Comments on Lindsay T Sews: In Which I Rant About the Difficulties of Buying a...

We have very few fabric stores in the UK, but they...

2010-03-05T02:56:47.856-05:00

We have very few fabric stores in the UK, but they all keep their patterns in drawers behind the counter.
It's like the law or something. You can't browse them yourself, you have to wait until an assistant comes over, then you feel obliged to know exactly what you want & just buy it, while they hover over you, waiting to put the pattern back in the holy drawers.

Our Jo-Ann's in Butler, PA stinks too. I always l...

2009-05-19T18:39:44.506-04:00

Our Jo-Ann's in Butler, PA stinks too. I always leave there swearing I'll never go back. I do still go when I absolutely have to, but not often. Their location is the pits. It's in a small plaza with only a K-mart store, a Dollar store, and an auto parts store. Lots of parking available though! lol

Like most of you have said, the patterns are not where they are supposed to be. They only have a few pattern books so you have to wait to see one.

They are understaffed, even on weekends! Waiting in line at the cutting table and the cash register is horrible. Sometimes they only have one person to cover both and she has to run back and forth.

They are so stingy that they won't cut a fraction of an inch of extra fabric to make up for what you lose from them cutting the poorly folded fabric. That's probably my biggest pet peeve. I hate getting home and finding out that after I fold the fabric correctly I am short several inches.

At least you get to look at the pattern before you...

2009-04-07T19:27:11.427-04:00

At least you get to look at the pattern before you buy it, AND you get $0.99 sales. :) Try queuing for 30mins only to find they don't have the pattern in your size. We don't get to touch the pattern until we've handed over our money. There's always a bright side. :)

I have a love/hate relationship with Joanns. Some...

2009-03-20T08:23:19.675-04:00

I have a love/hate relationship with Joanns. Sometimes they are the only place to get what I need. And they do have patterns on sale a lot. Yesterday I got McCalls for $1.99 and Vogues for $3.99. But then the fabric can be horrible. I am tired of the huge fleece display that overtakes the store for 9 months of the year. (And I teach fleece- never thought I'd say that.) The markdown fabric is still not marked down enough- considering the quality is poor. They have sized down their button and trim department and added wired ribbon for home dec. Ours also has lots of kids arts and crafts.
Mine is relatively clean and it is the only place I can get needles and thread. I will tell you that they also cut back on the cleaning staff to save $. Janitors don't come in as regularly as they used to. Clerks are assigned to clean the restrooms and it often doesn't get done.
It is a store that has potential and doesn't live up to it. They could be so good and they choose to go the other way- to make $. Frustrating, especially when they are the only store in town. Our only other option is quilt stores or home dec stores and 1 bridal.
I can't wait to hear Lindsay wrap this up.

I'm late to the party but yeah, not a fan of Jo-An...

2009-03-19T14:16:24.374-04:00

I'm late to the party but yeah, not a fan of Jo-Ann. I go to the one near the G Street in Northern Virginia. The pattern drawers, I will say, or well-organized and well-stocked and they usually have the notions I need but the fabric is just AWFUL. 100% polyester as far as the eye can see. 1/3 of the garment fabric area is fleece, 1/3 is the Casa Collection of hideous bridesmaid polyester, and the other 1/3 even worse. They didn't used to carry any knits but now they have a few bolts of rayon knit...for $12/yd. Even with a coupon, it's too much to pay for the quality. I buy patterns and notions there, but that's it.

I am fortunate to live near a decent JoAnns and I ...

2009-03-18T13:34:10.873-04:00

I am fortunate to live near a decent JoAnns and I live in Chandler, AZ (the Phoenix metro area). I've noticed a trend in the last 2-3 years of the smaller stores being closed (usually really old and run-down) and more superstores being opened in centrally located areas. So I have my pick of different ones when I need them. They closed down the Hancock stores near me, so I am left with JoAnns for the most part.

