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Stitching & Crafting Room:  so mad I could spit at Walmart  |
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peapicker
True Blue Farmgirl
716 Posts
texas
USA
716 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 3:05:56 PM
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This topic has probably been discussed before I joined, but I just have to say it an maybe I will feel better. I went into our Walmart here in Corsicana and they are closing the fabric department to put in "party supplies". I am livid. We have no other place to buy fabric without traveling about forty or more miles. There is a party place downtown, so Walmart will probably force them to shut down by selling at a lower price. I remember when we used to have fabric stores and I miss them so much. Just wondering where all of you buy fabric. I am going to try my best to stop shopping there.
Sharlet |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 3:36:51 PM
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Hi Sharlet - I buy most of my fabric on line. Fabric.com is a good place to start. You can also buy from JoAnns on line as well. I'm not a big fan of Wally World myself.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
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KayTea26
Farmgirl in Training
33 Posts
Katie
Minnesota
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 3:41:02 PM
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It really is a shame that Wal Mart is doing that. The Wal Mart near my home has fabric for sale, but I find that the prices are a little high.
www.northwindshore.blogspot.com
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 3:46:49 PM
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I haven't set foot in a Walmart in over 2 yrs, and not because they no longer have a fabric department..its because I hated hated hated going inside the store. The store was always crowded, noisy and created a good bit too much of sensory overload for me. I'd step into the store and find myself wanting to leave immediately..it never was a very pleasant shoppping experience.
And..I actually used to be employed by Walmart years ago in my teens when Sam Walton was still alive..I actually met the man, and shook his hand, he was rather nice and humble acting...but I must say..I don't think the Walmart's of today is exactly what he envisioned...but who knows?? But I find I/we can actually live pretty well without Walmart.
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
blogs:http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and http://thevictorygardener.blogspot.com
magazine: www.stliving.net
etsy shops: http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com
and http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
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peapicker
True Blue Farmgirl
716 Posts
texas
USA
716 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 3:47:35 PM
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I have never bought fabric online, but I guess now I will. I just have to break myself from wanting to feel of it before I buy it.
I used to live closer to a JoAnns and shopped there a lot. We did have five and dime stores that carried fabric until Walmart moved in.
Oh, Joanna, you have to go further than me. Surely there are still people that sew.
Sherri, thanks and I will check out that site. |
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peapicker
True Blue Farmgirl
716 Posts
texas
USA
716 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 3:51:31 PM
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| I heard they were going to close all of the fabric departments in all Walmarts as time goes on. You are right Tina, I do get overload there. This Walmart has very rude employees and they really don't care if you get checked out or not. |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13625 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13625 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 4:15:24 PM
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Amen and Amen! I live in SW Colorado and our Walmart is the ONLY place for 50 miles to purchase ANY fabric, sewing supplies, craft supplies, etc. I have been increasingly disappointed in them over the years as they just keep dropping certain things I use in my projects. My daughter lives in Phoenix area and I have had her do some shopping for me. Our Walmart is, right now, going through the "remodel" . . . what a mess!!!! They have told me they are being "shrunk" to half of the inventory they used to carry, the fabric cutting table is now just 6 ft. square . . . I may have to order notions such as bias tape, sewing machine needles, etc. online . . .but then there is shipping.
Any of you have GREAT ideas on websites, please share.
THANKS SO-O-O-O MUCH
from the barefoot farmgirl |
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Tanna
True Blue Farmgirl
195 Posts
Tanna
Fort Worth
TX
USA
195 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 4:16:37 PM
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DH calls Walmart the Evil Empire. We don't go.
I do live near many fabric stores, but I often order from JoAnns or Ebay.
I wish I could run in and feel it for you Sharlet! You'll just have to come up here sometime and make a day of it. We'll have coffee :)
Tanna |
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Cabinprincess
True Blue Farmgirl
682 Posts
Melody June
Athens
TX
USA
682 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 4:45:55 PM
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I know what you mean Sharlet. I knew from the beginning that they would put all the small business's out of business and then start dropping what they don't want to carry. I heard about the fabric about 2 years ago and went straight to the manager and asked about it because they put the quilt shop out of business here just like in your town. I used to go to your's and the dear owner tried so hard to hang on but even when she had a sale they would match it. Well they just bold face lied to me and said they would only be deleting fabric from stores that had other quilt stores in the area. Well we have none and they have already had two huge fabric sales outside the store and never replaced it. They have just a little now and when it sells it will be gone. I will just be driving to Tyler more often but it's an hour away.
