designer (?) fabrics. The prices per yard start from $ 8.95 (sale) and go up from there. They have a small selection of patterns and notions, as well as sewing books. The staff is generally helpful. The fabrics are sooooo so cute but also pricey. Street parking only.

I looooved my experiences at the Needle Shop. I wandered in here just to look around because I had picked up a sewing machine at an estate sale with the intent to learn how to use it but no idea where to start.
I learned that the Needle Shop has classes available for all sorts of projects, so I signed up for Sewing 101 and brought my own machine. They taught me all the ins and outs of my machine though the three other ladies in my class used machines provided by the shop. It was a really great way to spend a few hours is sewing if something that interests you.

This store earns 5 stars simply for having beautiful textile selections that are partially designed in-​house and mostly hand selected by the shop owner. I had the extreme privilege of catching her at the store alone this morning and getting her input and validation on my project direction and fabric picks. She was so relaxed and patient with me, I felt at ease and made a big purchase. I’m excited to show her my end result because I think she invests in each interaction as much as she invests in her fabric choices and the store itself.
The choices are so beautiful and appealing that it makes me want to create projects to put the quality fabrics to use and on display. I’m lucky to live in the vicinity of this store. The fabric is definitely pricey, but you leave with incredible quality that is worth it in the end.
Enjoy your options here!

Cute shop, but the fabrics are a little pricey for my taste.

Adorable little store with delightful prints! The fabrics (lots of 100% cotton and home dec fabric) are best for upholstery, quilting, pillows, purses, totes, etc. There are also laminated/​oilcloth fabrics! They do also sell lots of great books, embroidery templates and indie label apparel patterns (which is nice, because you can’t find those in many stores and I don’t like buying patterns online/​printing them off).
The owner was so nice, and very helpful when it came to choosing coordinating fabrics for a clutch. This store is a bit out of my normal price range (and also a bit out of my normal fabric selection), but I definitely will come back!

I was tempted to deduct a star out of spite for moving out of my neighborhood, but I mustn’t let my feelings for The Needle Shop make me irrational. The shop still has the most fabulous selection of unique prints, even if I do have to take a bus to get there now.
Best for home décor and craft projects, though the cotton prints would certainly also make darling button downs, skirts, and sundresses. Also great for mother/​daughter bonding trips, if both of you happen to be seamstresses!

I took the Sewing 101 class here with a friend last year. The class was limited to 4 people, which was nice because the instructor had time to be one-​on-​one with each person. However, I would recommend going with people you know have some sort of basic skill/​knowledge. I got frustrated because one of my classmates was struggling and she really held the class back because the teacher spent so much time with her. Good for her, not good for us who had things to do after class.
I bought my supplies at Jo-​Ann with a coupon beforehand. If I take another class, I would probably buy basic stuff (pins, scissors, etc) at Jo-​Ann, but their fabrics are SO cute at TNS that I would prefer to buy them there in the future. They are on the pricey side, but they are unique and of good quality.
A bonus is that you can go back and practice on their machines if you have taken a class with them!
The only negative (and the reason for 4 star reviews) is that everything there is very expensive. I do think you get what you pay for. If you are someone who needs personalized attention, I think their classes are great. If you want more general direction, I find their classes to be overpriced.

Hands down, the most fabulous little fabric shop that I’ve ever been in. I have been in the store twice and also visited their etsy store a handful of times as well. The staff seems much like the Trader Joe’s staff. For those of you that don’t know what I mean, that translates to overly friendly but no where near annoying, beyond helpful and informative, as well as full of suggestions and ideas.
I walked out with fabric both times I stopped into this cute little shop and plan to venture in again once I finish my current projects.
Now stop looking, go get your craft on!

I love this place! I went in to buy fabric for a party and I fell in love with the store! They have a variety of vintage and funky fabrics, and some classic styles as well. The shop looks small, but on the main floor it has two rooms and in the basement is where classes are held. I have not taken a class here, but I plan to do so in the near future!
The sales associate was extremely helpful on helping me pick my fabric for tablecloths. She was very welcoming and patient with all my questions, and was able to answer each of them!
Check out the website and on etsy to view their fabric selections. some of them seem pricey, but well worth it for their unique styles!