Okay so I have to eat CROW, I never thought I would see Wal-Mart bring back the Fabric Department at one of our Wal-Marts here. I was shocked when we went into Wally to get the grandkids their school supplies (that mom can't find in UT) and there it was a sewing machine sitting on a shelf. I walked over and had to ask the 2 gentlemen standing there if I was seeing things or was it truly going to be a sewing department AGAIN. YES the manager replied: I stated they never should of gotten rid of it,and he agreed. Too many woman boycotted Wal-Mart with their decision (the emails/letters were over whelming he stated to bring back the department). He stated Wal-Mart made a big boo boo by trying to lure the men into shop for Electronics and competing with the big box items (men come in and buy their electronics and don't shop, women do !LOL) and getting rid of the Fabric Department. (all this time I am standing there talking to the managers, DH walked away but not out of hearing distance..LOL he said he didn't want to be embarassed if they weren't going to put back in the department and I would get upset!LOL).
So now I am going to be able to get my material from Jo-Ann's with their coupons (which is stated to open in November) & be able to buy whatever I feel like material/notions/etc wise at Wal-Mart (which the department will be open in a couple of weeks!). This will make many of the seniors happy who used to buy their fabric from Wal-Mart that was in their price range!

We also have a new FD at our Walmart. Very nice.

Did not lose our FD but it is better now and will be getting it back in other walmart at are closing and I pass (had to make trip to the one walmart and that was all did in that town now can go different direction and hit Hobby Lobby, New Joann opening in september and new walmart in one trip

What's the quality of fabric at Wal-Mart and Jo-Ann's? Adequate? Good? Better? Best?

it ranges from adequate, good, better, wouldn't say best. lol

Only down side it that the prices of fabric is going up. Yes, I know cotton prices have to, but they have raised the stuff they have on the shelves of current stores that never lost their fabric....... It's about a buck more expensive a yard overall. Yes, most of my fabric stash is Wal-Mart stuff, but have been slowly buying LQS fabric on clearance which is same price or cheaper than Wal-Mart or Jo-anns, but mostly a better quality.

wooohooooo

I agree .. Wal-Mart's fabric isn't the greatest but it suffices. And with the price of all the cotton materials going up at the LQS, well a girl has to shop where the pennies can be pinched !LOL Just watch the fabric and decide for yourself. Get a yard of each from Jo-Ann's, LQS and Wally.Wash it then sew with it and decide for yourself. I have differing opinions as sometimes Wally can get in some good fabric and just the opposite at Jo-Ann's or LQS.

Our WM never lost the fabric dept and have upgraded to include more collections so it isn't so hard to find fabrics that belong. But, I also noticed that the button rack has been replaced and there are not as many to choose from. My mother uses a lot of the quarter inch white fish eye buttons on her hand made baby clothes and those buttons can no longer be found there. We would special order them by the gross from the fabric dept. there and I was told we wouldn't be able to do that if it wasn't stocked. Now what to do??

Cessews is, Right on! Just have to watch what you buy, use conpons, and got for it, that is half of the fun.