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For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>

Posted by Lynne D <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Lynne+D' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2025, 5:08 pm

Closing 500 of its 800 stores nationwide. An announcement today is that all the stores will close with complete liquidation happening within a few weeks. All those empty storefronts and employees losing their jobs!

I’m late to this discussion, but have been mourning this news for a few days. This is pretty much

Posted by Sue in ABQ <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Sue+in+ABQ' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 2, 2025, 8:06 pm, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

The last remaining fabric store in Albuquerque. We still have Hobby Lobby and several quilting stores, and one very small independent store that carries a random assortment of fabrics.
I am so sorry for the 19,000 employees who will lose their jobs.

I still have a huge stash of fabric, and this will force me to use what I have, but any other fancy fabrics I might need will have to be purchased online, and I’m not happy with that. Nothing can replace touching the fabric and seeing the color in person. Oh well, I knew it was only a matter of time. 😢

I’m so sad!

Posted by Jayne in Seattle <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Jayne+in+Seattle' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 28, 2025, 3:18 pm, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

This was such a huge outlet for many manufacturers...

Posted by Donna in FL <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Donna+in+FL' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 26, 2025, 4:14 pm, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

It makes me wonder what the downstream effects will be in regards to fabric notions and other sewing supplies.

Joann has been in and out of bankruptcy so many times I suppose it was just a matter of time that one would be unrecoverable. It's too bad that they could not make it work, but as others have said, I don't think they had a clue as to really what the American sewer and crafter was looking for in a store. There was way too much inferior quality, and that kept happening again and again.

I don't sew much, but I do like the craft stuff at Joann's. I'm sad.

Posted by Megin in Bend <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Megin+in+Bend' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 26, 2025, 4:00 pm, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

I nearly cried when Fabrics.com shut down. I'll be lost when Joann's closes.

Posted by Bryan <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Bryan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 26, 2025, 11:36 am, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

Bryan in Florida
aka periodsoftime on Ebay
bryanphopper@aol.com

Last Fall we were rejoicing as they combined the Ontario and Fontana JoAnns and opened a big

Posted by Geneboyz <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Geneboyz' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 26, 2025, 11:19 am, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

beautiful new JoAnns in Rancho nearer to us. Sadly now six months later that will be closed.

They placed it in an old SteinMart which is another store that we frequented and really miss.

My favorite Stein Mart memory is several years ago on what turned out to be my Mom's last trip to SoCal to visit me we went to Stein Mart. I told her I was buying her a whole new outfit - top to bottom - outfit, jewelry, shoes. She had so much fun picking it all out. I don't think she had done that in years. When she got back home to MN she wore it in one of her club's fashion shows.

This reminds me of the brick and mortar doll stores of yesterday year. :(

Posted by GeneColleen <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=GeneColleen' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2025, 11:20 pm, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

Although I buy most of my fa bric online, its sad to see the end of ...

Posted by Ivy in MA <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Ivy+in+MA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2025, 4:42 pm, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

brick and mortar stores. Joann had some things here that my local stores don't carry. There are three stores near me that sell fabric, but they carry mostly cotton fabrics and supplies/tools for quilters. Joann gave me a chance to purchase some other things that I needed on the spot. I find alternatives on Etsy, and Spoonflower, but as others have mentioned, it's nice to go into the stores and browse.

I've gone into Michael's or Hobby Lobby to get some items, but their fabric choices are limited. I have found some seasonal fabrics that I'v used to line baskets, or use to make a table runner for different holidays. All said it's terribly sad when the stores that you can go into disappear.

I've not seen much selection locally in a long time and the other places to go here are a joke >>>

Posted by George in NC <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=George+in+NC' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2025, 2:12 pm, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

Walkertown fabrics closed a long time ago and they were the best on earth (Marilyn and DonnaB can vouch for that) but I've been shopping at Spoonflower and at Mary Jo's in Gastonia NC. Mary Jo's is wonderful, worth a trip if you can get there, but they sell online too, maryjofabrics.com
Spoonflower is great for designing for own fabric and bringing it to life. I've been tweaking a sample of my clan tartan for forever and not getting it quite right scale wise (for dolls) but it's really neat to try to create your own.

Always sad to see any brick and mortar store close, I fear we will see a lot more of it over the decades. As wonderful as shopping on the internet is, it has pretty much killed the local shopping experience. Shop local if you possibly can, seriously small mom and pop places. They may all be gone in our lifetimes.

Yep. I mourn Walkertown Fabric everytime I drive past there.

