Quilting enthusiasts across the US, including Utah residents, are reeling from the news that every Joann fabric store location is closing. The beloved craft store has been a staple for many quilters, offering high-quality fabrics and a tactile experience.
For Carla Gray, owner of Quilter’s Attic in Bountiful, Utah, Joann’s was never a direct competitor. However, she acknowledges that the company’s closure signals a shift in the industry towards online shopping. “The ladies like to touch and feel fabric before buying,” Gray said. “With social media and online shopping on the rise, it’s becoming harder for us to compete.”
Lorrie Ryther-Hall, member of the Utah Quilt Guild, shared similar sentiments. As a quilter herself, she values the tactile experience that Joann’s provided. “We’re tactile people,” she explained. “We need the color, quality, and touch that you can’t replicate online.” The loss of local fabric stores like Joann’s worries her about the future of quilting as a craft.
Gray hopes that the closures won’t discourage younger people from discovering quilting. “They’re definitely going to become lost arts,” she said. As an industry continues to evolve, quilters must find ways to adapt and preserve their beloved craft.
Source: https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/utah-quilters-worry-about-the-future-of-the-craft-after-joann-closures-announced