Fabrics From Near And Farshopping

Just a stone's throw from the Art Institute there's an unusual fabric store, The Chicago Fabric Company at 64 E. Monroe.  The owner, Buddie Miller finds odd lots  of fabric from a variety of sources.  If you are a determined explorer you'll be rewarded with such finds as silks from China, Italy and India, bolts of vintage (ca 1960s) polyester, and genuine batik from Nigeria.  Batik is hand dyed cotton using a resist wax method.  Twelve yards of 45" batik were just $8.98!  Mudcloth from Mali, also hand dyed in a variety of individual designs is a very reasonable $34 for 1 1/2 yards or $68 for 2 1/2 yards. (Buddie and I both guess that his source must pay a bit more for the larger pieces.) In addition there are designer fabrics of all kinds, scads of different trimmings and appliques and some vintage buttons.  Yarns have been added for knitting enthusiasts.  Merchandise changes constantly.  312.726.5688.