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While a lot of my crafting days are over (I used to do SO much more), I do occasionally like to wonder through Joanne's Fabric stores. I'm a bit worried about where I can get things now. Michael's works for some stuff, but they don't have the selection that Joanne's did. I have no idea where around me I could find, in one store, all the things that Joanne's carried. I'll now have to go to multiple stores if there's a project I want to do.

I know I can shop online, but I like browsing the aisles to get ideas.

Sort of bummed about this today.

I hear you. I recently wanted to find some double thick "quilt" type fabric to make a "pelmet" style shelf cover over our propane gas direct vent cabinet heater that the top of sits right below a kitchen window (so I can protect it from our GSD puppy's eager paws and claws scratching it as he jumps up to see Daddy drive down the driveway!)

Went to several fabric specialty stores in an old town of good size, and one place, named after her quilting hobby specialty, said she cannot even afford to stock those kinds of fabrics any more, and hasn't carried them for like 20 years! Finally, I found what would work at our Joanne's, which at this time isn't on the list of ones closing (in Virginia). I think it has to do with demographics, who sews and who doesn't. We boomers are not the economic mainstream any more, sad to say...

[This message edited by Superesse at 2:09 AM, Tuesday, February 25th]

Oh, Superesse, I hate to break it to you, but as of this afternoon they’re all closing. 😢

That's such a shame. No one else has the fabric selection that they have. Does Michael's have fabric?

When I was a kid, it was Cloth World. My mom sewed a lot and I loved going with her and playing with the giant rolls of furry and sequined stuff. I never really noticed when they disappeared.

[This message edited by SacredSoul33 at 6:03 PM, Tuesday, February 25th]

No, Michael's does not have fabric. I really do not sew, so I won't necessarily miss the fabric portion of Joanne's; but the selection they have of other crafting items is so much larger.

While I like Michael's, the stores around us are just not as big as the Joanne's.

I'll adapt, but it's just frustrating.

In the last few months, the company that made the protein bars I had every morning stopped production, and the flavored water I drink every day changed its formulation, which is awful. I just feel like I'm having to start over again with tried and true products.

Joanne's is NOT closing all stores I my area it is about 50%, and I do t know if it's in prep for that or jaur coincidence but some Michael's are now carrying fabric, not a ton but was disappointed in the decrease i the yarn dept to make room.
My other go to is Hobby Lobby, abd Walmart also has fabric still.

I think the reporting of them closing all stores is very new, but I am seeing it from reputable sources on Google.

I've been gearing up to sew some fun things, and now I'm not sure where I'll go for cute fabric. Joann for the clearance, of course, but then where?? I hope this helps some mom-and-pop places flourish.

Yea, everything I'm reading is that they're going out of business, which is including closing all stores. This is new news as of just yesterday. I know initially some stores were going to stay open, but that seems to have been old news now.

Look into Hobby Lobby. Just visited one the first time in January and it blew me away. I had no idea they were that huge and seemed like they had every craft under the sun (not sure about fabrics).

We have lost a lot of our mills over the last few decades to China also, with production in the South closing. I remember WestPoint Pepperell up in Maine; we passed their late 1800's huge factory complex, an ominous looking red brick monster of a building where many laborers wove sheeting for over 100 years. I couldn't imagine the working conditions that place must have had, back before modern electricity! Jobs such as that have been off-shored for decades in the USA. So I wonder if that's part of the problem.

My maternal grandmother was a professional seamstress in factories in Minnesota and Wisconsin from the 1920's through the 2nd world war, and she developed arthritis of her hand joints in her 60's which put an end to her wonderful crafting. She taught me so much.

I'm just reminiscing like an oldie which I am not ashamed to admit I am....

I did a new search and it does appear they are going to close all stores eventually. My MIL is quote the skilled artist and sewing quilting os one of those that's why I knew about some
Stores. She makes amazing pieces of art. She does.get.most.of her fabric there or through a local exchange.
Hobby Lobby definitely has the next largest supply option on our region. But if you do a fair amount of sewing and willing to trade, i would encourage you to check CL and FB marketplace. My MILs church has a quilting and swap group.

My cousin works for Joann’s in Erie (and her mom, in her 90s, still works at one in Idaho). They saw this coming when taken over - apparently this was the plan all along. But it is a loss. I went last weekend to get fabric for my known projects. There is no way to buy online - you have to feel the fabric. But also, there was sooooo much cheap fleece compared to nicer fabrics - not the mix I remember from a few years ago.

So many of my favorite stores are gone. I still miss Borders books.

I hate the Five Below and Dollar Trees that are moving in to the empty storefronts. Blech.

I can't shop at Hobby Lobby, but I do think Michael's has some fabric. Also, there's Spoonflower online. They're really cool - you can even easily design your own fabric and use others' designs.

I can't shop at Hobby Lobby

Ditto.

Another textile enthusiast recommending WAWAK for notions.

(Hobby Lobby has taken such public political positions in the US that recommending it -or not recommending it- nudges the limits of SI’s "no politics" guideline.)

I have enjoyed buying vintage fabric and textile supplies on eBay. I also recommend designing fabric for special projects at Spoonflower. I’m old enough to remember fabric for under a dollar a yard, so $17 a yard felt like a lot - but when you can make 8 items per yard of unique fabric, then hmmm.