This is the same problem that I have Management and sales people! They are very rude when asked a question. Either they are worked too hard or management trains them like that! I split my time in two different places luckly I have several Joanns to go to in the valley, but not up north only one! So I just try not to give them my business. Complain until I'm blue in the face! Nothing is ever done!

I think of it this way. When I was just learning to cook, I used that powdered Parmesan cheese from McCormick . As I got more experienced, I used better and better - and more expensive - Parmesan cheese. I can tell the difference. I'm willing to spend the money and I like it. Does the mean someone else shouldn't use the powdered stuff, or that its inedible? Of course not. Use what you want. It is just that there is better tasting, albeit higher priced, Parmesan cheese out there that will give you different results, that you can buy IF YOU WANT. Same with fabric. There are different grades and prices of fabrics. As you get more experienced, you can tell the difference, and you can decide what you want to use. And different projects may call for different quality of fabrics. But it helps to have the knowledge to make the decision. And certainly not using Joann coupons for things like rotary cutter blades or rulers or whatever is exactly the same at a quilt store seems silly, but please keep in mind - even all the fabric in Joann's is not th same quality!

I also shop at Joann's once in a while sometimes its simply a time thing or like when I lived in GA there just wasn't another fabric shop close to me. Joanns and Hobby lobby were it. I really disliked going into the Joanns there because the customer service was so horrible. The Joann's here is totally different. I am also on a very very limited income so sometimes that's it. I will say here in VA beach the one quilt shop really doesn't have the kind of fabrics I like using . And the help in there wasn't the best. I know people who love it. So I found Fabric Hut in Norfolk . Not too too far for me to go every few months since I have to save. I really wish I could pack it up and take it with me when I move. :)
I think the best thing to do with fabrics is learn how fabrics "feel" . Doing that has saved me money . I may like a print but will pass it up if it doesn't "feel" right. Since I have been sewing for more years than I care to think about it comes as second nature to me now.

I am really not sure how the self appointed, self-important quilt police came into being. I, for one, buy what I can, when I can. I shop at the LQS, Hancock's, JoAnn's, and even WalMart. I've even got good fabric from Goodwill. I won't buy fabric that's of really poor quality, but have bought some "mid-grade" if I was using a small bit and it was the perfect color. My advice to you would be, listen to your heart and wallet, not the QP. Their sleuthing skills and self-satisfied advice doesn't apply to us!!!

My gripe with Joanns is not being able to use coupons since Everything is on sale. Do use them for thread sometimes because of all the sale items.
Now I miss Joanns cause I live far away from the nearest one. Online is just not the same as seeing it all in person.

I buy the best fabric I can afford that fits my need. Sometimes that's from the quilt shop, sometimes it's from Joann's or Hancocks. I try not to be ruled by all the quilt police rules. There are enough rules you have to follow in life. Quilting should bring joy into your life not more stress.

I shop at Joann's all the time. My quilts get blue ribbons at county fairs. Also now have three "Best of Show" awards. I also exhibit at the more sophisticated quilt shows and I appreciate the critiques provided by the judges. At last year's county fair, I exhibited a whole cloth quilt made of inexpensive muslin (top and back) - it got Best of Show. Buy what you like and more importantly, what is affordable. Bottom line: Have fun with your quilting!!

Personally, I think people throw around the term "Quilt Police" without having any idea what the term means. Now that I have THAT out of the way, I couldn't agree more with Quiltmom04. She has hit the nail on the head.
When I first started quilting I jumped in with both feet. No simple quilts for me. My first quilt was a sampler. It had set in seams, applique, template cutting as well as rotary. It had stars, curves, triangles, diamonds, mitered corners, every imaginable technique. It was then painstakingly hand quilted. This quilt was years in the making. I poured my heart and soul into it and was proud of this quilt. It was made with fabrics from JoAnn's before I knew any better and any different. This quilt took a place of honor on my guest bed where it was gently used. Imagine my horror to see how dreadfully it faded after only a year. How the fabric became threadbare and worn with almost no use after only a handful of washings. My second quilt was a lonestar. Started before quilt one was entirely completed. Also all JoAnn's fabrics. This quilt also was years in the making with 100s of hours of handquilting devoted to it. It also faded horribly but at least the fabric is holding up a bit better. For those of us that don't churn out quilts a mile a minute, that make challenging quilts that take a long time and we hope to end up with an heirloom I will no longer make the mistake of using inferior products. I will also warn new quilters of my horrible experience and let them make their own decision.

Some may call me quilt police when I tell them this tale. I prefer the term "the voice of experience". I will shop JoAnn's for notions, interfacing, specialty fabrics (like ultra suede or Organza) tools and odds and ends but I will not buy their cotton quilting fabric and I quit buying batting there as well (again better deals and better quality can be found elsewhere). I am once bitten twice shy. However, I too, have acquired fabric at thrift stores, Goodwill, yard and estate sales. I am not adverse to using clothing in quilts (Lord knows I have made enough T-shirt quilts!) I am now experienced enough to know quality goods and trusted name brands from manufacturers who, for the most part, will stand behind their product.

Additionally I have found lots and lots of quality fabrics on line at a fraction of what JoAnne's charges without aggravation, without coupons, without using gas (many offer free shipping at a certain $ threshold) and without stress.

Beautifully stated :thumbup::thumbup:

First of all, I would like to say that yes, I do prefer Moda or RJB or whatever....It's really good fabric, but it costs $$$. At Joann's I can find really good fabric for much less money and in the colors and patterns I like. I have made some really pretty quilts with Joann's fabrics. I think many of the quilt police department members are trying to get us to support small businesses which is fine, but don't bad mouth Joann's or Hobby Lobby in doing so. I also really really like the coupons I get for each store. It is difficult to use them sometimes but I can always find something as I do other crafts as well as quilt. Don't pay any attention to others when they try to guilt you out.