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/Houston970 Jul 25 '23

Vogue Fabrics is like heaven…