This was very validating to me. I don’t know anyone in my life who can really get as excited about and ‘fall in love’ with a fabric like me. I thought I was just very strange. To hear your excitement and how you just couldn’t resist or had to have the fabric in your life in just some small way….is so relatable. Thank you for helping me not feel so weird.
As an American it's so fun to hear your comparison! As I watch your movies I've often wondered how our fabric shopping compares to yours, so I was very excited to see this!
I worked at Joann Fabrics in Indiana through high school and college. The Joann's you went to in this video is the messiest Joann's I have ever seen. Our store was much more organized and didn't have the ends of the fabric hanging all over. We also had our fabric sorted better.
I am 55 and have been going to Joann Fabrics since I can remember. I actually worked there in 1992 while attending college. It is has gone downhill a lot in the last few years. I was saddened by their filing bankruptcy and possible closing of the stores nationwide. This explained why I went into a newly renovated Joanns and the selection was thin and store very unorganized. Not like I am used to seeing it, nice, tight, lots of inventory.
It’s funny that one of the first fabrics you touched at JoAnn’s is the fabric I used just a few weeks ago to sew my first ever garment which I made from your boxer shorts pattern! 😊
I live about an hour south of Austin and love making special trips just to visit the Austin Creative Reuse store that you visited… Every crafty activity that I have ever embraced has been enriched by the inspiration that I gain whenever I visit that store, but the fabric part of the store truly is a wonder, full of surprises and treasures. Once I drove up specifically to find sewing patterns for infants and toddlers for a new grandmother who had begged me to teach her how to sew for their Bundle of Joy…. I left with 20 commercial patterns for ONE DOLLAR! And, of course, the zippers & trims (Rick rack, ribbons, & bias tapes) at 25-50 cents per package was insanely appealing, not to mention the seam ripper and extra bobbins and pins she would need! The variety of high cotton content yardages makes it especially fun to piece together attractive garments for Project Dress a Girl (using my sewing Super Power for Good!) and at $2-4 per yard for lovely quilting fabrics, it’s hard to say “No” to stocking up “just in case”… I’ve even bought fabric that I have no earthly idea of what I’ll do with it, but couldn’t resist… fake fur for Halloween maybe??? New donations come in weekly (probably daily) and they get really unusual things sometimes, so I’ve really enjoyed volunteering to process the fabric donations that come in there. Yes, you can spend hours there, but $20 goes a long way, and $30 goes a loooooooong way at ACR. Glad you enjoyed it!
There's two Joann's in the austin area and it looks like you drew the short straw; the other one was recently renovated and the whole store is much nicer imo. Most of the fabric stores in the area are just quilt shops. To my knowledge, there arent a ton of apparel-focused fabric stores anywhere around. If you go back to Joanns, dont pay full price! Joanns is known to be more expensive than Hobby Lobby (their biggest competition in the area fabric-wise), but they constantly have really good coupons on their app to knock down the price.
I'm a Canadian in Ontario and I love crossing the border to Joanns because amazingly their selection and prices are better than Fabricville, which we have. Fabricville is just chock full of poly, and I can never find good prints! The customers at Joanns when I've gone were all so nice, and in the checkout the lady behind me gave me some coupons! They're big into coupons which is great 👍
Ah a trip to JoAnn’s can be great or terrible. They recently filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy which allows them time to re-organize their finances and work with their creditors. Consequently, much of the staff has been let go (redundant) so there are few workers and many unskilled workers. I suspect the few employees they have are not knowledgeable of fabric - or they are so busy that they don’t have time to put fabric exactly where is belongs. I am glad you had an OK experience and made some purchases.
@@heleneikerenkotter2950 I am in the Richmond, VA metro area. The company that sold sewing machines (Viking?) has vacated both of our local stores. Neither store has full time employees (yes, I am a frequent shopper and know many of the employees). I have had to wait for assistance at both the cutting table and the cash register because there is no employee able to help. One store has few patterns and many gaps on the shelves. I think you are correct that the bankruptcy has been worked out but they seem to still be on a VERY tight budget.
My JoAnn store has been a disorganized mess always and forever. I shop there often because it is the most convenient place to get lots of things like thread, notions, elastic, etc., but if I'm looking for fabric I look through all the areas designated for apparel fabric because I always find things in the wrong place.
I'm not sure if you're still in the united states, but one category of fabric shops that you may want to look at if you ever come back here or if you're still here would be fabric for mennonites. I am a Mennonite, so I obviously make my own clothes and our fabric shops are typically a little bit different from the ones like Jo-Ann fabrics and hobby lobby that you find over here in the Midwest. I would encourage you, if you can, to find a Mennonite in Texas since there are quite a few of our churches and they should be able to point you in the direction of some of our fabric shops.
I think the biggest problem in the US is that a lot of the amazing prints are in quilting cottons and not in the apparel fabrics. Quilting cotton isn't always great for items that are meant to be flowy instead of structured. Joann's also carries a lot of polyester blend fabrics and is the only option for fabrics in certain places. It's been great that Liberty fabrics are now an option, but still out of many people's budget.
Janelle!!! If you see this and you’re still in the USA, you MUST go thrifting at Savers!! It’s a chain secondhand store and they have everything from clothing, fabric, housewares, magazines, sewing goodies, decor, the works! I go there for just about anything and everything lol! 💙💙💙 vintage bedsheet CENTRAL!
Welcome to Texas Janelle! (I’m North of Dallas so hours away; being from the UK I still can’t fathom the scale of this state😂). I feel like you found some lovely fabrics that are still so ‘you’; in your trademark palette and designs! I look forward to seeing what you sew with them. I was wondering how the heat here compares to an Australian/Tasmanian summer? We’ve had our hottest days yet since you arrived I think!
Oh also, as someone else mentioned about coupons, before you shop any craft/fabric store here in the states always check on-line for coupons. There is usually some kind of discount running year round. You can just bring up the QR code on your phone and have them scan for anything applicable to your purchase.
