Hi, guys

I used to sew a lot (even did it for a living before cancer hit) but haven't done a lot recently for a variety of reasons. That said, I haven't paid much attention to sales for quilting & fabric related stuff in the past.

I have a question for all of you on the board. Everyone and his dog has either a black Friday sale or cyber Monday sale with regards to electronics and other "toys".

My question is this: do the online fabric or quilting stores as well as places like JoAnn's, Hancock Fabric & other similar stores (we have access to Michaels, but it's 90 miles from me, so I don't get there often and we don't have AC Moore at all) have a similar sale? Do they have specials at this time that is worth planning ahead for and trying to save $$ now for the sales?

I'll be looking for a serger around the first of the year or later and got to thinking that perhaps someone would have a "killer" sale on them around December such as black Friday. Or do places selling machines only have killer sales when new models come out?

In general, what time of year have you seen the best sales, not counting remodeling, moving or grand opening events? This is with regards to batting, fabric, machines, and other quilting "toys". :P

TIA and have a great week quilting,
M&M

I'm 47 years old and I NEVER went to a BLACK FRIDAY sale until ... this year! I thought "those" people were crazy to get up and go stand in line for a sale. Let me tell you, "those" people are fun and friendly if you are standng in line a Joanns! I got FANTASTIC prices on their snuggle flannel; I was making some baby blankets at the time. They handed out $10 gift cards to the first 100 people in the store and it was a fun time had by all!

They did have sales on machines and other "big ticket" items like the crafting tables, etc.


As for a serger - I purchased my Brother serger from Amazon - free shipping around $200.

Brubakers Sewing Center often has sales, I think they would also be likely to have some kind of sale near Christmas. They are pretty big and I think they would have whatever you might want. I have purchased from them and am happy with the service.
http://www.brubakerssewing.com/

you can do either the store/building sales...be there at least an hour and TWO HOURS before the store opens is better!!! or you can do on line shopping......BUT.....you need a super fast computer as the merchants update fast and often and if you don't buy something when you see it.....it will be gone!! Be careful tho, it is very easy to over spend but the sale prices are always GOOD

jodi

Every year I set the alarm clock so I can get to JoAnn's for their Back Friday Sale , starts at 6 AM . For the last 5 years or so they have battings 50 percent off plus an addional 20 percent entire purchase . So I get up ...tuck my PJ 's into my pants , get the store , fill a cart with batting and back home in bed by 7 AM. I am so glad this past year I really stocked up as the price of cotton has made my purchase that much more and battings I paid less than 8.00 are now over $24.00. My Jo anns was giving out free fiskar sissors and a gift card.

I have never gone to a Black Friday sale and have NO intentions of doing so. I'm on JoAnn's mailing list, so use my coupons, or search online for fabrics on sale, but I really prefer "feeling" the fabrics. The closest JoAnn's is 100 miles so I don't get there very often.

My youngest DD and DH have always made it a tradition. Thanksgiving dinner, turkey coma, up at 4am to be on the road by 5 for all the Black Friday sales....me...I stay in bed and meet them around 10 for a cup of tea/coffee and some shopping. Joanns had the Accuquilt for $199 and that is the cheapest I have ever seen it. I am still thinking that I should have gotten it, but ah well. I do know some of the larger Joanns do have specials on the machines at this time.

Sometimes you have to ask where the special deals are located in the store. They'll have the super cheap sale items on a special display in the aisle, not necessarily in the department where you would expect it. My DSIL got a cheap-o sewing machine for my nieces at Walmart's Black Friday sale.

Joann's does a black friday sale.

You can sign up online for the sales ads from Michaels, JoAnns & Hobby Lobby. This will provide coupons and sometimes the prices are so good during the year it isn't worth the Black Friday hassle for me. The AccuQuilt Go has been $199 recently. I have been watching it. I wondered why it came down so low. Now there is a machine that cuts fabric at the push of a button rather than turning the handle. Maybe they had to reprice since the newer technology is available. I don't know, just guessing. Black Friday ads can be obtained early by checking out the black friday website.

I purchased my sewing machine, Janome 6600P, during a Christmas in July sale. I have never seen a package deal as good as I received. Christmas in July sales are worth checking out.

