Joann Fabric Is Almost Dead, But Sewing Is Forever  

I may never make a 1940s vintage apron with the sewing pattern I just bought at Joann’s going out of business sale, but it was $1.99 in a world where patterns can top $30. It will sit in my sewing stash until I find the time. That is how many busy consumers see Joann Fabric and Craft: a warehouse for projects they want to do, eventually. Or maybe never.   

The future of America’s fabric chain store has been dangling by a thread for years. Things looked bleak when Joann filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2024 and again in January. Now Joann has announced the impending closure of all 800 stores.

In sewing circles, the closures bring mixed feelings. We hate to see it go. It’s handy to pop in to replace a broken machine needle. But Joann had it coming. The chain routinely offered overpriced lower quality fabric, dirty or disorganized stores, and deceptive sales.

One frequent trick was to offer coupons for 40 percent or more off, excluding sale items — a compelling offer until you realized almost everything in the store was on a seemingly endless 10-15 percent off sale. The coupons were almost impossible to use.

I could make a quilt if I had a fat quarter for every time I was delayed at the check-out line while an apologetic Joann employee explained to another upset shopper that the bill came out much higher than expected because the prices were mismarked or the coupons did not apply in this situation or that situation. I saw it happen to others, and it happened to me on numerous occasions, even when I shopped carefully to avoid that scenario. No one wants to feel like a chump at check-out.

For beginning sewists, Joann had much of what they needed. But as skills improve, most recognize Joann is limited in the fabric quality it offers. For example, you won’t find much silk at Joann’s, but there are plenty of “silky” fabrics with a sheen that could make sense on some projects.

The online store offers “Tango Red Silk Taffeta,” an imported, dry clean only blend of polyester and spandex (no silk), now priced for the going out of business sale at an eye popping $39.99 a yard, marked down from $99.97 a yard. At these prices, it would be cheaper to buy clothing off the rack than make your own. Generally, the opposite should be true. Experienced sewists know you can find that same fabric color and brand for $9.99 a yard at Mood, the New York store made famous in “Project Runway.”

Without Joann, there will be retail fabric deserts in some regions, but only until consumers find the nearest locally owned fabric store or learn to shop online. Many already have.

Joann was not providing what serious sewists want. Nobody needs that much fleece. The sewing community has not stopped sewing but many of us stopped going to Joann. We have found retailers who better meet our needs, online and in person.

Sewing is popular enough to affect the tourism economy in locations with many fabric stores.  

Women in Amish and Mennonite communities are big fabric buyers. They still make quilts and sew all their own clothing. Communities in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; Shipshewana, Indiana; and Holmes County, Ohio have clusters of fabric stores open to the public that also offer lessons and sewing retreats for groups and individuals.

Hamilton, Missouri, once economically depressed, now goes by the nickname Quilt Town USA. It is home to the Missouri Star Quilt Company and has 15 fabric-related stores that also sell fabric online, plus lodging and restaurants for the sewing enthusiasts who flock to town for sewing classes.  

We can tell fewer people sew today. Schools have dropped or seriously cut home economics. We should at least teach kids to sew on a button and hem pants without using tape. A more robust sewing education could help find kids with a flair for textiles and put them on a career path, or a satisfying lifelong hobby.

Joann is leaving the market, but the need for fabric and the skill to transform it into something warm will continue as long as people wear clothing.

Where To Find Fabric Now  

Support privately owned local fabric stores anywhere in the country. Most now sell fabric online.   

Fabric Mart has a retail store in Pennsylvania, but it is mostly online. It is an apparel fabric store featuring high quality, reasonably priced deadstock. That is fabric left over from clothing design houses. Search “deadstock fabric” for similar stores.    

Spoonflower prints custom fabrics by the yard. Artists upload fabric designs and are paid commission when consumers request their design. For a small fee, Spoonflower will send swatches of its fabric blends so consumers can touch it before buying. Consumers order, let’s say a yard of daisies on a navy blue background, in linen or jersey.  

Wawak is an online store that sells notions like zippers and bobbins.   

Sallie Tomato sells everything needed to make purses, from pattern to hardware.

Costume designers will appreciate Reproduction Fabrics and other vintage fabric sellers offering retro fabric from the 1700s-1970s.

Beth Brelje is an elections correspondent for The Federalist. She is an award-winning investigative journalist with decades of media experience.