I was in JoAnn's tonight to pick up some flannel for a quilt back and noticed that the width is no longer 45 inches, but is now 42 inches. Has anyone else noticed that??

No, thanks for sharing this information.

boy they are determined to take all the fun outta this for us!

Not surprised. Just like food, they charge the same price or more and give you less.

Most of the fabric I've purchased in the last couple of years is less than 45. Most of the time it's 40-42 or so. Sometimes even less usable fabric if the print on the selvedge is an inch wide.

I've found this true for all the brands I've bought, not just Joann's.

I agree. Unfortunately, most of the time I plan for only using about 40" of fabric.

I've also just planned on using 40-41" of the fabric for the last couple of years!!

I haven't seen 45" for quite a while now. I now count on 42 and lately it has been more like 41".

I just figure 40 inches that way I may or may not have extra.

The project I'm working on right now is a flannel quilt. It's made from quilt shop flannel. I'm doing a jelly roll race, making my own strips. I was amazed at the difference in the widths. That and the fact that some selvage prints take up so much room that could be used otherwise. It really doesn't matter for this quilt since it all really gets used and doesn't need to match up but it was an eye opener. Sad thing is, think of all the books and patterns we have that were written for 45 inch fabric. Good thing, I always overbuy for a project!

I agree completely. I plan on 40" of usable fabric for all of my planning purposes. I always over buy so I have boo boo room. And this goes for LQS fabrics as well - not just JoAnn's

not just flannels have changed- fabric widths can be anywhere from 30" wide up to 44" for (normal) wides are considered 54"-60" or the very wide 108"-120"
i have shopped in regular quilt shops who have fabric on the bolt that is only 32" wide- when i asked about it i was told- different manufacturers process different widths- it is always a good idea to check- and if a fabric is only 32" wide a fq is going to measure 16"x18"! so be prepared for that too.

I think it's called 'theft by stealth'. It also happens with goods you buy in the supermarket. The packaging stays the same, the price stays the same or is dearer, but there is less product by weight or volume. Very sneaky.

Soon we will be back to the days of 35-36" width...oh boy, I'm dating myself...

How sneaky. It is a shame you have to watch out for these kind of things.

Did you know that a lot of our favorite foods do this too. Yep, sometimes instead of going up on prices they change how much you get, same size box but if you look at the weight it is smaller. Sometimes the amount is not noticeable to us but a couples ounces per product saves them thousands of $$.

I personally think it is terrible to trick the consumer like that.

This has been going on for many years. I first noticed it when I was cutting pieces for a quilt and I didn't get enough across the width. A quick measure, and sure enough, it was only 40 inches wide. This was an "In the Beginning" quilt fabric purchased at a quilt shop while on a road trip. I called and had them send me more -luckily they still had some. I think that was at least 10 years ago.

I remember 36". :) My first job was in the fabric department.
Fabric width varies by manufacturer. I carry a retractable tape ruler and measure the bolt I'm interested in before figuring out how much I'll buy.

I plan on 40". It's been a long time since I've seen a WOF 45". Connecting threads has added VERY wide selvedges, but they made the fabric a bit wider to accommodate.

There has always been a difference in widths of fabric. It is nothing new with JoAnn's. For years it has ranged from 40" up to 45". So NOT new. Just be sure you watch and know the width and if it will work with your project.
I have seen a difference in width from same manufacturer and same line design of fabric. Just depends on where it is printed and where the base goods came from.

LOL :D

Actually, I have purchased flannel in the past that was not as wide as regular cotton fabrics.

YES! I noticed but after I already bought and cut the fabric and then I ended up short! I was not happy!

I was frustrated when I couldn't properly fit size large PJ shirt sleeves onto the folded flannel piece. It wasn't off by much and I was able to make it work thanks to 5/8" seam allowances and generous ease, but it was annoying!

At least with clothing patterns they give the yardage needed for different widths.

this is TRUE...been that way for a few years now!

and since flannel shrinks like crazy be sure to wash it BEFORE you go to cut it! Twice in hot water!

It has been along time since I purchased fabric that was a true 45 inch wide... Its not just a Jo Anns issue.
I remember when poly was intoduced and becoming the norm at the fabric store , the most distguishing way to determine fiber content at a glance was quilters cottons /calicos were 36 inch. The bolts were shorter than everything else and almost all fabric was wound on the bolt inside out . They had to flip the ends over the bolt to present the right side to the customer.