Ladies,
At guild meeting earlier this week, it was noted that WalMart is going to close out their fabric/notions at many of their stores. WM have not as yet disclosed which stores are affected. So, if you want your store to retain the fabric center, call 1-800-WALMART and tell them so. And then of course, spread the word.
It is our understand this section of the store will be replaced with "party supplies". ???? Like how many parties to support this change.
We are very rural here and our choices are WalMart or Joann's. The two quilt shops are 45 and 75 minutes away, so we need to keep WM for those quick needs. Suzanne

Thanks for the warning Suz. Like you WalMart and Joannes's are my only choises and Joannes is 45 mins. away so I depend on WalMart. I will call the number. Again thanks for the heads up

I work for Wal-Mart. We here have been told that the fabric department is NOT going away. If the department was closing, we would not still be getting in the massive amount of fabrics we are getting.

Seems to me I hear this rumor every other year. I hope it never comes true, but you never know. The best thing to do is just wait and see.

I would be lost without the Walmart fabric department. We lost a lot of the notions in our area and they were replaced by the scrapbooking.
I find some real gems in the dollar fabric. I have bought some extra wide fabric that is perfect for curtains and drapes. Lately I have scooped up some shirting fabric that will go into a future quilt. Lots of knits available, I have been thinking I coukd treat them like the directions on a t shirt quilt and make some nice quilts.
Any way I shop there and Joanns so I would be lost......if they close

Thanks for the info. I also live in an area that Wal-Mart is the only choice. To get to JoAnn's I have to drive an hour. I will call the number, wish they would bring back lay-a-way.

Debbie

Ladies,
If you call the number and talk directly with the person responding, a real person, not a "menu", she will read to you the announcement about closing the fabric departments in some of their stores and replacing it with "party supplies, etc". I think this will also include yarns and notions, as well. She cannot tell you which stores, she will makes notes on your message and forward it to headquarters. I feel certain this is more than a rumor.
The guild member was asked by a rep at our WalMart to make the call. This is how we learned about it.
When the 1-800-WALMART number is answered, you will go through about 5 menus at which you will answer "regarding a shopping experience" and at the very end you will speak with a real person.
I had told her that my 4-H's depend on our store, that the closest quilt shops were 45 and 75 minutes away, that we are very rural and depend on WalMart. I don't personally buy a lot at this store, but I know of many who depend upon this department for all of their sewing needs. Suzanne

Well here In Long Island New York the Walmart hasn't closed out it's fabric department but It has reduced it's content. The bargin fabrics are almost null. However I did purchase some other fabrics for $2.99 per yd. That was the least exspencive. I'm fairly new to quilting and afraid to ruin more exspencive materials. I would still want to call the 1800 # just so that they realize the demand. I just recived the EQ6 for Christmas, WOW what a gift. I'm happy! Wishing all a very Happy Holiday!

I was just at my Wal-Mart and my store is one of the ones that is going out. The next closest Wal-Mart is 30 miles away and Joannes is 45 miles. Please everybody call the 800 number even if it doesn't affect you. Those of us in rural ares need your help and support.

I just talked to my Wal-Mart fabric department, they are not closing, but others are. I will sure voice my opion for all small areas such as mine. JoAnn's and others similar are 60 miles from me.

Debbie

A bout 2-3 yrs ago I had heard that Wal mart was reducing the size of the craft departments and selling only pre-cut lengths of fabric. When they put in the super Walmarts here the craft dept. were smaller.But they are still cutting fabric. I went into a Big Lots last yr. and found pre- cut fabric packaged for Walmart, but only that one time. I am lucky here . I have access to Jo-Anns , Hobby Lobby, and several good quilt shops. In some areas all there is are Walmarts.

Mary in Louisiana :D

I live in upstate Queensbury NY I asked the manager of the fabric dept. she said this one is staying open. Some in the south will be closing.

Here is a link to the Wal-Mart home office where you can leave online feed back about the company or your local store. http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=221 Just click on submit feed back for our corporate headquarters.

Hope this helps.

Debbie

I found a petition online to stop the closing of Walmat fabric Depts. This is the site if you are interested. http://www.petitiononline.com/savefab/petition.html
I aslo wrote a letter to the CEO. I live in a county (which is not very large) in which I am located just in the right spot. I can go to four Walmarts. Some are kinda far, but I go just to check out the fabric. All the sales people know me and not one of them has heard of Walmart downsizing the department. But to be sure I did a letter to the CEO of the company, advising of the petition, and that it is very demorilizing for personal to hear about downsizing from customers before hearing it from Walmart themselves. I first heard it from customers telling the Walmart staff. The only response to date was I was informed that the downsizing would be packaging of misc. items ie: batting etc.... Not downsizing of personal. I do not know what is true, but again maybe you want to go to the web site and sign the petition and prehaps notify the CEO also. You can do that by going to the Co. Walmart website. That is how I did it. Hope this helps. :roll:

I talked to my friends at Wal-Mart I go to, unfourtunley my Wal-Mart is one of the ones that will closing the fabric department. I was told its a promotional thing they are picking Wal-Mart in various areas they are replacing the department with party goods. No employees will lose there jobs. This will be starting within the next 6 months to as lonf as 2 years.

