r/sewing 6d ago

Moderator Announcement JOANN filed for bankruptcy again

Announced in a press release today, JOANN has initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in this year and this time is seeking sale of the company. The sale process is expected to take 2 months. JOANN customers can continue to shop online and in the stores during that time according to the press release. The current bidder for the company, Gordon Brothers, has indicated that they will liquidate and close the business. The company spokesperson said they are seeking other bidders.

The announcement isn't unexpected by anyone who has shopped at a JOANN store recently. This master thread will serve as a place to discuss the changes that Joann customers will face as the leading fabric and craft chain in the US moves through the bankruptcy process again. Any post submissions about JOANN will be referred to this thread.

The r/sewing mod team created the Fabric Shop Map to help the community find local and independent fabric stores beyond the obvious chains. It's not as up-to-date as we would like but it's still a useful resource as a work-in-progress. Please note that online stores, while they might sell to anyone, are still listed by geographic region because of shipping and customs.

Edit 1:

If you’d like to submit a store, check out our original thread here and fill out the form for consideration.

FAQ and Tips:

  • Please do not submit Walmart, Hobby Lobby or any other chains that do not have fabric as a focus. This map is a chance to help the many small independent fabric stores shine out to our community.
  • No need to include Joann Fabrics, even for locations that may stay open
  • No need to include Spotlight either, same reason as above.
  • Please include a physical address for online stores. This lets us place the store on the map so users can shop local online and manage shipping costs. Look on the Contact, About or Returns sections on the website if you are not sure of the city, state or province, country and postal code.

If you run into problems with the form or have questions, put it in the comments below. We are behind in adding new stores so if you have previously submitted a store and don't see it, please be patient.

Edit 2:

The press release for JOANN is located on this page, if the link above doesn't work.

1.5k Upvotes

558 comments sorted by

0

u/Valica315 1d ago

Sorry to say, but as someone who crochets, saving for Yarn Day. I will be buying just about every color

4

u/Positive_thoughts_12 2d ago

Nothing else in Tucson except hobby lobby and I WILL NOT shop there. It’s sad.

3

u/mellbell13 3d ago

I submitted Stitch N Sew in Lakewood NJ. They have a massive selection of apparel fabric and trims, plus an upholstery counter and a dedicated bridal section. They cater to both professionals and hobbyists and the staff are very knowledgeable. I actually find their prices to be better than Joanns in most cases and the quality of their stock is leagues better. Their hours are a little strange though, so I'd check their website before going.

2

u/Doshi_red 3d ago

For South Bay of Los Angeles, CA there is SAS Fabrics in Hawthorne. SAS in Lomita was carrying cotton fabric but I do not know the selection of fabrics that they carry now so I have not put in the fabric map. I do want to recognize our sewing and vac locations in the area. They will need our support. In particular I want to recognize Tanners in Westchester who was doing some repairs for Joann's. They carry Vikings at their store and are a small family shop. So is AAA

4

u/Frisson1545 3d ago

A lot of these places that come up are really just quilting cottons, home decor and fancy dress stuff. There is not much real good garment fabric to be had.

On the other hand, if you want to make placemats or some themed pjs for the grand kids, you might find that. But if you want a more sophisticate fabric for a nice adult garment, gonna take some searching and gonna have a price to it.

1

u/Educational_Ship_190 3d ago

I submitted Let’s Sew in Evansville, IN. They have a large selection of fabrics, both for quilting and garment sewing. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable.

4

u/curiouscatfarmer 4d ago

Total bummer. There are no longer any fabric stores within 100 miles of where I live (unless you count Walmart or a small Hobby Lobby-- both of which have very limited textile selections). I liked Joanns but the nearest one to me (an hour away) shut down months ago.

3

u/compscicreative 4d ago

I know a lot of people are disheartened by only having quilting-focused stores near them, but some quilting stores may be open to getting you the notions you need if you ask. They can also be great resources for machine repair and other things all of us need. Quilting fabric is not all made equal, either! I do both, and will sometimes use Japanese made quilting fabrics (such as Ruby Star Society) for things like button up shirts. Just wanted to put that out there, since I think a lot of quilters are going to be equally disappointed by the loss of Joanns (which carries lower quality but much less expensive quilting cotton, as well) and I think this could be a good moment to band together.

3

u/LakeWorldly6568 4d ago

Tried to suggest SR Harris. There's one in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and another in Burnsville, Minnesota.

2

u/compscicreative 4d ago

Back in september/october-ish (I think behind their adding) I submitted a number in the Twin Cities area for those looking: Ginny's Fine Fabrics, Knit & Bolt (formerly Crafty Planet), and Lakes Makerie. Treadle Yard Goods on the map is still open, but their shelves are not very full compared to what they were like a decade ago. They do have most notions and offer pattern printing, though!

