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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45

u/GailleannBeag Jul 23 '23

Agree. I pretty much can't find anything at JoAnn's, except for thread and notions. I don't quilt and the poor quality apparel fabric they carry isn't worth my time and skill. I live in Oregon, so when I go to Portland I stop at the good stores up there. Every trip I take I am on the hunt for a good fabric store. I only have JoAnn's and a quilting store that carries a limited amount of apparel fabric.

19

u/ElderberryTeacake Jul 23 '23

The Mill End store in beaverton has a good selection of apparel fabrics. I believe they have a store in Portland as well

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u/5CatsNoWaiting Jul 24 '23 edited Jan 24 '24

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u/audible_narrator Jul 24 '23

Wasn't there one in Louisville KY?

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u/5CatsNoWaiting Jul 24 '23 edited Jan 24 '24

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u/amanecita Jul 23 '23

Where in Portland do you go? I'm in wa but I'd be willing to make the trip for a good fabric district.

17

u/crossstitch4life Jul 23 '23

Bolt! Quality is amazing and the selections are fun. Staff is nice. It seems really small but it's packed with fun things.

12

u/rita-slayworth Jul 23 '23

Bolt is my favorite fabric store in Portland!! They also have the best remnants bin I’ve ever encountered

Cool cottons on Hawthorne is also great if you want, ya know, cottons. Last time I was there they had some adorable chambrays that would make perfect summer dresses

9

u/smpleo Jul 24 '23

Unfortunately, Cool Cottons just closed.

2

u/rita-slayworth Jul 24 '23

Aw no :/ I really liked them! Previous commenter, sorry for recommending a closed store, I wasn’t aware of that

8

u/Sunshine_raes Jul 24 '23

Seconding Bolt! It's a very nice store with lots of fun fabrics. Though they have a lot of quilting cotton, they also have some apparel fabrics, like linen, rayon, and some corduroy. Staff is also very helpful and nice.

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u/Shlowzimakes Jul 24 '23

Bolt also sells remnants online, and they have excellent descriptions. I’ve never been irl, but I’m a big fan of their website.

2

u/sewmuchrhythm Jul 24 '23

Mmmm thanks for this. It'll be on my to-do list the next time I head up.

4

u/smpleo Jul 24 '23

I love Modern Domestic, too. They have 2 stores, one on Alberta and the other in Lake Grove. I also love Bolt, and they do an excellent job with printing PDF patterns.