Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 27, 2012	Nov. 12, 2012
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	MICHAELS STORES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000740670
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 27, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		118,442,331
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3