Penny is an artist who uses her creative side and imagination to express herself. She’s now using this opportunity with ASDNext to not only do that through art, but also blogging. For much of her life, she felt like the “quirky sidekick” stereotype in a movie, always doing what others expected of her. When she was diagnosed with autism later in life, that all began to change. This news was life changing and she knew it was time to rewrite her story. She’s no longer on the sidelines of this so-called movie that is her life, she’s the director, leading-lady, or whatever other part she needs to play to figure out who she REALLY is! Every small step toward authenticity is now a victory for her in this new stage of life.
View all postsThe End of an Era: Saying Goodbye to Jo-Ann Fabric
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My mom instilled in me a passion for sewing, so visiting our local Jo-Ann Fabric was always a special treat. Mom and I would look out for the sales flyers sent in the mail, then plan a trip for the day the price of sewing patterns dropped to 99 cents apiece. Once there, we would settle in at the folding tables of the pattern section to browse through the seasonal Simplicity look-books. These were mammoth volumes showcasing patterns available for purchase. I loved looking at patterns for doll clothes, stuffed animals, and room decor when I was little. In my teens, I was all about funky pillows, accessories, and MORE stuffed animals. Our brains buzzed with ideas; we could practically SEE the finished projects. The sale limit was typically 10 or 12 patterns; we always reached the maximum. Mom sewed me so many things throughout my childhood; as a teen, she even made my prom dress! All the supplies for these memorable items were curated from our hometown Joann Fabric location.
As I grew older, I began sewing independently. Sure, I had dabbled in it as a teenager, with the pillows and stuffed animals, but I really hit my groove (or sew-jo) when I moved out of my parent’s house. Living in a one-bedroom apartment, I was limited on space and funds. Making clothes, home decor, and gifts for friends and family was my go-to economic boredom buster. But hoarding large amounts of fabric without a clear purpose for it was never ideal. Starting a project with a selected pattern and just the minimum fabric required made the most sense to me with the small space I had to work with. As I sewed along, I would buy additional accouterments from MY local Joann Fabric as needed. Buttons, bias binding, interfacing, and zippers were all purchased when I crossed that bridge of requiring them in my project. Joann also offered coupons, making it even more of a money saver to spread my supply shopping across multiple visits.
The 2025 news that all Jo-Ann Fabric stores were on track to close devastated me. Jo-Ann Fabrics was more than just a store; it was a cherished, happy place. All hope is not lost, though! There are some fabric shops nearby to fill the void. However, I’ve found that small fabric shops in this county are few and far between, and most cater to quilters (a beast different from garment sewing). Most quilters use a lot of cotton, which is lovely for structured garments but has little give for something form-fitting. The selection of sewing patterns for clothes always looks bleak in shops like these. But I can’t complain because basic supplies like bias binding (which I use for necklines and armholes) and thread are used just as frequently for quilters and are always in stock. Still, each shop in my area has its own individual set of hours (relatively abbreviated compared to Jo-Ann’s). This downside means that quite a few are not open when I am off work, which makes me miss the convenience of having a Jo-Ann’s.
Most non-sewists I talk to lack sympathy for my struggle, as nearly everything can be bought online now. It’s hard to get a regular person to understand the magic of walking into a creative atmosphere filled with endless fabric bolts lined up and ready for whatever my imagination could unleash. People who don’t sew may not understand how buying sewing supplies online can feel disconnected. There are limitations to painting a mental picture of what you will receive when buying fabrics online, much like clothes shopping. A true feeling of texture is not something that can be experienced online. Holding the fabric up to the light to see how much shines through is another tangible experience that is hard to mimic in an online shop. Color-matching fabrics to buttons, zippers, threads, and more is a much more straightforward process in person. You hold the item up to the other item and judge it visually.
I am not entirely depressed about online shopping for sewing, though. Supporting any small business is better than helping a big box store. Billionaires have enough money, am I right? Digging around, I’ve found a few small Pennsylvania shops that do online orders. Shopping within the state has cut back on shipping costs and time. One of my favorites has been “Firecracker Fabrics” in Pittsburgh. Their selection of prints particularly sparks my creative desire for an eclectic wardrobe. Even though the shop is quite far from me, I dream of the day I can visit in person and get that dopamine hit of endless possibilities. So go buy from them so they stay in business until I make that pilgrimage, hee hee!
Even though Jo-Ann Fabric has closed its doors, my memories from its time there will always remain! It was more than just a store—it was like a creative playground filled with joy! Now that it’s gone, I see this as a chance to make new memories and explore local, independent fabric shops. What they lack in hours and supplies can be supplemented with online shopping, preferably from small shops in Pennsylvania. The world is changing; this is just another pivot I must make if I want to continue to sew, even in my golden years. So long, Jo-Ann Fabrics, thank you for being a part of my sewing journey. The memory of your store will stay with me for years to come.
Penny