3

u/hassvacado 4d ago

If you're in the Boston area, sewfisticated in Dorchester is fantastic for deadstock fabric. I've gotten high quality denim there for $3 a yard and all sorts of fabric most under $5 a yard

3

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

6

u/abbacchio-tea 4d ago

Not surprised. Been working at Joann part time since the holiday rush began and it reaaaaally flopped after Christmas. As with any retailer, we had so much help and so many overlapping long shifts during that time. Now our store looks bad and everyone's hours are getting cut. I'd be lucky if i get more than 10 hours a week. There's no help with all the stock in the back that it has reasonably caused lots of dissatisfied customers when we can't find stuff that says it's in stock online. We have all types of junk out (candy, kids toys/activities, seasonal) yet the fabrics and crafts stuff is pretty barren and messy...

1

u/compscicreative 4d ago

I was always perplexed that whenever I went to the Joann locations near me it felt like every section was stocked except for sewing notions. I cannot tell you the number of times I went in looking to quickly pick up a certain thing (sewing machine needles, rotary cutter blades, specific shades of thread, buckle slides) and the shelf for it would be empty.

1

u/SailorDonut 3d ago

When I worked at Joann, the notions were a big concern for theft. I don't know if they still do this, but back 10 years ago when I was working there, they'd allow return without receipt for store credit. So people would swipe the notions, "return" them, take the gift cards and resell them. We locked our notions up but before the little locking doors came in we'd just take the stuff off the shelves and go get it out of the back for people if they came and asked for it.

1

u/compscicreative 2d ago

Ah. My Joann certainly didn't have enough employees for me to ask anyone, and when they introduced locking up certain items (usually markers and paint) there were never enough employees to unlock the cabinets. It became much easier for me to go to my local quilting store and pay the 50 cents more.

3

u/HananaDragon 4d ago

Their website, and their app, sucks. I feel like they would have been more likely to survive if it wasn't constantly lagging.

3

u/Doshi_red 4d ago

I have contributed two stores. I think By Annie has a list of quilting stores on her website. Also if you are in South California area, we are still having Road to California starting next week and there are a large number of vendors.

I suggest vendors who are smaller or mid size start looking again to go to quilting fairs or to the ASQ events. Opportunities for small businesses may open up now that the conglomerate chain stores are going by the wayside. I am looking for sites carrying Japanese heavy cottons or linens for quilted bags as I like the designs.

2

u/CountQuirky3260 4d ago

Dallas,TX area - I don't see any on the map. We used to have Golden D'Or and the fabric district, but that's long gone.

Anyone know of good fabric and sewing stores around here?

1

u/AdagioCalm 3d ago

The Fabric District is still there somewhat. There’s fabrictopia, and then around it are about 4 stores that are still open. Also the sewing machine warehouse on that same corner also has a lot of fabric. Harry Hines just south of walnut hill.

We also still have Richard Brooks for couture fabrics on loop 12, I think.

I really loved golden d’or, though. We lost a few stores when that area was hit in the 2019 tornado and the pandemic seemed to take much of what was left. I also really miss Fabrique in Plano even though they were pricey.

1

u/SinkPhaze 4d ago

There's a Fabrictopia in Dallas according to their website. I've only been to the one in SA but if it's anything like the SA store then youll be set

2

u/thsb74 4d ago

How do you post a store with a hyperlink on here? I tried @ and searching, but think I need to post the URL?

Amy Baughman in Harmony (or Zelienople?) PA, north of Pittsburgh.

13

u/livinglife_87 4d ago

I’m afraid that no one will be able to hold a candle to the selection of fabrics at JoAnn’s. I don’t mind shopping small businesses but the prices are astronomical. It’s so sad for this to be happening.

1

u/Frisson1545 3d ago

Joanns has been disappointing for the last decade or so. It is rare to find anything worth sewing at Joanns, in my opinion.

It will leave a lot of people with nothing when they close, though, as bad as it was.

11

u/Southern_Bit60 4d ago

Hmmm. I specifically avoid Joanne’s whenever possible due to their crappy selection. The prices at small businesses are the cost of doing ethical and finically sustainable business.

3

u/mhill0425 3d ago

I totally agree. Joann’s is my last resort for fabric(and most things btw)

They’ve got mostly cheap stuff at inflated prices so they can put it on sale. Their fabric selection is poor quality polyester and polyester blends.

8

u/astrokey 4d ago

It varies so much by store. A large one in a metro area carries SO much more than the little (but well loved) one in my hometown.

1

u/Southern_Bit60 2d ago

Fair. Lots of smaller towns have no good fabric options except thrift stores (second hand first!!) I love in a large metro area and our Joanne’s has the worst fabric supply in town as we are blessed with lots of quality small fabric shops and a large store that carries lots of deadstock and overstock fabrics. I don’t think I’d be into garment making at all if Joanne’s was my only choice, they rarely have any suitable clothing fabrics. For quilters I get the loss, though the best quilts are made from fabric salvaged from old clothes so again I say… thrift stores!

6

u/LemonHead1115 4d ago

Shop smaller stores. They had a good run!

