Hancock's Fabrics ...
 

Has anyone else noticed that the fabrics at their local Hancock's has gone downhill. I was there last week (big sale) and their cottons looked and felt more like homespun than a good quality soft cotton. The finishes on most of them were dull and hard and the weave was not tight. I also notice that their "batiks" were printed instead of dyed through. Is it my imagination or are they not carrying as many good quality fabrics?

The Hancocks stores in Western Oregon closed several years ago but at that time I felt the quality was not as good as they had previously carried.

I stopped going to our Hancock's (for fabric) months ago after getting some really poor quality fabric on two occasions. I still buy notions there but won't even consider their fabric.

assessment of quality is often subjective.

i think it's fair to say that the "quality" of nearly all lines of fabric has changed radically in the past few years.

it may be that Hancock's is doing their best to provide the best fabrics their buyers can find within the price ranges they know their customers expect. (that's a guess on my part, but seems a logical possibility.)

Was just in a Hancock's yesterday and the fabrics seemed okay to me. At least the ones I touched and the remnant I bought. But then again, I quilt for my own pleasure and as long as fabric doesn't disintegrate in my hands, or bleed dye all over the place, then it works for me.

I was in Fabricland last week, checking out their 50% off quilting fabric. I found that they put the price up to $22/M and then took 50% off, also their Steam-a-seam2 (narrow) was priced at $12.99/M and I can buy it at my LQS regular price $7.99.

Our local hancocks is alright, like everything you got to check the quality of the fabric. I have noticed hancocks doesn't seem to have as much items in the store it seems.

Our local Hancocks last year moved to a new location. Now it is so bright and greatly improved. They added a lot of other items (most of which I am not interested in, but that is OK). The clerks are nice, friendly and helpful. I buy a lot from them and can usually find what I need.

Just like everywhere all the shops and box stores are carrying all sorts- the quality, the not so quality, the high price and the low price - so you have the more expensive fabrics all the way down to a more budget conscience type fabric.. its everywhere...

The Hancocks that I used to go to (Champaign, IL) was very good, but the one closest to me now (I'm near St. Louis, MO) is really not so good. I feel bad for the employees, as the store just has a dirty, tired air when you walk in.

A Hancock employee told me that since Hancock changed ownership they have no say about what is sold at the shop and they can't even change the quantity ordered. They are frustrated because they had a huge amount of quilters for customers and now can't order the amounts they know they need for them. The inventory is computerized and when the amount of an item get's below the pre-set minimum, that item automatically goes on the order at the pre-set amount. It's very frustrating to the employees at the shop most who are very good at serving us. They have very few blender fabrics and often run out of high demand items that quilters use. Not ever enough batting unless you get in there the day the order comes in. I needed 3yds of 108" wide white muslim for the backing of a quilt awhile ago and I went to the shop 3 wks in a row and they had the same 1.3 yds on the roll. I expressed my frustration to the guy waiting on me and he at first said the same thing I'd been hearing, "it should be in on the next order". When I said it's been 3 wks he checked the inventory in the computer and it was incorrect...it said 8yds and apparently that wasn't low enough to trigger an order to be sent.

As for the quality, they don't carry as much good fabric as before but I still find some there, it's just not often the color or pattern I'm looking for. I find myself looking for trusted brands at my LQS, Hobby Lobby(Northcott) and online shops more and more.

Our Hancock's has mostly unimpressive quilt fabric in the last few years. They have a huge fleece section, year-round and glittery "belly-dancer" fabric. Very little clothing construction fabric and cheap furniture.... I only go for the patterns/notion sales....And almost the entire staff are the grumpiest folks on the planet....

There are several Hancock's in my area and I check them out occasionally.
My complaint is the variety and range is so limited. They seem to have less than they used to.
Sometimes the quality is good, but it has never been up to the specialty fabric stores also in the area.
Just depends on what I can afford.
The quilt shops in the area do not carry calicos so I end up going to Hancock's for those.
Batiks and funky fabrics abound but sometimes I don't want that.
What also worries me is everything is ALWAYS on sale. Why? It means they don't have enough buyers/business needs to be drummed up and they might be going away completely!

I find a mixture of nice quality and poor quality in Hancocks. Same for JoAnn's. I have to inspect and feel any prints I am interested in and often a really cool print goes back on the shelf because it doesn't feel right.

You do have to check the fabric carefully. I agree there is WAY too much fleece.

I've seen this very same thing done at a JoAnnes store in the past yr.

I get my fabric at Handcocks OF PADUCAH, which is nothing like Hancocks the chain stores, there is only ONE Handcocks of Paducah and their fabric is great, high quality!! Any one who comes to the quilt show in Paducah and has shopped at our Paducah, Hancocks of Paducah, will know what I mean, great fabrics great service, and have yet to meet one grump working there! Not related to the chain stores at all!!

I agree, the fabric at my local Hancocks has gone way down hill the last couple of years. I used to think Hancocks was better than Hobby Lobby, but now Hobby Lobby is in second place to my local quilt shop. I use the quilt shop whenever I can.