If you have time, you should definitely check out the Goodwill stores in North Austin and round Rock for fabric. The St Vincent de Paul thrift store is another place to find fabric. Hope you're enjoying Austin. Welcome!
As others have said, the way you described Spotlight is the way Joann's usually looks. I have one near me and it is super organized. They're in a bad spot financially so they probably don't have enough workers to keep up with the load. Also, I think that the rectangular fabric you found is a table runner. It's very pretty and I imagine it was used as part of an autumnal table setting.
If you ever could, you should try going to the LA fashion district. I'm curious to see how you would react the all the fabric overflowing in thise shops lol ♥️♥️♥️
If you decide to do a meet and greet I would love to come say hello!! 💗🥰 I live in Texas and it would be a joy to come meet you in person while you’re here! 🥰😃
Yep, just was in Joann’s on Thursday, and they’re doing a lot of clearancing, so the untidy shelves was likely a reflection of that in preparation for bankruptcy. In its day some of the stores were just as beautiful as the first shop you were in.
I live in Austin and keep putting off going to Austin resource! You encouraged me to do it. I'm glad you enjoyed your time, but I know the heat here was stifling! Take care!
Small world, seeing my local haunts featured here. :) Sadly we don’t have garment-specific fabric shops here but Dallas has options if you all can drive up there.
Nice to see the Austin fabric scene. We have a similar craft reuse is shop in Portland, Oregon called reuse it podcast. They find many of their items from things people cast off at the dump and donations. A really interesting place.
Me here to apologize for the JoAnne stores condition. It used to be so tidy and organized. Now, the employees seem to lack knowledge of even the sales taking place. You did so great with your purchases. I can't wait to see what you will make with it all. I wish you were here in Northern California. I would love to take you around to our fabric stores and to see our beautiful forests. Enjoy the US ! ❤ Lesley
That Joann fabrics is not your typical Joann fabrics because all the ones in my area have everything by category. There is nothing randomly mixed in other than the clearance section and even at four different ones that are in my area. It’s still pretty much buy fabric type. This could be why the four in my area that I go to are not going out of business, they’re always busy.
Agreed. Our Jo'Ann's where I live is very neat and tidy. They have a large clearance section which can be kind of haphazard but it's still very tidy. All of the fabric should be organized, usually bridal/special occasion, quilt fabrics, knits, etc. And just because they are going through bankruptcy (restructuring to go from public to private) doesn't mean that their stores are messy for any reason other than they are messy.
I know this has nothing to do with fabric but your hair looks so shiny and nice in this video! I love it.🥰 love your videos! I have sewn 4 dresses since watching you! Lots of 💕 thank you for all you teach us.
Oh my gosh!!!So fun that you are in Austin! I live in Houston but we go to Austin all the time since my husband graduated from UT. I will make sure to visit these stores next time I go there. Austin is really fun, so glad you are enjoying your visit!
I've been to JoAnns myself for the first time (being from Germany) and was intrigued by the same floral fabric as you but unfortunately left it there for another fabric. I now regret it 😅 thank you for your beautiful videos and patterns, just finished my first Clover Skirt (with fabric from JoAnns - and I'm in love with it! ❤)
Quilting is very popular here in Texas, so yeah most of the fabric shops cater to quilters. 😊There seems to be a wide variety among the various JoAnn stores. We have 3 just down the road here in San Antonio, Texas. The one on the far west side of town is newer and in a nice area but it’s small not very well run. The one on the north central side of town is older and in a sort of run down area, but it’s much larger and has more variety of merchandise and it’s very neat and organized. Always use coupons! 😊 Also, fabric shops in general are never very busy during the week, but if you go to JoAnns on the weekend, sometimes there’s a long line for the cutting table.
I always love going shopping with you! Barkcloth was commonly used here for drapes/curtains and furniture slipcovers in the 50's; probably earlier but I wasn't around in the 40's. :) .
Welcome to the USA! I am right next door to you - in another state though. Jo Ann's claimed bankruptcy and have been having a hard time getting employees. I am sorry the fabrics weren't in order. My little store of JoAnn's is always organized by fabric types. Specialty fabric shops are adorable and have specialty fabrics you just don't find everywhere. Super friendly and happy people tend to be found in these stores because they love what they do. You deserve to shop to your hearts content because you will create something beautiful as you always do! x's lj
Look for Goodwill thrift stores. Sometimes you can find good fabric or sheets. I even go through the dresses and men's shirts for fabric. Look for estate sales as well. Those can be a great source for vintage items. Glad you had fun!
Also look for savers thrift stores. SPCA too. Goodwill bins sells by the pound. If things don't sell in a store, they end up at the bins. Go on a weekday!
I’m surprised that commenters mentioned that America doesn’t have as good of fabric stores as Australia but maybe that’s dependent on their location. I’m in the Bay Area and that’s definitely not the case. Texas has a hold on the quilting community so you’ll find a lot of quilt shops in tx. If you’re going to go back to Joann’s, grab the app for coupons, try not to pay full price. Lauren Johnson posted a video two months ago making a dress with the last Joann’s fabric you got, you both have good taste.
I am in Australia and grew up in Canada and oh my goodness I almost gasped hearing that people said Australian fabric stores are better?!? They are often overpriced and nowhere near as much to choose from. Which is true for almost everything really (paints, food etc).
Austin doesn’t have good fabric stores if you are a garment sewer. I know that the Bay Area in California has great stores because I order from them…one of them being Harts Fabrics. I was in Los Angeles last week and did some serious damage at the Mood Fabrics location there. It’s so beautiful, spacious, and well laid out with great lighting. It’s so much better than the New York Location which is not a pleasant shopping experience.