I mainly go for pattern or notion sales. The drawers are decently organized and I can usually find what I'm looking for. The staff is pretty minimal but most of the ones I've talked to are very nice and even occasionally show interest in what I'm doing when I have my fabric cut out. I have learned to avoid going on the weekends b/c of the long lines. I did go to one JoAanns in the area which was closer to work and it was pretty bad. The patterns were not well organized and even torn and misfiled. The cutting table was staffed by one person who wasn't very nice. So it's hit or miss here as well.
I work near a Wal-Mart that still has its sewing dept so I'll rush over there when I absolutely cannot get to JoAnns. I will go to indie stories for better quality fabric when I need to and also shop online.

Crack den, yep that's my local JoAnn's. Minimal s...

2009-03-17T13:51:32.703-04:00

Crack den, yep that's my local JoAnn's. Minimal staff and loads of merchandise on the floor playing with the dust bunnies. I stopped sewing for most of last year out of frustration. I need to drive at least 40 minutes to find a better JoAnn's and further to find another fabric store. I've decided to try online shopping.
-Iris

Just curious - when I looked up the JoAnns in Mary...

2009-03-17T10:13:17.670-04:00

Just curious - when I looked up the JoAnns in Maryland I didn't see the one you were writing about - did you mean the one in Columbia? - I'm living temporarily in northern VA and there are NONE here! (in MI they're everywhere) so looking for one not too far away as I am sort of an addict for the crafts and notions.

O.K. I totally understand about your JoAnn's... we...

2009-03-16T15:57:11.425-04:00

O.K. I totally understand about your JoAnn's... we have one that used to be just like that! They spruced it up a bit... and finally got some people that know a bit more what they are talking about when it comes to sewing. I worked at Hancocks for a while and of course there are a lot of faults for their stores also... (but I did get a discount which helped even things out!) but funny thing, I went to JoAnn's one time (while I worked at Hancock's) and was looking for something... I think it was a type of interfacing (we carried but were out at that moment)I asked one of the gals there if they had any. What's it used for, was my question to my question. She didn't even know what interfacing was! Sad but true... then on a lark... (thinking lets see if they care at all about their customers!) I asked if there were any other fabric stores in the area... all 3 gals said... No! Ahem, Hancocks was around the corner and down the street! And mind you... this ain't the "big city"! So, apparently they don't care all that much! We on the other hand at Hancocks (at least while I worked there!) made sure that if we didn't have what someone needed would call another branch of the store or even recommend the go check out JoAnn's. Most of the time people would say... No Thanks... they are never any help over there! And that the store was so dark and disorganized that they hated to go!
On a lighter note... in the other direction from my house... we got a brand new JoAnn's about 2 years back! Probably like the one you mentioned! Fabric Heaven and lots of other things to boot!
Good thing you have all the wonderful shops to check out fabric in in town. I don't know how people can shop for fabric all the time without touching!

We have ETC stores in our area- what they call the...

2009-03-16T07:24:21.822-04:00

We have ETC stores in our area- what they call their super stores. They are far from super- but they are better than some of the indie fabric stores in town. Yes, the patterns are in mismarked drawers. But our drawers all open and our cabinets don't fall over. They have great notions and if it is missing, our store will order it. They even call you when your order is in. They have reduced the amount of fashion fabric available and concentrate on quilting and home dec. And fleece- lots of fleece! But I have managed to find a few good pieces lately and made some nice stuff.

It is the only place I can get neeedles that work on my Viking. There is a Viking dealer in the store and they switched to Klase needles. They don't work on my Viking and I get Schmetz needles from Joanns. Our Pfaff dealer sells some bizarre needle that also doesn't work. I know I can order needles online. But sometimes you want them fast!

We have some independent stores that carry only what the owner likes. Fabrics in colors that suit her and projects that she wants to make. Some of the indie stores don't do 50% off patterns. That makes it pricey to get what you want.
I worked at our Joanns a few years back in between jobs. I was the only fashion sewer in the store. They are all trained to ask what you are making- but most can't help if you have a question. They still send customers with questions to me when I shop in the store. A few years back they cut everyone's hours so they wouldn't have benefits any more. Saved the sotre $ but they lost some knowledgeable staff.

wow, I would have loved to meet you! I go to that...