Again, perhaps if you and others go to the petition and in fact state that Walmart maybe we can make a change. Not likely but it most certainly can not hurt to try! :cry:

I was just checking my email and found this message regarding the message I left them yesterday on thier customer service site:

Thank you for your message.

Thank you for you recent inquiry regarding the fabric department in your local store. In keeping with our emphasis on being a store of the community, Wal-Mart is converting the fabrics and crafts department in some stores to a newly expanded assortment of merchandise that focuses on life's celebrations. We are thrilled to offer our customers this exciting new crafts and celebrations center that makes available craft and party planning needs along with information on current trends and new ideas in the area of life's celebrations, such as holidays, weddings and birthdays.

In those stores where the new crafts and celebrations center is placed, merchandise commonly referred to as 'notions' will be included in the product offerings - such as sewing machines, yarn, needles, thread, etc. As a part of this conversion, most of our new and remodeled stores opening in early 2007, as well as a small number of existing stores, will feature the new crafts and celebrations center in place of cut fabrics. Wal-Mart will continue to carry cut fabric in most of our stores. Due to the continued evaluation of our stores, we are unable to share a list of existing stores scheduled to receive the new crafts and celebrations center at this time.

Thank you,
Wal-Mart Customer Relations

One of our Walmarts has already downsized. The other one I talked to today and they were told within 1-3 years. They also will only go to prepackaged items. They are replacing them with wedding merchandise. Walmart thinks they can pick up more business. She said they were sadly mistaken, as they sell lots of fabric and notions.

I would be interested to know, how many communities where these Walmarts are located had small fabric shops before the 800 lb gorilla moved in? How many chose Walmart because it was cheaper?

Just curious. I am lucky to have 4 or 5 Walmarts I don't go to, as well as a half dozen quilt shops, and one or two Hancock Fabric stores around. I usually only patronize my local quilts shops, the advice given is worth the price differential.

I know it doesn't help all of you in remote areas of the country, but perhaps you can start getting your local qult guilds together and do shopping trips together. 45 minutes discussing the latest piecing technique makes the drive go much faster. Meetings oon wheels.

tim in san jose

Amen, Tim!! We all love those low prices and most of us are guilty of going to WalMart to save money. After the mom and pop businesses are gone, where else are we going to shop? And when there is nowhere else, will WalMart still be cheap? We will be at their mercy, as we are with this fabric department closure. I thank you for the reminder. I've been spending too much at WalMart lately.

Hi Suz the wm that have close fabric dept. here in Okla city ok. have already stock their fabric dept. with artificial flowers and party supplies. Thank God for one wm with fabric which is 10-15 mins. away and hey have decrease the amount fabric they use to carry, i will get the word out and pass on the phone number'I'm going to write my Legislature and see if they can help, i'm on a fixed income and can't work anymore and have stacks of medical bills, wm is what i can afford.i don't mean to cry on on your shoulder or have a pitty party but there are millions of people out there just like me wondering how they will afford fabric. Thanks for letting me share my anxiety with you. LOL

Annette
Annette

Hi Suz the wm that have close fabric dept. here in Okla city ok. have already stock their fabric dept. with artificial flowers and party supplies. Thank God for one wm with fabric which is 10-15 mins. away and hey have decrease the amount fabric they use to carry, i will get the word out and pass on the phone number'I'm going to write my Legislature and see if they can help, i'm on a fixed income and can't work anymore and have stacks of medical bills, wm is what i can afford.i don't mean to cry on on your shoulder or have a pitty party but there are millions of people out there just like me wondering how they will afford fabric. Thanks for letting me share my anxiety with you. LOL

Annette

Hi:

From what I've heard, the trend is to make WalMart more like Target and other upscale and trendy stores in order to appeal to more people. I think they forget that some of us don't want that. The large-sized women's department in our store has been cut in half, though the population out here certainly hasn't changed in size. It's been taken over by smaller and more expensive clothing that people in a rural community don't really wear on a regular basis. I can't get the jeans I used to...they've been totally eliminated...but in the juniors department there are more styles than you can shake a stick at.

They downsized our fabric department, and we were told a few weeks ago by one of the managers working there that when they remodel in a couple years we'll be going to the new format where there are a few prepackaged fabrics in specified lengths and the rest will be "celebration supplies." We live in a rural area and the closest fabric that sells anything that costs less than quilt-shop fabric is almost an hour away. There are lots of little old ladies out here who shouldn't even be driving to WalMart, much less trying to tackle the traffic in St. Peters or St. Louis. Some of them are driving 40 minutes from the next closest store that lost its fabric department to get to ours.