Smiles, Melody June
God's gift to you are your talents, your gift to Him is how you use them. |
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pinkroses
True Blue Farmgirl
2350 Posts
Sheila
Virginia
USA
2350 Posts |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 4:54:40 PM
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Tina:
I agree with all you said about going into Wal-Mart. I feel the same way. I can't get out fast enough once I'm in there two minutes. I've become an online shopper for as much as I can. I DO NOT miss going to Wal-mart one little bit.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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melanie47601
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Melanie
Boonville
IN
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 5:11:31 PM
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I noticed our Wal-Mart is slowly phasing out our craft department too. There isn't as much in the floral section and fabric. We have more fleece than sewing or quilting fabric and they've added a little more to the scrapbooking section. But I've noticed they seem to be adding more of the "craft kits" and doing away with other crafting things. I am so fed up with Wal-Mart. I don't have as far to drive as some of you, about 10-15 miles.
I've looked at a couple of the online fabric shops. I guess I'm just hesitant about buying online. Colors sometimes look different online than in person. I guess it would be ok to buy quilting fabric online, but I agree Sharlet if it's going to be a sewing project I'd like to feel the material first too.
Melanie
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says "Oh Crap, She's up!"
Blog~ http://wheelsarealwaysturning.blogspot.com/
Swap Blog~ http://mels-swapshop.blogspot.com/ |
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GrammyGoose
True Blue Farmgirl
163 Posts
Sue
Liverpool
PA
USA
163 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 6:25:13 PM
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What makes me angry about the whole thing is that our little town had 2 small mom and pop fabric stores that closed their doors because Walmart undercut their prices to the point that they couldn't compete. Now, Walmart has stopped selling fabric and although we have a Joanns and Hancock Fabrics within driving distance, it's not the same. The prices at Hancock are outrageous and I was at Joanns today and their inventory left a lot to be desired. Now if I was in the market for Halloween fabric, I'd have been in luck!
Sue
Farmgirl #656
"This is the day that God made, let us drink juice and enjoy it!" - Reece Stutts, age 3 |
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knittingmom
True Blue Farmgirl
665 Posts
AnneMarie
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
665 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 6:40:40 PM
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On line is probably your best bet. This might be a good business opportunity for those willing, bringing back the community fabric shop since Wallyworld is getting rid of theirs.
Don't like Wal-Mart at all but unfortunately, in smaller communities they've forced everything else out and they're the only choice left.
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world" |
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melanie47601
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Melanie
Boonville
IN
USA
1949 Posts |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 9:30:02 PM
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If you are looking for bias tape and sewing machine needles and other basics try homesew.com. If you get their catalog they have three dollar shipping coupons. One thing about fabric.com - they have recently become a subsidiary of Amazon and they guarentee the fabric and will take returns if you don't like it for any reason. They get some pretty good deals especially if you sign up for their news letter. Plus free shipping over $35. I have so far never been disappointed in anything I've purchased from them. It is getting harder to find apparal fabric as everyone has gone over to quilting.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 9:47:54 PM
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Sharlet, They closed the fabric department at my Walmart about 1 1/2 years ago! I was speechless when I called around Christmas one time to see if they might have a particular fabric I was looking for and the lady said I better hurry and see because they were closing fabric down! I have to say though, I found out when it was going to be marked 75% off and I bought about $200.00 worth of fabric. A friend of mine who worked in the fabric dept. opened a fabric store in town other wise we would not have a fabric store! There is nowhere in town to buy patterns though! They are supposed to eventually be closing the fabric departments at 500 stores nationwide!
The son who runs Walmart now doesn't care about anything except making a profit from what I have heard!
Tina, I agree with you totally on the sensory overload! I don't shop there much, but so often when I do I get to the point where I just want to run out of that store!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
www.justducky48.blogspot.com |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 12:40:23 AM
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We have two stores in town and both have fabric departments. I know that it is hard if you live in an area where there are no fabric stores. I don't shop at Wal-Mart at all any more because they do drive smaller businesses out. I agree with AnneMarie - now maybe the smaller fabric shops will have a chance.
We have several choices for fabric where I live but I still do most of my shopping online or in small quilt stores. Etsy is a great place to buy fabric.
