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A Joann Fabrics and Crafts storefront in its final year of operation. The nationwide closure has left many crafters searching for affordable alternatives.
Find out why Joann’s stores are closing nationwide and discover affordable alternatives to shop for fabric and craft supplies.
The news that Joann Fabrics is closing all its stores across the U.S. has left a significant void in the crafting and sewing communities. For decades, Joann's was more than just a store—it was a haven for quilters, dressmakers, knitters, DIYers, and hobbyists of all ages. Whether you needed affordable fabric, yarn, seasonal décor, or notions for your next project, Joann's was often the first—and sometimes only—place to turn.
Joann's was established in the United States by German immigrants in 1943. They used to be Cloth World in the 1970s. Then they changed their name to House Of Fabrics. Now, they are Joann's Fabrics and Crafts stores as we currently know them. Are we witnessing history being made before our eyes as a decades-long fabric chain comes to a close? Is this a sign of the times or part of the COVID reset? I cannot imagine that sewists and crafters have stopped their hobby and skill of sewing. Sewing is a mainstay alternative to store-bought clothes, allowing many to save money.
Sadly, as the company shuts its doors due to a combination of financial challenges, inventory issues, and shifting consumer trends, many are left wondering: Where do we, as sewists, crafters, and fabricholics, go from here?
Why Is Joann's Closing?
Several factors have contributed to Joann's decision to close all of its stores:
Financial Challenges and Debt Accumulation: Joann has faced significant financial struggles, including substantial debt. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy twice within a year, with the second filing in January 2025 citing an "untenable debt position."
Inventory Issues: The retailer experienced unpredictable and inconsistent deliveries from suppliers, leading to inventory shortages. Court documents revealed that Joann faced an unexpected ramp-down, and in some cases, the entire cessation of production of essential items, which negatively impacted sales.
Shifts in consumer behavior: After a surge in at-home crafting during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Joann saw a decline in consumer interest as pandemic restrictions eased. This shift led to a decline in demand for their products.
Increased Competition: Joann faced growing competition from both brick-and-mortar retailers, such as Hobby Lobby and Michaels, as well as online platforms, which eroded its market share.
Impact of Private Equity Ownership: The company's acquisition by the private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners in 2011 led to a leveraged buyout, which resulted in significant debt. Critics argue that such private equity practices can prioritize short-term financial gains over long-term stability, potentially contributing to Joann's financial woes.
The High Cost of Small Shops
Local quilt shops and independently owned fabric stores offer beautiful, high-quality materials, but they come with high prices. These shops often operate with slim margins and high overhead costs—rent, utilities, and limited buying power—so their prices reflect the need to stay in business. For many sewists and crafters, especially those on fixed incomes or running handmade businesses, those prices can be out of reach.
Big Box Stores and Shrinking Options
While stores like Walmart still offer craft supplies and fabric, the variety is shrinking. Fabric departments have been downsized in many locations and are often poorly stocked, leaving crafters with few options for high-quality prints, colors, and textures. In-store assistance is limited, and the selection can vary significantly depending on the location.
Online Shopping Isn’t for Everyone
Although the internet offers access to thousands of fabric shops and marketplaces, not everyone is comfortable shopping for textiles online. Many prefer to see and feel the fabric in person to judge quality, weight, drape, and accurate color—something that photos and descriptions often fail to capture. Shipping costs, minimum order requirements, and return policies can also be deterrents to purchasing.
Thrifting: A Hidden Gem
One often-overlooked alternative is your local Goodwill, thrift store, garage sale, or estate sale. These secondhand shops can be a goldmine for crafters on a budget. You might find yards of fabric, vintage sewing patterns, buttons, lace, ribbon, and even gently used tools. Many experienced sewists also repurpose sheets, curtains, and clothing into new, creative projects. Thrifting not only saves money but also supports sustainability.
A Community Loss
Joann's closure is more than just the loss of a retail chain. It’s the loss of a space that sparked creativity, provided inspiration, and supported generations of makers. It was a place to learn, to explore new ideas, and to grab that last-minute spool of thread or zipper. It was a part of our routines, our traditions, and our community.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Now is the time for crafters to get creative beyond the workroom. That might mean joining local sewing groups to swap supplies, starting fabric co-ops to buy in bulk at discounted prices, or advocating for better-stocked fabric sections in stores like Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or Walmart. We can also support independent designers and sellers who offer unique patterns, fabric bundles, and craft kits online.
To give you an idea of where to shop for fabric and craft items, I shop Marshall Dry Goods online for cotton fabrics and some knits at affordable prices. I also shop on eBay for a variety of fabrics at affordable prices.
In many ways, this is an opportunity—a chance to reshape how we source our materials, support one another, and sustain the crafting lifestyle we love so dearly.
Joann may be closing its doors, but the creative spirit it helped nurture is alive and well. I hope that a new fabric and crafts chain store sees an opportunity and opens its doors where Joann's used to be. It may be a bigger store that offers everything a sewist and crafter needs. We will see...
Seeking affordable fabric alternatives, sewing supplies, and distinctive craft materials? Visit my Bonanza Booth for a curated selection of sewing patterns, fabric remnants, 18" doll clothes, and more. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned maker, something is waiting for you there.
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