Finding the right material is the first step in any sewing project. If you’re looking for a fabric that’s comfortable, versatile, and environmentally conscious, Tencel might be exactly what you need. This guide will help you find where to buy Tencel fabric by the yard in Chicago, Illinois, from well-known local stores to convenient online shops.
Tencel, a brand name for a type of lyocell, is a fabric made from the pulp of eucalyptus trees. The production process is a closed-loop system, meaning it recycles water and solvents, making it a more sustainable choice compared to other fabrics. It’s known for its softness, which is often compared to silk, and its excellent drape, making it perfect for clothing like dresses, blouses, and loungewear.
This article will point you to the best spots in Chicago to purchase Tencel fabric by the yard. We’ll cover both physical stores where you can see and feel the fabric firsthand and online retailers that offer a wide selection delivered to your door.
Why Choose Tencel Fabric?
Tencel offers a unique combination of benefits that make it a favorite among designers and home sewers. Its characteristics make it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Eco-Friendliness
The manufacturing process for Tencel is one of its standout features. It’s produced from sustainably sourced wood pulp, and the closed-loop production process recycles over 99% of the water and non-toxic solvents used. This significantly reduces its environmental footprint, making it a responsible choice for conscious consumers.
Comfort and Breathability
Tencel fabric is incredibly soft and gentle on the skin. Its smooth surface feels luxurious, similar to silk, but it’s more durable and easier to care for. The fabric is also highly breathable and has moisture-wicking properties, which help regulate body temperature. This makes it comfortable to wear in both warm and cool weather.
Versatility in Sewing
The beautiful drape of Tencel makes it ideal for creating garments with fluid movement, such as flowing dresses, skirts, and wide-leg pants. It also holds dye well, resulting in vibrant, long-lasting colors. Whether you’re making casual wear or something more formal, Tencel provides a high-quality finish.
Online Stores Shipping to Chicago
For convenience and a vast selection, online retailers are an excellent option. You can browse different types of Tencel fabric by the yard from the comfort of your home.
Fabriclore
As one of the leading online fabric stores, Fabriclore offers a wide assortment of Tencel and Tencel-blended fabrics. They are known for their high-quality materials and diverse range of prints and solid colors. Shopping with Fabriclore gives you access to a global collection of textiles, with reliable shipping to Chicago. Their user-friendly website makes it simple to find the perfect material for your next project.
Other Online Retailers
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Mood Fabrics: A well-known name in the fabric world, Mood Fabrics has a robust online store with a good selection of Tencel fabrics, from basic solids to designer prints.
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Blackbird Fabrics: This online shop based in Canada is popular among sewers for its curated collection of high-quality apparel fabrics, including a nice range of Tencel twills and chambrays.
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Style Maker Fabrics: Based in the Pacific Northwest, this online retailer offers a thoughtful selection of modern fabrics, often featuring Tencel in various weights and textures.
Top Local Fabric Stores in Chicago
While online shopping is convenient, sometimes you need to feel the fabric before you buy. Here are some local Chicago stores where you might find Tencel fabric by the yard.
Top Local Fabric Stores in Chicago
While online shopping is convenient, sometimes you need to feel the fabric before you buy. Here are some local Chicago stores where you might find Tencel fabric by the yard.
Fabriclore Pvt. Ltd.
Although originally an Indian brand, Fabriclore offers a curated selection of eco-friendly fabrics, including Tencel. Their commitment to sustainable textiles makes them a trusted choice for contemporary designers.
Textile Discount Outlet
Located in the Pilsen neighborhood, Textile Discount Outlet is a massive warehouse filled with bolts of fabric. With three floors of materials, it’s a place where you can spend hours searching for the perfect fabric. While their stock is constantly changing, they often carry a variety of apparel fabrics, and you may find Tencel or lyocell blends among their inventory.
Fishman’s Fabrics
A Chicago institution since 1903, Fishman’s Fabrics specializes in high-quality designer and upholstery fabrics. While their main focus is on home decor, they also have a selection of apparel fabrics. It’s worth calling ahead or visiting to see if they have Tencel in stock, as their collection is curated for quality.
Vogue Fabrics
With a location in nearby Evanston, Vogue Fabrics is a well-organized store with a wide selection of apparel fabrics, notions, and patterns. They cater to a range of sewing needs and are a reliable place to look for specific materials like Tencel. Their knowledgeable staff can help you find what you need.
Tips for Choosing Tencel Fabric
When shopping for Tencel fabric by the yard, keep these tips in mind to ensure you select the right material for your project.
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Check the Weight: Tencel comes in various weights. A lighter-weight Tencel is great for blouses and scarves, while a medium-weight twill is better suited for pants, jackets, and structured dresses.
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Consider the Blend: Tencel is often blended with other fibers like cotton, spandex, or linen. A Tencel-spandex blend will have some stretch, making it ideal for fitted garments. A Tencel-linen blend will have the texture of linen with the softness and drape of Tencel.
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Request a Swatch: If you’re buying online, it’s a good idea to order a swatch first. This allows you to feel the fabric’s texture, see its true color, and test its drape before committing to several yards.
Caring for Your Tencel Garments
Tencel is relatively easy to care for, but following the proper instructions will keep your handmade garments looking their best for years to come.
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Washing: It is generally recommended to machine wash Tencel garments in cold water on a gentle cycle. This helps preserve the fabric’s fibers and color.
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Drying: Tencel can be tumble-dried on a low setting, but line-drying is often a better choice to prevent potential shrinkage and maintain the fabric’s shape and softness.
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Ironing: If you need to iron Tencel, use a warm steam iron. Ironing on a low to medium heat setting will smooth out any wrinkles without damaging the fabric.
Start Your Next Sewing Project
Whether you prefer to shop in person at a local Chicago store or browse the extensive collections of online retailers like Fabriclore, you have plenty of options for finding high-quality Tencel fabric by the yard.
By choosing Tencel, you’re not only getting a beautiful and comfortable fabric but also making a more sustainable choice. Supporting local businesses when you can and opting for eco-friendly materials helps build a more conscious sewing community. With the right fabric in hand, you’re ready to bring your creative ideas to life.
Fabriclore is a leading B2B fabric sourcing platform dedicated to empowering fashion designers, apparel manufacturers, and clothing brands worldwide. With 10+ years of experience in the textile industry, we have built a trusted network that connects creativity with high-quality fabrics, ensuring seamless and efficient sourcing for every scale of production.
Our extensive collection includes natural fibers like cotton fabric, linen fabric, and silk fabric; man-made fibers such as viscose and polyester; along with sustainable options like LENZING™, LIVA™, BEMBERG™ Cupro, and organic cotton.
We offer four key services tailored to meet every design and production need:
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Dyeable Fabric – Woven RFD & greige, sustainable, and knitted fabrics.
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Dyed Fabric – Mill dyed, yarn dyed, Schiffli, and denim fabrics.
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Made To Order – Digital printing, screen printing, block printing, and dyeing solutions.
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Ready Stock – Block, screen, Ikat, tweed, and jacquard fabrics.
Explore our diverse range of custom-printed, ready mill-dyed, and yarn-dyed fabrics to find the perfect match for your next collection.
For personalized assistance or inquiries, reach out to us at [email protected].
Experience seamless, authentic, and affordable fabric sourcing with Fabriclore — your trusted partner with over a decade of expertise in the global textile industry.