2009-03-15T18:42:08.021-04:00

wow, I would have loved to meet you! I go to that JoAnns frequenlty..it's about 20 mins from me. We actually have two that are really great in Columbia, Md and the one in Towson.

Both stores are kept pretty well!

We don't have a Jo-Ann's, but we do have a Fabricl...

2009-03-14T11:44:00.583-04:00

We don't have a Jo-Ann's, but we do have a Fabricland.

Hi Lindsey. There's a Jo-Ann's and a G Street (G S...

2009-03-13T23:27:27.584-04:00

Hi Lindsey. There's a Jo-Ann's and a G Street (G Street is a local Washington, DC area store) right across from my job. In all honesty, I do NOT like that Jo-Ann's. I am a beginner. Their notions and crafts are pretty decent, however, it's junky, and it's hard to get help from the staff. I always get "pointed" to a particular area. I was recently at this same Jo-Ann's and needed some polyfill for a pillow and another store in that same mall recommended this Jo-Ann's. I guess they assume that everyone is an advanced sewist. I was "pointed" to that section and as the polyfill was beyond my reach, as I attempted to reach for it THEN someone standing there (never asking can I help you, nothing) tells me "You can't go in there." I asked her was she an employee as I saw no badge. She said yes. Then I just told her that I tried several times to get help and was 'pointed' to this area and that you all gave me no choice.

This one is not very helpful nor customer oriented (I won't name the specific location)...and this isn't the first time where I expereinced customer "no-service" from them.

I hope that the others in our area aren't as such. I've only gone to that one maybe twice since this year since they're within walking distance from the job.

Walmart, here I come (went last weekend and will go back)!

Thanks for your observations.

I have a hate on for them. I'll spare the rant, b...

2009-03-13T21:36:27.338-04:00

I have a hate on for them. I'll spare the rant, but I just discovered a mom and pop close to a Hancock's (that while the ladies and I will part ways on what I find fashionable and they don't) are generally helpful and know what they have and how to use it. Both stores will order anything I need and have it in 3 days (and in one case I desperately needed a matching zipper and the Mom and Pop gave me one out of their stash. Get THAT kind of understanding from JoAnns), so I never have to go in again.

I used to go just for the patterns, but even those are so uninspiring anymore I see no reason to step foot into one. My experience is based on the ones in the Dallas area, admittedly, and I've moved to Tennessee, but I see no need to even bother with the ones here since they were so awful in Texas and the stores I've been to in OK.

JoAnn's and I have that love-hate thing going on. ...

2009-03-13T19:49:12.770-04:00

JoAnn's and I have that love-hate thing going on. I love the fact that I live within walking distance of a small store (and people actually walk in my community!) for those notion and basics purchases. The other location is a superstore about 15 minutes away. I hate the fact that it's essentially the only fully stocked (patterns, notions, and fabric) fabric store.

Oh, and about that button question. I say use the buttons and the snaps (I think Brigitte did this recently) and forget the buttonhole.

flanthrower - have you tried Vogue fabrics in Chic...

2009-03-13T19:40:54.211-04:00

flanthrower - have you tried Vogue fabrics in Chicago? I'm not hugely familiar with Chicago, but I know they have 2 stores there, one in Evanston and one in the downtown.

The Joann's in the Central Florida area are, for t...

2009-03-13T18:51:19.811-04:00

The Joann's in the Central Florida area are, for the most part, clean. They are well-stocked, too, assuming you have no interest in good garment fabric. (Is it a bad sign when the assorted bolts in the clearance area are more interesting than the more carefully arranged "real" fabric?) The pattern drawers, however, vary from obsessive-compulsive-orderly at some stores to scavenger-hunt-chaos at others. A few weeks ago, I walked around in circles so many times I needed anti-nausea meds when I was done, and I never did find an entire missing Simplicity drawer. Combined with all the walking, the deep-knee bends did my butt and thighs a world of good, though.

Oh this is one of the few things that had me truly...

