JoAnn's vs Hobby Lobby
#12
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,426
I find Robert Kaufman fabric at Hobby Lobby and a few other name brands, they are all mixed in. Reading the end of the bolts will give you all the info . The name brand fabrics are the same no matter where they are sold, just different prices. JoAnn fabrics are marked up to as high as 100-500% profit margin. I was looking for jersey knit and at Joann it was $9.99 a yard. The very same knit, same bolt, same manufacturer, same color, at Walmart was $1.98 a yard. I did not buy from Joann.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,563
I'm very lucky in that we have a family-owned regional craft chain called Craft Warehouse and they are *excellent*. They beat the pants off both HL and Joann's. They carry quilt shop quality fabrics, notions, they even have activities and clubs not just for quilters, but for other crafters as well, such as beading, painting, paper crafting, etc. If you are ever in the PNW, see if you can stop by.
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,867
I find JA and HL very comparable in fabrics. HL's $6.99 fabric is no better than JA's Keepsake. I recently had to throw away a yard of HL fabric and I never have JA's. Both have some better fabrics. HL even has some Northcutt. Probably older stock, but that's okay. I prefer LQS, but unless it's on clearance, I don't buy a lot there. I do buy Northcutt solids at my LQS - they are the best, IMO.
#15
I also prefer Hobby Lobby over Joann's. Nicer staff and they honor their coupons. I receive lots of Joann coupons, but most of the time Joann's won't honor them for one reason or another. I feel like Joann's coupons are just to draw people in the store with idea that after waiting in line for 20 minutes or more, most customers will just cave in an pay the regular price when the coupons are denied.
#16
I was cheated on price at JAs once and I won't go back. They tried cheating my Daughter too and she caught them. She still goes there.
So, I go to Hobby Lobby and never get cheated. I also buy fabrics and battings from Wal Mart. I love both stores and don't care what personal opinions are.
So, I go to Hobby Lobby and never get cheated. I also buy fabrics and battings from Wal Mart. I love both stores and don't care what personal opinions are.
#17
I'm very lucky in that we have a family-owned regional craft chain called Craft Warehouse and they are *excellent*. They beat the pants off both HL and Joann's. They carry quilt shop quality fabrics, notions, they even have activities and clubs not just for quilters, but for other crafters as well, such as beading, painting, paper crafting, etc. If you are ever in the PNW, see if you can stop by.
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: in the sticks of PA
Posts: 2,312
I'm finding it difficult to shop at either store since they have each changed their coupon discount. JAF has the quilting cottons at 30% off so of course you can't use the coupon and Hobby Lobby changed their 40% off every other week to 25%. I really hope they go back to the 40. I have been looking for solid navy blue fabric for over six weeks and couldn't find any at either store, even trying to get some online was impossible. It's a little harder to make gifts for people right now!
#19
Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Northern California
Posts: 75
I was traveling last week and shopped at Joann's, Hobby Lobby, and Craft Warehouse. The Joann's was fairly well stocked and I picked up two half yard pieces for $6 total. I loved both patterns but the quality was very different. I work small and do a lot of scrappy quilts so the quality isn't a huge issue, but I don't understand beautiful prints on terrible fabric. It's such a waste!
I found much better quality at Hobby Lobby but was disappointed at the 25% discount. It used to be 30%. I was able to get some canvas prints for outdoor pillows on clearance so I walked away happy.
I had heard great things about Craft Warehouse so I stopped at the one in Medford, OR, conveniently next to a Joanns. I was so disappointed. The fabric was in flat folds at locations throughout the store so it was hard to look through, but the worst was that the fabric was really dated and at $7.99 a yard seemed pricy to me. I'd seen the same fabrics online for $4.99 a yard. The store was also dark, junked up, and frankly, not very clean. I won't go back.
I'm waiting and hoping that our LQS will reopen soon. I was able to do curbside pickup with them, but now they're closed with no sign of reopening. I'm afraid that we're going to lose a lot of local quilt shops. So sad.
I found much better quality at Hobby Lobby but was disappointed at the 25% discount. It used to be 30%. I was able to get some canvas prints for outdoor pillows on clearance so I walked away happy.
I had heard great things about Craft Warehouse so I stopped at the one in Medford, OR, conveniently next to a Joanns. I was so disappointed. The fabric was in flat folds at locations throughout the store so it was hard to look through, but the worst was that the fabric was really dated and at $7.99 a yard seemed pricy to me. I'd seen the same fabrics online for $4.99 a yard. The store was also dark, junked up, and frankly, not very clean. I won't go back.
I'm waiting and hoping that our LQS will reopen soon. I was able to do curbside pickup with them, but now they're closed with no sign of reopening. I'm afraid that we're going to lose a lot of local quilt shops. So sad.