Where do you buy fabric these days?

[fernweh]

The JoAnns near me has a terrible selection. They haven’t announced that they are going out of business but with as bare as the shelves in all departments are I wouldn’t be surprised.

We have a Michaels with a small fabric selection so I will check there as well but other than that where do you buy it? Is there someplace online that has a good selection?

[mysteriouswife]

Joann’s is going out. They announced last week they filed bankruptcy. They are putting all purchasing on hold.

Hobby lobby has a fabric department. I don’t shop there and have zero plans to start.

As for where I get my pieces I shop at a local art supply store that is very similar to a Goodwill or other thrift store. They get a great selection of donations from estates, local artist, and production designers.

[stemmie]

Joann is in trouble from what I gather.

Mine has mostly entry level quilting stock, novelty prints and so much fleece. It's like a vicious circle-- they don't have nicer things, so people don't buy fashion fabric, so they bring in more of the crap they do sell.

I'm outside of Philly-- I shop in person at Fabric Row/4th Street for fashion, special occasion and home dec as well as notions. It's not as extensive or inexpensive as it once was, but I can typically find what I need. For basic clothing fabrics like denim, shirting and knits I go to Nick of Time Textiles in Bethlehem; they're a showroom with limited hours M-F and have a website as well. Their prices are very good for the quality they sell. They also have the weirdest restroom of all time. It has a sunken tub and sewing machines in it. Fabric Mart in Sinking Spring near Lancaster is on my list of places to try; they also have a website.

For high end and specialty items, you can't beat Mood's website; I'm told their store is Mecca for sewing. Fabric Guru has some nice home dec stuff. I often buy notions and such from Wawak; they have all manner of things at excellent prices with fast shipping and excellent customer service.

[mala]

Fuck Hobby Lobby.

I go to spoonflower a lot these days.

Otherwise, I have a semi-local fabric store that has been in business for-fucking-ever that I will make the hike too when I need to treat myself. Indi fabric design and sellers (usually preoder, sadly). For vinyl My Punk Broidery or More Me Know are my top two, but there are lots more I love if you need that. knitfabrics.com for knits & rib.

[redheadk]

What kind of fabric do you buy?

When I used to make outfits for dd from wovens, I mainly shopped at a local quilting shop. I also was in a fb group that did bulk pre-orders.

For specialty fabrics, I shop at fabric stores in Houston since I live in the ‘burbs.

Fabric is very expensive these days.

[redheadk]

Also, Etsy. Add “yardage” to your search.

[fernweh]

Mar 15, 2024 13:22:13 GMT -5 mala said:

Fuck Hobby Lobby.

I go to spoonflower a lot these days.

Otherwise, I have a semi-local fabric store that has been in business for-fucking-ever that I will make the hike too when I need to treat myself. Indi fabric design and sellers (usually preoder, sadly). For vinyl My Punk Broidery or More Me Know are my top two, but there are lots more I love if you need that. knitfabrics.com for knits & rib.

Ugh. My mom suggested Hobby Lobby and I basically said the same thing, I’d rather go fabric-less than step foot in that store.

Also thank you because for some reason it didn’t even cross my mind to check for local small business fabric stores. I’m not familiar with them because I’m generally not a seamstress (note I was going to say sewer but that seemed very wrong lol). I found one near by so that is going to be my first stop.

[fernweh]

Mar 15, 2024 13:35:17 GMT -5 redheadk said:

What kind of fabric do you buy?

When I used to make outfits for dd from wovens, I mainly shopped at a local quilting shop. I also was in a fb group that did bulk pre-orders.

For specialty fabrics, I shop at fabric stores in Houston since I live in the ‘burbs.

Fabric is very expensive these days.

I don’t generally sew, so I rarely buy it. I’m looking for a cotton print - is it called calico? I think that’s what my mom calls it.

[Susie]

Mar 15, 2024 13:41:21 GMT -5 fernweh said:

Mar 15, 2024 13:35:17 GMT -5 redheadk said:

What kind of fabric do you buy?

When I used to make outfits for dd from wovens, I mainly shopped at a local quilting shop. I also was in a fb group that did bulk pre-orders.

For specialty fabrics, I shop at fabric stores in Houston since I live in the ‘burbs.

Fabric is very expensive these days.

I don’t generally sew, so I rarely buy it. I’m looking for a cotton print - is it called calico? I think that’s what my mom calls it.

For this kind of fabric, there's a small quilting shop near me that I go to.  

I'm bummed though to be losing Joann's for other kinds of fabrics, e.g, decor, etc.  So many times that I've bought fabric online for kids' halloween costumes, etc., I had to buy way more than I wanted due to minimums, and way more than I'd have had to buy at Joann's.  I also like to see fabrics in person for home decor projects.

[mommyatty]

Online I like the Fat Quarter Shop for cotton. But I mostly quilt, so I’m good with just cotton fabric. Brick and mortar, we have a local quilt shop I love. I understand Joann may not close but just restructure. Since I’m also solidly in the “will never sew or craft again if it means I have to go in Hobby Lobby”, I’ll depend on local quilt shops more if Joann closes. They just have fewer options, so I tend to default to Joann’s instead.

[mrspez07]

fernweh
You can use the word sewist” if you want

I’m mostly a quilter so for me it’s primarily local quilt stores. Unfortunately they don’t carry home decor or specialty fabrics unless they’re more unique.
Definitely search for local fabric, craft stores. It’s a bummer that there will be a gap in the in-person market for supplies for things like Halloween costumes or pillow covers with the loss of Joann. Maybe it’ll be filled by local shops again or someone like Michael’s will expand into it a bit.

[strawberry]

Missouri star quilt company online. Google for coupon codes and you will likely find 25% off a full purchase. They have a huge selection and great daily deals.

I also love the selection at fat quarter's shop online but it’s a bit more expensive without having that great 25% off coupon that is available at MSQ.

[stemmie]

I like sewist. I don't feel qualified to identify as a seamstress as I don't generally do it professionally to support myself.

Calico is usually a printed medium weight cotton-- basically quilting cotton-- that isn't as fine as broadcloth or lawn. If you're looking for an all-over floral, sometimes this is referred to as a ditsy print.

I've never ordered from Spoonflower. I love their designs, but a had some of their yard goods fade badly with washing.

[rubytue]

mala , do share? Since we are semi-local

I’m still mostly using Joann’s. We have a huge one here and I haven’t had trouble find fabric, staff levels and lines.. that’s another story. 

[mala]

Mar 16, 2024 14:28:01 GMT -5 rubytue said:

mala , do share? Since we are semi-local

I’m still mostly using Joann’s. We have a huge one here and I haven’t had trouble find fabric, staff levels and lines.. that’s another story. 

gstreetfabrics.com/ g street fabrics in rockville!

Also theres a sew vac (https://www.sewfair.com/) in ellicott city with a repair service that I've used and 10/10 reccomend, but they sell 99% quilting cottons. Selection is great if youre a quilter.

Edit: i also have a love/hate relationship with the comubia joanns

[rubytue]

mala, thanks! I haven’t been to g street in years. Thanks for the reminder of its existence. And I did take my sewing mach8nes to that sew and vac last fall and they purr now.

Which reminds me, I have two projects for someone, that I should get up and do.