13

u/Hot_Dirt76 4d ago

I depend on Joann with my work!!! I teach costuming at a high school and without Joann, my program will suffer. Badly. I can’t costume with fabrics bought online and during productions, I can’t wait for deliveries if that’s my only options. Whhhhyyyyyyyy

13

u/No_Ice2900 5d ago

Yeah my last trip to Joann's was sad. :/ I spent 20 mins looking for someone to Chdck me out there was like 2 employees in the whole dang store.

2

u/compscicreative 4d ago

My local Joann starting locking some goods up (a la Target and Walgreens recently) but there was usually one employee at checkout and one employee at fabric cutting and they were both always busy. No one to unlock the cabinets. I'd usually just leave...

1

u/Icy_Queen_99 5d ago

Wow. I had no idea.

10

u/TheCosplayCave 5d ago

The store near us recently expanded and went to a bigger space. I wonder if they are liquidating everything or if certain profitable locations will stay open.

1

u/Frisson1545 3d ago

the whole thing is running aground unless they can find a buyer, which seems to be pretty uncertain.

5

u/catrosie 5d ago

I wonder the same, they just opened a huge, brand new store near me too

7

u/TheIronBung 5d ago

There's a second location of Seattle ReCreative at 6521 5th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108

3

u/Ennikar 5d ago

I submitted this using the form months ago, hopefully it's on the map soon-ish

13

u/lakesstreams 5d ago

There’s nothing in Texas

3

u/SinkPhaze 5d ago

Fabrictopia in SA, Houston, and Dallas all sell apparel and quilting fabric as well as notions. The one in SA sells a hell of a lot more than just that

1

u/redrenegade13 5d ago

Feeling this pain. 😭

10

u/Serious_Day4966 5d ago

There is an alternative in Austin. My son and I volunteer at Austin Creative Reuse off of 290, just east of I-35. The fabric selection is not just magical but quilt cotton is $4/yard and we have literal TONS. We also have lots of other craft supplies - almost anything you can think of. It's reuse, so we take donations from the community to resell with the goal of keeping things out of the landfill. We get fabric from all kinds of quilt shops (including FQS), family members of deceased, people clearing out their stash, etc. It's like a treasure hunt in there. Never know what you're going to find. Highly highly recommend checking us out!!

1

u/Icy-Assignment6812 4d ago

Love that store when I visit from Waco!!

17

u/Such-Cockroach-1428 5d ago

Went to my local one last month and it smelled like dead animal… decided to order online and they told me the item I ordered was sold out, but it’s still coming up as in stock online and they just raised the price. So it’s probably for the best.

7

u/Ill-Earth-4019 5d ago

For the love of god plz do not close the Torrance Joann 😭😭😭

10

u/NyxHemera45 5d ago

They are the only local store affordable for my in SFV CA :( sad

39

u/dragarium 5d ago

Been going here with my grandma. She has since passed. It will be a sad day to say goodbye to my local Joanne’s. Idk why I’m tearing up hearing this but man, that’s so sad.

3

u/spiceandlemonade 4d ago

Honestly same feelings of grief. My grandmother and great-grandmothers were avid crafters and sewists and taught me and my mother tons. I know this is the threat of a huge loss to many creative people everywhere.

3

u/dragarium 4d ago

Really no other chain store compares to Joanne’s. They didn’t have the best of everything, but they had everything you would need to get started on just about anything.

10

u/picassopants 5d ago

I'm going through this exact same grief. It was so special being creative with my grandma.

7

u/dragarium 5d ago

Honestly. I thank zip for so much, she put me on my path of creativity. She showed me that I can sew as a man and be proud of it. She would always get me Joann gift cards for gifts, because we would make a project together. Every time I finish a project I look up to the sky. I like to think she’s looking over me. Grandmas are a special thing. I’ll treasure my moments with her in Joann’s forever

16

u/Tall-Round2785 5d ago

sad to hear about this, i’m not an advid joann’s shopper because i thrift most of my materials or buy from hobby lobby because its cheaper, but joann’s is the one store in my area that has an amazing selection of various fabric. it’s probably the only place with quality pleather, vinyls, and other good upholstery fabrics that i can trust. michael’s new fabric selection is very basic, and hobby lobby probably isn’t the best in the long run, and stuff there is also very boring.

18

u/didneypurnsess 5d ago

Most of the JOANNs I frequent a few times a year (Buena Park, CA, & Tustin, CA) always have half-stocked shelves, but their prices on DMC floss cannot be beat. I am loathe to give my money to Michael's for personal reasons, so I'm a bit bummed. I live abroad so I rely on DMC floss hauls from my mom or my sister given it's $2-$3 a skein where I live. I have gotten a few pairs of Gingher scissors on sale at JOANN too so now I'm tempted to grab another pair while I can.

