![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-59UNxhYdVkI/T5KmQhIRWBI/AAAAAAAAB3A/S-D151ESN3Y/s1600/P1100194.jpg)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIsXPpMFecQ/T5KmPmcsO5I/AAAAAAAAB2w/lYMdaw-WPRM/s1600/P1100190.jpg)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-62paQNE62Jk/T5KmTXukl4I/AAAAAAAAB3o/Q-lYZgyBL-o/s1600/P1100202.jpg)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-84Q27QauKVI/T5KmTsxt9MI/AAAAAAAAB3w/9R-WrLzggEY/s1600/P1100204.jpg)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TSELMK9Tork/T5KmQebDbDI/AAAAAAAAB24/FI6UWelk1II/s1600/P1100191.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-__KtLR5cC_U/T5KmQ4xut-I/AAAAAAAAB3I/RBKSWfVI31A/s1600/P1100196.jpg)
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f0Iw780-DMM/T5KmRZwQrVI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/PKU7RXHywyM/s1600/P1100197.jpg)
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1kaTTDs5mo/T5KmPVRS8wI/AAAAAAAAB2o/5SVbu3hNfc8/s400/P1100189.jpg)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFcEp4FoZVc/T5KmURWR13I/AAAAAAAAB4A/WwRiG3eH-KM/s400/P1100206.jpg)
I'm in Chicago visiting my brother who lives here, but what's a city visit without a spot of fabric shopping? The lovely Liz from Zilredloh was my guide for the day. I'm so glad she was there as I wouldn't be surprised if skeletons of customers who lost their way were lurking amongst the basement aisles. Liz was super lovely and great fun - we had a hilarious time giggling at the random piles of off-cuts and rummaging for gems amongst the boxes.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0GHbuxslME/T5KqRWdW7vI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/4ryQLLuV6fM/s1600/P1100229.jpg)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gxFFzmtyM2s/T5KqRoxvDXI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/dRAKme-C_EQ/s1600/P1100232.jpg)
And here's what I came away with - two silky soft polyesters which I want to use for Cynthia Rowley 1801, a denim-look thick cotton for a skirt, trimmings, nautical piping, and a really unusual belt buckle. Erm... yes, a couple of these pieces might look familiar to you, but I'm glad that I focused and found some things that are to my taste, rather than getting overwhelmed by the amount of stock, panicking and leaving empty handed. Now I can't wait to get cutting!
[Soundtrack: 'Come On! Feel the Illinoise!' by Sufjan Stevens]