Fabrics Etc. 2

Fabrics Etc. is located in a strip mall at the corner of York and Pasquinelli in Bensenville. It’s really convenient to O’Hare Airport, so if you’re like me and only venture over to this area when dropping people off or picking them up, it’s worth making time to also stop in to Fabrics Etc.
From the exterior (and even the interior) of the store, Fabrics Etc. almost looks like JoAnn’s, or a kind of chain, just because it’s so huge. I really don’t think that’s the case because the service was really great and everybody seemed to know what they were talking about.
The selection of fabrics was great, and there were a ton of really unique and awesome samples around the store. I kept getting my mom’s attention and saying «oooooh, check this out!», turning around and repeating that over and over again. There’s also a really big room for classes. If Bensenville were remotely close to Naperville, I would think about signing up for one.
Prices were very reasonable. Fat quarters were about $ 3.50 and prices per yard about what you would expect at a moderately priced quilt store.

I love to go to Fabrics Etc and look around at the fabrics. The fabrics are easy to look at and you can move around the store easily. Everyone is helpful and willing to answer any question you might have

A while back I needed repairs to two old sewing machines. I was going to repair the better of the two, which required some advice from someone who knows sewing machines. My plan was to take them both in, get a recommendation, and fix one. Sounds simple, eh? I couldn’t get anyone to answer the phone OR return my messages, even though I called at least 3 times during business hours. I don’t mean call back immediately: I’m talking return the call within the next 36 hours.
Finally I got ahold of someone, took the machines in, and was told they’re not worth repairing. But HEY big coincidence, they have a lot of machines there and I could buy one! I was willing to pay for the repair estimates anyway, but I waited and waited and it never happened, so I finally went back and took the. machines back.
Second opinion: found a guy who’s been repairing machines since the ’70’s. He said my 1960’s Singer is a keeper: metal parts, indestructible. His words: «You’ll never need another machine.» AND he charged me only $ 60 to tune it up, plus a few buck for some random extra parts I might need. If my memory serves me right, the estimate for repairs at FE2 would have been $ 25 per machine.
All that garners FE2 one star. The second star is based on looking around their store and seeing a large selection. Fingers crossed that they have upholstery fabric.

Store is tidy, staff are friendly. Lots of quilting fabrics to choose from. Prices that I saw were around $ 10 – 13 per yard, though there was a small sale area that had 50% off some and 70% off other fabric. A decent selection of Sullivan embroidery cotton, plus embroidery, knitting, and quilting accessories.
Warning: there is no apparel fabric here (unless you choose to use quilting cotton for apparel).

Al fixed my Elna serger. It was an oldie but a goodie. The charge was reasonable. He rocks. The customer service is something you really never see anymore. That won’t be the last time they see this old ER nurse.
Thanks Al. You made my year.
Dinah

I have no idea about fabrics.
There really is a store just for fabrics?
Wifey wanted some «fabric»…this seems like a place that would carry a wide selection of… fabrics.
Sewing lessons (for fabrics) are offered.

Updating because I have now purchased several things from Fabrics Etc and I continue to be impressed with their service. I decided to buy one of the Bernina machines I had tested out, but before I headed to the store, a friend tol me that the next model up was on sale. It was still more money than the one I had originally tested, so this time Monica got to show me how patient she was as I asked a billion questions and couldn’t make up my mind whether I wanted to pay extra for the additional features on the higher model. After a while, she had answered all my questions, but I still wanted some time to think things over. Monica and Mary were both very respectful of my decision making process and never once attempted to persuade me to buy the machine when I was obviously undecided. They said I could call to let them know what I decided, and that’s what I ended up doing. The whole process of buying from them was stress-​free (other than my own inability to make a decision!) and easy. I’ve since returned to have service done on a vintage machine I own, and to buy accessories for my wonderful new Bernina, and they have been very helpful each time, even when I came into the store right at closing with a million questions. I don’t plan to abuse their patience by doing that regularly, but I really appreciate their willingness to help out a customer when they must have been very tired and looking forward to going home. I really can’t say enough good things about this store. It’s truly a pleasure to receive great customer service from people who are so knowledgable and helpful.