Goodbye Joann: What’s Next for Crafters?

For decades, Joann was the place to go for fabric, yarn, and all things crafty. But times have changed, and now Joann’s is closing stores and may not be around much longer. So, what happened? And where can we shop next?

From Cheese to Crafting

Believe it or not, Joann started in 1943 as a tiny store in Cleveland, Ohio—selling fabric alongside Swiss cheese and anchovy paste! (Yes, really!) The shop was run by two families, the Reichs and the Rohrbachs. When one of the founders passed away, his daughter Alma and business partner Hilda Reich kept the dream alive. By 1947, they had opened a second store, bringing fabric to families who sewed out of necessity.

The name Jo-Ann Fabrics came in the 1960s from a mash-up of the founders' daughters' names: Joan and Jackie Ann. By the 1980s, Joann was everywhere, with hundreds of stores and a huge chunk of the fabric market.

The Rise of the Superstore

In the 1990s, Joann went big—literally! Instead of small mall stores, they built giant superstores packed with fabric, craft supplies, and even floral decorations. They also bought out competitors, growing to over 1,000 locations by 1998.

Their famous cutting tables became more than just workstations—they were gathering places where crafters swapped tips, shared stories, and admired each other’s projects.

But this rapid growth had problems. Joann took on a lot of debt, their inventory system struggled, and by 2001, the company was losing millions. The company was formerly known as Jo-Ann Fabrics. Jo-Ann Stores rebranded to Joann in March 2018 as a way to move beyond fabrics and encompass more craft items.

What Went Wrong?

Joann’s decline happened over many years, because of a few major reasons:

• Online Shopping: More people bought fabric and sewing supplies from Amazon, Walmart, and small online shops.

• Constant CEO Changes: Six different leaders from 2006 to 2019 led to confusion and inconsistent strategies.

• Pandemic Struggles: Joann got a temporary boost from mask-making, but poor business decisions and PR problems allegedly tarnished their reputation.

• Financial Trouble: By 2024, Joann had gone bankrupt twice. Now, a liquidator will sell off what’s left.

What Joann Gave Us

Despite its struggles, Joann was a crafting treasure. It made supplies affordable, offered free project guides, and gave us a place to dream up ideas. Many of us have memories of shopping there, picking out fabric for our first quilt, or wandering the aisles for inspiration.

Where Can We Shop Now?

With Joann closing stores, here’s where to find fabric and craft supplies (I have not personally tried all of these sources, but I heard many are good):

1. Local Fabric Stores – Small, independent shops still carry amazing fabrics and supplies.
   If you’re in the Sarasota, Florida area, pay a visit to Dawn at Sarasota Sews. Here is my video of when I paid her a visit to her wonderful quilting and fabric store. Link: https://youtu.be/a5jIsvNk2EA
   If you’re in the Bradenton, Florida area, visit Laura at her shop called Cotton Patch Quilt Shop. Here’s the video of my store visit: https://youtu.be/GkiePv1G-tM

2. Online Stores – Great options include:

   • The Fat Quarter Shop – Quilting fabric online

   • My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shoppe – Quilting fabric online

   • Lucky Deluxe – Online fabric thrift store

   • LA Finch – Deadstock, more curated

   • Califabrics – Some deadstock and direct from the manufacturing

   • Fabric Mart – Discounted designer fabrics.

   • Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics – Sewing & quilting shop with fabrics, notions & accessories

   • Etsy – Hand-dyed yarn, vintage patterns, and unique fabrics.

   • Hobbii – Affordable yarn.

   • For an international and very extensive list checkout: Seamworks – ‘The Best Places to Buy Fabric Online’

3. Thrift & Upcycle – Old sheets, curtains, and sweaters can be repurposed for sewing and knitting. (Pro tip: Quality sheets make great quilting fabric!)

4. Big Craft Chains – Of course, there is always Walmart, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby that still carry basic fabric and supplies, though selection is limited.

A New Chapter for Crafters

It’s sad to see Joann go, but crafting has never been about where we buy supplies—it’s about what we create with them. Let’s embrace new sources, use what we already have, and keep the tradition of handmade art alive.

Joann, thank you for all the wonderful years. You will be missed.

