Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts

I went there to price their wreaths and get some glue sticks for a glue gun
The store has a massive inventory so you really need to know what you are looking for,
there were about 3 employees in the whole store so getting help may be hard

I would highly recommend this store! They have everything you need to make any craft. The staff goes above and beyond to help you out with your project. I talked to three different ladies and all three of them did their absolute best to help me make my Halloween costume the best and save me money at the same time. They even helped me go online to find coupons for everything I was buying.

I went to Joann and planned on purchasing a bunch of vinyl to make these shirts, they were marked $ 6.99 each and that they were an additional 50% off. I got up to Sharon’s register and she told me that they were 12.99 not 6.99 and she yelled to the guy to check real quick and he said something like they say all different kinds of prices. Then I got out of line and checked and the price where the orange vinyl all was was $ 6.99 so then Sharon went over to see and said they were in the wrong spot. And left them there without fixing the problem. I still say the price was clearly marked and I should have that price that was shown. She said «employees didn’t set that up like that a customer must have moved them.» I work in retail and I get that customers suck sometimes but I was being understanding and nice but she made it seem like we were a real pain in the butt and implied that we were just trying to rearrange things to get the lower price. Not professional at all. She then told us to Step out of line and called over her headset «Linda can you come up front a customer has a problem with the prices on these $ 12.99 stickers» we waited over there for 10 minutes. Linda never came. We left and went somewhere else with better/​helpful customer service. You would only get one star but because the lady that cut my fabric was very sweet I marked two.

I usually like their inventory and selection but will say, I went there for a knitting class and felt the instructor had no aptitude for teaching. I think there’s a difference between knowing how to do something and having the ability to explain it to others. My issue was that her instructions were incredibly vague-​it would have been more useful if she was specific. As it was I left about an hour into the class – there were 2 of us in it and after an hour we had a couple of stitches created. I can’t imagine what the pace would have been had there been more in the class. This was useless for me, I left after an hour in the hopes of still salvaging my evening and I’m resorting to a Youtube video instead.

I usually shop at another joanns, but the one in Orland park is bigger and better stocked. The staff at this store always act as though customers and their needs are a nuisance. I needed a light bulb for my sewing machine, and they didn’t have any out. I was told someone would have to go in back to look and «no one has time right now». Super nasty attitude! As an advanced sewer I really find it deplorable that rarely do any staff have any sewing experience, on the few occasions I’ve had questions about sewing on an unfamiliar fabric or trying a different technique I am met with blank stares and again, annoyance. I wish there were other options in this area.

I’m a crafty little lady and I typically head over to Michael’s and I’m not a sewer so I tend to get other knick knacks while I’m here. However, I wanted to stop and check it out. It does seem really new, spaced well, organized, and yes, BRIGHT. I’m sure that’s preferred in a store where fabrics are sold. They have a huge selection of cardstock which is really nice. I never know how to compare sales either because craft stores always seem to have some minor sale on nearly everything.
However, the checkout line was a nightmare. Why is it that craft store lines move like stoned snails and it seems like there are only two working registers in existence?

The Nice Woman that checked me out was perfectly polite, the manager however that had to explain to me that my coupon could not be used on any regular priced item, but in fact could only be used on a notion item was very rude and nasty. Sorry Jo-​Ann I’m was a loyal customer, but I think I will be going to micheals and hobby lobby from now on. I don’t need to be talked down to when I’m spending money at a store.

I love to sew, I am addicted to fabrics and get excited about thread.
That being said, Jo-​Ann Fabrics is not one of my fav hangouts. I don’t like the harsh lighting, the synthetic smell nor the quality of the fabrics. Sometimes, you just have to go there. I buy elastic, buttons, interfacing and fabric for costumes; things that don’t require Boutique Quilt fabrics. It’s not like going to a small quilt store where I can enjoy the fabrics, practically roll in them.
Jo-​Ann Fabrics is like eating at an oasis on the interstate, you just have to do it. It’s a necessity shop, not a sensuous experience in textiles. The clerks are overworked, the coupons never quite work like you hope, you have to get a ticket and stand in line once for cutting the fabric and again for paying.
Need some notions or one time use fabrics? Go to Jo-​Anns, get in, get out and hope for the best.