How Joann’s Fabrics Shaped My Artistic Journey
I never thought I’d mourn the closing of a big chain store. But here I am, feeling an unexpected pang of grief over Joann Fabrics.
It makes no sense, right? It’s just a store. A place that sells fabric and craft supplies, where people go to buy fleece on sale or stock up on thread. But for me, it was more than that.
Joann’s was where I got my real first job—the one that actually meant something. It’s where I spent hours surrounded by colors, patterns, and possibilities. And yes, not all the fabric was great but my favorite was the discount bolts that I suspect were decades of old rejects. They were just $1.00 per yard! That was my favorite. Unfortunately they stopped selling those and stuck with mostly commercial fabrics…but now that it’s disappearing, I realize just how much it meant to me.
A Job That Paid in More Than Just Minimum Wage
My first job was technically a telemarketing gig. I lasted two weeks. (That’s a story for another day.)
Joann’s was next, and even though it paid half of what telemarketing did, it was ten times better. Why? Because I got to be around fabric. I got to dream. And I got to meet people who, in their own ways, shaped my creative life.
There was Jill, soft-spoken, silver-haired, always calm with a smile on her face. She never showed her frustration when customers became demanding. Linda was her opposite—a spitfire who loved Elvis and swore she once locked eyes with him at a concert. And then there was Carole, my boss. Feisty, no-nonsense, ran the store with a sharp wit and didn’t take crap from customers.
I still remember our interview in her office—papers stacked everywhere, an old computer she probably never used, built as a loft that overlooked the entire store. I wasn’t thinking about career moves or the future. I was just thrilled to be in a place overflowing with possibility.
Where Creative Seeds Were Planted
I didn’t just work at Joann’s. I absorbed all the patterns I could get.
There’s something about being surrounded by fabric bolts, craft supplies, and the hum of creative energy that makes you see the world differently. I helped people find materials for their projects—sometimes advising, sometimes just ringing things up—but mostly, I dreamed about what I could make.
And, in a way, that job led me exactly where I am now: creating art, designing my own fabric, and teaching others how to bring their own creativity to life.
But back then, I had no idea where it would take me. I just knew I loved it.
The Back-of-the-Store Classroom That Changed Everything
Joann’s also gave me something else: my first taste of fiber art.
In the dim, windowless warehouse area, where the concrete floors were a little too dusty and shelves were stacked high with boxes, was a makeshift classroom. Just a few folding tables, an ironing board, and a cutting mat. It was nothing fancy. But that’s where I took my first quilting class.
My was a powerhouse local quilter who made incredible stained-glass-inspired banners. Her sense of color was flawless, and her technique…impeccable. She took me under her wing, guiding me as I made a quilt for my senior thesis project in high school.
That space, as unglamorous as it was, was still a space I couldn’t wait to be in! It was where I first learned how fabric could be built and constructed to move how I desired. She was a master at shapes and piecing them together.
The Spaces That Shape Us
When I heard Joann Fabrics was closing, I wondered: Why do I feel sad? It’s just a store.
But it’s not just about Joann’s. It’s about what it represented.
It was an accessible, creative space, a place where so many people began and cultivated their artistic journeys. Where ideas were born. Where people walked in with a vague idea and walked out with a cart full of supplies and the possibility of making something beautiful.
And when places like this disappear, I can’t help but wonder: Where will the next generation of makers find their spark (or supplies)? I hope at more locally owned shops! Maybe there’s a silver lining!?
What Places Shaped You?
Maybe for you, it wasn’t a fabric store. Maybe it was:
Your childhood bedroom where you rearranged furniture like an interior designer in training.
The school bus where you made up stories just to pass the time.
A music store where you picked up an instrument and played random notes until something clicked.
We don’t always realize the impact a space or environment has on us until it’s gone.
So—what’s a place that shaped your creativity? And how do you keep that spark alive today?
(P.S. If you still have a Joann’s near you, go while you can - if that’s your thing )