The decisions are being made by people who are considering the almightly dollar as the bottom line and forgetting that the people who can afford to shop at these stores aren't always in search of upscale and trendy, but rather practical and inexpensive so they can make the most of each hard-earned dollar.

I've heard from many people out here that Sam Walton would be turning over in his grave if he saw what was happening to the store he started so everyone could get what they needed at a decent price.

I've signed the petition and written the company and will write them again.

Trisha in MO

I did. I became disabled almost 2 years ago and can no longer afford to pay $8 and up for a yard of fabric. I also can't afford to drive to the city to buy things from JoAnn's or Hancock Fabrics more than a couple times a year...I'm spending too much on medicine and doctor's visits. I can get designer quality fabric at our local WalMart (A.E. Nathan, for one, has several bolts of older flannel available at $3.47 a yard) for much less than what a quilt shop would charge.

I also do my grocery shopping there because it's what we can afford. Our income was cut down by over half when I had to stop working and we can't eat on what I can budget for our groceries if I shop at the local store that not only doesn't carry half the foods I need (hubby and I are on special diets) but has the things they do carry priced so high we'd run out of food before we ran out of week.

When I had the funds, I shopped at the LQS. I don't have that option any more. If it wasn't for the 800-pound gorilla, I wouldn't be quilting.

Trisha in MO

The 800lb Gorilla gets our bananas because he wants fewer at one feeding. Period. IF I had a local quilt shop AND it catered to other than those with banana plantations in their back yards, I'd go.

I'm sick of hearing about our obligation to support quilt shops. That's backward reasoning. THEY SHOULD BE SUPPORTING US!

I tried one of our local quilt shops the other day. I was so dissappointed. All the fabs were $7 and more per yard. A little fat bundle was $15. If it had a theme it was $25. I went looking for a leather thimble and a double wedding ring template and they had neither. It was a tiny store and from what I saw it looked like they specialized in sewing classes and fancy sewing machines that I couldn't afford anyway. So much for supporting our local quilt shops. I went back to Joannes and they had them. I do have some good news. There was a sign posted in the window HELP WANTED. I took an application home with me. I hadn't thought about getting a job but this one sounds like it would be right up my alley. Maybe I could get an employee discount. I only want to work partime. With my RA I don't think I could do much more than that.

don't you think maybe the quilt shop owners could get together and buy cheaper and pass it on. Most of the quilt shops in a 50 mi area don't last more than 1 to 5 years. I checked out one new one, and all they sell is thread,and patterns and they do the quilting. No fabric at all. I have one more in an old factory to check out ,they advertise 1000 bolts. we will see.
My Walmart still sells but it seems all they sell is dollar fabric. Not all of it is so great. I want the 2 and 3 dollar stuff, now that is usually good.
I have had trouble finding black print fabric, not white with black.Just black with other colors
I am lucky as far as grocery stores go. We have an Aldi, Price Rite, and Buy low, These are way cheaper than Walmart. Bags of apples1.99, bannannas 3/1.00.....cheese 1.39 for 8oz milk 2.19........you get the idea. These places are pay 25 cents refundable to use basket, and buy bags and put your own stuff in.......but more food for the dollar
Any one want to talk about heating oil. I have to start the budget for winter....... they want 200 a month.no way, oh well another day

Ruth I've been working on a black and white theme and you're right not much out there with black altho the Joannes here does have a fairly good selection.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. QUILTERS ARE A DYING BREED. With our use it and throw it away society it's no wonder.

And I quote the Rain Man. WALMART SUCKS

My sisters WM was schedule to lose their fabric 3 months ago.

She also lives in a very rural farming area the people put up such a fuss about it (saying they needed fabric more then party things) that the store manager kept the fabrics

He stated that it was morr practile and better bottom line for his area

Now why cant other store managers that know what is more inportant in their area speak up and say something.

We have 2 Wal Marts--one is a super and one is much smaller. The smaller one is getting fabric in by the truck loads and the other one has just about no fabric left. There is one in Spruce Pine, NC in the western part of NC that was the only fabric store for miles and miles and they are closing too. I can't firgure it out--their line of thinking that is. These people up ther are mostly hard working farmers. They certainly don't need party goods. I don't know that that is whats going to replace fabrics there, but thats what has replaced fabrics elsewhere. I hope they lose their shirts on that one!

I went into our walmart the other day and they had gotten rid of the free standing racks that use to hold fabric, they shoved most of it on a rack next to the wall, you literally have to move each bolt to look at it. It seemed as if they were ticked off that they have to keep it for a while longer. i have started ordering my fabric on line. Most on line quilt shops, will have some of their fabric marked down to 3.99 a yard, and sometimes you can find really nice prints and solids. Can't touch them :( but I haven't the time to drive 45 minutes, spend $8 - $9 & up a yard plus the gas! Gas here is getting higher and higher!!! Sew on line it is!!! I just order 12 yards at this-n-thatfabrics...47.00 plus shipping! not bad!!