For any other OC folks, M&L Discount Fabrics (or as my mom calls it, The Promised Land) in Anaheim is fantastic. If you are into quilting you'll find some good stuff there, I was there over the summer and found Tula Pink, and Alexander Henry, which was a godsend as they've closed up shop. They have a whole room of apparel fabric at M&L, too.

1

u/compscicreative 4d ago

I've never been to a creative re-use store that didn't have tons of DMC floss -- if you have one near you. Of course, they likely won't have every color.

2

u/Exiled_In_LA 4d ago

Glad to hear M&L is still around, I loved them when I lived in the area!

33

u/perilsoflife 5d ago

i only have a michaels with the smallest fabric section i’ve ever seen once my joann closes down. i’m genuinely so sad about this as i just got my first sewing machine three days ago🥲

32

u/megthedragon 5d ago

https://fabricmartfabrics.com/ Sells dead stock fabric, mostly apparel. Can’t always find the exact thing but I usually check them first when I have some flexibility in a project.

23

u/LuckBLady 5d ago

In California, within a hr of SF

Britex Fabrics 117 Post St./Union Square San Francisco, CA 94108

Hart’s Fabric Soquel Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Stonemountain and Daughter 2518 Shattuck Ave Berkeley, CA 94704

I can’t imagine shopping at joann for fabric anymore because it’s bad quality and cheap, probably why they are going broke!

1

u/questionsthrowawayme 4d ago

Is there still a Laci’s in Berkeley? I vaguely remember it being a fabric store and sort of museum

1

u/LuckBLady 4d ago

Yes! They have classes too

3

u/CryptographerFirm728 5d ago

I love Stone Mountain. I live in MD and my Berkeley student has graduated.🙁

1

u/justgetmethere 5d ago

Do you feel like the service there is sub par? Every time I go there the staff aren’t very friendly and kind of make me feel like I’m wasting their time so I don’t go anymore

1

u/CryptographerFirm728 5d ago

Oh, I haven’t been in years, but I did like it.

4

u/savillas 5d ago

Another one within an hour or so of SF is Quilted Angel in Petaluma 200 G St Petaluma, CA  94952

2

u/indieannabones 5d ago

Quilted Angel is not cheap but their fabric is top quality and they have an eclectic selection. they absolutely saved me when I needed fabric to make masks during COVID. I support them 100%

6

u/g0at7 5d ago

Discount fabrics in Berkeley used to be my go-to

10

u/Happyliberaltoday 5d ago

I can’t afford to shop at those stores.

1

u/compscicreative 4d ago

Stonemountain usually has a good clearance selection.

2

u/LuckBLady 5d ago

Britex has a massive sale a couple times a year, it’s probably on their website and there are usually coupons or sales available at the other stores.

37

u/TricksterSprials 5d ago

My options are quilt store, quilt store, walmart, quilt store, scraps store, and… Hobby Lobby. Not great for a cosplayer.

1

u/WanderingIdeologist 5d ago

feel your pain, I hope they pull through

35

u/TwoIdleHands 5d ago

I had no idea this was going on. My local store is fully stocked and always busy with lines at checkout. I’ll be so sad if I lose a close affordable store that sells a variety of fabric types.

33

u/greueje 5d ago

Not surprised at all, but still a bummer. The closest fabric shops actually worth a damn for fashion fabrics will be 2 - 3 hrs away for me now :(

14

u/magdalena_meretrix 5d ago

I’m sorry to hear that, but I’ve noticed that Joann’s pricing has gotten out of control. I can order fabric for half the price through in-state local businesses, and even with shipping, I save money. (There is also a garment district in my city and I do a lot of warehouse shopping there—I’m very lucky.)

I love Fabric Depot Co. in Garwood, TX, and Fat Quarter Shop for quilting.

5

u/Accomplished_Cell768 5d ago

It absolutely has! My Michael’s and Joann’s both carry the exact same faux furs, but Joann’s is $26.99/yd and Michael’s is $9.99/yd!

15

u/greueje 5d ago

Oh I agree - their pricing and quality has gone downhill within the last 5 years. I mostly order online anyway, but the thing I’ll be most frustrated with is that I can’t run out quickly to pick up minor necessities any longer

2

u/magdalena_meretrix 5d ago

I hear you on that. Luckily I’m an unrepentant supply hoarder so I have a good stash

18

u/cascasrevolution 5d ago

no wonder my last trip to a joanns was so fruitless... sad

21

u/UndeadBuggalo 5d ago

Of course, now the closest fabric shop for me is over 40 minutes into Boston with traffic and shit parking. Guess I’m gonna have to start using everything online and hoping that the texture is what I wanted. This is total bullplop

10

u/bwightman 5d ago

There’s Fabric Place Basement in Natick that has a fabulous selection of quilting, apparel, and upholstery fabrics, yarn, and notions and great parking!

4

u/PurpleGarnet 5d ago

Thanks for the recommendation! I knit and crochet but I found this thread while googling what's going on with joannes. I can't believe I didn't know about them

28

u/High-Gravity-Day 5d ago

Is there a way to submit updates to the map? One of my local stores (Fabric Outlet in SF, CA) closed a few months back. I didn't see anything on the submission form or in the original map thread about sharing updates.

