There seems to be so many disappointing stories about Joanns, I thought I would post my experience of todays' excursion.

My GF and I went to Joanns for various items this afternoon, and both came away happy. All my GF wanted was a new blade for her rotary cutter. This store is all newly renovated, and we couldn't find the blades. We found the staff working today very helpful...pointed us right to the aisle we needed.

I was purchasing a large amount of fabric for pillow cases. (Hmmm..wonder what ppl are getting for C'mas this year?!?!!? SSSHHHH...don't tell!!! ;)) Extremely friendly cutter, and apologizing to the ppl behind me for not having another person to help her cut. One of the pieces she was cutting for me was near the end of the bolt. I only wanted 1 1/2 yds.....she tossed the whole works on my pile and says "oh here...just take it". There was almost 3 yds!!!! I find that this is more common than not with this particular Joanns. One of their employees is an elderly gentleman. He is so meticulous in his measuring and always makes sure the cut is straight, not distorting any pattern that might be involved, etc. AND he is very quick about it!!! He always makes every customer feel like they are the most special person in the store.

So...there is my happy story. Now I have LOTS of fabric to wash and get made into pillow cases!!! I think I have about 17 or 18 to do!!

Patti

I love reading these happy stories :D:D:D
Thank you for sharing with us!

that's great! ...OK, I bite: What is everyone getting for Christmas? (giggle)

Which method are you using for the pillow cases?

I love making pillowcases, but I don't wash my fabric first. Am I missing a benefit?

Thanks for sharing a very positive experience.

my joanns is pretty good too. I've figured out that it's the manager I don't care for. But I hardly ever have a problem that needs resolving by him. The staff is usually able to handle anything I need. (Oh dear, that's not a sign of a good manager is it? I think I may have just paid him a compliment!)

Amma....I am known for looking for, and finding, the silver lining in almost any situation. When I find such a pleasant experience as today, I do enjoy sharing with my friends.

Madquilter....I have several pillow case patterns, but have not made any yet, so I can't really answer your question. Do you have suggestions?

MommaDorian....I have been pre-washing fabric for 50+ years, so mostly it is habit. If there is going to be any shrinkage, I want it before I put my time into making something and then be disappointed if it shrinks later. A lot of these fabrics are bright, so I also will toss in a colour catcher with each of the colour groups.

Patti

My sister (long time sewer) told me and I have read to always wash material first to remove any chemicals from production. It will dull the needles if you don't. Also, as Pzazz said, all the shrinkage is done before sewing, so the final product doesn't shrink out of size. The exception is rag quilt material. That should be washed after to get the best 'fuzz'.

Of all the stores that i go to on a regular basis, Hobby Lobby, Michaels and Joanns, Joanns is by far my most favorite, they always seem helpful and polite and seem to like their jobs. They have always been good with the coupons when i go, making sure they scan my address, so i am not taken off the mailing list etc.

Pzaazz- there is a fab tutorial on making pillowcases at Missouri Star Quilt Company's website. I'm going to make some too!! :D

I recently went to a new to me Joann's and the ladies that helped me were so nice!!! The other one I have been to is exactly the opposite. Funny isn't it? So we know which one I will be going to from now on!!

Thanks for sharing a good story about Joanns. I know ours is usually nice and helpful.

My GF and I went to a new Joanns that just opened about 40 miles from our house (the closest available right now). We had our 40% coupons (good on one non-sale item) plus our TVQA cards which are supposed to give up 10% off the entire purchase. None of the cashiers had heard of the 10% off deal but a manager verified it and told them what to do. Well it was packed, the computers were a nightmare and as we were walking to our car, we were looking over our receipts and found we didn't receive the 10% discount after all. We went back in and the manager was most gracious about fixing our problem (even with the store being absolutely a madhouse) and even gave us a better discount for the trouble! Naturally we were thrilled and will be heading back there as often as we can! Kudos for the manager for being patient and cooperative. (Of course we both spent in excess of $100 but I don't really think that was the reason.)

The associates at the cutting table had to be really frazzled but were as nice as could be. I am sure they all went home and collapsed.

It is so nice to find that people still have good manners, patience and are conscientitious.

And the best part of all, a Joanns will be opening only 25 miles from us in October!!!

I had a great cutter the other day too. She was cutting several pieces for me and at first, I was concerned about getting 35 inches instead of 36 and I politely asked her to measure a cut piece she did because I thought it was a little too short. She did and it was short. I was very reluctant to ask her, but I had a lot to have cut and I didn't want to be shorted on each piece, especially since I was making bags with some of the fabric and I needed the whole 36". Well, she was nice about it and cut me a new piece at 37", throwing in the 35" piece for 50% off if I wanted it. Then, when we got to the last bolt, she said it was not on sale and I did not have my coupon that day, so she said that she would just give me the 3 yards I wanted at 50% off as well because the bolt was in the wrong section and I didn't know it was not on sale. I walked out of there a happy lady.

I love sweet salespeople! Had a Joann's girl recently take me back from the register to show me something on clearance - I was able to put back a lot of what she had already rung up to get what she showed me, and it saved me a lot of $$ too!

