This year is looking tough for the sewing and quilting community. Stores are closing and tariffs seem to be coming. Where do we shop for fabric? I have seen many conversations about where to purchase fabric. I do like some of the more creative places people have come up with.
What I Know
First, we lost JoAnn Fabric. This was a store I never thought would’ve closed. It really was one of a kind. It had a large selection of many different types of fabrics, yarn, jewelry supplies, crafts, etc. Their prices didn’t “break the bank”. This was a great place to get decent fabric, especially if you were a beginner quilter.
Hobby Lobby has an overall good selection of fabric. They are the closest thing we have to JoAnn’s now, but they don’t have the volume or diversity of fabric.
Walmart has fabric online along with a small selection still left for purchasing instore. Instore they have gone to precuts, which is so much better than having to wait around for someone to come and cut your yardage. They have one, two, and three-yard cuts prepackaged along with fat quarters, jellyrolls, and five-inch squares.
We also have our local quilt shops. They offer so much to the quilting community with classes and general help when you walk in. We want these shops to stay in business so be sure to buy from them. They have sales and clearence areas to shop.
What I’m Learning
As I bounced around on YouTube, I came across people talking about many places I hadn’t thought of buying fabric from. I love these ideas.
The Dollar Tree has fat quarters and burlap squares. I haven’t gone and checked it out yet, but I plan too.
Hardware stores have canvas drop cloths that are great for making bags! Who knew!
Upcycle Art Stores are popping up all over. I visited one in Virginia when I was there and it was great! They had all the things like, painting supplies, yarn, tons of craft items, sewing, books, etc. Patterns for anything you would want to make, candle supplies, all crafts. I could go on and on. These items were donated from people cleaning out their supplies or a loved one’s stash. Prices were so low, and yes, there was fabric! Google and see if you have any of these stores near you. They are well worth exploring and items are constantly changing.
Thrift stores can be a great place to find fabric at low prices. My cousin once came home with several totes of wonderful, nice fabric. She was there at the right time. A man had lost his wife and was bringing in her sewing supplies.
Thrift stores can be great places to find fabric if you are looking for something specific to make a quilt out of. Flannel shirts can be cut up into squares. Jeans are great to cut up and make quilts from. If you want to make a T-shirt quilt there are lots of T-shirts to choose from at very little cost.
Where Are We Headed?
Shopping online takes the “touch” factor out of the equation. Do you love touching fabric? I do! Shopping online isn’t as enjoyable because it takes that away, but the places to find fabric are never ending! Besides the new fabric, there are vintage, secondhand, and deadstock fabric shops. You only have to Google it!
I have purchased fabric from The Fat Quarter Shop and Missouri Star Quilt Company. Both have great selections, sales, and customer service.
eBay and Etsy also are great places to look for and buy fabric.
We don’t know what’s going to happen with the tariffs and the increase in prices, but our buying habits may be changing. Where do we shop for fabric? Having looked at our options for fabric, I think we will be okay. Maybe our stashes will be used more and that’s a good thing!
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Always Find Time To Sew,
Good information!