RIP Joann Fabrics

I am sure that by now, those of you who care have heard that Joann Fabrics is closing 500+ stores around the country. The ones on the chopping block can be found here. Amazingly, the stores in Kalispell and Missoula are not on the list. (The store in Kalispell has so little inventory, though, that they might as well close it.) Most of the Seattle stores are closing, as well as two of the three Spokane stores. It makes sense that they would close the most-expensive-to-operate stores first.

I hope that enough of this company is left that something good can grow out of the stump. I have heard a few rumors that Joanns will transition to online-only sales, but it is way too difficult to buy fabric online on a regular basis. (That idea sounds to me like it came from bean counters who don’t sew and don’t understand the purchasing habits of their customers.) Perhaps Hobby Lobby and/or Michaels will up their game in the sewing department to help fill in the gaps.

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I have mostly finished the sample for the Bernina event at the end of March. I can’t show the entire project, but here is a teaser:

This is decorative chainstitching done on the coverstitch machine with Spagetti 12 wt thread. (That’s not a typo—that is the correct spelling.) The fabric is part of a Kaffe Fassett line from Free Spirit.

This project has a lot going on. I first had to do the decorative stitching on the coverstitch machine. I then moved to the serger to piece the units and assemble them. Finally, I went to the 880 to do some quilting, both decorative—using the built-in stitches—and free motion. Normally, I would do my quilting on the Q20, but this project specified the use of domestic machines with the Bernina Stitch Regulator. I haven’t ever used mine, so that was a good learning experience. (The BSR is a foot assembly for free motion quilting that attaches to the machine and plugs into the back of it.) All that’s left is to do some quilting using the embroidery hoop and program.

I didn’t receive the second part of the instructions for this project until just before lunchtime yesterday. Fortunately—and this is why I have the equivalent of a Joann Fabrics store in my house—I had the threads that were specified in the instructions and didn’t have to wait until my next trip to town to get them.

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I do buy fabric online occasionally. I placed an order with KnitFabric.com for some material to make shirts for Susan’s grandsons—the boys requested them and were very specific about what they want—and the order arrived yesterday. This tag was on one of the pieces:

I love that they do this. Fabric.com used to do this, too.

While I was shopping, I ordered some fabric for myself, too:

This is a French terry and I think it’s probably destined for a Jalie Nathalie top.