I, too, had sticker shock when I was in JoAnn's. The bolt that I picked up, if I am not mistaken was 14.99. This was a very nice material, a blend, but it certainly was not worth the price. Remember, that is a piece of material 36x44. I heard the other day at my LQS that there is no material made in the US. I think we ought to do something about that.

My last trip to Jo-Anns taught me what a gem my LQS is. I am totally spoiled. Today's trip to the LQS: 5 yds "Harvest Roosters" by Debbie Mumm from the sale table $3.25 per yd; 2 yds Northcott fabric $6.75 per yd; and 1 yd RJR solid orange $4.39 per yd. The Northcott & the RJR were not on sale. Yep I am spoiled because I also get great advice.

If you are anywhere near Lancaster, PA or planning a trip to that area I will share my gem of a LQS with you...just PM me.

I may be an exception, but there's an awesome quilt shop in my little town and the closest Hobby Lobby is 45 minutes away - Jo'ann's is an hour. We do have a nice Wal-mart in town with a good fabric department. Their prices have gone up as well.

Depends on the purpose of my quilt - small ones with short-term use get the best fabric I can get for the cheapest price. (The nap quilts I made my grandsons to take to pre-school didn't need expensive fabric.) Special gifts get the best I can afford - usually from the quilt shop - hopefully off the sale shelf! :)

I went to a local (25 miles away) JoAnn the other day and the place is being "redone" The new fabric section seems to be in place and there is definitely much less offering in a much smaller spot. The rest of the store is full of everything from soup to nuts!!!!!!!I think the new ownership has something to do with this upheavel!!!! I am sure the LQS are seeing a bit more traffic......l

Nice to know I am not the only one with a wicked ex DIL. I would rather keep silent then bad mouth their Mom in front of them. I think they know how she is though. It's sad, but true.

I do get a kick out of the clerks saying how much we "saved".......lol

No its corporate trying to impress the new owners and cutting back the hours of the employes

For several months now especially last summer people were posting here on the board about the price of cotton going up. I don't get to my LQS very often because I work and one of the 2 days they have evening hours I have another commitment, so that leaves one week night, and Saturday that I can go. A couple of months ago I was in the quilt shop and they had fabric for 11.99 and 12.99 and last month when I was at JoAnn's there was a bolt for 12.99, it was one of the premium lines (heavier and better quality).
When cotton prices go up they go up for everyone. At least at JoAnn's you can use a coupon for fabric and notions; and at my LQS they will do some sales with a percent off usually not more than 20%. I expect the next time you do get to the LQS you will see comparable increases.
And at the JoAnn's I go to they ask what I'm working on (even sometimes the check out clerk), and if I ask for help they will try to help, and they do seem to know something about sewing even the younger women working there.

I like that I have the choice to got to both stores. I like that if I want to go on a weeknight I can go to JoAnn's which is farther away from me. I love that JoAnn's offers coupons, and often has quilting items for 50% off with no coupon needed.
And most of all we in the USA aren't paying what quilters in other countries are paying! Since joining this board I have read various times what others pay per meter. I won't even complain about $15 / yard knowing what they have to pay-that was before the cotton increase. Of course no one likes it when a price goes up, but we still have it better than quilters in any other country.

fantastic job on your quilt, very nicely done.

I don't have a JoAnn's to go to. I buy from my LQS or online and am always happy with what I get. I love the green fabric you bought! I would have bought that same fabric myself. Am I the only one who loves all their member of their family? I love my DIL and SIL. Sometimes my kids will say something negative about their spouse, but I tell them not to tell me anything bad about them because I will always take my kids' side and there is always two sides to the story. I see how wonderful my DIL and SIL are and appreciate them. They treat me so well, partially because I treat them so well. They are now my family, too.

My complaint at Jo-Ann's is that they typically do not get full bolts of quilting fabric (for the moderately priced fabric). They usually get a max of 8 yards on a bolt. Well if you are making a queen or king size quilt and want 1 backing fabric you typically cannot not get it in one piece. A full bolt of quilting fabric 44-45" wide is typically 15 - 16 yards.