I feel like with the circular needlework pineapple piece, if you could sew another circular piece right sides together, to turn it through and stuff it, it would make an adorable statement cushion! So cute! So many great fabrics, my favourite was the black and gold floral Japanese rayon
Love all the fabrics! Will have to go to Joans near me and see if they have the shearing fabric you showed. If you're still in Austin I would check out the thrift stores as well
You got some lovely fabrics! My favourites are the green stripe and the peachy floral. I would love to go to a real fabric store, but for me, it is thrifting or online buying.
The first store was soooo pretty!! 😍 I’ve been living in iran, which has so many fabric stores! But now back in the netherlands, there isnt even 1 anywhere close to our home. 😢 I just buy fabric at the market… and I always stand there next to older ladies 😂 is it like this in other countries too?? Young people sewing is something you never see here…
That’s soo sad! I’m glad you at least have a market you can purchase fabric from. There’s nothing like actually being able to see and feel fabric before purchasing.
Loved all your finds.. with the last two, I feel the long rectangular would make a great table runner but loved the pockets idea AND with the stained pineapple one, I wonder if you could tea stain it??
Yay, glad you got to check out some fabric shops in the USA! You can also find some nice fabric/vintage sheets while thrifting as well. I love vintage prints, and really enjoy feedback patterns, which they make replicas of. Did people in Australia have feedbacks that were printed in patterns for people to make clothing out of?
The fabrics from the first shop you went to - Beehive - are mainly all Ruby Star Society fabrics. It is my absolute favourite line of fabrics. They do apparel fabrics for most of their different collections, but it’s pretty limited. They are very quilting and bag making focused. I probably have every single line they have made from 2020 through to 2023. Now that I live in the UK, their fabrics are really hard to find and super pricey. I know a few people have commented here about Hobby Lobby and I would also never shop there because they are a horrible unethical company. Joanns ten years ago was way better than it is today. I believe most of their shops are in receivership anyway. It’s really hit and miss depending on where it’s located. The one near me when I lived in San Francisco carried Liberty fabrics!
Maybe it’s bc I live in a more rural state (New Mexico) but I LOVE my JoAnn’s. It’s significantly cheaper than Hobby Lobby here and definitely has the most selection and really good sales. Everyone who works there that I’ve talked to so far has been so lovely and crafters themselves and it’s always my first stop before I go to other craft stores. I was so sad to hear they filed for bankruptcy. We don’t really have any other options here except hobby lobby and Michael’s and as a personal preference I don’t care to shop at hobby lobby as a whole.
Janelle! While you're in Austin, you should definitely pop over to San Antonio (about a one hour drive away) to thrift, purchase fabric, enjoy the sites, and sample some Tex Mex cuisine! You'll be able to find beautiful Mexican and Latin American fabrics and craft goods. I recommend, if you go, visiting the Alamo and River Walk, the Pearl, Southtown, and thrifting in the Olmos Park area.
Thanks for taking us shopping in Austin. I just purchased the same Japanese floral fabric at Cloth Edit here in Australia. Can’t wait to see what you make!
Fabric stores are incredible or meh depending on their location. A community that has a large amount of avid sewers will have a larger store and much better selection than one that has a smaller amount of shoppers. Even if it’s in the same chain. It’s enormously irritating to know if I drive an hour on the freeway in any direction any Joanne’s I find will be a much bigger store, and larger selection. I have taken to ordering my fabric for the most part, but I miss meandering through rows of fabric though. Glad you had a great time. Your selection is very nice.❤
Hope that you and Matt are enjoying Texas, Janelle? I loved seeing the US fabric shops. I’m dreaming of an ordered sewing area, and I watched, “5 Things in my Sewing Room that Just Make Sense”, a vlog by Pattern Scout. I thought of you and your new sewing area that you are fixing in your new home. There are some great tips there! Except I would channel the power through the floor to the centre table! Also, I’m looking forward to your next Japanese Pattern make. Have fun, regards Susan at Hobart. (P.S. The spoon fabric would make a great Japanese style apron?) ❤
Welcome! Atlanta area has cute fabric stores if you are ever back in the states. Sadly, Joanns is struggling financially. That and employees typically don’t bother sorting the fabrics properly due to rough customers who are full of anarchism 😅 and dislike order and domino effect 😂 employees are lost where it goes and or don’t care and customers are lost from disorder. We love our local shops so we supply business for hopes of their tomorrow. They do lack fabrics for clothing because quilting fabrics is mostly what they have. Several closed around pandemic 😷 😢
Do you have any information on the solid burnt orange fabric? An item number or a color name? I would be interested in seeing what it was. I love that. You only pick out items that go with your aesthetic. I'm all over the place with colors.😂
I’m happy that you are visiting and enjoyed your experience fabric shopping in Texas. If you get a chance to go back to Joann’s you didn’t mention the remnants section or clearance areas- they’re lots of goodie’s to find.I’m in Georgia. Our Joann’s is staffed with knowledgeable and friendly people. Most of the fabrics are separated by types except in the clearance sections. I visit at least 3 different Joann stores regularly and same experience. Texas to Georgia is a long distance to travel but we have a lot of other fabric stores available. If I had a chance to fabric shop in the USA I’d definitely take a quick trip to the New York fashion district.
I agree they are pricey and I bought some fabric and it was not the best quality, the fabric I bought at Hobby Lobby was way better quality and better price.
I look forward to seeing what you create with your purchases. I'm sure you will create wonderful pieces that will remind you of your time in Austin, Texas. 😊
glad you had a great time at the fabric stores! I have that same floral crinkle rayon from JoAnn and don't have plans for it yet so looking forward to getting inspiration from you!
Welcome to the USA. You came to a wonderful city. Austin is just lovely. I'm in the State of Arizona, a little west of Texas with the State of New Mexico between us. I always get mad at Joanns but in truth you can get some nice things. You were at a disadvantage because Joanns tend to overprice but then to run coupons and sales. At any rate I'm glad you are enjoying your time here. I always enjoy watching your channel.