Our local Wal-Mart is definitely one that is losing the craft and fabric departments. They are selling what they have and haven't gotten new inventory for months. The new department is going to be called "Life Celebrations", whatever that means.

hi Tresha amen to what wrote about mw one of the manger in my city told me in 2 months they will have to wear the target colors. they already have some signs in wm with target on it.Lets pray that God change their heart. I also was told by 1 of the manager that the children want to sell all the wm stores to target, i haven't heard anything else. LOL
Annette

Hi Patrice i needed to laugh this morning, that was so funny about the 800lb Gorilla.love you.keep quilting.
Annette

yes ... looked like a nice selection. AND they have some nifty free patterns that applique devotees will just love. with a very generous and clearly stated copyright allowance:

"A word about copyright

Patterns may not be sold.You may make make up to 25
of each finished item to sell.Teachers have my permission to use patterns for teaching classes No mass producing of patterns or finished items is permitted.."


http://this-n-thatfabrics.com/free_pattern.htm

You know, comments like this, though I understand the sentiment, make it tough on some of us who are a bit more sensitive about where we have to shop in order to make ends meet. If you're living on a tight budget, shopping at WalMart might make the difference between a meal or no meal. Paying $2 a pound more for meat, or $1.50 a gallon more for milk, adds up more quickly than you may realize. If you happen to need special foods because you're diabetic or have to eat low-carb, buying from a smaller store can devastate the financial solvency of your budget altogether. Shopping at WalMart enables me to buy (store-brand) Altern for less than $6 instead of paying almost $9 at the next closest smaller store for brand-name Splenda.

Please be kind. I shop there because it is the best choice for our family. I already feel bad enough because everyone whines about how mean they are to their employees and such. The fact remains that where we live there are over 250 people who have jobs now who didn't have them 5 years ago because we have a Supercenter. Those people deserve to work, too, and not all of them can drive into the city or have fancy educations that enable them to have a better job.

Just my 2 cents and some change...

Trisha

There have always been two sides to the WalMart story and there always will be two sides. They are not as good to their employees as they were when Sam Walton was alive ... BUT they are better than many employers their size. And it's possible to work your way up from the bottom, transfer to another store if you have to move, health plan, etc. The left-wing doesn't tell the whole truth.

They are not as good to their customers as they were when Sam was alive, either. And it is getting continually worse. But by buying most of my groceries there at a savings of 25 - 50%, I can afford those quick after-work stops at the regular grocery. (Rather an odd form of charity, when you get right down to it. LOL) And for many communities you can find at WalMart what you could never find before within a 50 mile radius.

NOBODY should have to apologize for shopping where the prices fit their budget.

The SuperCenters attract several new stores ... so there are more new jobs.

WalMarts donate huge piles of money to local and national charities.

I'm angry at WalMart because they are forgetting their roots and the customers who made them huge. That's an emotional response to the fact that they are doing what ALL business do - whatever will make them the most money. They aren't the first to do it. They won't be the last.

It's like everything else in life. The good begets the bad begets the good begets ...

Hmmmm ... I'm spending way too much time on the soap box today. Must be time to learn yoga.
:shock:

:!: Yes I believe wm doesn't want customers any more!!! Bristow,OK got the stupid center that's what we call it and NO Fabrics,Party, scrapbook, and they have 3 lanes of the stuff and they had to clearance it all to sell it before.The Lady or one of them is now in the gun dept but hold it No guns either so the guys are mad too!! We we're always there each week and for the last 30 years we've bought FABRICS!!!!!!! We've been to thi wm 2 times. 1 when it opened and once to get my medicine. Now we also shop at Cushing,OK more so NOW Because they Still have Fabric!!!! And Yes we've shopped there and bought Fabric for over 30 years on the Cush wm. But they say they have it for now BUT they haven't built the Stupid center yet ,No we don't use much Party Supplies down here because we live in a very Rural Area unless you're right in town which a lot aren't. Sooooo We are building our stashes for Now.But there is 1 Quilt Sop in Cush that has survived Thank GOD!!!!! and we found catalogs to order from and the internet also. IWe called wm and did the email and they say we are now reevaluating the Fabric dept. Just like Layaway. That's the answer We got for Bristow and POW that DAY my Daughter calls and says get down here they got w Fabric50% off!! and then No more. Well We will buy Fabrics and More Fabrics!!! Gals Rally Round, Annie get your Gun, This means WAR!!!! Walmart just doesn't want customers anymore and when C goes out alotoFolkswon'tShopThereAnymoreATALLMeandMineWon't .BJR