To many crafters, the news that Joann is shutting all its stores across the country was like losing a dear friend. For generations, Joann was not just where you went to purchase fabric it was where concepts materialized, where you ran your fingers over rows of fabric and envision what could be. From amateur makers to professional designers, its rows were a second home.
Although the loss is genuine, the world of fabric is not bare. Throughout the nation and on the web, there are shops waiting to feed your next endeavor. Some are for high-end designer fabrics, some for cheap basics, and some for specialty, artist-designed patterns. If you make garments, quilt, or make home decor, these 14 resources for fabric will keep your imagination full and your projects in motion.
1. Mood Fabrics
Famous among fashion lovers and reality TV fans alike, Mood Fabrics is a destination for anyone seeking high-quality textiles. Known for its vast selection, the store caters to both fashion designers and home décor makers. You’ll find everything from silk charmeuse to heavy upholstery fabrics, alongside an extensive selection of notions, trims, and specialty zippers.
With locations in New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami, Mood provides the pleasure of browsing in person. For those who are unable to come in person, their web store reflects the selection and makes shopping convenient anywhere. Mood is as friendly to novice shoppers as it is to seasoned professionals, providing guidance without pressure.
2. B&J Fabrics
Situated in New York’s Garment District, B&J Fabrics has been around for generations. Their collection is carefully brought in from all over the globe, featuring velvets, cotton lawns, embroidered tulles, and linens of good quality.
B&J is highly organized, with fabrics categorized by type and thus easy to compare. Though it is a magnet for insiders in the fashion world, hobbyists will be just as comfortable here. Their website includes expansive descriptions and swatch ordering for distant customers, so you’ll know what you’re getting.
3. Calico
If your sewing interests are interior-focused, Calico has an elegant line of fabrics designed for home furnishings. In upholstery, drapery, and other heavy-duty fabrics, they have designer lines in various styles and price ranges.
Calico provides services such as reupholstery, drapery design, and cushion construction. Ongoing sales make high-end fabrics more within reach, making it a good resource for decorators and DIY home fashionists.
4. Michaels
Though most famously a craft store, Michaels is moving into a larger role as fabric enthusiasts. With the opening of new textile lines, they are moving beyond the small craft cuts into larger yardage.
Anticipate cottons, fleeces, felt, and seasonal prints perfect for costumes, crafts, and small projects. Licensed patterns from popular culture are a blast to use for creative endeavors. Prices are still low, and their regular promotions make saving simple.
5. Hobby Lobby
Hobby Lobby has a large in-store selection of fabrics including cotton prints, fleece, minky, faux leather, and upholstery fabric. They’re particularly robust in holiday and seasonal-themed fabrics.
Along with variety, regular sales and coupon discounts make prices competitive, typically $5–$15 a yard. Although their site can be more difficult to use, in-store shopping allows viewing of colors and texture in person.
6. Walmart
For frugal shoppers, Walmart fabric choices provide access and value. Precuts and yardage of cottons, fleece, flannel, felt, and upholstery mixtures are often stocked at most locations.
Prices begin as low as $2 per yard, making it perfect for novice projects or large quantities such as group sewing parties. Although availability in stores is unpredictable, their site has a wider range available for delivery or store pickup.
7. Spoonflower
Spoonflower is the go-to destination for one-of-a-kind designs. Collaborating with independent artists worldwide, Spoonflower offers prints that aren’t found anywhere else. Customers can choose the design and the fabric type, from cotton poplin to organic sateen and even wallpaper.
Each fabric is digitally printed to order, ensuring vibrant colors and minimal waste. It’s a dream source for sewists who want their projects to feel unique and personal.
8. Etsy
Etsy is a virtual force to be reckoned with when it comes to fabric enthusiasts, with vendors selling everything from obscure antique prints to contemporary designer quilting cottons. You can discover hand-dyed fabrics, organic cottons, and imported prints in a range of weights and textures.
Because Etsy is a marketplace of individual sellers, quality and availability both depend on the seller, but judicious browsing can result in outstanding discoveries. In addition, many sellers supply custom cuts and coordinating trims, making it an ever-more desirable resource.
9. FABSCRAP
FABSCRAP goes out of its way to prioritize sustainability, salvaging unworn fabric from fashion waste streams and offering it to the community. Stock fluctuates based on what gets donated but usually features designer fabrics for a fraction of the retail price.