The fabrics you bought are so YOU! I could have picked them out for you 😊 So pretty! I can't wait to see what you make out of them. In the UK we don't have any fabric store "chains", we only have Hobbycraft which (as the name implies) sells all kinds of craft supplies including some basic fabrics, but otherwise we rely on independent fabric shops or the better department stores. So it was really interesting to hear your take on JoAnn and Spotlight. Maybe one day I'll visit the USA or even Australia and see for myself 🙏 We're about to go on a short holiday, and if I find out about any fabric shops in the vicinity of our hotel, you can be sure I'll be having a rummage... it's an integral part of trips away, isn't it? 😂
How fun! My favorite spot in Austin creative reuse is probably the pattern and buttons area. There are so many little treasures. I get so inspired. Joann... is... okay. I live in central Texas right now but I am from Chicagoland where we have Vogue. Even though they downsized, it's infinitely better than Joann. It makes Joann look like the fast food of fabric. I did not know the first shop had Japanese prints! I prefer deadstock and resale but when I splurge... it's on Japanese fabrics.
Omg!!! You’re so close to me!! You should take a trip down 35 to my neck of the woods. Visit San Antonio!! There’s a lot of fabric shops here. Visit Fredericksburg, Boerne, and sisterdale for an awesome Texas country mini trip. Also; you’re super close to the Mexican border so that would be a fun little road trip!
So sorry you had to see JoAnns these days. Years ago they were SO much more organized. Perhaps by now you know they are in bankruptcy and many of the their stores are closing. But our stores here in the Pacific North West are the same. No semblance of organizing the fabrics well at all. Did you look at the patterns at all. Thurs, Fri, Saturday and sometimes SUnday you can get some of the brands for 1.99 each.? Glad you did fine something you like there however! I have bought hundreds of yards of fabric there, for 50 years!
Lauren Johnson made a dress from the greenery and stripes fabric on her youtube channel.,.I love your colour choices you are a great source of inspiration for me, thank you!
I really loved going shopping with you, thank you! Totally random, but can you recommend a good men's shirt pattern? I'd love to make one for my husband, but haven't found a good one yet... Thank you!
So glad you found Austin Creative Reuse! It's one of my favorites. Hope you're enjoying your stay & avoiding the heat, humidity & mosquitos we've got right now. ;) Fabric stores are a bit 'slim pickings' here in Austin... We've had several go under over the past 10 or so years. My absolute favorite fabric store back in the day was called the Silk Road. They sold only natural fiber fabrics (particularly bridal silks) and had an incredible collection. Sadly, the little stone house they were in on Lamar got sold, bulldozed, and developed and they never recovered. :( I've sometimes resorted to buying fabric online, which is very less than ideal; I always want to feel it beforehand!
Ohhhhh uninterrupted time in a fabric shop....that is a perfect holiday...please do more ...is it any cheaper to mail yourself a box ...ship your fabric home...maybe it cheaper for it to go by boat...and maybe you can purchase a little fabric to use to sew your Japan pattern book...sell the outfit on TH-cam and you will recoup your cost...we watch you fabric coordinate a colour you won't wear but would love to see how it works, we watch you cut it out and sew it.. Your beautiful workmanship than put it up for auction...maybe sew a size 14, average woman...it can be a new segment for your channel...your challenge a red dress...maybe all white but with many different textures and type working together...I would love to see that...ask your viewers what color , give you suggestions if you want to make it subscriber involvement...this could be fun
Thanks so much for visiting Beehive and sharing such an amazing review. Hope you have been enjoying your time in Austin. 💕
Thanks so much for having me! Such a gorgeous shop 🧡
This was very validating to me. I don’t know anyone in my life who can really get as excited about and ‘fall in love’ with a fabric like me. I thought I was just very strange. To hear your excitement and how you just couldn’t resist or had to have the fabric in your life in just some small way….is so relatable. Thank you for helping me not feel so weird.
As an American it's so fun to hear your comparison! As I watch your movies I've often wondered how our fabric shopping compares to yours, so I was very excited to see this!
The pineapple embroidered piece is so cute! Definitely a pillowcase or it would also could be a framed art piece!
I worked at Joann Fabrics in Indiana through high school and college. The Joann's you went to in this video is the messiest Joann's I have ever seen. Our store was much more organized and didn't have the ends of the fabric hanging all over. We also had our fabric sorted better.
Joann is going through some sort of bankruptcy/receivership crisis, which could explain the messiness
@@lizbethfullemann554 that was settled back in April. They are back to making a profit.
The long skinny "bark cloth" from Austin Creative Reuse looks like a table runner.
I am 55 and have been going to Joann Fabrics since I can remember. I actually worked there in 1992 while attending college. It is has gone downhill a lot in the last few years. I was saddened by their filing bankruptcy and possible closing of the stores nationwide. This explained why I went into a newly renovated Joanns and the selection was thin and store very unorganized. Not like I am used to seeing it, nice, tight, lots of inventory.
It’s funny that one of the first fabrics you touched at JoAnn’s is the fabric I used just a few weeks ago to sew my first ever garment which I made from your boxer shorts pattern! 😊
Aw what a cute coincidence 🥹🧡
I live about an hour south of Austin and love making special trips just to visit the Austin Creative Reuse store that you visited… Every crafty activity that I have ever embraced has been enriched by the inspiration that I gain whenever I visit that store, but the fabric part of the store truly is a wonder, full of surprises and treasures. Once I drove up specifically to find sewing patterns for infants and toddlers for a new grandmother who had begged me to teach her how to sew for their Bundle of Joy…. I left with 20 commercial patterns for ONE DOLLAR! And, of course, the zippers & trims (Rick rack, ribbons, & bias tapes) at 25-50 cents per package was insanely appealing, not to mention the seam ripper and extra bobbins and pins she would need!
The variety of high cotton content yardages makes it especially fun to piece together attractive garments for Project Dress a Girl (using my sewing Super Power for Good!) and at $2-4 per yard for lovely quilting fabrics, it’s hard to say “No” to stocking up “just in case”… I’ve even bought fabric that I have no earthly idea of what I’ll do with it, but couldn’t resist… fake fur for Halloween maybe???