Yeah, happy stories. Now this is more like it. Alot more enjoyable reading.

One of my teachers recently showed the 15-minute case and I have not tried it. When I do, I post pics.

I would give anything to have a Joanns close! The closest one (or any other crafty stores, for that mattter) is almost 3 hours away.

I'd even take long lines, and uninformed employees!

So nice to hear a great story!

I too have a good JoAnn's near me. The employees are always helpful and courteous. They do have a bad day every now and again, but don't we all. I am so glad to hear there are others who have good things to say about JoAnn's. I have heard so many negative things, it is nice to hear some positive. I was beginning to think I was the only one who had a good store. Thank you for this thread.

It is nice to hear some good stories. I knew there was still good service out there somewhere. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing your story.

I love our local Joanns and within a 35 mile radius i have3 others. i am blessed. as for the pillowcases, i like the burrito method. there are no exposed seams and they turn out beautiful. i found the pattern online. i like the cases with the contrasting band and trim.

Here is the pattern I use:

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millio...ses/index.html

there are very few joann's on long island but the one in westbury is pretty good...i go in too often and the girls recognize me and say hi. the one lady at the cutting table seems a little tired at times but i think it's more just retail which i totally understand. I've heard they are a hard company to work for....but she tries to make sure to cut the pattern correctly...sometimes i have to point out stains but she'll cut it off for me and start fresh. better then other joann's i've been in. But then that's retail and some stores are better...

I went to Joanns yesterday too & had a good experience. Was getting about 10 cuts of 1/4 to 1 yard & on 2 it was the end of the bolt & she asked it I just wanted what was let. Of course I did & she said "It's 50% off when you take the end of the bolt". Woo hoo! :-P

well ma by the people that work for Joanns are reading our mail and figured out they better be nice. i wish the joanns in Dover Delaware had a bathroom and some of our girls back, you go there and now you are lucky if they look at you. think they are afraid you might ask them a question.

I've always had good experiences at JoAnns. Once the day after Christmas I went for a sale that ended at 10 their time and I told the cashier that it was 9 Mississippi time and they gave me the discounted price. A new Joanns is in my daughter's home town and I'm going at Thanksgiving....I like their fat quarters

I love Joann's policy about giving you the end of the bolt (if it's under a yard) for 50% off the sale price!! I find myself looking for bolts that have a little more than a yard and asking for an amount that leaves a yard or less. Do you know that you can count the folds on a bolt to get an estimate of the yardage? Every 2 folds is a yard. Makes sense since the bolts look like about 9 inches in width.

Bet you're talking about the new one in Hamilton Place, huh? I'm going to be there about three times a week for a while, I know (g)..

Glad you had happy experience at JoAnn's. Yesterday must have been a day when a lot of folks got the word that they were fortunate to have customers in their stores. My daughter and I took stuff to Goodwill, two of the nicest young men met us at the door and helped us unload. Then we had to make a stop at Office Depot. Very helpful young lady closed her register and helped us find the item we were needing and as we were leaving thanked us for shopping in their store. Perhaps the customer is becoming important.

Glad to hear. I have to drive an hour to the JoAnn's closest to my house. I go to one in the Atlanta area, one on the way to Atlanta in Mitylene, Alabama, and one in Puyallup, Wa and have never had a problem.

What a wonderful story! I, also like my Joanne Store. I can't do a lot of walking, so when entering the store, if I am looking for a particular item, I ask the checkout clerk where it is. I'm always given the exact spot and if there is a clerk nearby, they take me right where I want to be. In addition, if I am purchasing fabric and it's the end of the bolt, I get any extra if it is less than a yard free or if more, the whole piece at half price.
A yard of elastic is always 38 inches.

Great shopping.

Perhaps someone else just had a bad day altogether when they went to their Joanne Store.

i have two joann's and that sounds like the way they used to be. oh the good old days!

Jo Ann's store in our town has always been great for
shopping. Have you used the Overall Quilter site for
making your pillowcases? Its Video 14 and has hidden
seams. I made two sets to go with quilts that I'm
giving for Christmas gifts this year. Betty Lee

I had a similar experience at Hancock Fabrics yesterday. I was buying supplies to make a quilted bag and I couldn't find anything on the shelf. Well the manager was right there and she asked if she could help me. I told her what I wanted and she said they just got a shipment in and then she went in the back and brought out the boxes and opened them and found the items I wanted. She was so nice and pleasant and happy to help me. I will definitely go back soon.

So wonderful to hear positive stories!

I'll make a point of looking for and stopping at a "Joann's" store on my trip south!

I always go to Joanns. Never had a bad day there. The staff has always been helpful and when I took my mat back because it smelled, the manager gave me and extra 10% off even after I had used my 40% coupon buying it.

I am just learning to sew on a machine and I made quite a few pillowcases using this tutorial by Missouri Star Quilt Co. on YouTube. It was so fun and very easy!!

I've had some fabrics shrink over two inches in width.