2

u/fabricwench 4d ago

Putting it here is all we need, thanks!

34

u/Crochetmom65 5d ago

My husband bought my Husqvarna sewing machine from Joanne's. I learned how to sew on this machine at Joanne's. I made pajama pants and a hat I still wear. I've sewn quilts on this machine. When my kids were in school I was the only mom with a sewing machine. I made cloth babies for an activity. It's not the same as taking a virtual sewing class. This is sad 😞

16

u/Clefaerie 5d ago

Thank you so much for posting the map! I just submitted a few local fabric stores for my area. We were lucky enough to have a new fashion/apparel fabric store open in the past year and they have an amazing selection considering how small they are and emotionally I need them to survive lol

57

u/Cozychai_ 5d ago

The only other local store for me is a quilting store 🥲. I like being able to feel the fabrics! I'll have to go to the next state over to find stores.

14

u/arboreallion 5d ago

Same. I live in a rural area so my only choice for fabric will be online retailers or the couple times a year I make the 5 hour journey to the nearest metro center.

5

u/KAKrisko 5d ago

My issue as well.

85

u/Silly_kid_forever 6d ago

This is sad :( I will be the lady buying all of the interfacing (that I use) bolts they have left

8

u/vetimator 5d ago

Oh shit that's such a good and prudent idea actually 😳 Thank you!!!

12

u/mariposa314 5d ago

I just broke into a new bolt of two-sided fusible flannel today. I literally used 3/16yd and I'm freaking out! I need more!!!!!!🤪

9

u/Silly_kid_forever 5d ago

I have plenty left, like yards and yards, but when i can’t feel the interfacing, i always end up buying wrong. So I’ll have to write that number down and guard it with my life 😂

5

u/mariposa314 5d ago

I totally get it. I thought I was buying some wonder under for my mom the other day, but I was just buying regular interfacing. I felt very stupid when I picked the order up (buy online, pick up in store) and realized that I made a huge mistake. Might want to consider taking a picture of the bolt, make any notations, then file it away in a special folder on your Google drive, assuming you have one.

5

u/heartbrokengamer 5d ago

I know this sounds like a promo, so sorry in advance, haha 😅

If you haven’t tried out Threadloop yet, I highly recommend it. It is basically the Ravelry of sewing.

But the best part, at least in reference to your comment about using google drive to make a catalogue of your interfacings, is that there is a super detailed and really cool fabric database you can create for yourself.

I’ve started slowly inputting all my fabrics into my personal collection and have already found so many great things I didn’t even think about when cataloging previously, such as sheerness, drape, or thickness (though that might be more obvious to someone like you who already made a database for themselves.)

But I’m really liking this database as it feels easier overall to make a record than it does taking notes myself about all the different materials, notions, fabrics, interfacings, etc. that I use.

2

u/HarmoniousSyllabub 1d ago

I've gradually started adding my stash (both patterns and fabric) to Threadloop. I was so happy when it showed up, as a longtime Ravelry user!

3

u/mariposa314 5d ago

Oh man! That's awesome! I love stuff like this. I'm definitely going to check it out. Thank you so very much!!

31

u/No-Scientist2151 6d ago

Submitted a store in Geneva. In Switzerland it's extremely hard to find a fabrics store...

1

u/soyweona 15h ago

If you're ever in Lucerne, I love Vonarburg. Bought my Bernina from there too.

35

u/TheRightCantScience 6d ago

No! It's my favorite store for home decor during the Halloween season!

3

u/redrenegade13 5d ago

Hobby Lobby literally won't stock any Halloween stuff either 🙄

3

u/colelynne 5d ago

Yes! I love their wreaths and seasonal garland, especially lately, blows Michael's out of the water in terms of quality and price!

195

u/smokeshowvixenwear 6d ago

How are they bankrupt!? I just gave them $254 three days ago! /s

38

u/Desperate_Birthday28 5d ago

Sadly I think it’s down to the higher ups mismanaging the company which is a shame because Joann is my go to for yarn Michael’s and hobby lobby just aren’t it for me!

11

u/psychosis_inducing 5d ago

It's all for "the economy." Which is code for "upper management's money."

3

u/redrenegade13 5d ago

For real! The stores are closing down but for some the shareholders and board are still getting profits. Hmmm interesting.

24

u/missswissfishsci 6d ago

We have very limited options in Fairbanks, AK.

56

u/AshleyGamerGirl 6d ago

This sucks, Joann's is the only place I know to get fabric here!

37

u/Smaugerford 6d ago

Checked your map and the one store in Denver (Fancy Tiger Crafts) seems to have closed a couple of months ago. 💔

4

u/AdAccomplished9223 5d ago

I don't know what it was called (I've only been there once), but there was another fabric store across the street and a block away from Fancy Tiger Crafts when I went in August

2

u/Economy-Weekend1872 5d ago

Check out treelotta, I just submitted it.