New donations come in weekly (probably daily) and they get really unusual things sometimes, so I’ve really enjoyed volunteering to process the fabric donations that come in there. Yes, you can spend hours there, but $20 goes a long way, and $30 goes a loooooooong way at ACR. Glad you enjoyed it!
There's two Joann's in the austin area and it looks like you drew the short straw; the other one was recently renovated and the whole store is much nicer imo. Most of the fabric stores in the area are just quilt shops. To my knowledge, there arent a ton of apparel-focused fabric stores anywhere around. If you go back to Joanns, dont pay full price! Joanns is known to be more expensive than Hobby Lobby (their biggest competition in the area fabric-wise), but they constantly have really good coupons on their app to knock down the price.
Nooo 😭 Oh well, at least I still found some fabric that I love!
Welcome to America, I'm so happy you found some fabric you liked, and I hope the rest of your stay is lovely, maybe you can go to a Botanical garden.
I'm a Canadian in Ontario and I love crossing the border to Joanns because amazingly their selection and prices are better than Fabricville, which we have. Fabricville is just chock full of poly, and I can never find good prints! The customers at Joanns when I've gone were all so nice, and in the checkout the lady behind me gave me some coupons! They're big into coupons which is great 👍
I think it’s wrapped with the right side inside so it’s easier to drape over the bolt once to showcase on the gondolas/tables.
Thank you so much for stopping by our creative reuse center! We're so glad you enjoyed treasure hunting and that you found such adorable pieces!
Thanks for having me! Such an amazing shop!! 😍
Ah a trip to JoAnn’s can be great or terrible. They recently filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy which allows them time to re-organize their finances and work with their creditors. Consequently, much of the staff has been let go (redundant) so there are few workers and many unskilled workers. I suspect the few employees they have are not knowledgeable of fabric - or they are so busy that they don’t have time to put fabric exactly where is belongs. I am glad you had an OK experience and made some purchases.
Oh I didn’t know that! It honestly was really tidy and well maintained considering!
@@heleneikerenkotter2950 I am in the Richmond, VA metro area. The company that sold sewing machines (Viking?) has vacated both of our local stores. Neither store has full time employees (yes, I am a frequent shopper and know many of the employees). I have had to wait for assistance at both the cutting table and the cash register because there is no employee able to help. One store has few patterns and many gaps on the shelves. I think you are correct that the bankruptcy has been worked out but they seem to still be on a VERY tight budget.
I've been going to Joann Fabrics for a couple decades. They have always been that way.
My JoAnn store has been a disorganized mess always and forever. I shop there often because it is the most convenient place to get lots of things like thread, notions, elastic, etc., but if I'm looking for fabric I look through all the areas designated for apparel fabric because I always find things in the wrong place.
@@angelbear_og Yep. Always a mess.
I’ve been told San Francisco’s Britex fabrics and a place in Portland, OR are huge places with tons of fabrics.
I love that as you travel the fabric you buy in each place becomes your souvenir. Such a cool way to remember your trip!
I was in Spotlight last night and noticed they have the shirring fabric now that you featured
If you still in Texas, drive south to San Antonio. Fabrictopia close to the city center
Totally worth the drive!
I'm not sure if you're still in the united states, but one category of fabric shops that you may want to look at if you ever come back here or if you're still here would be fabric for mennonites. I am a Mennonite, so I obviously make my own clothes and our fabric shops are typically a little bit different from the ones like Jo-Ann fabrics and hobby lobby that you find over here in the Midwest. I would encourage you, if you can, to find a Mennonite in Texas since there are quite a few of our churches and they should be able to point you in the direction of some of our fabric shops.
I think the biggest problem in the US is that a lot of the amazing prints are in quilting cottons and not in the apparel fabrics. Quilting cotton isn't always great for items that are meant to be flowy instead of structured. Joann's also carries a lot of polyester blend fabrics and is the only option for fabrics in certain places. It's been great that Liberty fabrics are now an option, but still out of many people's budget.
Janelle!!! If you see this and you’re still in the USA, you MUST go thrifting at Savers!! It’s a chain secondhand store and they have everything from clothing, fabric, housewares, magazines, sewing goodies, decor, the works! I go there for just about anything and everything lol! 💙💙💙 vintage bedsheet CENTRAL!
We have Savers in Australia. 😊
@@janeseemann2527 I had no idea they were outside of North America!
@@janeseemann2527really, I must look them up thank you ! Bridget
Welcome to Texas Janelle! (I’m North of Dallas so hours away; being from the UK I still can’t fathom the scale of this state😂).
I feel like you found some lovely fabrics that are still so ‘you’; in your trademark palette and designs! I look forward to seeing what you sew with them.
I was wondering how the heat here compares to an Australian/Tasmanian summer? We’ve had our hottest days yet since you arrived I think!
Oh also, as someone else mentioned about coupons, before you shop any craft/fabric store here in the states always check on-line for coupons. There is usually some kind of discount running year round. You can just bring up the QR code on your phone and have them scan for anything applicable to your purchase.
If you have time, you should definitely check out the Goodwill stores in North Austin and round Rock for fabric. The St Vincent de Paul thrift store is another place to find fabric. Hope you're enjoying Austin. Welcome!
As others have said, the way you described Spotlight is the way Joann's usually looks. I have one near me and it is super organized. They're in a bad spot financially so they probably don't have enough workers to keep up with the load. Also, I think that the rectangular fabric you found is a table runner. It's very pretty and I imagine it was used as part of an autumnal table setting.
If you ever could, you should try going to the LA fashion district. I'm curious to see how you would react the all the fabric overflowing in thise shops lol ♥️♥️♥️
If you decide to do a meet and greet I would love to come say hello!! 💗🥰 I live in Texas and it would be a joy to come meet you in person while you’re here! 🥰😃
The long rectangle of fabric at the end, could maybe be a table runner?