I have not been to a Hancock store in almost 2 years. First the service was horrible, then the fabrics were worse than the service. AND that was a hard thing for them to accomplish.

I placed one on line order to Hancocks, based on reputation alone, and was bitterly disappointed. I couldn't return it because it was on sale. The colors bled so badly that the fabric was almost unrecognizable after I washed it in warm water (100 degrees F.) and small amount of vinegar. I don't dare use this in anything permanent because it won't stop bleeding. So now all of it is in my "practice fabric" bin. Pretty expensive practice fabric considering I could pick up loads of cheap stuff at the local thrift shops! I've never bought from them again.

I was there last week and bought some good kona solids on sale , however I bought a print to back a quilt I am making for my DGD when I got home I noticed how bad the weave was. The print is so perfect for the top that I will use it anyway, however I will be careful to look closer next time I buy from them.

I always go to the Tidewater Hancock Fabrics store in Va Beach when I am there....so no I haven't noticed. Here in Lynchburg, there is only a Joann's and most of the time the fabric there is the ugliest stuff I've ever seen. I can only wish there was a Hancock Fabrics up here! I do have the option of 3 LQS here though so that helps.

I went to a Hancocks years ago and was cheated a lot. I haven't been around any of their stores again. They only get one chance to cheat me. I now have all the fabrics I need to last several life times and don't plan on buying anymore from anyone.

What pattern is your avatar? It really looks nice. Would love to see a larger one.

I haven't been to Hancocks lately but the last couple of times I was, I also was disappointed in the quality of the cottons. It seems to have made a decline about the time our store was remodeled to be more of an all-inclusive "craft store". Was sad to see this happen.

ihardly go to hannocks anymore in my area the women that work there dont seem helpful

All our Joann's Hobby Lobby and others here are not the greatest

Most of the Hancocks around here closed years ago, there may be a few still in Houston but the last time I was in one - maybe a year ago ? there wasn't one fabric I even wanted to buy. The store was an awful mess too, no surprise, either ... sad

I am fortunate to have 2 Hancock's stores near me--a half hour in either direction. I purchased one piece of fabric last week that is stiff. I have washed it and it is still stiff, but I will use it anyway to finish a quilt that I am making to give away. The design is pretty and it will work out nicely in the design I have planned. I mostly shop at Hancock's as I can't really afford the quilt shops anymore.

I bought some nice quilt fabrics at Hancock Fabrics last weekend. They were having the novelty prints on sale, so I got some for the charity quilts I make.
The cheaper fabrics aren't anything I'd bring home, not even for charity quilts; I want them to have good quality fabrics so they last.

I have found that the selection and quality of the fabric varies from store to store. You just have to check it out and touch, fondle and pet each piece.

I'll take Hancock's any day over Jo Ann's. I agree that now a days you need to check the quality no matter where you go. I think Hancocks gives better customer service. The Hancocks on Lindbergh and Big Bend in St. Louis is pretty good, so khurtdvm you might try that store

I agree, the one I did go to has really gone down hill. I find I am shopping on-line more and more.

I find the Hancocks around here (there are 3) are a really mixed bag. Some nice quality quilt fabrics & some lessor stuff. You have to check and feel carefully. I do find they always seem to have an outstanding selection of fleece - must be a Seattle thing.

[QUOTE=beatys9;509335I do find they always seem to have an outstanding selection of fleece - must be a Seattle thing.[/QUOTE]

Nope, not just a Seattle thing! LOL Our local Hancocks usually has at least 2 large tables of fleece. thin to very thick...and here(MS), it is already 80 plus degree. Also, our store is at least 1/2 full of decorative items like furniture and lamps. They even have a display of "As Seen on TV" items!! Most of the rest is Notions except the quilting notions section is slim and doesn't seem to get restocked as often as other areas. Unfortunately, we only have choices of Hancocks, Hobby Lobby and now Joanne's. Customer service is spotty...some ladies are very knowledgeable and helpful and a couple of others are not so helpful. Most of the sales staff have been with them forever.

I work at a HF in Woodbury, MN and would like to comment on a few things but first just to put it out there - I am a huge supporter of the lqs and always purchase something from them when I visit one. I would not hesitate to direct a customer to a few nearby if we don't stock the item that the customer needs.

As far as fabric vs. quality vs. prices I truly feel that Hancock has a superior grade of cotton (overall) for the price. They do also carry two fabric lines that are of lqs quality. I personally do not feel at our store there are too many low quality fabrics.

Batiks - looked at them just today. The batiks that they sell are truly batiks. There are some other fabrics with a "wild-type" print that is stocked in the same area. They do not say "batik" on the end of the bolt and they are printed fabric.

Blender prints - as I too want more blenders, I have seen more come in the past few weeks. It is mostly stocked with the absolutely cottons and their are some M'liss blenders.

Returns - HF has a fabulous return policy. The person who's return was rejectred should call the district manager. HF has changed policies in the past year and really amped up their customer service. There should be no room for complaints as far as customer service is concerned. It's not allowed.

I feel we all shop at where we are most comfortable and for some of us - what we can afford.