Leewards Creative Crafts

Leewards
Company type	private
Founded	1945
Founder	Dexter Thread Mills, Inc.
Defunct	1994
Fate	Purchased by Michaels
Headquarters	Elgin, Illinois , United States of America
Area served	Midwestern United States, Northeastern United States
Products	Crafts

Last updated July 15, 2025

Leewards Creative Crafts, or Leewards, was an American crafts and fabrics retailer. It was founded in Elgin, Illinois, in 1947. The chain had approximately 87 stores at its peak.^[2] In 1994, it was purchased by Michaels.^[3]^[4]

References

↑ Sammons, Mary Beth (1992-11-29). "Crafty giant Elgin's Leewards builds on creativity in kit form". Chicago Tribune . ProQuest 283356321 . Retrieved 2023-10-10.
↑ Schmeltzer, John (1992-09-02). "Elgin's Leewards Manages A 'Good News Recovery'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
↑ "Illinois Quilt History". Illinoisquilthistory.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
↑ Schmeltzer, John (1994-05-11). "Dallas Chain Crafts Merger With Leewards". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2023-10-10.

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[1] Sammons, Mary Beth (1992-11-29). "Crafty giant Elgin's Leewards builds on creativity in kit form". Chicago Tribune . ProQuest 283356321 . Retrieved 2023-10-10.

[2] Schmeltzer, John (1992-09-02). "Elgin's Leewards Manages A 'Good News Recovery'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2015-10-01.

[3] "Illinois Quilt History". Illinoisquilthistory.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved 2015-10-01.

[4] Schmeltzer, John (1994-05-11). "Dallas Chain Crafts Merger With Leewards". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2023-10-10.

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