Browsing FABSCRAP is a treasure hunt you never know what you’re going to come away with. Beyond buying, crafters can also volunteer for FABSCRAP to receive free yardage, making it a community-supported resource.
10. A Thrifty Notion
This Kansas-based shop offers a mix of new and reclaimed fabrics, with an emphasis on sustainability and affordability. You’ll find quilting cottons, apparel fabrics, notions, and even unusual items like vintage trims and buttons.
A Thrifty Notion’s focus on reclaimed textiles helps keep fabric out of landfills, making it a great choice for eco-conscious makers. Their online store is easy to navigate and regularly updated.
11. Brooklyn General Store
Situated in Brooklyn, New York, this is a store that specializes in natural fibers, yarn, and sewing notions. Their fabric selection skews toward the cottons, linens, and wools, focusing on quality rather than quantity.
Brooklyn General Store is also a center of activity for the local craft community, hosting workshops in sewing, knitting, and other fiber arts. For those who can’t make it in person, their website displays much of their carefully curated inventory.
12. Fabric Mart
Fabric Mart has gained a loyal clientele for the extensive choice and regular steep discounts. Dealing only in clothing fabrics, they cover anything from basic knits to luxury designer bolts.
Their “Designer Ends” department is the bargain shopper’s dream, selling limited lots of luxury fabrics at discounted prices. Online shoppers can sort by fiber content, weight, and application, making it easy to locate just what is required.
13. Gray Lines Linen
If you are a linen lover, this is a shop you should not miss. Gray Lines Linen specializes in the fiber, providing it in any number of weights, colors, and patterns. From thin handkerchief linen to thick upholstery mixes, their range is both handy and long-lasting.
Headquartered in the Garment District of New York City, they also sell online, with swatch ordering for those who prefer to try before they buy.
14. Amazon
For sheer, unparalleled selection and convenience, Amazon has quickly become a powerhouse in the fabric world, earning its title as having the “Best Selection.” Think of anything you might possibly need – “from everyday cotton to luxurious silk, leather, upholstery materials, and specialty textiles” – and chances are, you’ll find it there. This vast inventory truly offers “something for every project and budget,” with prices ranging from an incredibly low “$3 to over $50 per yard.”
The beauty of Amazon lies in its accessibility and the sheer volume of choices. It’s an online-only experience, which means you can browse and buy from the comfort of your home, anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re hunting for a specific fiber, weight, or pattern, the chances of finding it on Amazon are incredibly high, making it an essential resource for crafters transitioning from Joann.
However, with great variety comes the need for diligent shopping. Since “many fabrics are sold by third-party vendors,” it’s crucial to exercise caution and smart shopping habits. Always prioritize “reading reviews and product descriptions” to ensure you’re getting high-quality options that precisely meet your project’s needs. With a little careful navigation, Amazon can be an absolute treasure trove for your fabric requirements, providing endless possibilities at your fingertips.
Now that we’ve explored some of the major players stepping up to fill the Joann-sized hole in our crafting hearts, it’s time to dig even deeper. Because let’s be real, the fabric world is vast and wonderful, stretching far beyond the familiar aisles we once roamed. This next batch of alternatives is where you’ll unearth some true hidden gems from incredible online treasure troves brimming with unique prints to planet-friendly options that let you craft with a conscience, and charming specialty shops that feel like a warm hug. Get ready to expand your textile horizons, because your next favorite fabric source is waiting!
Independent Local Fabric Shops
While big chain stores and internet giants have their spot, don’t discount individual local stores. They tend to have thoughtfully selected collections, host sewing clubs, and offer events or classes.
Shopping in your community not only introduces you to special fabrics but also keeps small businesses alive in your community. Look around online or ask other makers for advice chances are, there’s a secret gem nearby.
The Future of Fabric Shopping
Joann’s demise is a reminder of the speed with which the world of retail can change. But for crafters, however, the fundamental need for access to materials has not changed. The silver lining is that alternatives abound, from huge warehouses to cozy boutiques, and from cheap basics to high-end imports.
Venturing out to new sources can even open up your creative horizons. You may discover a new type of fabric you have never worked with, learn about environmental-friendly alternatives, or meet fellow makers through workshops and community centers. Saying goodbye to Joann is sad, but also an opportunity to recharge your strategy for sourcing supplies. With these 14 alternatives, your sewing machine will never be still, and your project ideas can continue to flow.