I think that’s what it might’ve been used for!
Yep, just was in Joann’s on Thursday, and they’re doing a lot of clearancing, so the untidy shelves was likely a reflection of that in preparation for bankruptcy. In its day some of the stores were just as beautiful as the first shop you were in.
I live in Austin and keep putting off going to Austin resource! You encouraged me to do it. I'm glad you enjoyed your time, but I know the heat here was stifling! Take care!
Loved coming along with you to all the US fabric shops and sooo many gorgeous finds 😍
Small world, seeing my local haunts featured here. :) Sadly we don’t have garment-specific fabric shops here but Dallas has options if you all can drive up there.
I moved here to Austin in 2020 from Hawaii. I never been to that BeeHive fabric shop. Imma go check that place out.
Nice to see the Austin fabric scene. We have a similar craft reuse is shop in Portland, Oregon called reuse it podcast. They find many of their items from things people cast off at the dump and donations. A really interesting place.
Having lived in Austin (just recently moved to Portland) Scrap! reminds me so much of Austin creative reuse!!!
I'm so glad you are enjoying your time in Austin! No guilt!
Me here to apologize for the JoAnne stores condition. It used to be so tidy and organized. Now, the employees seem to lack knowledge of even the sales taking place.
You did so great with your purchases. I can't wait to see what you will make with it all.
I wish you were here in Northern California. I would love to take you around to our fabric stores and to see our beautiful forests.
Enjoy the US ! ❤
Lesley
No need to apologise about it! I used to work at Spotlight and I know how hard it is to keep on top of keeping the fabrics neat and organised!
Our Walmart stores have a fabric department and I have found some beautiful yardage.
That Joann fabrics is not your typical Joann fabrics because all the ones in my area have everything by category. There is nothing randomly mixed in other than the clearance section and even at four different ones that are in my area. It’s still pretty much buy fabric type. This could be why the four in my area that I go to are not going out of business, they’re always busy.
Agreed. Our Jo'Ann's where I live is very neat and tidy. They have a large clearance section which can be kind of haphazard but it's still very tidy. All of the fabric should be organized, usually bridal/special occasion, quilt fabrics, knits, etc. And just because they are going through bankruptcy (restructuring to go from public to private) doesn't mean that their stores are messy for any reason other than they are messy.
So glad you were able to visit Austin. I hope you went to the Capitol building, as it is so gorgeous!
That long rectangle with the orange & yellow flowers looks almost identical to a couch we had when I was growing up. (70s of course!)
I'm so glad you had a good time! You've reminded me that there's a reuse store in the next town over from me, and I need to pay a visit.
Take both pieces from the last shop for one special pillow as a remembrance of your trip. So vintage
I know this has nothing to do with fabric but your hair looks so shiny and nice in this video! I love it.🥰 love your videos! I have sewn 4 dresses since watching you! Lots of 💕 thank you for all you teach us.
Oh my gosh!!!So fun that you are in Austin! I live in Houston but we go to Austin all the time since my husband graduated from UT. I will make sure to visit these stores next time I go there. Austin is really fun, so glad you are enjoying your visit!
Welcome to Texas! Hope you enjoy your stay!
I've been to JoAnns myself for the first time (being from Germany) and was intrigued by the same floral fabric as you but unfortunately left it there for another fabric. I now regret it 😅 thank you for your beautiful videos and patterns, just finished my first Clover Skirt (with fabric from JoAnns - and I'm in love with it! ❤)
Aw I’m sure the fabric you bought is beautiful too! Yay I’m glad you’re loving the Clover as much as I do 😍
Hello Janelle. For the fabric with the spoons on it, maybe you can make an apron, or placemats.
Quilting is very popular here in Texas, so yeah most of the fabric shops cater to quilters. 😊There seems to be a wide variety among the various JoAnn stores. We have 3 just down the road here in San Antonio, Texas. The one on the far west side of town is newer and in a nice area but it’s small not very well run. The one on the north central side of town is older and in a sort of run down area, but it’s much larger and has more variety of merchandise and it’s very neat and organized. Always use coupons! 😊 Also, fabric shops in general are never very busy during the week, but if you go to JoAnns on the weekend, sometimes there’s a long line for the cutting table.
Beautiful finds! My favourite is the $2 rectangle flower fabric. It will look lovely as a framed piece of art on the wall.
I always love going shopping with you! Barkcloth was commonly used here for drapes/curtains and furniture slipcovers in the 50's; probably earlier but I wasn't around in the 40's. :) .
Welcome to the USA! I am right next door to you - in another state though. Jo Ann's claimed bankruptcy and have been having a hard time getting employees. I am sorry the fabrics weren't in order. My little store of JoAnn's is always organized by fabric types. Specialty fabric shops are adorable and have specialty fabrics you just don't find everywhere. Super friendly and happy people tend to be found in these stores because they love what they do. You deserve to shop to your hearts content because you will create something beautiful as you always do! x's lj
Such an exciting trip !!!
Thanks for taking us along Janelle, really love your finds.
Look for Goodwill thrift stores. Sometimes you can find good fabric or sheets. I even go through the dresses and men's shirts for fabric. Look for estate sales as well. Those can be a great source for vintage items. Glad you had fun!
Also look for savers thrift stores. SPCA too. Goodwill bins sells by the pound. If things don't sell in a store, they end up at the bins. Go on a weekday!
Such beautiful pieces you've picked. ❤❤😊
I’m surprised that commenters mentioned that America doesn’t have as good of fabric stores as Australia but maybe that’s dependent on their location. I’m in the Bay Area and that’s definitely not the case. Texas has a hold on the quilting community so you’ll find a lot of quilt shops in tx. If you’re going to go back to Joann’s, grab the app for coupons, try not to pay full price. Lauren Johnson posted a video two months ago making a dress with the last Joann’s fabric you got, you both have good taste.
