The Main Places to Buy Sewing Material
You can buy fabric and sewing supplies at fabric stores, big-box retailers, online shops, and specialty vendors—each with different prices, selection, and return policies. A fabric store like Joann or a local independent shop gives you the chance to touch the material before buying and ask staff questions. Big-box stores like Walmart and Target carry basic supplies and some fabric but a narrower range. Online retailers like Amazon, Etsy, and fabric-specific sites ship to your home but require you to judge quality from photos and descriptions.
The choice depends on what you need, how soon you need it, and whether you want to see the material in person. Most sewers use a mix: a local store for urgent needs and fabric they want to feel, and online for specialty items or bulk orders when price matters more than speed.
Key Takeaways
- Fabric stores and independent shops let you examine material, ask staff for information, and often have the widest selection of weights and patterns.
- Big-box retailers stock basic supplies and common fabrics at lower prices but carry fewer options than specialty stores.
- Online retailers offer the largest selection and often the lowest prices, but you cannot touch the fabric before it arrives and shipping takes time.
- Thrift stores and fabric remnant bins offer discounted material, though selection changes constantly and return policies are strict.
- Specialty online shops focus on particular types of fabric—linen, knits, quilting cotton—and often have staff who know those materials deeply.
Fabric Stores and Independent Shops
Joann Fabrics is the largest fabric chain in the United States and carries fabric, thread, patterns, notions (buttons, zippers, elastic), and machines. Most Joann locations have staff trained to help you choose material for a specific project and can answer questions about weight, care, and difficulty level. Joann runs frequent sales and coupons, so prices fluctuate—checking their website or app before you go can save money.
Independent fabric shops exist in most cities and towns, though they are harder to find than they were ten years ago. These stores often specialize—quilting fabric, knits, upholstery, or vintage material—and staff usually have deep knowledge of their inventory. Prices are often higher than chain stores, but the selection and informed can be worth it, especially if you are working on a difficult project or looking for something specific.
Both types let you buy small amounts (often a quarter yard or half yard) and return material if it does not work for your project, though return windows vary. Bring your pattern or a photo of what you are making so staff can suggest appropriate weights and fiber content.
Big-Box Retailers
Walmart, Target, and similar stores carry basic sewing supplies—thread, needles, elastic, scissors—and a small selection of fabric. The fabric section is usually limited to common weights like cotton quilting prints, basic knits, and fleece. Prices are often lower than specialty stores, and you can return items within their standard return window (usually 30 to 90 days).
These stores are useful if you need supplies quickly and do not mind limited choices, or if you are buying material for a beginner project where fabric type matters less. Staff are usually not trained in sewing, so you cannot expect detailed information about fiber content or how a fabric will behave.
Online Retailers and Specialty Shops
Amazon carries fabric from multiple sellers, thread, patterns, and tools. Prices vary widely depending on the seller, and you cannot feel the material before it arrives. Read reviews carefully—other sewers often note whether fabric is thinner or thicker than expected, whether colors match the photo, and how it washes. Shipping times range from two days (with Prime) to several weeks depending on the seller's location.
Specialty online fabric shops like Fabric.com, Mood Fabrics, and Spoonflower focus on particular types of material or serve specific sewing communities. Mood Fabrics, for example, specializes in fashion fabrics and carries designer and high-end material. Spoonflower prints custom fabric from your own designs or sells designs from independent artists. These shops often have detailed descriptions, fiber content, and care instructions, and staff can answer questions by email or chat.
Etsy connects you to independent sellers and small businesses selling fabric, patterns, and supplies. You can find vintage fabric, hand-dyed material, and niche items that do not exist in stores. Shipping is slower and more expensive than Amazon, and return policies depend on the individual seller. Read the shop's return policy and reviews before buying.
Discount and Secondhand Options
Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army sometimes carry fabric bolts and sewing supplies, usually at very low prices. Selection is unpredictable—you might find nothing one week and a treasure the next. Return policies at thrift stores are usually strict or nonexistent, so inspect material carefully before buying.
Fabric remnant bins and clearance sections at fabric stores sell leftover material at steep discounts, often 50 to 75 percent off. The downside is that you cannot special-order—you buy what is there. These bins work well if you are flexible about color and pattern, or if you are buying material for practice projects.
Online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and local Buy Nothing groups sometimes have fabric for sale from people clearing out their stash. Prices are negotiable, and you can see the material in person before buying, but there is no recourse if the fabric is damaged or misrepresented.
What to Check Before You Buy
Before purchasing, know the fiber content—cotton, polyester, linen, silk, or a blend—because it affects how the fabric behaves, how it washes, and how difficult it is to sew. Check the weight: quilting cotton is light and stiff, jersey knit is stretchy and soft, and upholstery fabric is heavy and dense. These properties matter for the project you are making.
Look at the width of the bolt (usually 45, 54, or 60 inches) because patterns are written for a specific width, and you may need more or less yardage if the width differs. Read care instructions if they are available—some fabrics require hand washing or dry cleaning, which affects whether they are practical for your project. If you are buying online, check the return window and whether the seller accepts returns on fabric, since some do not.
Comparing Price and Convenience
Fabric stores and big-box retailers let you buy when ready and see the material in person, but prices are higher and selection is limited. Online retailers offer the widest selection and often the lowest prices, but you wait for shipping and cannot touch the fabric. Specialty online shops split the difference—higher prices than Amazon but better descriptions, customer service, and material quality.
For a first project or a small amount of material, a local store is usually fastest and least risky. For bulk orders, specialty material, or when you know exactly what you want, online is often cheaper. Many sewers use both: a local store for urgent needs and online for planned projects where they have time to wait and can research the material thoroughly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much fabric should I buy?
Your pattern tells you the yardage needed, but add a quarter yard extra for shrinkage and mistakes. If the pattern calls for 2 yards, buy 2.25 yards. For knits, which shrink more than woven fabric, add a half yard. Ask staff at a fabric store if you are unsure—they can look at your pattern and tell you the right amount.
What is the difference between quilting cotton and regular cotton?
Quilting cotton is tightly woven, does not stretch, and is stiff enough to hold a crease—good for beginners and structured projects. Regular cotton (like broadcloth) is softer and drapes better, making it better for clothing. Both are straightforward to sew, but they behave differently, so choose based on what you are making.
Can I return fabric if I change my mind?
Fabric stores usually accept returns within 30 to 60 days if the material is uncut and in original condition. Big-box stores follow their standard return policy, usually 30 to 90 days. Online sellers vary—check their policy before buying. Thrift stores and clearance bins rarely accept returns.
Is it cheaper to buy fabric online or in a store?
Online is usually cheaper per yard, especially for specialty material, but shipping costs add up. For small amounts (under 2 yards), a local store may be faster and cheaper when you factor in shipping. For larger orders or specialty fabric, online is usually the better deal.
Where can I find fabric for a specific project, like a wedding dress or upholstery?
Specialty online shops carry wedding and formal fabrics—search for "bridal fabric" or "formal wear fabric." For upholstery, look for upholstery-weight fabric at fabric stores or online shops that specialize in home décor. Local fabric stores can often order material if they do not have it in stock.