Posted by Flamingomoon <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Flamingomoon' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 26, 2025, 7:38 am, in reply to "I've not seen much selection locally in a long time and the other places to go here are a joke >>>"

Really bummed. Went into the store and tried to figure out what I’d

Posted by Gael <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Gael' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2025, 9:15 am, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

need for the rest if my life….
First, Beverly’s, now Joann’s.
We still have small fabric stores in nearby towns and a Michael’s downtown for art supplies. But the choices keep getting fewer. I refuse to shop at Hobby Lobby (because they refuse to allow birth control in their employee medical plan) and I’m trying to wean myself off Amazon (has anyone been able to do that?).

I live not far from the corporate offices and in the past have shopped a >>>

Posted by Patsy aka Madra <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Patsy+aka+Madra' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2025, 9:00 am, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

lot at the store located there. Over the past years I have had many fruitless conversations with men in suits carrying clipboards who couldn’t thread a needle, let alone figure out how to use it to sew on a button, and who responded to my concerns as if I were a poor clueless woman who just doesn’t understand corporate business practices. (In case you haven’t noticed yet, I’ve been p***sed at them for a long time.) Combine their decisions with the need to eliminate all competition and become our only choice, it was only a matter of time before Karma would bite.

Yes, I’m sorry for all of us who will now be severely inconvenienced and especially for all those who are losing their jobs; so in that sense I will miss Joann’s. I only hope that so many independent shops who had to close their doors will find a way to rear their beautiful heads and come back to life. (There is one in my area that may really benefit in this way - fingers crossed!)

I have asked my local store manager why the aisles were full of fleece in July in Los Angeles …

Posted by Lynne D <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Lynne+D' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2025, 4:55 pm, in reply to "I live not far from the corporate offices and in the past have shopped a >>>"

He agreed with me, but said corporate determined what should be in stores and local managers had no leeway. He said his store sold lots of cosplay type of fabrics and he was always begging for more or to get more of fabrics that had sold out but they ignored him. Sad but not surprising.

Hear hear!

Posted by Dayle in Ohio <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Dayle+in+Ohio' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2025, 10:10 am, in reply to "I live not far from the corporate offices and in the past have shopped a >>>"

Thank you both for putting up with my rant! You’ve both had>>>

experiences with the above-mentioned and know what I’m yammering about.

Disappointed about this. I guess too few people sew anymore. A lost art?

Posted by Flamingomoon <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Flamingomoon' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2025, 8:12 am, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

No more picking up a quick spool of thread. That will now take a 45 minute drive.

Posted by Lynne D <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Lynne+D' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2025, 9:52 pm, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

I was relieved earlier that our store was staying open. Now this sad news. I enjoy going there.

Posted by Lori N <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Lori+N' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2025, 9:21 pm, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

Makes me really sad. I like to see and feel fabric before I buy.

Posted by Denise in MI <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Denise+in+MI' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2025, 9:02 pm, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

I've been shipping there since they were Cleveland Fabrics and I was in Home Ec <msg>

Posted by Ohiostar <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Ohiostar' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2025, 7:22 pm, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

There are now no local stores for anything sewing related near me. I hate to buy online, you can't tell if colors are correct or if the weight is right, not to mention most places have a minimum yardage requirement which can be a lot for doll outfits. And who wants to pay shipping charges on needles? /thanks for letting me vent!

I know! My niece crochets and I know she’s shopped there a lot!

Posted by Kim in IL <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Kim+in+IL' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 26, 2025, 7:00 am, in reply to "I've been shipping there since they were Cleveland Fabrics and I was in Home Ec <msg>"

Several of the online fabric stores let you swatch a fabric before buying.

Posted by Jackie_NJ <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Jackie_NJ' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2025, 6:49 pm, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

If there are no actual stores, what else can people do but shop online?

My Ebay store for Fashion Doll clothes:
https://www.ebay.com/str/katzmeowdesignsforfashiondolls

My Etsy Store for Fashion dolls and 60-70 cm BJDS
http://www.etsy.com/shop/KatzMeowDesigns

Such a bad situation. What fabric and sewing stores are left to browse? Everything can't be online

Posted by Ori <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Ori' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2025, 6:13 pm, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

I am so saddened by this. Both Joann’s in my area are closing. I don’t know where else to get fabric

Posted by GeneColleen <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=GeneColleen' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2025, 6:01 pm, in reply to "For those of us who sew for Gene, a previous announcement had Joann Fabrics >>>"

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