I am in Australia and grew up in Canada and oh my goodness I almost gasped hearing that people said Australian fabric stores are better?!? They are often overpriced and nowhere near as much to choose from. Which is true for almost everything really (paints, food etc).
Austin doesn’t have good fabric stores if you are a garment sewer. I know that the Bay Area in California has great stores because I order from them…one of them being Harts Fabrics. I was in Los Angeles last week and did some serious damage at the Mood Fabrics location there. It’s so beautiful, spacious, and well laid out with great lighting. It’s so much better than the New York Location which is not a pleasant shopping experience.
I feel like with the circular needlework pineapple piece, if you could sew another circular piece right sides together, to turn it through and stuff it, it would make an adorable statement cushion! So cute! So many great fabrics, my favourite was the black and gold floral Japanese rayon
Love all the fabrics! Will have to go to Joans near me and see if they have the shearing fabric you showed. If you're still in Austin I would check out the thrift stores as well
Such beautiful fabrics, all of them 😍 That reuse craft store looks amazing - what a great idea! Can't wait to see what you make with all your finds! 🍍
You got some lovely fabrics! My favourites are the green stripe and the peachy floral. I would love to go to a real fabric store, but for me, it is thrifting or online buying.
The first store was soooo pretty!! 😍
I’ve been living in iran, which has so many fabric stores! But now back in the netherlands, there isnt even 1 anywhere close to our home. 😢
I just buy fabric at the market… and I always stand there next to older ladies 😂 is it like this in other countries too??
Young people sewing is something you never see here…
That’s soo sad! I’m glad you at least have a market you can purchase fabric from. There’s nothing like actually being able to see and feel fabric before purchasing.
Loved all your finds.. with the last two, I feel the long rectangular would make a great table runner but loved the pockets idea AND with the stained pineapple one, I wonder if you could tea stain it??
The rayon would be a lovely Christmas dress
The JoAnn I've been to seemed better organized. It might depend on who manages the fabric section.
Yay, glad you got to check out some fabric shops in the USA! You can also find some nice fabric/vintage sheets while thrifting as well. I love vintage prints, and really enjoy feedback patterns, which they make replicas of. Did people in Australia have feedbacks that were printed in patterns for people to make clothing out of?
The fabrics from the first shop you went to - Beehive - are mainly all Ruby Star Society fabrics. It is my absolute favourite line of fabrics. They do apparel fabrics for most of their different collections, but it’s pretty limited. They are very quilting and bag making focused. I probably have every single line they have made from 2020 through to 2023. Now that I live in the UK, their fabrics are really hard to find and super pricey. I know a few people have commented here about Hobby Lobby and I would also never shop there because they are a horrible unethical company. Joanns ten years ago was way better than it is today. I believe most of their shops are in receivership anyway. It’s really hit and miss depending on where it’s located. The one near me when I lived in San Francisco carried Liberty fabrics!
Curious to know why you consider Hobby Lobby an unethical company? I shop there a lot and I'm curious.
Oh, and someone should have mentioned Joann’s usually have coupons! Almost everyone only shops with coupons 😂
Maybe it’s bc I live in a more rural state (New Mexico) but I LOVE my JoAnn’s. It’s significantly cheaper than Hobby Lobby here and definitely has the most selection and really good sales. Everyone who works there that I’ve talked to so far has been so lovely and crafters themselves and it’s always my first stop before I go to other craft stores. I was so sad to hear they filed for bankruptcy. We don’t really have any other options here except hobby lobby and Michael’s and as a personal preference I don’t care to shop at hobby lobby as a whole.
I have gotten lucky at Savers many a times though!!
Janelle! While you're in Austin, you should definitely pop over to San Antonio (about a one hour drive away) to thrift, purchase fabric, enjoy the sites, and sample some Tex Mex cuisine! You'll be able to find beautiful Mexican and Latin American fabrics and craft goods. I recommend, if you go, visiting the Alamo and River Walk, the Pearl, Southtown, and thrifting in the Olmos Park area.
Thank you that was a great vlog I love the navy diamond flower fabric. Enjoy your stay and playing with your fabric. x
You should come to NYC and shop here
Thanks for taking us shopping in Austin. I just purchased the same Japanese floral fabric at Cloth Edit here in Australia. Can’t wait to see what you make!
Fabric stores are incredible or meh depending on their location. A community that has a large amount of avid sewers will have a larger store and much better selection than one that has a smaller amount of shoppers. Even if it’s in the same chain.
It’s enormously irritating to know if I drive an hour on the freeway in any direction any Joanne’s I find will be a much bigger store, and larger selection.
I have taken to ordering my fabric for the most part, but I miss meandering through rows of fabric though.
Glad you had a great time. Your selection is very nice.❤
Hope that you and Matt are enjoying Texas, Janelle? I loved seeing the US fabric shops. I’m dreaming of an ordered sewing area, and I watched, “5 Things in my Sewing Room that Just Make Sense”, a vlog by Pattern Scout. I thought of you and your new sewing area that you are fixing in your new home. There are some great tips there! Except I would channel the power through the floor to the centre table! Also, I’m looking forward to your next Japanese Pattern make. Have fun, regards Susan at Hobart. (P.S. The spoon fabric would make a great Japanese style apron?) ❤
Welcome to the US!😊😊
Welcome! Atlanta area has cute fabric stores if you are ever back in the states.
Sadly, Joanns is struggling financially. That and employees typically don’t bother sorting the fabrics properly due to rough customers who are full of anarchism 😅 and dislike order and domino effect 😂 employees are lost where it goes and or don’t care and customers are lost from disorder.
We love our local shops so we supply business for hopes of their tomorrow. They do lack fabrics for clothing because quilting fabrics is mostly what they have. Several closed around pandemic 😷 😢
Do you have any information on the solid burnt orange fabric? An item number or a color name? I would be interested in seeing what it was. I love that. You only pick out items that go with your aesthetic. I'm all over the place with colors.😂
It’s called ‘brown cotton shirting’ on the receipt, but I couldn’t find it online..
