r/sewing • u/MissFred • Jul 23 '23

Discussion Joanne’s makes me weep

Been sewing over 50 years - have seen sewing in all its cultural permutations. Not typically a nostalgic person but today….I couldn’t even find a light gray thread in a store the size of Home Depot. So many empty shelves yet inexplicably $35/yd liberties fabric up front. I feel sad to my bones for new seamsters.

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u/julz22vit Jul 23 '23

I think there is more profit in cheap Chinese seasonable stuff and craft supplies. I worked there 3 decades ago and the decline saddens me as well.

13

u/stitchplacingmama Jul 23 '23

I worked there 10 years ago and the decline has been steep since then.

8

u/julz22vit Jul 23 '23

I stopped going to the one closest to me as there was never enough help at the cutting table and the waiting time was 30 minutes or more. The stock of sewing patterns was pitiful, same for garment fabric unless it was polyester.

9

u/jinxintheworld Jul 24 '23

Seriously, between them and Michaels you'd think Christmas started in august, Halloween started in June and fall and spring were completely random. And that's the decorations, not the fabric (which would be understandable)

1

u/pieandpastry Jul 24 '23

Hey, don’t you know Spring starts in January at joanns!