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
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Edited by - therusticcottage on Jul 20 2009 12:42:04 AM |
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Tapestry
True Blue Farmgirl
1223 Posts
Cheryl
Wisconsin
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 02:31:56 AM
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The Joanne's store in our area is going out of business. I have no idea if others will too or not. I hate it that Walmart has done away with lots of their fabric and crafts. We have 2 super centers in my area and one still has a bit of fabric which is why Joanne's is closing I'm sure. It's the Walmarts on Joanne's side of town that's still carrying fabric. On the East side of town where we need a fabric store they don't carry fabric. I think Sam Walton would turn over in his grave if he knew how the stores are being run today. Unfortunately my DH works in one of them. They're awful to their employees. They forced many of their employees to take an extra day off the week of July 4th just so they wouldn't have to pay them 8 stinking hours of overtime. I laugh every time I hear about some wonderful thing that Walmart is doing for the good of our country. Bologne. They're doing it for the good of their corporations CEO's.
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles 
http://fantasm01.imagekind.com/
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
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peapicker
True Blue Farmgirl
716 Posts
texas
USA
716 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 06:02:19 AM
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Tanna, I am addicted to feeling the fabric. Sometimes I change my mind by just how it feels. I may be in your neck of the woods soon. I need to go into Ft. Worth really bad and get to Costco.
Yep, I'm done with Walmart. I am hopeful that more small stores will start opening soon. You know if there aren't jobs out there, some people can be really resourceful. I try to support the little guys and now I am really going to. Walmart can just eat my dust.
Sharlet |
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chaddsgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
843 Posts
Sarah
Farmgirl Sisterhood #639
MO
USA
843 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 06:51:43 AM
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I couldn't possibly agree with you all more! I've pretty much cut Wal-Mart completely out of my life. The fabric department at our Wal-mart is still in tact......kind of. I can still get some patterns and some fabric, but I fear it will be completely gone in a very short period of time. I hate going there and have pretty much reduced my visits to once every two months or so. But like many of the rest of you, it has been the only place to buy fabric without having to make an hours drive. I too have been ordering fabric on-line. I just really like to be able to see it and feel in person. The fabrics I have ordered on-line so far have been good, but some of them haven't been what I expected. Dratted Wal-Mart!!!
Farmgirl # 639 |
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chaddsgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
843 Posts
Sarah
Farmgirl Sisterhood #639
MO
USA
843 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 06:55:29 AM
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P.S. I have also taken to ordering most of my patterns off the internet. Even with shipping they have been cheaper than buying them at a fabric store. McCalls, Butterick and Vogue are constantly running sales and I get an e-mail every time the sales are available. In fact, just last week I ordered 3 patterns during a sale and got all three patterns plus shipping for about $16. Considering each of the patters was originally marked over $15 I didn't think that was too bad.
Farmgirl # 639 |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 07:01:52 AM
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I haven't been in a Walmart in probably 13 years (the reasons are legion!) but if it's the only place you have to go, I can totally understand going.
We're very lucky where we live--countless fabric and quilting stores like Joann's, Cabin Arts Quilting supply (an old 1830's log cabin FULL to the brim with quilting fabric and supplies), and several high end fabric shops, too. All within a 20 mile radius.
But, I still order some online because there are soooooo many different fabrics out there! I love the vintage reproductions at reprodepot.com. Wonderful!!!
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 08:34:12 AM
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I am so with you all - I HATE WalMart and for years have been telling folks that it will spell the end of small businesses as we know it - I know folks thought I was nuts but now they are singing a different tune. I am with you about wanting to feel things - heck my business is all about feeling fiber but I have also found that if you know the manufactures you can completely buy on line and get what you want. Also, the gas it takes to get to a store I save in shipping costs plus I am not ruining the environment. Also, I can shop at midnight and not have to step out of my pj's. I support many small businesses on line and on Etsy - great selection of vintage fabric which I could not reach in my truck. I also get in the habit of making lists and when on that rare occasion I go into town ( once a month if that) then I purchase those items in large quanities so when I am working late or snowed in I have everything I need.
A side note - really if we would all stand together on this big box issue we might not be swallowed whole... I will get off my soap box and get to work on creating something you will never find at WalMart.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: so mad I could spit at Walmart |
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so mad I could spit at Walmart