@@RoseryApparel it's probably just one of their basic cottons. I doubt they have everything online.
Retro clean may get that stain out of the pineapple piece. Worth a try!
I’m happy that you are visiting and enjoyed your experience fabric shopping in Texas. If you get a chance to go back to Joann’s you didn’t mention the remnants section or clearance areas- they’re lots of goodie’s to find.I’m in Georgia. Our Joann’s is staffed with knowledgeable and friendly people. Most of the fabrics are separated by types except in the clearance sections. I visit at least 3 different Joann stores regularly and same experience.
Texas to Georgia is a long distance to travel but we have a lot of other fabric stores available.
If I had a chance to fabric shop in the USA I’d definitely take a quick trip to the New York fashion district.
I love Joann’s Fabric store but it is pricey. Hope you enjoy your stay in Austin.
I agree they are pricey and I bought some fabric and it was not the best quality, the fabric I bought at Hobby Lobby was way better quality and better price.
I look forward to seeing what you create with your purchases. I'm sure you will create wonderful pieces that will remind you of your time in Austin, Texas. 😊
Great finds!
glad you had a great time at the fabric stores! I have that same floral crinkle rayon from JoAnn and don't have plans for it yet so looking forward to getting inspiration from you!
I’m so excited to cut into it! 😍
We have a reuse craft store in Colorado Springs, CO . It’s called Who Gives a Scrap, everything is from donations. They have all kinds of fun stuff.
Love your fabric choices.
Welcome to the USA. You came to a wonderful city. Austin is just lovely. I'm in the State of Arizona, a little west of Texas with the State of New Mexico between us. I always get mad at Joanns but in truth you can get some nice things. You were at a disadvantage because Joanns tend to overprice but then to run coupons and sales. At any rate I'm glad you are enjoying your time here. I always enjoy watching your channel.
I'm so happy to have a new video from you! I'm glad you enjoyed your visit to the USA. ❤
The fabrics you bought are so YOU! I could have picked them out for you 😊 So pretty! I can't wait to see what you make out of them.
In the UK we don't have any fabric store "chains", we only have Hobbycraft which (as the name implies) sells all kinds of craft supplies including some basic fabrics, but otherwise we rely on independent fabric shops or the better department stores. So it was really interesting to hear your take on JoAnn and Spotlight. Maybe one day I'll visit the USA or even Australia and see for myself 🙏
We're about to go on a short holiday, and if I find out about any fabric shops in the vicinity of our hotel, you can be sure I'll be having a rummage... it's an integral part of trips away, isn't it? 😂
How fun! My favorite spot in Austin creative reuse is probably the pattern and buttons area. There are so many little treasures. I get so inspired.
Joann... is... okay. I live in central Texas right now but I am from Chicagoland where we have Vogue. Even though they downsized, it's infinitely better than Joann. It makes Joann look like the fast food of fabric.
I did not know the first shop had Japanese prints! I prefer deadstock and resale but when I splurge... it's on Japanese fabrics.
Very nice fabric…..look forward to seeing something made from it…!! 😊🇦🇺
that pineapple embroidery piece made my heart stop! Great find.
The spoon fabric would be a really cut apron
Not surprised at prices...our fabrics in Canada are high even on sale 😮
Omg!!! You’re so close to me!! You should take a trip down 35 to my neck of the woods. Visit San Antonio!! There’s a lot of fabric shops here. Visit Fredericksburg, Boerne, and sisterdale for an awesome Texas country mini trip. Also; you’re super close to the Mexican border so that would be a fun little road trip!
So sorry you had to see JoAnns these days. Years ago they were SO much more organized. Perhaps by now you know they are in bankruptcy and many of the their stores are closing. But our stores here in the Pacific North West are the same. No semblance of organizing the fabrics well at all. Did you look at the patterns at all. Thurs, Fri, Saturday and sometimes SUnday you can get some of the brands for 1.99 each.? Glad you did fine something you like there however! I have bought hundreds of yards of fabric there, for 50 years!
Lauren Johnson made a dress from the greenery and stripes fabric on her youtube channel.,.I love your colour choices you are a great source of inspiration for me, thank you!
I really loved going shopping with you, thank you! Totally random, but can you recommend a good men's shirt pattern? I'd love to make one for my husband, but haven't found a good one yet... Thank you!
Our local JoAnn's is tidy and well organized. I'm sure it varies by location.
So glad you found Austin Creative Reuse! It's one of my favorites. Hope you're enjoying your stay & avoiding the heat, humidity & mosquitos we've got right now. ;) Fabric stores are a bit 'slim pickings' here in Austin... We've had several go under over the past 10 or so years. My absolute favorite fabric store back in the day was called the Silk Road. They sold only natural fiber fabrics (particularly bridal silks) and had an incredible collection. Sadly, the little stone house they were in on Lamar got sold, bulldozed, and developed and they never recovered. :( I've sometimes resorted to buying fabric online, which is very less than ideal; I always want to feel it beforehand!
Soo sad!! Yeah I agree, there’s nothing like feeling fabric before buying.
Ohhhhh uninterrupted time in a fabric shop....that is a perfect holiday...please do more ...is it any cheaper to mail yourself a box ...ship your fabric home...maybe it cheaper for it to go by boat...and maybe you can purchase a little fabric to use to sew your Japan pattern book...sell the outfit on TH-cam and you will recoup your cost...we watch you fabric coordinate a colour you won't wear but would love to see how it works, we watch you cut it out and sew it.. Your beautiful workmanship than put it up for auction...maybe sew a size 14, average woman...it can be a new segment for your channel...your challenge a red dress...maybe all white but with many different textures and type working together...I would love to see that...ask your viewers what color , give you suggestions if you want to make it subscriber involvement...this could be fun
The spoon fabric is delightful, it would make a lovely apron if you don't already have one.