I want to visit Bellingham Wa. in the near future and go to Joanns to check out the fabric there as I've heard so much about many of you purchasing from there. Can you elaborate on the quality of the fabric for me. Is it close to LQS type quality or inferior to that? I have no idea as I've never been there before. Does it hold up very well in quilts that are being used frequently?

I have bought a lot of fabric from Joann's, I never have had a problem.
They do have some really "cheap" stuff, but you can avoid that! :wink:

I have found wonderful fabrics at Joann's, I look it over like I do when in a LQS or at a garage sale. Some you come across is wonderful and some not so much, no matter where you shop :wink: :D:D:D

Be sure and check the local papers for sale ad coupons before you go :D:D:D

Joann's is a good place to shop. Their fabric quality various, so be careful and selective when choose your fabric and do not settle for less. They carry Kona cotton, and other quality cottons. I really like their Symphony brand of cotton blends. Make sure you sign up for their coupons and advertisements. Their 40% and 50% and their 10% and 20% of total purchase coupons make your purchases more affordable. There is some sub-par fabric that is almost like cheesecloth, so again, be careful and selective. I love our Joann's here, we have a nice one compared to others plus is is big. Books, ruler, Gingher scissors, mats, rotary cutters, buttons, and craft supplies are at most of the Joann's that I have visited. Enjoy and take your time. Many have coupons you can use as you enter the store, at least our's does.

This is only MY OPINION... I do not like the quality of their quilting calico cottons, usually displayed on one wall and I believe sell for $4 and change per yard. You will easily spot it. When I first started quilting I did not know any better and my first and second quilt was 100% JA calico fabrics(goes by the store name Keepsake and in no way related to Keepsake quilting). I found the fabric to fade a lot more then fabric I bought later from LQS. In places it became threadbare with basically no wear and tear on the quilt (in a guest room that is used infrequently) and many of the lighter colors you can basically read a book through it. Oh and a few darker colors bled and continue to bleed. Unfortunately at the time of construction I did not know about Retayne.

I find their other quilting cottons way over priced. Higher than LQS prices but I do not find it to be the same quality of LQS fabric in feel so I have always passed on it and never bought it. For example I have seen batiks in JA at $12+ per yard that are not as nice as the batiks in my LQS which are priced at $8 to $10 PY. South Seas Imports brand I have seen priced at JA at $11 PY in my LQS at $8.

However, JA is a good place for notions and batting provided you have a 40 or 50% off coupon. JMHO.

I shop at Joanns fairly often. While I'm no expert, my experience is that some of their fabric is really good and some is not. I look at the contents on the bolt before I buy it and I also try to determine if the thread count is OK. (I can't always figure that out) I also look to see where the fabric comes from. If it comes from Japan or Korea it seems to be good quality. The stuff from China, sometimes not so much. I've gotten to a point that I won't buy their fat quarters at all.

I share your opinion, when I look at a fabric at Joann's for $10.00 a yard, I will spend that at my LQS instead.

I agree completely.

I did buy from Jo Anns but feel even their better quality fabrics have gone down hill. One that I do fel is somwhat better than others is the Legacy Studio fabrics. I will buy it if the price is right. Normally it is $8.98 and up but on sale it is fairly priced. The batiks they carry have gone way out of sight for the price of it. They have fabric that is normally priced at $14.95 which I think is way out of line. See that the Kona solids they carry have gone up $1.00 per yard. I too found the Keepsake cottons they have is less than desirable for quality. I have gotten used to the LQS fabric for a nice quaility but can't always afford it. Like so many things we have been buying, lesser quality, more money and that is sad. If quality went up I think most people wouldn't feel so badly.

I buy most of my notions at JA. Personally, and it's all preference, I don't care for their quality of fabric. I'd rather pay the same price to get better quality fabric online, or at my LQS.

But, that being said, I still hand over quite a bit of money to JA via batting, rulers etc.

So far JA is the only place I have bought fabric. Our LQS literally has 30 to 50 bolts of fabric and that is it! Aside from wal-mart it is our only option until I can find another within driving distance.

Amen. And keep the small business in business.

I have found it to be very inferior. In fact I never even go to Joann's anymore and it's only 4 mi. to the nearest one. I much prefer driving 25 mi to nearest LQS and getting there superior products. JMHO!

You can sign up to receive Joanns coupons via email or mail.

Joanns is similar to Fabricland (if that helps you).

i agree you have to look at quality anywhere you shop not all fabrics are made equal

I shop JA , Hancocks & LQS. For fabric you have to be careful, where-ever you buy it. I have purchased fabric from LQS that shrank horribly.

Recent comment from LQS owner, for a class I was using a piece of fabric I purchased from JA with her fabric. She liked it and commented on nice quality. It was not the $3.99 yd stuff.

Use coupons.

Also alittle hint, if you are looking for notions, they are very scattered in the stores here. Some with quilting stuff, some in notions, some where ever.

I have purchased almost all of my notions (cutting boards, gingher scissors, Olfa products,etc) from Joann Fabrics. I also buy my batting (warm & Natural)by the bolt from them. They are FANTASTIC when you buy from them when they are on sale or with a coupon.

So for those items I really love Joann Fabrics.

When it comes to their fabric.....not so much. I will echo that I think a lot of their fabrics fade terribly, even after the first wash.

My other opinion is that if you have a LQS you should try to patronize them as much as you can. They are a local business and I feel the money I save from getting discounted notions and batting, I can apply towards thread, fabric, and other items from my LQS.

In a way the savings I get from Joann Fabric, allows me to spend more money at my LQS, and keep them in business.

