the WalMart here also has phased out the fabric section.
I mostly go to the several LQS, Hobby Lobby or order on line (since I have trouble getting around)
All depends on what I need, for what type of project.


Hey MollieSue - where in sw MI??

Walmart is cheaper but I never buy quilting fabric there. Its not as soft, less threads per inch .. and I only buy the high end fabric at Jo Annes. I am poor dont get me wrong but quilting takes a lot of your time and its better for me to invest in good fabric as I hope my projects stay around for a very long time.

Ha, you guys are lucky, I live in Canada and the fabric there is $14-$22 dollars a metre, (39" to a metre) regular price.
You can get cheaper fabric that is a second run from the big fabirc companies (IE Hoffman) at "Fabricland" but the cotton itself is not as good

I have found in general that its much nicer to sew with the better quality cotton . Althoug it does depend to some extent what you are making wether you want to spend 80-120 dollars on the fabric for a quilt.

Interesting discussion!

i agree with several others, our walmart did phase out fabric in Michigan, also, only one here in Florida in my area has fabric. I find that knowing good fabric by feel is important,not only in quilting fabrics, but also when looking for ready made clothes. Price is not the only thing to consider, many less expensive pieces of clothing also are good quality.....as well as those costing an arm and a let can be of poor workmanship and quality.

Thanks for mentioning Fields Fabics, it is near me, and I love that store.... :)

The Wallmarts in my area have all discontinued their fabric dept. Joannes and Hancock carry some decent/nice fabric at reasonable prices. I often shop at the LQS to help make sure she stays in business, b/c so many have had to close b/c of the chain stores. The LQS have a lot to offer in workshops and personal services. So, it's worth spending the extra $$ if you can afford it. I recently took a workshop from my guild and the instructor suggested that b/c of the way fabric is milled today in the US and elseware...all quilting fabric should be prewashed to avoid surprises eg. fading and shrinking. I've begun doing that. I dry in the dryer to "almost" dry and then press before using.

Walmart is cheaper....but then so is the fabric. I usually buy Walmart fabric to back my quilts.

Walmart WAS cheaper ... but none of ours here (suburban SW Houston) have fabrics anymore, just a few fat quarters & odd bundles ...

JoAnn's USED to be a place I shopped for fabrics, but I go there very little now, usually just with coupons, to get thread, a new quilting book or maybe a new gadget.
JoAnn's fabrics have risen a LOT in price - but NOT much in quality, IMHO

Our LQS offer better quality fabrics and selection, for not much more $ than Joann's - and at sales I do even better :)

I have my fav Online shops too, I've never had a bad experience :)

What's you favorite online shop? I have looked at several but haven't order any fabric.

I buy fabric I like, at a price I can afford, wherever I can get it.
I am trying to make sure my fabrics are a good to better quality than I first purchased for my beginning stuff.
The other day I actually bought some fabric, (Ro Gregg) at my LQS (200 miles away) that I paid $9.00 a yd. for. I have never paid that much for fabric unless making Home Decor stuff.
Gosh it's pretty and the quality is great.