I'm glad to see this topic! :D Couple months ago my Sis and I were getting fabrics cut at Joanns and I was standing there counting on my fingers :roll: Sis asked me what I was doing and I told her counting how long it will be till Black Friday. It dawned on me that we would be able to go this year because neither one of us is working now. We have never been to a BF sale before because we have always had to work that day. I can't wait! I'm saving a certain amount of money every week for this. I should have around $300.00. This will be a first for me and who knows maybe the last :lol: I can't wait!!!!

Ohhhhhhhh black friday sale sounds fun to me! When does it usually happen? What time of year?

Garage sales are your friend. I got a Pfaff serger for $40 and I don't even know what et al means.

Yes, that makes 6 machines and 2 treadles I have now, and DH knows about 5 machines and 1 of the treadles so far.

If you have sewing macine dealers in your area, check their trade ins. Many people trade in their machines often. The dealer goes through them an makes sure they work well. You can get a lot more machine for your money.

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving...at least from the retailers point of view. It is supposed to be the day that the stores have made enough to run in the black financially. Not sure that is the case anymore with the economy as it is, but...

I you have quilt shows with SM vendors in your area,there are usually very good bargains at the vendors shop during that week and the following week.

Accuquilt is $199.00 at Amazon right now, so if your still looking.

As for Black Friday, I have never gone out for one, ever, but my grown up kids love to shop that day. I just tell them what to look for, for me : )

Amythyst - Thanks for the heads up.

The only Black Friday sale I hit is Joann's. They have all quilting and sewing notions on sale at 50% off (they have for the past several years, anyhow), plus there's a coupon for an extra 20% off. I buy what I need for the year in needles, rulers, basting spray, buttons, zippers, velcro, pins, etc. at a significant savings. They will also sometimes has a loss leader item like a serger or machine, but maybe only one or two per store, if that. I try to stay away from the cutting counter on that day --- some of those ladies can be brutal about getting in line to have 1 yard of each of the bolts in their three cartfuls cut.

Brutal is probably right. I have never been to a Black Friday at Joanns but I did go to the grand opening of one about 60 miles from me. The line was nice and friendly, but a person could easily have gotten trampled in the mad dash to get the gift card and be the first one in the door.

The Joann's nearest me has tiny aisles, too, especially in the fabric section. I don't remember how many times we got pinned in (no pun intended) because people came down the aisle and were going to prove two buggies could fit side by side. Ain't gonna happen!

We had to take a number to get fabric cut. I think we were like 78 or so on that. So you get a number, putz around and hope they call your number before you decide the hassle isn't worth it. Or, in my case, the a/c really isn't cool enough. I have zero heat tolerance, so if it gets too hot, I get really sick and that isn't pretty.

I guess armor is called for! :lol: I like the idea of getting the "good" batting on sale, but I don't know if I want to fight to get fabric. Then again, I may send Mom to look for the fabric (our tastes are similar for the most part) and I'll go shanghai the batting on a roll!

BTW, someone said they didn't know what "et al" means. It means "and others"; I didn't know if there was a better sale to watch for based on your past experiences. Like the Christmas in July mentioned earlier.

Mom and I are planning to hit the BF sale at Joanns, but I have no intention of sleeping in the parking lot just to get a good space in line. I'm hoping most of the people will be heading for Sams (next door) or Best Buy. Last year, Best Buy had people lining up for the BF sales before midnight on T'giving. Sorry, but there isn't anything I want from Best buy that much.

Thanks for the info and the heads up.
Have a great day!
M&M

Most years it's not too bad. One sticks out in my mind, though. I stopped on my way to work because they had a Rowenta iron for a great price. I batik caught my eye, so I glanced over to the cutting counter...no one there...whew!! i grabbed the batik and was walking up the the cutting counter when this woman pushed a cartful of flannel (she had two carts) toward the counter that hit me and nearly knocked me over. I was picking up my purse and items off the floor, and this woman got to the counter first. The clerk asked if she minded if she cut mine since I only had the one fabric. I added that I was also on my way to work and didn't want to be late. Her response was "well...you shoulda got her earlier". She was very rude, and intimidated the poor clerk. I resisted the urge to say anything, but secretly wished her permanent, unsolvable tension troubles!!

The trip is worth it for the notions. And, yes...the batting. It really is about the best price they have on those items all year. Good luck to you and your mother this year!