kay45

I want to see what you are going to make with the 17 different colors.....:)

patdesign

I always let my sense of touch do the talking to me, and I will be outright devastated when my local walmart closes its fabric dept. It will happen, as soon as the store updates its decor. :-(

SueKitten1

Debbieumphriss, I love you cat getting down!!

Marvlin

I think you are right. Walmart used to buy such a large quantity they got better buys because the more you order the cheaper it is. I think Joann's fabrics for the most part are pretty good quality, but I have been well pleased with the fabrics from both stores. I like Joann's best because they carry a much larger stock than Walmart does. I do think our Walmart is probably going ahead and close the fabric section in all of their stores locally. Of course I have to drive 45 miles to the nearest Joann's shop so I have to be ready to spend a lot of time every time I go.

AliceQ

I agree wholeheartedly with this sentiment. Sadly, I've seen it happen in this area,too. I hate giving WM any of my money, BUT when folks can find the products they need for so much less (allowing them to keep the bills paid at the end of the month) what do you expect them to do? If I had to shop only in the independent stores (whatever it may be) I would have to just stay at home. As far as fabric goes, if I had to shop at a LQS that just opened nearby, I would be putting my sewing machine away. I can't afford $80 to $100 for fabric for a grandchild's quilt. My grands deserve it, but I can't afford it.
I really don't believe customer service is a big part of why a shop closes. Good service, of course, is wonderful and worth paying for, to a point. Face it, I think for most of us, it just comes down to money.

patdesign

Alice I'm with you, in todays tight times and on fixed income, I just wouldn't be able to sew at all if I couldn't use Walmart and coupons at JoAnns. I understand about businesses closing, but eventually it will swing back the other way because the big box stores will not have anything to differentiate themselves, in the meantime it hurts the smaller retailer with limited buying power. I ran a retail business for over 25 years, and finally stopped selling product and sold my expertise which was being given away for nothing before. The big stores cannot compete with that, and for those who must price shop and I count myself among them, then we must settle for what the big guys want to offer. SAD! :-( :-(

OHSue

According to twinkie (note above yours) they are buying WM fabric to sell at the LQS near her. We have 6 LQS in town here and everything I see seems to be better than the WM, but Joann does have some quality fabric.

As for the FQ bundle, I don't think those are packaged by Joann fabric, but purchased already in the bundle.

ozarkmama

Can't say that about all LQS. We have a large wholesale fabric house in our driving area, our quilt shops go there to buy fabric they sell for $9-$10 per yard, we can drive down there and buy the same fabric for $3.95. Sure they have to go pick it up, but we carpool and have a blast. I have always been careful about what I buy at WalMart or JoAnne, they both have good and bad fabric. Just gotta look good at the fabrics. Most of their fat quarters that are bundled so carefully are really poor quality so I shop carefully for those. One of our LQS has a "fat-quarter Friday" once a month that is great also.

baglady65

I found out many years ago that fabric company make alot of different grades of fabric that how Joanns and WM sell them for cheaper. I really have a hard time buying from the if I'm going to make a quilt to last into the next generation by using them and all the time it take to make a quilt too!
I used Joann fabric on a quilt for my Daughter for her wedding a 2 color log cabin it was 120x120 a big one and with in a few years it all balled up on the top and the seams were coming apart. I did the washing of it and know I did a good job doing that. It made me sick as they loved that quilt!

fmd36

One of the 3 Joanne's I ususally go to looks like they are clearing out all stores and warehouse...the difference is remarkable...sort of like a dumping ground...just can't tell what you will find when you go in. It is not well kept , the help is less than helpful and seems to carry mostly low end fabric. Rarely go there unless I am in that city.