Just my opinion. If I had an endless supply of money I would purchase everything locally. But I don't so I need to save where I can and spend smartly.

I agree with you on this. I'm finding myself ordering more fabric online and just using JA as a "supplies" store.

just pay attention to what you are looking at...feel it...if it feels rough-yukky-don't buy it...if it is nice...well
have fun shopping...
some of their fabrics are worse than what walmart used to carry (at a huge mark up) some of their fabrics aren't so bad...and it does depend on the location...some of the stores (specialize) in more home dec and fashion fabrics, while others have a larger quilting department

when I buy fabric to make quilts for my beds or for a gift for my close family members I buy from LQS - the quality of the fabric is very noticeable also want to support small business owners. I also find their fabric is thicker. When I am making place mats, pillows, baby quilts or lap quilts I buy Joann's fabric for cost savings.

I totally agree with this quote!

Yup, couldn't have said it better. Also, I have noticed that even though all the flannels are the same 'brand' (can't remember what it is), the quality of the flannels is not the same.

only word I have for JoAnn fabric quality is "mixed". Hand test to be sure it is what you want.

Reguardless of what some people say about JoAnns fabrics. I have been using it for years and have never had a problem with any of it. It isn't Quilt store quality but again, I'm not paying Quilt store prices either, and what Quilt store offers coupons???

I just made two quilts from Joanns fabric. It was not nearly as nice as LQS fabric. OTOH, these were both project that I was not emotionally invested into and were charity type things so I didnt really care. For my own and for things I care about, I would not use their fabric from the wall and the other is overpriced IMHO.

I rarely go to JoAnns anymore. For thread if I need some. I think the quality of fabric has really gone downhill. I made quilts from there when I first started about 18 years ago and they were very nice. These days the fabric is just too cheap for the money they want and I wouldn't trust it to last. Also they don't look like they're dyed well anymore. I get much better quality on the internet sites. When I find a fabric I want I search & search till I find it at the best price I can possibly get. Well worth it for better fabric!

I guess I'm spoiled. I love our small town quilt store. I would rather buy quilting matrial from them than JoAnns but I do buy tshirt material from JoAnns.

You can do better on line at places like Thousands of bolts or Fabric.com , both carry high quality at very reasonable prices.
I use Jo Anns for supplies like batting , thread etc. and then only on sale or with a coupon the regular prices are no bargain, by US standards.

I agree. I do buy notions, books, batting, etc but not the fabric.

I mostly stick to their quilter's flannels which I put in chenille throws. Do not find their quality or feel quite up to LQS.

My fabric for my second quilt came from Joanns. I washed the quilt one time and it looked like I washed it 25 times. I have made and washed about 30 quilts after and have not had that problem with the fabric coming from LQS. I have not purchased the more expensive fabric from JA, for that price I will support my LQS.

We have a new Joanns that just opened last month and their fabric is AWFUL! The other one that I use has designer fabrics so they are fine. I was very disappointed in the quality of the new one. Why don't the y carry the same fabrics in all of them?

I am no expert on fabrics. For one thing I use all kinds of fabrics, clothing, discount, etc. I really thought the quality of the fabric was the manufacturer not the shop selling it. I go to a fabric discount shop where I buy most of my fabric. They never know what line they are going to get. Some of the fabrics are from the higher end designers and manufactureres some I've never heard of. Just have to go with the feel. Also in shopping the thrift stores for clothing I buy the designer 100% cotton items. I love the Ralph Lauren prints, a skirt can sometimes give you a lot of fabric. Saying this remember, this is my HOBBY, I am making quilts for family and friends, not for quilt shows or the quilt police or to be stored and brought out for display once every 50 years or so. But, I really do admire those of you do that kind of work. Keep it up to inspire the others like myself.

I don't buy much fabric from Joann's but love to buy supplies and notions, especially since we get coupons for 40 to 50% off in the Sunday paper. Their cheap stuff is just that, cheap. But they do have better quality if you shop carefully. You get what you pay for. I don't find that their quality is the same as my LQS.

I LOVE going to Joanns,

Just like any other place, they have wonderful stuff and they have junky stuff. I go more than once a week, and if i can't buy i PET the fabric.
Also it depends on the location and if it is a super store. I have been to many locations and some are really not good, lucky me (not to my Dear Husband), the one in my are is nice.
Since you are going for a visit from Canada, go online and search for printable joanns coupons and you can print a lot of 40% or 50% of their regular fabric (i get them in the mailings).
Hope that helps...enjoy your visit.

Faten

In fact I have 3 coupons today to use at Joann's...They have diff qualities so you just have to be selective when buying...But if you have a Superstore like we have they have aisles and aisles of diff fabrics and themes. So yes, buy at Joann's..I've seen the same fabric at my LQS for up to 3.00 more a yd.

I know some people have something against Debbie Mumm----but her fabric there is really good and often 50 per cent off with no coupon. It holds up really well of a large amount of washings like a child's quilt.

Make sure to get some coupons. Sometimes they have 50 percent off coupons!

I only buy from a quilt shop except fleece. Joann's fabric I have found to have a low thread count so it doesn't hold up to wear and tear. I am really irritated that Joann's has gone from a good fabric shop with lots of fabric variety to a craft store and only shop there for a specific item using my coupons.

I have used Joann's fabric for quilts that will be used by my grandkids for a couple of years and then changed out as their tastes change. But the quilts I made for my granddaughters as keepsakes were made with quilt shop quality fabrics. The same goes for some other quilts I made as gifts for friends.