Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft

I have to be honest. They do have a decent selection of fabrics, but not as much as Mardens in Scarborough does. I feel like this shouldn’t be the case. So I really only go here to get expensive fabric when I can get it on sale.

I have a problem.
A fabric problem.
I have enough in my stash — I probably could sew enough blankets to keep us all warm in the Maine winters and still have some scraps to spare the VonTrapps from making clothing from their drapes.
If you are a crafter — it is a good go to. If you plan on crafting or DIY-​ing often, get on their mailers. They will have good coupons, and they will let you use more than one at check out. Watch for them, and you can get a good deal.
At the cutting counter, take a number, deli counter style. If you don’t, you will make the regulars holding several bolts cranky when you try to cut the line. Respect the process people! Most of the staff there has been very friendly — and they often are crafters too. One downside — they are understaffed, and it’s a big store. It is a problem that most nationwide chains have, and having worked in that kind of retail environment, I get it. The stores are only given so much of a budget to use for payroll, and service suffers when they are understaffed. Do not take it out on the staff of the store. They are mostly lovely people, and be patient.
I enjoy going there — because I want to make all the things. If you are new to the crafting world, it can be fun. It is a good idea to go with a list of things you need, because otherwise you will come out with items that looked shiny and cool — but not sure when you are going to use them. I still have a wood burner waiting to be used… cause clearly, that is going to happen soon.

Well that was a challenge. This is a very large store. I went many aisles into the store before I found any employees at all.
Finally had to be forceful to get the attention of an employee just to ask where the product was I was looking for. She pointed, said ‘go that way, look for the T-​shirts you’ll find it.‘
Up and down several aisles later, I came back to the fabric cutting area to interrupt another gal to ask again where the product was. She gave the same answer, more politely but still the same answer. I said ‘here’s the problem I can’t find the T-​shirts’, so telling me to look where the T-​shirts are isn’t helping me.
The first girl came back at that point and said in a quite annoyed tone ‘Where the T-​shirts are’. Same response from me elicited her saying ‘follow me’ wherein she took off with such speed I couldn’t find her once I’d rounded the desk.
Altogether I was bummed out. With that though I think it was specific to there not being a staff member on hand available to help me, and then the staff member that I got was in a bad mood or at least treated me like a pain in her rear!
The store really has an amazing selection of all things fabric, sewing, and crafting. Additionally it is very conveniently located in a plaza near the highway.

SO many arts & craft supplies. Hard not to get distracted when you’re focused on getting one item.
They always have sales.