The best & worst of Joann
Joann is a beloved one-stop shop for all your crafting needs, offering a wide range of supplies for hobbies like sewing, knitting, and quilting. However, as a maker and founder of Cheerdocious, there are a few items that I don’t buy at Joann due to subpar quality or inflated prices compared to other retailers.
In an article by Best Life, written by Juliana Labianca, I was interviewed along with consumer analyst Julie Ramhold from DealNews.com about the worst things to buy at Joann and better alternatives. Here are the top 5 items to avoid at Joann:
T-shirts – Personally, I avoid buying the The Gildan t-shirts sold at Joann because they are not the softest or most comfortable. Instead, I recommend the Bella+Canvas brand for better quality fabric. You can find Bella Canvas on Amazon. The 3001C has a lot of colors to choose from.
Rolling Storage Units – Some of Joann’s Top Notch brand storage carts have mixed reviews according to Ramhold. You can probably find better affordable options at stores like IKEA, Target or Walmart not specifically marketed for crafters. This PipiShell cart listed on Amazon has good reviews and features a solid top for extra work space.
Picture Frames – I suggest heading to Hobby Lobby for a wider pre-made frame selection and expert framing assistance.
One good example of looking in “non-craft” departments is to buy a tackle box for small craft items like buttons or beads. Here’s a tackle box on Amazon for less than $5 and has many compartments for small pieces.
Specialty Baking Supplies – While Joann carries unique baking products, Ramhold notes prices on items like Wilton icing colors can be higher than at Walmart, Target or Amazon.
Bakery Boxes – While okay for occasional bakers, the unit price and selection is lacking compared to restaurant supply stores – or Amazon – if you need these frequently, says Ramhold.
The key takeaway for makers is that while Joann is a good source of craft supplies, it pays to comparison shop at other retailers for certain product categories to score better deals and higher quality. As stated in the examples above, a little research can ensure you get the best bang for your buck on hobby essentials. Read the full article here: Best Life – Worst things to Buy at Joann
Craft Supply Shopping
What kinds of craft supplies or product categories does Joann excel at compared to other retailers?
For local, brick and mortar stores, Joann excels at their fabric selection. You can usually find what you are looking for in their fabric section. The yarn selection is also top notch! A large variety of yarn types and sizes.
Are there any membership programs or ways for frequent Joann shoppers to save money?
One insider tip, as a frequent craft shopper, is to use the Joann app for discount coupons. Usually you can find a discount that will count against a sale price as well. That is one way to really save.
How does the overall pricing and selection at Joann compare to dedicated craft store competitors like Michaels or Hobby Lobby?
You can usually find a good sale at Hobby Lobby, if you watch their sales tend to rotate to different product categories regularly. For example, ribbon is on sale every other week – literally. So follow the cycle to save. Michaels does have some unique finds that are not at other craft stores but I find that they are more stingy with the sales.