nygal

I forgot all about Hobby Lobby. A few months ago a store opened about 20 minutes from my house and I do shop there for fabrics but not as often as I go to Joanns. The quality at HL is very good. I have to say that I love using coupons. I am not poverty sticken by any means but I still like saving money when I shop if easily possible. And to print out a few coupons to use at Joanns or Hobby Lobby is easy to do!

teddysmom

When they only put certain fabrics on sale, they know you will probably need something else (not on sale) to coordinate with the "on sale" items. Marketing strategic #1.

leighway

Our JoAnns is mixing much better quality amongst the schlock and pricing it accordingly. It's interesting to see, but I won't buy it when I can support my LQS for fabric at the same price. If I want the luxury of an LQS, I have to be responsible for keeping them in business.

grann of 6

They have to get you back in the store somehow. If you did everything in one trip, you wouldn't be back next week to get the other stuff you need. They'll do all they can to keep you coming back.

calicojoan

Hummm... I will have to check them out again. I pretty much wrote them off awhile back, when you could almost see thru 2 layers of fabrics. The quality got pretty horrible for awhile. I am a fabric dyer, and have always used JoAnn's sateen solids for that. This last batch that I got there the quality was such poor, that I have not done any dying since. The fabric weave was much looser and you could see it on the selveges. The way they market those blasted coupons, where you can't use them because they put things on sale for a small discount irritates me, so I have kept myself away from them as much as I can.

We are fortunate enough to that a great quilt shop that offers all fabrics at $9 a yard, they have beautiful quilt shop quality fabrics. I can't say I have seen sub-standard fabrics there as of yet. So that's where my $$$$ go. We also have a new Wal Mart with a beautiful fabric department. The prices for good fabric is not all that low, but they have a lot of really nice fabrics. The old store a few miles away has all junk. Have to wonder why such a big difference in quality??

Toni C

Leighway you are right If you don't shop at your LQS it can not stay in business. I'll be the first to say that I can't afford high prices and only buy on sale. I don't really have a LQS close, the one that was closed only a year after I discovered it. With gas prices I'm not going to drive far in hopes of finding something 'special' or browse. I miss the patterns, the ideas, THE GADGETS (I'm a gadget girl I confess) the thread selection,along with the wonderful fabric.But since thats all the LQS sell they have to make money or close their doors

damaquilts

I have found that most places that carry fabric have good and bad mixed in. They can only order what is available and most chain stores don't even order their own fabrics, a central office does.One has to know the hand of fabrics to find good ones now. I have found good fabrics at Walmart and Joann's but not much since I can't see paying the same price as going to the bigger fabric store here, Fabric Hut, Love that place and don't get to it as often as I would like. I have found myself getting more things online since the prices are cheaper and some the shipping is free. And like others with gas prices I can't afford to run all over the place looking. The place were I got my machine serviced is now carrying fabrics and surprisingly I found Moda solids, good quality,cheaper than even Joann's and they are closer . so if I need solids I will go there. I have also found gadgets at Tuesday Morning. Way cheaper than in the stores or online. but it is on the way home from the library so not out of my way at all. I stop there at least once a month.

coopah

The Joanne's quality here isn't generally better than the LQShops. Except I was given a very thin white on white at one of the LQS to be used in a class project. I should have quietly replaced it, but didn't. Next time I'll ask to see the fabrics before signing up for a class. But overall, the feel of the LQS fabric has a much better hand or feel.

Mgrubbs

Yes, Joanns put some items on sale but you cannot use coupons on those items UNLESS coupon says all sale items included!! Why? Some Joanns say ok. I also like Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart, just have to be careful selecting.
I think managers go by their own rules not Joanns in general! Any replies?-----

Steady Stiching

Joanns better fabric is priced higher than my LQS's. Heck, their batiks are 13.00 a yard.
But most of the fabric at my Joanns is cheap, thin and made in China. I try to strike a balance in my purchases and buy the cheaper stuff for things that aren't important.
What I really wish is that I didn't have to play the darn coupon game...you know the one where they charge 40% more for everything in their store and then have you constantly having to search for coupons. But what riles me the most is the fact that their employees are so underpaid and overworked. My Joann's is seriously understaffed.