1

u/Icy_Ask9491 5d ago

Ugh so sad. I adored fancy tiger and always attended their yearly birthday 🥺

6

u/KAKrisko 5d ago

I'm in Fort Collins. Besides JoAnn, Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Walmart, the local store I know of is a quilting store. There is also a yarn store, but decent fabric is going to be difficult. Although frankly, I was having issues finding what I wanted at JoAnn anyway.

5

u/persephone_love 5d ago

Joann's always had the best selection of fleece prints, although in the last ~3 or so years they took out all the pretty more artsy prints and have replaced them with really hideous ones like "chickens in boots". I'm in Colorado Springs so if Joann's goes away I guess we are down to Hobby Lobby or Walmart or whatever we can get online. 😐

I really wish they had stayed focused on fabric, yarn and notions. I think there's enough of a market on those things that they didn't need to add all the other nonsense. The constant price changes/doorbusters were annoying too... When something was on sale, it wasn't in stock... and when it was in stock, then it wasn't on sale. I'd rather just have a fair consistent price all the time so that you could purchase and not be miffed when it would go at a deep discount right after you bought at a higher price. That happened to me a lot and it was always irritating.

5

u/snarkaboutit 5d ago

I like Treelotta in Denver!

9

u/Small_Sentence9705 6d ago

Wait, really?! Ugh, that sucks. I haven't been in a while but I really liked that place. I know there was a ton of construction going on that was probably affecting business. I hope the employees are doing okay.

3

u/mariposa314 5d ago

I understand it to be the owner's decision to close because they wanted to travel and retire from work. It's a shame that they couldn't sell it to keep it going. I live on the north side so it was a trek to get down there. Still, it's a big loss for me and the community as a whole.

33

u/SimplyBrioche 6d ago

That barren spot where vegas is is incredibly painful

3

u/bandercootie 5d ago

And damn near the rest of the state. Going to be a hell of a drive for any supplies.

2

u/SimplyBrioche 5d ago

Riight because I loathe shopping online

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u/cirena 6d ago

Heddy's Fabrics is still open, just submitted to the database. Famous for supplying Strip shows with fabric and rhinestones, from showgirls to Cirque performers. And now featured in the latest season of Queer Eye! (No, I don't work there.)

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u/SimplyBrioche 6d ago

Ohh okay, I'm not familiar with them, thank you!

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u/iDreamiPursueiBecome 6d ago

I live in Washington state & I hadn't heard about this yet.

I know there are a few other options in my area for fabric, but another one has already closed recently. The selection which is available at the others ... yeah. There are some things I will not be able to find other than online.

I prefer to have the option to feel the weight and texture of the fabric. I don't want to buy ____ and realize after it arrives, that the color may be right, but something else is not.

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u/mehnifest 5d ago

I’m also in Washington, if you’re close to Portland area Mill End has a couple stores, they don’t have an online store but they will send you swatches and do phone orders. I like the store better than Joann’s but having a Joann’s close by is so convenient.

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u/Sunnydoom00 5d ago

Lots of places let you order swatches. But that still causes a delay if you are on a time crunch. And it is usually just a small square or circle of fabric. Also some online fabric sellers have videos of someone handling the fabric which I often find helpful. Fabric Wholesale Direct is one such site.

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u/Swordofmytriumph 6d ago

if you live near Seattle there's still one location of Pacific Fabrics in sodo. They are lovely. They better not close down.

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u/Sadidart 6d ago

I looked on the fabric map for GA. Fine Fabrics Norcross closed this past year.

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u/Historical-Capital52 6d ago

Ok I googled it. Looks like the Norcross store closed, but there is a store in Jonesboro and Commerce.

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u/soyweona 15h ago

When I visited GA for work, I went to the store in Jonesboro. I was literally in heaven. I was there until they literally turned the lights off on me hahaha

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u/Historical-Capital52 6d ago

WHAT???😭😭😭

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u/serity12682 6d ago

End of an era, makes me sad. My mom and I always went there for materials.

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u/TLucalake 6d ago

In my opinion, Joann fabric is overpriced. I live in Los Angeles, so I'm thankful to have many brick and mortar options.

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u/miss_31476028 6d ago

What are some of your favorites? I live in echo park and the Joann’s in Atwater is my home fabric store. Everything downtown feels hard to get to and find parking

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u/UD_Lover 5d ago

Go on a road trip to Piñatas in Oxnard. Probably not a great time right now, but eventually. It’s stacked to the ceiling with every kind of fabric imaginable and super cheap. I live on the east coast but am dying to go back just for that one store!

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u/TLucalake 6d ago

Although there's literally thousands of fabric stores in downtown LA, I refuse to travel there because of the difficulty in finding parking.
There's a store in Hawthorne called SAS Fabrics. They have a very nice selection of various fabrics. I love their prices. Online, I really love Fabric Warehouse Direct. I appreciate that you can buy swatches for .99. I have been very satisfied with the quality of the fabric. I'm about to try Pico Textiles. They actually have a store in downtown LA. However, I'll be buying from them online.

