what a difference a store makes

[Jean Sewing Machine]

I think ClothWorld was bought out by Joanns. It is amazing how different stores can be in different locations in the same metropolitan area. I go to one way south of me and it is a whole lot better than the one I was going to. Nobody secializes in garment fabrics anymore because so fewpeople sew garments for themselves.

[auntiemern]

I ventured out today to go to one, but only because I had a 50% off plus 25% off total purchase and there were a couple of items I didn't want to pay full price for, and they were only good for today. Got what I went for and a few other things. No fabric, wasn't about to wait for that. Checkout went pretty fast. But between my coupons and the sales, I actually ended up paying 1/2 price for the entire order. Without coupon and sales, would have spent $160, but only spent $80.

[Iris Girl]

I have 3 joann's close enough to me to get to with in an hours drive. The first is in the mall where I work... since their remodel all the old good help seems non-existent. No one seems to really know how to cut ..and don't ask them any questions regarding how to or if they carry a certain item. They are clueless. Then of course there is the viking *itch in that store. I worked for that commission stealing, lying conniver for 2 years, she is one nasty person. Not a person who should be dealing with the customers. The lies she would tell people about their machines was disgusting. The next closest is very tiny and I had to wait on line 45 mins to get 3 things cut and the cashier was no better. there were employees walking around but not helping. The third was better but still not great.
I am an ex rag shop fabric manager and I trained my girls well. everyone could cut and cut correctly. when we ran earlybird specials and had lines wrapped around the store there would be 6 cutters and the lines moved quickly. My manager would cut when necessary. we had a good team. But alas Rag ships have closed and left us to the likes of Joanns' and hobby lobby and walmart. That is all that is around me now. No real LQS and the ones that are here charge 15 bucks a yard... can't afford that. Thank goodness I amassed a huge stash working Rag Shop for 20 years!.

[Monique]

I'm glad to hear that it's not just me. I hardly ever go to our Joann Fabrics. I think they verge on unfriendliness, their employees are not very knowledgeable about sewing or quilting, and their fabric selection and quality leaves much to be desired. I can't say much better about Hancocks in our area either. I have one small quilt store that's not inconvenient to me and it has some good stuff so I go there mostly.

I'd like to start making me some tops (clothes), but the above mentioned big box stores don't even have anything that i like. What happened to the cloth stores like Clothworld or the smaller Monique Fabrics? They had such variety and nice fabrics for clothing. I guess we will just have to start referring to those as "back in the day".

Who knew? They have named fabric and stores after me! WOW!!

[Bubby]

Isn't it amazing how different two stores in the same chain can be? I'm sure it's the management at each store. Sad....

[easyquilts]

I'm pretty lucky.... A few years ago, the only J?'s around here....that was over twenty miles away...actually moved to my hometown! It is big, clean, well-stocked, and the workers are great.... I have even had cutters go with me, to get a bolt for me... I'm very shirt...