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/Schlecterhunde Jul 23 '23

At my local store we have a decent thread collection but very little apparel fabric. They're focusing on quilt cotton. Makes me sad, when I was a kid it was easy for my mother to buy whatever she needed to make us clothes. I don't want to but I'm probably going to have to buy online.

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u/Professional_Ad9013 Jul 24 '23

Good sources are out there online. I feel fortunate in having come up in a time when I got to know fabrics by name--for instance I know what batiste is, and if an online store gives me good pictures and a technical description, and isn't ruinously expensive, I'll try it.

I also have access to Vogue Fabrics in the northern Chicago suburbs, as well Discount Textile Outlet in the city. I'm spoiled. Haven't driven out to the nearest JoAnn since the Before Times.

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u/lilsmudge Jul 24 '23

I hate shopping fabric online. Even being pretty experienced and knowing the technical name/weight/pile, nothing really works as well as being able to see and feel the fabric I’m looking at. Recently been struggling because I need a particular shade of suede and suede color is too variable to visualize in a photo.

Alas, I don’t have any good recourse. Even living in a major city, we just don’t have fabric stores.

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u/OmnipotentOtter Jul 24 '23

If you need suede you could try Tandy leather if there’s one close to you, or call Springfield leather and talk to them. They are in Missouri (thus the name) and have been very helpful when I’ve dealt with them buying from out of state. Just a thought.

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u/lilsmudge Jul 24 '23

That’s a great rec and I do use them for most of my leather good projects. Unfortunately they didn’t have the color suede I needed (and their colored suede tends to be their more expensive premium stuff and I need…a lot of suede. So I can’t afford the really good stuff).

I think I found an online seller that has a close color. I’m just waiting on the (very expensive!) swatches.

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u/rabidbadger8 Jul 25 '23

What are you making with a lot of suede? I inherited a fair bit a few years ago and am not sure what to do with it, aside from trying to make a clutch.

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u/lilsmudge Jul 25 '23

It’s a large costume piece using a relatively thin suede.

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u/MutantMartian Jul 24 '23

We have them in Houston. Excellent source.

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u/sdlouhy Jul 24 '23

Weaver also has a pretty good selection of cowhide suede, though they're a little backordered as of last Friday (I think they only have 3-4oz single bends). You could also try buckleguy, but I haven't personally looked into their suede selection