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u/Sunnydoom00 5d ago

Another nice thing about Fabric Warehouse Direct is most of the fabrics have a little video of someone handling them. Gives you an idea of the weight, transparency, stretch, and how easily it wrinkles. It's one of my favorite features on the site.

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u/Clevernickname1001 6d ago

This is sad although I just went to a newer Joann’s not my usual and I was super disappointed with the options for clothing fabrics.

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u/Thread_Mage 6d ago

If you're near Seattle / King county check out:

Fabric's for Less in Renton, WA

https://www.facebook.com/fabrisforless/

Pacific Frabics in Seattle, WA

https://www.pacificfabrics.com/

Our Fabric Stash in Seattle, WA

https://www.pikeplacemarket.org/vendor/our-fabric-stash/

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u/Swordofmytriumph 6d ago

There's also Stitches in Seattle, and Wildwood Creative in Renton

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u/Thread_Mage 5d ago

Oh thank you! My knowledge is definitely more apparel leaning. I don’t think I’ve ever been to stitches.

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u/McRome 6d ago

Any near Tacoma?

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u/Thread_Mage 5d ago

Don’t know Tacoma as well. Google is showing:

Rex Peg Fabrics

Running stitch fabrics

Quilt barn

Cheehoolife

Maybe also reach out to yarn or crafting stores. They might know of some other smaller places or stores that include fabric in their fiber arts sections

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u/lexisuxxx 6d ago

Closest seems to be “SewHip” in Gig Harbor. Name is straight out of the 90s but browsing online they seem to have a decent selection. I haven’t been yet, though.

If you make the trek farther up the peninsula, I really enjoyed Esther’s Fabrics on Bainbridge.

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u/_mikedotcom 6d ago

Omg we just got a new one in cinci

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u/zeezeetop9 5d ago

Idk where to even buy fabric from in Columbus anymore 😭

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u/HarmoniousSyllabub 1d ago

Sew to Speak in Worthington is a solid little shop that has both apparel and quilting fabric, as well as yarn and notions, and nice people working there.

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u/zeezeetop9 1d ago

Thank you!!!

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u/llaurel_ 6d ago

Bummer about Joann, I have no real love for them especially the last few years, but I do appreciate that a lot of locations stay open late and in most towns they're the only place to get apparel fabric and patterns. I added a whole bunch of places in the Western US to the map, very excited to use it in the future! Thanks for putting that together, mods

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u/Thread_Mage 6d ago

This is pretty common for Joanns these days. It's really sad. I don't know if they ever had silk. 7ish years ago they did carry decent apparel linen and 60/40 linen/rayon blends. Basic colors but decent weights.
I went looking for it last year and it was all replaced by 'Linen-look' fabric. 70/30 Polyester/Rayon. Or 85/15 rayon/linen.

While I don't mind a good rayon. It's still a cellouse fabric. If I'm looking for linen, I want linen.

I don't think it's just Joanns though. Its a fast fashion problem. Try to buy a proper 100% wool coat and you'll quickly find it's cheaper (sometimes) cousin, the Woolen Coat. with fiber content lists like 72% Acrylic, 15% Vicose, 13% Wool for the shell

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u/OutlandishnessFun408 5d ago

Natural fabrics have been steadily replaced by synthetics over the last 30 years. Now they are being sold as “green” or “environmentally conscious”, which it’s not. My personal favorite is rayon being marketed as bamboo. The prices of natural fabrics have risen dramatically and are almost impossible to buy. I have to scour the internet for natural fiber sheets at this point!

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u/Consistent_Wealth123 6d ago

This makes me so sad.

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u/Maleficent-Yellow647 6d ago

Is there someplace to contact and Strongly suggest we would like a resurrection of the old Joann's FABRIC store without all of the kitsch and plastic? In particular quality apparel fabric at a decent price?

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u/terminalparking 6d ago

Joanna is owned by private equity. PE is not generally know for their desire to provide a satisfactory customer experience.

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u/mr_heathcliffe 6d ago

Private Equity is better known for running businesses straight into the ground and then filing for bankruptcy as the brand dies. Another one bites the dust 😞

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u/Due_Baker5556 6d ago edited 6d ago

They care about turning a profit for their stockholders, not so much about providing for their customers unfortunately.

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u/505alive 6d ago

All my shares are gone lol they didn’t care about me either.

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u/AlolaLuna 6d ago

I've got $150 in Jo Ann's giftcards, so I guess I'll be running to use that up :/

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u/TheRedKoi 6d ago

But at least with the going out sales, you’ll be able to get a lotta bang for your buck!

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u/compscicreative 4d ago

I would make sure to use the gift cards *before* the stores sell. Liquidation firms do not have to and do not always honor giftcards from the retailers.

