Absolutely for me it is. I will pay more for something to support the local business in the market than to a chain. And, now that I am doing a little better financially, that is my preference. I just bought a new freezer. I didn't price them anywhere but the local hardware store. Paid off for me because he threw in a furnace filter that we asked about and he started carrying for us.

My LQS knows I check with her first and then I go else where if she doesn't have it. If I want them to stay in business I have to use them and I do.

I will completely admit I am a snob about a lot of things. I will pay more for made in USA and locally grown than I will for other stuff but THAT is my opinion and is something I can afford right now. That may change in the future

I shop at Joann's and found out yesterday their remnants, anything under a yard, are on sale for 70% off. One gal knew and the other didn't, but it pops up in the machine. I used their coupons, email coupons and a phone coupon and got all my fabric on sale.

I have bought good fabric and lousy fabric at Joann's and at LQS's too.

I go to Joanns when sales are going on and some of the material that does have a good feel and weight I will purchase. The main complaint I have about the store is the restrooms, they are a disgusting. I have gone in 2 different ones. The last one I went in was remodeled and very confusing, I will have to get the lay of the land. But the restroom did not have soap or paper towels and plumbing on sinks (one side) did not work, they put in metal partitions between the commodes instead of curtains, but the commodes are old and cracked. What is up with this? I know Joanns make plenty of money why don't they spend it on decent restrooms. I travel over an hour to get to the stores, so when I get there I do need to use the facilities. Wonder if this is the same throughout country.

Like a previous poster, my problem with JoAnn's is not the fabric - it's the employees. The store is a mess and I often have to search for someone to cut fabric. But then I guess the bigger problem is the management. I don't mind buying fabric at WalMart either but I do get tired of listening to the clerks talking about how horrible the store is. Love my LQS - they have great fabric which I don't purchase very often because of the expense, but it is a light, bright, friendly place where I can generally get help with a quilting problem.

I was at my home away from home, the Joanns in Indy(my home is the Joanns in Bloomington) and met the best clerk!!! I was just there to get my 60 degree triangle and left with $100 of fabric only because I had an appointment. I am debating about returning Fri. I never buy without sale and/or coupons. I an equal opportunity fabric addict. I do flea markets, garage sales, Goodwill, Value World, DAV, thrift stores, rummage sales. My life is an adventure and fabric is my goal. I was on vacation on Pawleys Island and my 1st purchase was fabric. My friend walked in and was in shock as we had driven from IN to buy fabric. I never met a fabric I didn't like.

I went to joann's today armed with 5 50% off coupons and couldn't use any of them because the scissors and thread were already on sale. Because of my huge stash, i didn't even look at the fabric.

you can use the discount on sale items...IF... The coupon discount is better than the sale discount. I wanted a new pair of thread snips that were on sale for 30%off. I had a 50% coupon, so I took the snips at 50% off the regular price. The manager had to clear the sale, but worth asking. I also did this at Hobby Lobby.

I think big block shops like Joann's did get a bad rap in the beginning, but times have changed. I usually shop at my LQS, but do get some fabric at Joann type of shops. Joann's carries the Moda solids which are top quality. They also have some Denise Schmidt and Alexander Henry on occasion. You can't beat their 50% off notion sales. Like you said, you choose the best you can. I agree with the comment about Bonnie Hunter as well. Go to Goodwill and get some cotton shirts. They make great strip quilts.

I find this discussion interesting too. Don't forget who the employees are who work in these big box stores: probably your neighbors. I get that they are not owned locally, but they do provide a lot of jobs for folks in our community. We need to think about supporting the United States globally. (and maybe one day the world when we are all at peace)

I buy all of my fabric .... wherever fabric is sold! :)