With love, scissors, and a glue gun,
– Nancy ❤️

_{Sources: Jo-Ann Stores Inc. History - FundingUniverse, Joann Fabrics Is Officially Closing All Remaining U.S. Stores After 82 Years - People, Jo-Ann Stores - Wikipedia. Photo credit By TheDoctorWho - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=162235467.}

Quick How-To:
How to Make: Hooded Towels with Machine Embroidered Peeker Designs

Craft a Personalized Hooded Towel with Machine Embroidery: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

Do you know what’s better than a store-bought baby gift? One stitched with love (and a dash of magic). Let’s turn ordinary towels into heirloom-quality hooded wonders using machine embroidery—perfect for wrapping up those babies after bath time. It's a heartwarming, personalized gift that's both practical and adorable. Machine-embroidered hooded towels are the perfect solution for baby showers, new parents, or anyone who appreciates a handmade touch. This tutorial will walk you through creating a professional-looking hooded towel with charming "peeker" designs that will delight children and impress gift recipients.

Materials You'll Need

• Bath towel (24" x 44")

• Hand towel (15" x 25")

• Embroidery machine

• Embroidery hoop (I used a 5x7 hoop)

• Tear-away stabilizer

• Water-soluble stabilizer (wash away)

• Basting spray

• Sewing machine with walking foot (recommended)

• Fabric marker or chalk

• Rotary cutter and ruler

• Pins

• Thread matching towel color

• Embroidery design file (peeker design)

Choosing the Right Towels

Not all towels are created equal when it comes to machine embroidery and sewing. Here are some key considerations:

Towel Selection Tips

• Avoid thick, heavy towels that might strain your sewing machine

• Look for medium-weight cotton towels

• Check out affordable options at Walmart (Mainstay brand) or Target

• Consider quick-dry towels for added practicality

Pro Tip: Thinner towels work best for machine embroidery and sewing.

Stabilizer and Preparation

Stabilizer Setup

1. Use a tear-away stabilizer on the bottom of your hoop

2. Use a water-soluble stabilizer as a topper to prevent stitches from sinking

Hooping and Positioning

• Fold the hand towel in half to find the center

• Position the towel carefully, ensuring tags are out of the embroidery area

• Use the basting spray to temporarily adhere the towel to the stabilizer

• Pin the water-soluble stabilizer carefully to avoid needle interference

Embroidery Process

1. Load your chosen peeker design into the embroidery machine

2. Align towel center with hoop markings

3. Embroider design, keeping it near the towel's edge or slightly elevated

4. Carefully remove stabilizers after the embroidery is complete

Sewing the Hooded Towel

Creating the Hood

1. Measure and mark the center of the bath towel

2. Align embroidered hand towel with bath towel's centerline

3. Sew a straight seam across

4. Cut 2-3 inches from hand towel to adjust hood height

5. Create a French seam by folding and sewing again (French seams hide scratchy edges, making this towel baby-soft inside and out)

Finishing Touches

• Trim excess stabilizer carefully

• Ensure all raw edges are enclosed in French seams

• Optional: Add a decorative ribbon for a professional presentation

Design Inspiration

Peeker designs come in countless themes:

• Cartoon characters

• Animals

• Personalized names

• Seasonal motifs

Gift Presentation

Roll the hooded towel, fold the hood over, and tie it with a coordinating ribbon for an extra-special touch.

Final Thoughts

Machine-embroidered hooded towels are more than just functional—they're a labor of love. Why does this matter? Let’s be real: store shelves are packed with impersonal baby gear. But a handmade hooded towel? It whispers, “You’re loved,” stitch by stitch. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to bond with kids or grandkids years later. (“See this dinosaur? I stitched that when you were THIS small!”)

Whether you're crafting for a new baby, creating items for a craft show, or making gifts for loved ones, these towels combine practicality with personal creativity.

So dust off that sewing machine, embrace the occasional thread tangle and create something that outlasts trends. After all, legacies aren’t built with fancy gadgets—they’re sewn with patience, love, and maybe a little candy for motivation.

Now, who’s ready to make a splash?
Happy crafting! – Nancy ❤️

^{Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Time Investment: 2-3 hours
Cost: $15-$25 per towel with embroidered design}

Want to see how to make these super cute hooded towels? I've got you covered! Head over to my GiftsHQ YouTube channel and check out my video "How to Make: Hooded Towel with Peeker Designs Machine Embroidering". You’ll be making these hooded towels like a pro in no time.

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