SusieQOH

Yeah, if you went in you'd run out in a hurry! And the funny thing is I may not be the only one who thinks so. It's rarely, if ever busy. And it's one of their "super stores".
I agree about management.
I ended up finding a cute summer top pattern on Etsy for 3.50.

Schill93

That has been my experience with it in terms of the feel of it. Not all, but some of it is very soft and pleasing. More so than the lower tier Keepsake. I certainly recognize the difference in the $9.99 Keepsake (before fake discount) compared with the cheaper Keepsake.

It just seems logical to me that the fabric costing more should be a better quality than the cheaper Quilter's Showcase, but I can't help but wonder sometimes. I don't know if they come from different mills or not, but I kind of assume they do.

I posed the question the way I did, only because I am aware of how strongly some people feel about the subject and only purchase name brand fabrics, and I wanted to hear from the people who have tried a cheaper brand like Quilter's Showcase, and what their experience was. To me, if I like the fabric print and feel, and it holds up, well I think that's a win.

NZquilter

I bought some JoAnn's fabric several years ago, but I don't remember if it was the Keepsake or Quilters Showcase. I was on a ridiculous tight budget at the time, so it probably was QS. Anyway, I've since used it in many quilts, with many washing, and it has held up as good as new. Maybe I got luck of the draw.

illinois

Before giving JoAnn's a bad rap, remember that they are not just a quilt fabric store! They offer decorating fabric as well as what quilters like. My son has even purchased head-liner when he redid a car several years ago. Some of their fabric of lesser quality could simply be considered for craft-type projects that don't need to stand up to a quilter's standard. It's up to the buyer to know what she/he is buying and the use intended. I'd be greatly disappointed if our local JoAnn's would close as have so many of the other "big box' stores in our area. I want to touch the fabrics that I buy. Can't do that online! They don't always have what I want but they do offer a good variety and it's a one-time shop for many projects.--and for most, it's affordable.

klswift

If you are making an heirloom quilt or one that is going to be entered in a show, then, yes I would probably only buy very high end fabric. But, let's face it, most of us who make a lot of quilts can not afford to spend $12 and more a yard for fabric. When I make a quilt for family, I want it to be loved and used and hope it lasts a long time (most of my family still have their baby quilts!), but I am under no delusion that it will get handed down to the next generation. Yes, certain dark colors in less expensive fabric tends to fade faster so I might spend a bit more on dark blue and reds, but for lighter colors and prints, less expensive fabric works perfectly fine. For me to sell quilts and other fabric items, I must keep the price down. People today are so used to cheap imported stuff that they have a hard time paying too much more for handmade items, even when they understand the quality of the work and its uniqueness.

klswift

If your Joanns is not up to your standards, or their customer service is a bit wanting, please go online and let Corporate know. Telling someone in the store (or us on the chat) will not fix it. Please, please believe me when I say a couple POLITELY worded comments made to corporate WILL GET noticed. In 20 years, I have seen several stores completely turn around because of customer comments. Employee complaints mean very little, customer complaints Mean everything!

Innov8R

I am with TouchofRustic in that I am someone who is driven by the happiness that creativity and sewing brings. I have been sewing for more than 60 years and trust my instincts when it comes to fabric. I sometimes use Quilter's Showcase fabrics to supplement my recycled fabrics. I can make a quilt for much less cost using the fabrics I use which frees me to make more. I am not brand conscious because I realize that the same mills often make a myriad of brands.

Maureen

I agree, I buy thread and replacement blades, sometimes a pattern, never any fabric. I want my quilts to last.

Krylyn

I don't go to Joann's for anything partially because I used to work with someone who now works at the local store and would simply prefer to avoid her, but also because some of the fabrics I purchased there weren't quite the quality I wanted them to be. The yard of flannel I prewashed ended up being less rectangular and more rhombus-shaped, as an example, or I could never find fabrics with the lovely, soft hand that I could at my local quilt shop. I also didn't like the weird pricing game they seem to play. Since I haven't been in Joann's for a few years, I can't speak to what they carry now v. then.

That said, the only time I end up paying $12/yard is when I'm buying fat quarters bundles (and even then, I'll weigh if it's really worth it to me or not). It's not impossible to find Moda/Kaufmann/Riley Blake/whatever at a lower price point, if you look around, or shop during sales.

kat13

I don’t have a Joann’s anywhere near me and have only been in one once. I bought thread on closeout.
They have curtain rods??? I’ll be moving soon and will need many!! As for their fabric, sounds like it would be perfect for a beginner!!