2009-03-13T17:52:11.596-04:00

Oh this is one of the few things that had me truly sad about moving back into a big city. I've been so disappointed with the Joanns that I've been to in Chicago. I'll trek out to one in the 'burbs if I have to but it's such a pain if I want to grab a few notions or something. I haven't discovered any good brick and mortar fabric or notions shops here yet and get most of my fabrics and things online.

I lived in NYC until 1994 when I moved to Clevelan...

2009-03-13T16:27:51.000-04:00

I lived in NYC until 1994 when I moved to Cleveland oh. Never hear of Joann's or Hancock till then. Of course it was culture shock for someone who shopped the garment district, orchard street and downtown brooklyn, when it came time to buy fabric, notions and patterns here in Ohio. Hancock moved out of Cleveland a few years ago. I do missed them because their selection of fabrics was better then Joann's. I shop Joann's for the sales and sometime I will find fabric that's really nice and really cheap. The one that I shop at is a nice one. The only problem that I have with Joann's is when they have a 60% off sale on fabric, I think they take the good stuff to storage and wait for the sale to end.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I have noticed that ...

2009-03-13T15:29:45.533-04:00

Thanks for visiting my blog. I have noticed that the patterns are not in the correctly labeled drawers at my Hancock's. That is another item I can add to my rant. Also, Hancock's has no competition in it's town. The Joann's there closed several years ago.

I absolutely hate going to Joann's! I go for the p...

2009-03-13T14:07:57.566-04:00

I absolutely hate going to Joann's! I go for the pattern sales and the notions I have to have. All the pattern drawers open but hey, there are no patterns in the drawers. For awhile I thought I needed to go back to school and brush up on counting and then I realized that their numbers are out of sequence. A huge relief - it wasn't me! And often times I take an overnight bag because I never know how long I'll have to wait in line to be checked out. Customer Service? What is that?

Only one Joann's within an hours drive of me. No ...

2009-03-13T13:47:13.715-04:00

Only one Joann's within an hours drive of me. No Hancocks. They closed them all down. The Joann's is ok , but not great. Lots of stuff for quilters, but not too much choice otherwise. However, since it is really the only place to shop I don't fuss too much. I go to Walmart for the things I can get there. Not much, I'm sad to say. There is a small independent fabric store near me. It has a decent selection of fabric, but no patterns, except OLD ones. I like some of the old ones, though. I haven't tried buying online yet, but I guess I need to start.

I'm very lucky, both my Joann's are in good shape....

2009-03-13T13:31:36.402-04:00

I'm very lucky, both my Joann's are in good shape. Although, they've both been around forever, they manage to keep both locations neat, tidy, and clean. Both my Hancock Fabrics were recently remodeled and I'm crossing my fingers they will do the same with Joann's. I tend to go in spurts when I shop there, they are great for basics, patterns, and the occasional 'treasure'.

Jo-ann's, yeah, well that's all I've got. The two...

2009-03-13T13:29:57.769-04:00

Jo-ann's, yeah, well that's all I've got. The two closest ones are 20 minutes from my house. Other than that, I have to drive 45 minutes to Martin's, which now does not carry nearly what they used to for apparel fabric or notions. Fabric Fix is about 5 minutes away from Martin's, but it is hit or miss there. Other than that it is online shopping for me. Annoying at best.

My experience is similar to many, but at least there are a couple of Joann's around. If not, I'd be relying completely on mail order.

The Joann's near me is actually in the process of ...

2009-03-13T13:01:23.038-04:00

The Joann's near me is actually in the process of liquidating and a new Joann's (not quite a super store, the next step down) will be opening in May. I'm very excited about that because the current store is a dump and the only option I have to get fabric locally. The new manager has done a way better job keeping it tidy, but the carpet is ancient and the building is falling apart (not to mention the parking situation is awful). The building housed Fabricland before Joann's bought it out so they've needed an update for at least 10+ years. Thankfully they patterns are always organized and well stocked as is the notion wall. :-) My biggest beef is they only usually have one person cutting fabric. Hopefully that will change with the new store.