A Common Thread

I had a wonderful experience here, and the staff were incredibly helpful. (It is so odd how different folk can have such different experiences with the same place.) I came in with a sewing pattern problem I couldn’t solve. I left fairly quickly with the answer, and without buying a thing. In other words, they were willing to help even though I would not be spending money. I definitely plan to enroll in a class and go here to shop in the future.

I happened upon this shop today and am so glad I did! They have a really nice selection of great quality quilting fabrics and a very helpful staff. I recently had knee surgery and am using a cane and the staff carried bolts to the counter for me without my even asking them. They were friendly and I enjoyed chatting with them about projects. I’ll definitely be back even though I live about 30 minutes away. It’s well worth the trip.

Being somewhat new to the area I was thrilled to find a fabric store/​sewing center close to where I lived. I went into the store to look around and look into taking a class or two. The salesperson was very rude and disinterested in helping me and told me to go online to look at their schedule. I brushed it off thinking she must be having a bad day. No big deal I thought. I went several times to shop for fabric and got the same disinterested rude response from other sales ladies. I really wanted this shop to work so I kept trying. I then went to the open sew and my experience was terrible. The lady who was suppose to be helping us just sat and gabbed with her friend about personal things and acted irritated anytime someone asked for help. Sadly I no longer give this establishment my business but drive to Portland where I’m treated with friendly helpful people who act as if they want my business.

I wasn’t sure about their prices. Being a local, stand alone shop I thought Micheals would be cheaper. I was wrong. Their prices were very competitive. I left & paid $ 15.99 for something they were selling for $ 12.99.
There staff was cordial but I had to go the counter & ask for help. When I received assistance, the salesperson was very helpful, polite & interactive.
I’m a crafter, not a quilter so I when I called and asked about their ribbon selection I was told it was huge. I have more spices in my kitchen than they have ribbon… But their quality is amazing!!!
I will shop here again. :)

I would not recommend this shop. I went in there today to have my Bernina machine repaired. I stood at the Repair desk for over 10 minutes, the lights were on, music was playing but no one in sight.
I saw one employee having a lively conversation with another person, they were not looking at fabric or machines. From all appearances in just appeared to be a friendly interaction.
I kept looking around to see if there was anyone I could approach, the only other two employees were either cutting fabric or ringing up sales.
I finally just walked out. Clearly they aren’t hurting for business, and the repair department isn’t interested in more business, either.
I was planning on having this machine tuned up and then selling it and up grading to a new Bernina.
If I go ahead with that plan, I would NOT be buying it from Common Thread. Quite frankly I will not be going back there for any reason.
Customer service is clearly not a high priority to this business. There are other options and I would encourage others to seek them out.

I had a great time at their sewing class. I went on their living social deal.
My critiques is that I wish they had more classes, it doesn’t seem like after the sewing 1 class there is anything else, and I wish their open sewing was at a time when people that work could come.
Also not all of the instructors were that enthusiastic, and please get an online calendnar so people don’t have to call to schedule classes!

I inquired a few weeks ago via email regarding their intro sewing class. I never heard back therefore I assumed they didn’t get my email. So I decided to go to the store in person and ask. When I walked in I approached a lady and asked if she could answer a few of my questions, she politely said to go to their website or to PCC’s website for more info. Then she put her head down and continued to go back to what she was doing.
. disappointed and will not be coming back. I was so excited to find a sewing class near my home but after my experience I much rather drive the distance to NE Portland.

I took a beginning sewing class sold through Living Social, I made a pin cushion and a set of pillow cases the class was two 2.5 hour sessions two Mondays in a row. I had never used a sewing machine before.
I returned recently and picked up some fabric for a project. I wish they had a few more modern fabrics like Amy Butler.

