Fabrics used in classes will usually be woven cottons, and the type of fabric will always be described in the class information or provided at the first class meeting.  If you are unsure of what you are looking for, the store staff will always be able to direct you to the right section, or to check your fabric choices against the description to ensure you have the right type.

 

With the closing of JoAnn Fabrics, it can be more difficult to find appropriate fabrics for your project. The stores listed below are a few that are within an hour's driving distance. 

Walmart: Most Walmart stores still have a fabric section, though their attempts to reduce labor costs have been detrimental to our range of choices. Locally, the Monticello store tends to have a wider selection than the Buffalo store. They carry a range of woven cotton fabrics that are appropriate for many of the projects used in classes. These come in both pre-cut packages of varying sizes, and some custom-cut choices. The Waverly brand is better quality than the no-name/store brand. They also carry a small selection of upholstery fabrics which are sturdier, but of limited use for class purposes, and a small selection of pre-cut knits and other clothing fabrics, which are generally a poor quality but would be useful for practicing before cutting into your intended fabric. They carry Coats & Clark thread which is adequate for most projects.

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Hobby Lobby: Maple Grove, St. Cloud, and Minnetonka are the nearest stores. They carry a wide range of woven cotton prints. Other types of fabrics are limited. They carry their own brand of thread which tends to create a lot of lint, which is not good for your machine.

Michael's: They have purchased rights to some of JoAnn's store brands, and are gradually adding fabric and other sewing supplies to their stores. Choice is currently limited, and time will tell how useful of a source they prove to be. Because this is a new venture for them and is in transition, I cannot give an accurate list of what they carry, other than I know they do have woven cotton prints. 

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SR Harris in Brooklyn Park: Hands down my favorite source! They have a HUGE selection of all types of fabric, and a limited selection of other supplies. All fabrics are cut-your-own on an honor system, and they will assist new customers with the process. It's literally a warehouse, and can be overwhelming. Despite the appearance it IS somewhat organised and the staff can direct you to the type of fabric you need. It sometimes takes some muscle to sort through the stock. They do have young men there to help, but if you take your own muscle-man it's a lot more convenient. 

 

Quilt Shops: Quilt shops primarily carry a wide range of woven cotton prints and flannels. Other fabric types will be dependant on the individual shop. These fabrics are much better quality than you would find at Walmart, and priced accordingly. There are several in surrounding towns, including Rogers, Elk River, Hutchinson, Litchfield, and Sauk Rapids. (The best known and largest area shop is/was Gruber's in St. Cloud. They recently closed but there are rumors of reopening under new ownership.) If you do an online search for shops, make sure you check the individual websites. Many locations that come up are NOT fabric shops, but are individuals that offer quilting services.

Just Sew Studio in Waite Park: Tucked behind the Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud. They are primarily a dealership for Pfaff brand sewing machines, but they also carry a small selection of fabrics.

 

Thrift Shops: Thrift shops can be an adventure in looking for fabric. Wise Penny in Buffalo usually has a variety of choices. Other independent shops will vary widely. Goodwill rarely has fabric, but if you are in the store for other reasons, it's worth checking. Other than fabric yardage, used clothing and bedding can offer affordable options for some uses.

 

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