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The only independent fabric store we had has closed, so now JoAnn's & Hancock's are the only games in town if you need clothing fabric. I'm not crazy about their selections, and I wish there were more stores. One of the LQS's told me that it's nearly impossible to compete with the big stores when it comes to clothing fabric prices. I can believe that.

I've just gotten my courage up to try to sew clothing again, but I'm not crazy about picking out clothing-type fabric online (not without feeling it). I have found some stuff on shopping trips to other cities, but it sure would be nice not to have to go far to find a decent selection.

What about your town? Has clothing fabric disappeared, except for in the chain stores?

We have NO fabric stores at all here! We do have a WalMart, but they stopped carrying fabric some time ago. The closest JoAnn's is 45 minutes away. I was there yesterday and thought some of their clothing fabrics were quite nice. It is a large store, not one of their smaller ones. Good luck! I agree about buying online, I really do like to feel a fabric before I buy it - not only for clothing but for quilting or crafts.
Susan

No not in my town. Two quilt fabric stores now though. I go to Fashion Fabric.com. Also JoAnn's.

No fabric store at all in my town! Like you, I've noticed that there's just not much choice in fabric for clothing unless you like to iron...or like 100% synthetic.

I am one of the fortunate ones. We have a fabric store is South ST Pete called Jay's that has everything from wools to slinkey knits, including quilting fabrics. And then there is the other half of the store that is home dec... Chris

No.
Handcock has some with really high prices. What I've gotten is on line from fabric.com. I can usually guess what it's going to be, but I've sure missed sometimes. Most of the clothing I sew are blouses, scrubs, or vintage costumes. It's absolutely not like it used to be for clothing sewing any more. I miss so many fabrics...especially heavier cottons for dresses/blouses or shorts/pants.

I live in Atlanta. If you can find one of the big JoAnn's, that may be your best bet. I think they're called JoAnn ETC. Much larger with more to choose from.

I just spent a depressing hour looking on line for fabrics I remember using in the 60's and 70's...not much there, either. Really bummed.

What I'd really like to find locally is some lightweight but wrinkle-resistant cotton to make some shorts. I like to "crush" the fabric in my hands to see how it springs back before I buy it, and I like to feel the weight.

Another thing that's pretty much gone from the fabric stores is THICK terry velour. I made DH a robe from it 30-some years ago & he's still wearing it! That's how tough that stuff was back then. I can't find anything decent I'd replace it with now. Even regular terry cloth isn't what it used to be.

I can't even buy a spool of thread in my town. (East Podunk) To buy fabric is a 45 minute or more drive but I hear you on feeling the goods first. Shirt weight fabric does not work well for pants or shorts.

piney

Wow! I feel bad for all of you that can't find what you're looking for. I manage a fabric store and we carry everything from the terry cloth you talked about to suiting, polyester,knits for t-shirts, corduroy, suede's, denim, twill, swimsuit fabric, ribbing, sweatsuit fleece, challis, flannel, home dec, upholstery, tapestry, vinyl, drapery, fleece and we also have our own quilt shop with all the cotton prints and solids. I love my job!! We have a web site too!

And that link might be.......so that's a request and hey-we post links here all the time.

Oops! I did forget didn't I? Sorry Auntie Reba.
www.fabrictextilewarehouse.com
We have 4 stores
- Wilmar, MN. (our mother store)
- Mitchell, SD
- Spencer, IA
- Jamestown, ND (the one I manage)

I have G Street Fabrics nearby. Very classy but very expensive. Even quilting cottons are more than our LQS.

Here's the link to their online store.
http://www.gstreetfabrics.com

I tend to think that my sewing skills aren't worthy of their fabric.

We hurting for clothing fabrics here too. Our JoAnn's has more wedding/prom type fabrics. If you want to make slacks or a dress for church, out of luck there.

We have over a hundred members in our sewing guild chapter and "they" say no market for fashion fabrics. The guild doesn't say that, but if you would ask at a JoAnn's or someother fabric place. We do have quite a few quilt shops and am very grateful for those.

I like to touch and feel too. Takes time to get samples.

Another reason to live in Houston. We have lots of Joann's, a few Hancock's, many local quilt shops, and then we have some great fabric stores as well.

My all-time favorite is High Fashion Fabric Center, and now they have a separate building called High Fashion Home. I can't do a link, but they do have a website.

Whatever you fancy it's there — including $500/yard lace. Yeah, that's with 2 zeros. Silk, satin, velvet, quilting cottons (not many since we have so many quilt shops) — it's a paradise. Oooooh, they're open on Sundays, and I'm heading home in time to stop by.