There are four distinct perks to this store, and I gave the overall store a 4 star. Here is more specifics.
Sales of Machines: They sell Bernina and Janome machines. Bernina is one of the best, if not the best, machine out there, and you can easily drop several thousand on a great machine. But, it will last forever! Janome is a very good brand as well. Their sales staff in machines is VERY knowledgeable, and will help you find the perfect-​fit machine for you and your budget. They also offer vacuums, but I have not personally purchased one there. 4 Stars!
Repair Department: SECOND TO NONE! Becky is fantastic, and every machine I’ve taken in there is finished on time, looks better than it did when I took it in, and has a 12 month warranty on work done. Fantastic job – this is my go-​to repair place for all my machines, whether I’ve purchased them there or not. 5 Stars!
Fabric Selection: There are better options out there if you’re just looking for sheer number of bolts. They have a FABULOUS color wall, that is re-​stocked frequently with blenders and tonal fabrics. Their batik selection is bigger than most, not huge, but always the freshest designs. Again, frequently re-​stocked. Where they lack in fabric is Christmas designs during the holidays, and they really don’t have a ton of novelty prints. When they do order a novelty print, they get 5 – 6 other fabrics in the line, so everything coordinates! Their selection of White prints is one of the best in the area, and so is their Black & White prints! 4 Stars!
Classes: I’ve taken one class there, and have another series coming up soon. Victoria is a FANTASTIC Teacher, and I’ve heard others review their classes as some of the best in the area. 5 Stars! **EDITED TO ADD MY SECOND CLASS INFO** Had a class on a serger I bought there, which was a 3 single weekend days 3 hour sessions. The information taught in this class was worth what I paid for the machine!!! Barb is so very knowledgeable.
The fabrics are top of the line quilting fabrics, so you will pay anywhere from $ 8 – 12 per yard of fabric. Quilters should expect that as the quality and thread count of quilting fabrics are so much better than what you can get at large chain stores.
The staff there is always helpful – I’ve had tons of questions answered over the years, and if they don’t know, they’ll try to find someone who does.
This store is convenient to me, and I never mind stopping by to see what’s new!
**Be aware they just moved in April 2013, to a space across the main road, but slightly south of where they were before.

We visited the shop for the first time and took a class here recently. The shop is first rate; they’ve opted for high quality over low cost. Fabrics are better quality than you’d find at big box fabric & craft stores. Super knowledgable staff. All this comes at a price though, so a shopper will pay a bit more here. If you are looking for assurance you are getting good quality advice, machines, fabrics and supplies, this is a good place to go.

Meh. I didn’t like the fabric choices. there were a lot of options, but they all were very boring and straight forward. They didn’t have any fabrics that were «outstanding» or «amazing» it was just all very … «meh, whatever» They did have an OK selection of white fabrics which gets overlooked at outher fabric stores. But not so good that I’ll ever come back when I want to make that something «special». Very disapointing.

I registered for a class through PCC that was supposed to take place here.
The contact from this business never emailed me back when I requested a supplies list. I found out the class «never existed» when I called on the day the class was to begin to find out what to bring.
When I explained to the person who answered the phone that I had already payed for the class, the class was listed on the PCC website and I wasn’t sure how to precede I was told «That’s your problem to deal with, I can’t help you».

Yikes! With so many craft and fabric stores offering classes to choose from you’d think they would be a little more concerned about securing customers, especially customers who’ve already paid and are excited to learn!
I will take my money, business and enthusiasm elsewhere and would recommend you do the same.

This is an okay shop with a decent selection but — to my eye — somewhat high prices.
The big draw (to my eye) is the classes, however at least for the class that I attended, it was crammed into a too-​short time (most of us did get everything done, however I did that only by skipping a couple steps on one project, and I know others skipped steps on another project to finish in time). Also, sometimes attempts to finish and clean up in the allotted time one week meant that time was wasted — they would have us start cleaning up and we’d finish before time ran out.
There is no video in the classroom, so demos are done at the front of the classroom, which means everyone crowds around to see or not see. If they are speaking to the classroom from the «front» (actually the middle) then one side or another cannot really see. It is a nice room for sewing in but a little awkward for learning in.
The loaner machines for the classes are in good shape and it was a great opportunity to try one out in a more extended fashion as well as learning the patterns from the class.