My closest Jo-Ann's is an hour away, and it is a Jo-Ann, Etc and I love it. They have a huge selection of fabric, including home dec. and lots of quilting cottons. They still have patterns at mine. All of the other sections of the store are much expanded from a regular Jo-Ann's. The scrapbooking and jewelry making sections are really nice. I think you will be happy with a Jo-Ann Etc near you.

Recently our Wal*marts here in Vancouver have been selling off all their fabric and should be finished with their fabric departments by October.... sigh. I use the flannel for the backing of baby quilts and it is within my pension budget. Oh well, I have enough for quite awhile so I will just have to be satisfied with the odd trip across the border to Joann's. I really wish I could order online from them, but they won't ship across the border.

bebe-When JoAnn's closed their stores in Visalia and Fresno and opened up a SuperStore, they do have a much much larger store, but not as much fabric as they used to. I used to find at least 1 fabric that I had to have, now it's practically a miracle if I find something I have to have. And I won't shop at Wal Mart.

Dear Bebe,
Oh wow. you are getting a double wammy.

I have been to a Joann's super store. I am handicaped. They do not provide the scooters that Walmart has. I saw the material part. There were a lot more choices, Very expensive fabrics. I had to really watch where I picked. I asked for a fleece and they cut the three yards that was a price of 75 dollars ! I told them I thought the fleece was the same as the other I had choses at 5.00/ yard, a sale - right beside the outragious priced bolt. They said no problem, took it back. I did not complain, I just said I could not buy the 75 dollar fleece.

Oh boy.. things to come. So sorry about your smaller Joanns and of course, we are all (?) feeling sad about Walmarts decision.

Ellen

Walmart

I don't think I am hording. I am buying one yard of this and that each visit. Wow ! I am stocking up and need one of you that organize to help!! Husband just rolls eyes !!!

Ellen

I live in the city and have a choice of 2 Joann ETC. One has a much better fabric section than the other (of course its the one farther from my home!! but close to work..oh for the 1 hr workday and 8 hr lunch!!) They seem to have tons of other craft stuff. The selection of fabric you might use for clothing seems to be smaller, there's lots of fleece, patterns, sewing machiines, classes home dec stuff. Sign up for their "preferred customer" list online..they occassionally send 40-50% off coupons :D :D makes that $75 worth of fleece not quite so bad.

Wally world still has fabric, but they say its going to go. I have a hard time getting any service there, although I do get fabric there once in a while. I hate going there due to traffic, and really, really, really crappy service (the last time I left melted ice cream on one of the many unattended checkout belts after 35 minutes in line.) There are never more than 5 of the 25 or more checkouts open.

I really miss the old Hancock Fabrics that used to be just down the street, the nearest one is about 90 miles away now. Many LQS, but pricey, still I go because the service and classes are great!! Online shops are great (I had an amazingly good experience with Aunt Bea's the other week), but I'm a touchy feely kind of fabric shopper 8) 8) Online shopping seems to take away some of the thrill!! What's a fabriholic to do????

The WalMarts near me close the fabric sections with no sales or markdowns at all. Currently, the store in town has taken the cutting tables and all fabric out, but left ribbon that is supposed to be sold by the yard. Notions and a few sewing machines will be staying, I guess.

There are 3 WalMarts near (within 10 miles) of where I live. The SuperStores have all shut down their fabrics. The one that is teeny-tiny is the only one that still carries material.

Go figure!

WHY WOULD WALMART HAVE MARTHA STEWART FABRIC, SHE PRACTICALLY OWNS K MART??

When I lived in Massachusetts, there was a Super JoAnn's about 12 minutes away from my house. Now I live in Oklahoma and the nearest one is in Tulsa 128 miles!! I really missed it for sometime until I got used to the fact that we have several quilt shops pretty close by.

Anne