I do not give Hobby Lobby my money - no need to go into details so I prefer Joann's. We are losing the LQS here and I do hope they come back. There are different levels of Joann's though - one is the superstore which is bigger and more open. Then the middle of the road and one is like a remnants store - it appears to be where all the old unsold fabric ends up if it didn't sell.
I do not believe there are separate levels of fabrics - I have read a review by a couple designers that said it was not true because it would damage their reputations. They are proud of their products and want the quality to be good whenever and wherever you buy it. It may not be this years's designs but the quality should be the same. Not to say some places may find a knock off and the brand closely resembles a top name - this happens in the the clothing industry all the time.