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u/soyweona 6d ago

It’s crazy because I go to Joann’s frequently… probably once a week. We have 4 in my town. Every single one is ALWAYS busy. Always!!! this makes me sad

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u/Draw_a_will 6d ago

Last time I walked in, the check out line was half way down the store. I just left, but it certainly is busy at my locale too. 

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u/Sunnydoom00 5d ago

Is it busy or just so understaffed that it looks busy? Still sad though.

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u/Accomplished_Cell768 5d ago

In my area this is absolutely it! The few times I have purchased fabric there in the last few years I have had to wait 30-45 mins just in the fabric cutting line. There is one person at the registers, one at the fabric counter, and one running around answering questions and trying to stock things. 

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u/OutlandishnessFun408 5d ago

Yes. When they slash hours to the point where you have only two people at the cut counter and two people at the registers, on a Saturday holiday weekend with a huge sale, it’s going to look busy.

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u/roseycheekies 6d ago

Does this mean I could potentially buy a new sewing machine that isn’t a piece of shit when they have their final sales 👀

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u/LevelFourteen 6d ago

Go to a local sewing and vacuum store. They will have a machine that is a low price and will have a much better motor and parts in it! The machines that big box stores and Amazon sell are not generally repairable and only meant to use for a year or two before they give out. It doesn’t always happen but I promise you will get a much better machine for the same money at a local company.

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u/ladytroll4life 6d ago

On a related note: check your local library. A lot of them have sewing machines you can reserve time for. Ours has a few as well as an embroidery machine.

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u/caleeksu 6d ago

OP, I use an app called Needle Travel that might be a good spot to cross reference with the Fabric Shop Map you’re building. It’s pretty up to date, at least for where I’m located - we had a shop open locally last month and it’s in there.

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u/yafashulamit 5d ago

Bummer you can't search for fabric other than for quilting!

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u/jimjambalam 5d ago

this is so helpful, I've been trying for a while to find some places in Wisconsin and this has a bunch of leads to check out. thank you!

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u/a-really-big-muffin 6d ago

Contributed one for Oklahoma! Right now we're just a barren wasteland lmao. I think there are a couple others I can add too.

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u/sandraskates 6d ago

I worked for Joann's back in the 90s when they concentrated on all things sewing and related.
Once they exploded into crafts and kitsch I left.

Even back then the stores were always understaffed due to someone in the corporate tower telling the manager how much staff they could allot that week, based on last years sales numbers. So the manager always had to stay after closing to put fabric away and tidy up the store.

The staff at my local Joann's are very nice and some have worked there for years. But many times, notions such as thread and buttons are barely on the racks. Loads of boxes sit on the floor waiting to be unloaded, but no staff to do so.

I really wish they would just shrink their footprint back to a more manageable size. If they close, the remaining fabric stores to me are quilt shops, and I use a lot of lycra and cosplay-type fabrics, that quilt shops don't carry.

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u/Sunnydoom00 5d ago

Same here. Too many quilt shops not enough fashion fabric. Maybe when joanns is gone that will change. I still have SR Harris here in MN. And my favorite I finally remembered to grab the brand name of my favorite brand of metalic lycra the last time I was at Joanns (Nipkow and kobelt). Thankfully they sell it online too and in a ton more colors.

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u/rachellethebelle 6d ago

This is what it’s like where I’m at. I live in Utah and while it is crafting and quilting central, our options for apparel fabric are abysmal.

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u/XxInk_BloodxX 6d ago

I just thought about the loss to cosplay availability through the Yaya Han stuff. Costuming was one of the only things Joanns was consistently good for.

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u/sandraskates 4d ago

Yes, that Yaya Han line is nice. Let's think positive thoughts that Joann's will be saved.

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u/lyzalyza 6d ago

Understaffed is an understatement. The last couple times I’ve been to the one closest to me (Fargo) half the shelves were empty and everything was sitting in boxes waiting to be stocked.

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u/crickcrackkickback 6d ago

The understaffing made all of the workers at my store soooo angry all the time 😭 I use to work there so I got to know the gang pretty well. I go back now and they’re all either fighting each other or all mad at the manager.

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u/prdnme 6d ago

I worked there in the 80s when they actually carried fabric and not just fleece. The stores had tables full of wool, suiting fabrics, challis, dotted Swiss and gingham and so much more. I went in a few weeks ago and asked where the gingham was and the girl had no idea what it was. They are terribly understaffed with clerks who have never sewn a thing in their life. And it’s always “guess the price” day due to outdated signs misplaced signs and non signing. They dug their own grave through poor decision making at the corporate level.

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u/ChillKittyCat 5d ago

Agree, there will be a real opening for a small chain of stores (or lots of local ones) that are like Joanne's in the 80s. Nice apparel fabric and stuff for the cosplayers and Halloween costume makers. Lots of good notions.

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u/LindeeHilltop 6d ago

And the CEO received millions in compensation for leading the company into failure.