Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft

I live in New Haven, so this and the Hamden Jo-​Ann store are pretty much equidistant to me. The distance and drive not being a factor, then, I prefer the Hamden store since it’s had a better selection of fabric at the times that I’ve gone.
I did, however, take some sewing classes at the Milford store because its schedule worked out better with my own.
My instructor (same one both times) was laidback. It meant that she helped tone down any perfectionist tendencies one might have which made one feel too afraid of making mistakes, but it also meant that some corners were cut (resulting in some avoidable mistakes). Part of the issue was because she wasn’t the original instructor scheduled for the class, but had to take over at the last minute when the original bailed.
A bigger problem is that the area where classes are held is not off-​limits to other people. A woman dropped her granddaughter off just before class, and within 2 minutes, I was glad that she wasn’t my grandmother. Grandma came back half an hour before the class ended and took it upon herself to «correct» her granddaughter’s sewing technique, and even had the gall to flat out tell her, «We’re taking this apart and redoing it when we get home.» She admitted to everyone else in the class that the reason her granddaughter was learning to sew here was because she was a lousy, impatient teacher, but admitting it does not absolve you of the need for some basic civility. She would not stop harping, and it got pretty tense there. We all felt sorry for the girl. A random employee who happened to walk by made a joke to try to lighten the mood, and when grandma was busy, I told the girl that I’m sure her aunt would appreciate the PJ’s she was making either way. Now, I get that one cannot always control what rude people do, especially if they’re old and have decided that they’re entitled to being «honest,» but I do think that the sewing instructor was within her rights to – and in fact should have — told grandma to either shut up or leave because not only was the poor granddaughter getting upset, but it was uncomfortable and distracting for everyone else within hearing range. I’m not necessarily blaming the instructor, especially since she doesn’t work directly for Jo-​Ann but rather as a contractor or something. However, I do think the store itself needs to set up classes so that non-​students cannot disrupt paying students.

Needed ONE THING and it felt like no one was around to help me find it. RUBBER BANDS… and they pointed me to the «only ones they have were the silly bands in the children’s section» they didn’t even point me in the right direction. I was aimlessly wandering the store where to find them…

Obnoxious staff seems to be a running theme here. They’re not helpful but not only that they’re so obvious about how much they don’t want to help you. I don’t care what you’re making, you have a job to do. Shame on «management» here. With that being said, excellent fabric selection. If you need to go here know what you’re getting and exactly where it is ;)

I have been a customer of this store for a long time now and have never been treated so horribly! First of all their website and in store pricing are not consistent and when I complained I was told there was «nothing they could do». No one in the store would even pull up the company website to check!
After this I went to purchase my items anyway and Denise could not have been more rude! She had put my items on the floor while I spoke to a manager and when I came back to get them she actually kicked them over to me! She had the worst attitude of anyone I’ve ever had the misfortune to speak to in a retail environment.

Always short staffed at check out…

I’m not sure why people expect staff at places like this to be overwhelmingly professional and courteous. They’re all getting paid minimum wage and it was a better alternative than working in fast food or a restaurant.
First off, going in here, look for a manager — they’re paid to make sure they know what they’re talking about. They’re the only ones no on minimum wage and therefore shouldn’t disappoint. Otherwise, read up online. They have a pretty good selection of fabrics and colors, but if you’re looking for anything haute couture or of any worth while substance, you’ll have to order it in and likely have to buy the entire ream. This is not upscale fabrics by any means, but for everyday projects it’s totally fine. They carry jerseys, silks, chiffons, and the standard types.
They also carry crafting things and heavy duty fabrics for drapery which is nice. Their selection isn’t the greatest, but it does cover all the basics all the way around. If you’re looking for professional customer services people who know what they’re talking about — go to a specialty store. You’re certainly not going to find it here.
Also — check out their website — almost always 40% off coupons there to use on fabrics or what have you.

My mother and I were here recently purchasing fabric to recover my dining room chairs. The staff was nasty! The woman cutting our fabric was completely rude and unhelpful and had a horrible attitude if we dared to ask questions. My mom has experience recovering chairs and the woman insisted we weren’t purchasing enough fabric. Needless to say, when we completed our project, we had extra fabric.
Then, the woman at the register, was equally rude to us. We had a 40% off coupon. We hoped the 40% off would be applied to the fabric, but instead it was applied to the $ 1.00 silly item we had purchased. Ridiculous.
Oh and a final (mean) aside. I think a prerequisite for being able to work at Jo-Ann’s is that you need to weigh at least 200 pounds. OK, there, I said it.