I usually buy at my LQS, or Hancocks. I seldom buy at Joann's but since the store is moving, parking,traffic will be nicer at there new location. I love this board, I learn so much, everyone is the best. Thanks to you all.

I have bought fabric from WalMart before they pulled the department. Great quality. Now I can't buy it since they brought back the department -- can't find anyone who knows how (or is authorized to) cut fabric. I admit there is less nice stuff in the new department -- you have to watch for thin, flaws, holes, etc.

I stay clear of Walmart.

My husband last year bought a piece of their(Wal mart) $9:50 per yard leather like fabric which is real nice. I buy what I like, when I like, where I like. I don't quite understand the issue. I mean I understand if there is a particular type of fabric that one place doesn't have, but another one I am at does, well then that is where I will get it, but I don't not buy fabric at a place just because of the sign name above the door. If you do, great, that is your choice. It all comes down to choices, so each to there own. It is kind of like opinions and noses (we each have one). lol....

I buy fabric from anywhere I can get it. Location of purchase has absolutely nothing to do with quality, it only matters for price. I've had good and bad fabric from LQS, JoAnn, WalMart, Hancocks, etc. You have to look and feel carefully no matter where you buy from. BTW, the worst experience with fabric I've ever had was with a LQS fabric -- bled like its throat was cut and ravelled something fierce. If it hadn't been for a special quilt for my neice, I would have lit it on fire.

In our area, Wal-Mart got rid of all the fabric departments several years ago. Then last summer they brought fabric back in one store.

Fabric is basically typical chain-store fabric, but no holiday fabrics. They also have some "special purchase" lines of very inexpensive and also very yucky (IMHO) fabric. They carry VIP, Springs, and Fabric Traditions and those you should have no problems with, should you buy them.

Service? And appearance? In my local store, this department is clearly unloved by the management. They didn't even get a proper sized cutting table for the staff to use. I think they put the department back in merely because an order came from "on high" and they plan on doing the absolute minimum. This is not to fault the few people who work in the fabric department. They are fine! It's a management problem that exists.

Our Walmart carries several different weights and grades of fabric. Both the apperance of the department and the service is great. Walmart has made major improvement in the fabric dept of our store within the last year.

Wow...what a touchy subject, even for as many times as this thread comes up! I, having worked at WalMart, walk through the fabric dept. every time I am there. I see and feel great fabrics all the time and in all price ranges. I have found great fabrics on the clearance table and can usually see a great quilt coming together with the fabrics chosen for their quilt of the month. For the limited area, and department personnel who have to work everywhere in the store I think they do a great job. I too support my local stores and I support Walmart as they are local too. JMHO

I agree - you used to be able to find some quailty quilting material for a good price. Now that they reopened the department most of it is thin and random in pattern. You used to be able to find coordinating and blending pieces but no more in the yardage section of my store. Even the clerks will admit it's not the quality it was before.

Some of it is okay, others are very thin.