When I am buying online I find that if I enlarge the picture of the fabric I get a truer idea of the colors. Then I more that picture over and open the next and put them side by side. That way I can make sure they match.

I hope all Joann's close. I call them Junk Shops. The one in my town you can hardly get through the isles for all the junk. Hancocks is almost the same except their isles are wider. Both have cheaper grade fabrics too. I don't like chain stores for fabric much prefer a LQS.

Daisy I heard they are going to open a JoAnn Super Store in Sugarland. I'm in Tomball so I'm not sure how far you are from Richmond but there is a wonderful QS there.

That's what we were told also ... ANY place new & larger will be a GREAT improvement, the current strore is so small & outdated. Super nice Mgr & staff there too, they are the only reason I still go there ! :)

I really like the Richmond shop too. We also have Quilters Emporium (in Stafford on 59) and Little Stitches at the Township in Missouri City. Both are really nice shops & great staff
Quilters Emporium was just featured in the BHG Quilt Sampler Top 10 Shops - if you haven't seen it yet :)

You have a point on LQS, they are great for classes and specifice needs for quilters. The prices just aren't affordable for alot of quilters, so the larger stores are helpful. I make alot of quilts for Linus Project and couldn't afford to do many if only bought fabric at LQS.

I will have to look them up on the net, still an hour trip each way but would be worth it for two shops and other errands. Thanks TexasGurl!

Oh, I so agree, I really can't picture material on the computer in
things I want to make, I have to feel it, move it around see if
something else goes with it. The fabric shops are hurting and it
is sad. My dream was to always have my own fabric shop.
Two have closed in area and it really saddens me. Our Walmart
too has downsized their fabric area, when word got out that they were getting rid of material, the community was in an panic and
wrote to the corporate office. So, we still have it but it is limited.

We have one JoAnns left in our area. Used to have four. The store remaining is very new, bright and attractive but it seems they are moving further and further away from sewing and more into crafts. Never bought much quilt fabric there anyway because we have good quilt shops close by with a great assortment of quality fabric. It was good for home dec though and still has a good amount of that.

The same is true here. Even Joann's is about an hour away. Our Wal Mart does not carry fabric. Our local quilt shop closed. Good thing I have a stash to work from.