First of all, try not to be overwhelmed when you first walk in the store. You must get a "ticket" on which your purchase will be recorded before you begin having fabric cut. The store clerks are vey helpful and once you "learn" the system, it is very easy. My friends and I often go through looking for what we might want, then go eat lunch and come back and do most of the actual shopping. You will want to have a budget in mind or it will be so easy to spend too much !! Quilting fabrics are all in the same area and novelty fabrics are arranged by themes and others by colors (for solids, batiks, etc.) You will not believe all the fabrics you'll find in each novelty area (we always say that if you're looking for some thing specific and you can't find it at Mary Jo's, it probably doesn't exist). There's also a good variety of upholstery and clothing fabrics. There is a store that sells thread on large spools at good prices nearby -- the lady who gives out the tickets can tell you how to get there.