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  • 🧵 Fabric Is Back: What You Need to Know About Michaels and the Return of Sewing Supplies

🧵 Fabric Is Back: What You Need to Know About Michaels and the Return of Sewing Supplies

🧭 Two Paths. One Passion. Which Sewing System Fits You Best

Author: Marjorie Vaudreuil. Sewing Pattern Secrets, Design Secrets, TheSewingBuzz.com and TheSewingBrew.com

Hi Crew,

Let’s set the record straight.

For years, Joann was the only game in town for most folks who needed fabric, thread, or a decent zipper that didn’t come in a bulk Amazon bag with 40 of the wrong colors. And then—poof—gone.

If you live in a town where Joann was your only fabric source, and it disappeared without so much as a thank-you-for-your-loyalty, you’re not imagining things. For many of you, the nearest bolt of fabric has been a 90-minute drive… or a checkout cart full of guesses online.

But now comes something quietly significant:
Michaels has acquired Joann’s private-label brands—and they’re not just putting them on a shelf. They’re building out real sewing sections in their stores.

Let me explain exactly what this means for you.

🪔 What Michaels Actually Bought

This wasn’t a store buyout. Michaels didn’t take over Joann’s leases, and they didn’t resurrect the old buildings.

What they did do is something smarter:

  • They acquired Joann’s intellectual property

  • And the full lineup of Joann’s private-label product lines

That includes things you might actually care about:

  • Big TwistĀ® yarns: Value Plus, Twinkle, Posh, Baby Bear—yes, those are coming back

  • Sewing tools, machines, and brand-name notions: PellonĀ®, CloverĀ®, FISKARSĀ®, VELCROĀ®, DMCĀ®, SINGERĀ®, BrotherĀ®, Oliso®—already in inventory or rolling out

  • Fabric bolts, pre-cuts, and broadcloths: showing up in aisles as we speak

šŸ¬ How Many Michaels Stores Are In On This?

Let’s talk numbers.

There are roughly 1,300 Michaels stores across the U.S. and Canada.

  • As of now, 680 stores have already added fabric sections

  • 280 more are confirmed to receive full sewing expansions by year’s end

  • That’s roughly 960 total stores—about 74% of all Michaels locations

Not all of them are built the same. Some have dedicated cutting stations and full aisles. Others are retrofitting existing space with just enough for a basic selection. The rollout is happening strategically, based on space and demand.

🧵 What’s on the Shelves?

This isn’t a rehash of old Joann stores. It’s curated, modernized, and expanding fast.

Here’s what shoppers are already reporting in fabric-equipped Michaels locations:

  • Two full aisles of fabric by the yard

  • Displays of Big Twist yarn (with even more coming later this year)

  • Shelves of stabilizers, threads, elastic, interfacing, cutting mats, and other essentials

  • Sewing machines and gadgets from names you know—SINGER, Brother, and more

Online? Michaels.com now boasts over 10,000 fabric options, with fabric-related search traffic up 77% year-over-year.

If that’s not a signal, I don’t know what is.

šŸ” How to Find Out If Your Store Has Fabric Yet

Here’s how to check without driving 45 minutes and walking in cold:

  1. Go to michaels.com

  2. Click ā€œFind a Storeā€ (top left) and enter your zip code

  3. Click on your store and scroll to ā€œStore Featuresā€

  4. Look for keywords like:

    • Fabric

    • Sewing

    • Yarn Expansion

If you see those, you’re in luck. If not—don’t give up. That store might be on the year-end rollout list.

Tip: You can also call and ask directly. Just say,

ā€œHave you added a fabric section since Joann closed?ā€

A quick call could save you a trip.

āœ‚ļø What This Means For Real-World Sewists

If you’ve felt stranded without access to fabric for the last few months—or even years—you’re about to get your footing back.

Not through a return to the way things were. But through something more strategic: a better-built, broader-reaching system from Michaels that’s bringing the essentials back to your fingertips.

It won’t look like the Joann you remember. It might not smell like it either.
But if you sew for your family, your income, your legacy—or even just your peace of mind—you now have aisles again. And that counts.

So walk into your Michaels with your head held high. Ask them where the fabric is. Check the bolt ends. Touch the cottons. Peek at the thread weights.
They might not understand what they’re stocking—but you do.

And if your Michaels doesn’t have it yet?
It probably will.

Because people like you—the ones who still care about doing things right, cutting straight, and finishing well—are exactly who this fabric is coming back for.

Best,

Margie

🧵 Two Paths. One Passion. Which Sewing System Fits You Best?

šŸ‘— Option 1: Design Secrets Course and Community

For the Sewist Who’s Ready to Think Like a Designer

  • 26 Designer Patterns aligned to 86+ fitting and fine sewing lessons

  • Elegant styles with a modern twist on iconic fashion

  • Monthly drip model—perfect for pace, depth, and refinement

  • Built for women sizes 6–24X with a design-focused edge

  • Think: Diana Vreeland meets sewing school.

šŸŽ“ One-time founder price of just $87. Note: Since this launched in March, we’ve increased the price several times, from $57, $67, $87… Next price increase will be $107 before it goes to subscription options later this year.

šŸ’ƒ Design Secrets

āœ”ļø 86+ Lessons based on style lines, iconic silhouettes, flat pattern design and redesign, and fine sewing to couture details
āœ”ļø Designer-led insights. Contextual instruction. Serious fit refinement.
āœ”ļø Patterns that stand out in any room—because they’re supposed to

This is sewing as art, fashion as expression.

Year Long of Drip Content (Unlocks Monthly), Lifetime Access, One Time Pay,

🧵 Option 2: Sewing Pattern Secrets Learning Database

For the Everyday Sewist Who Wants It All

  • 155+ professionally developed patterns (with more added every month!)

  • For women, men, kids, toddlers—even babies

  • Skill levels from total beginner to advanced

  • Video library, written instructions, fabric links, and full visual tutorials

  • On-demand, no waiting. Instant access.

🪔 One-time, lifetime access for just $87.

āœ”ļø A family’worth of patterns—over 155+ downloadable curated sewing patterns for the whole family and 50+ video tutorials on an organized membership platform.
āœ”ļø Everyday wear, career and special occasion styles, quick makes
āœ”ļø Excellent for sharpening your construction while experimenting with style
āœ”ļø Beginner to Advanced Sewists, 77+ can be done in a weekend, 66+ are beginner friendly. All-in-one platform for notions and fabric links and patterns.
āœ”ļø Constant Learning Content on the Brew for Redesign, Fabric Suggestions and Adjustments from the Designers
āœ”ļø Great for organized sewists, home sewists, teachers, home schooling, Etsy creators to make clothing for their platforms, sewing courses, DIY.

Think of it as your base wardrobe builder. Easy-to-follow. Versatile. Fast.

If you’re wondering what the real difference is between Sewing Pattern Secrets and Design Secrets, here’s the short version: both are powerful, professional-grade resources—but they serve two very different purposes.

Sewing Pattern Secrets is your go-to when you want variety, speed, and access. With over 155 patterns (and new ones added monthly), you can sew for yourself, your kids, your partner—even your craft booth. It’s built for real-life sewing: practical, clear, and instantly rewarding. You can log in and start stitching within minutes—everything’s organized, with full written instructions, videos, and fabric links at your fingertips. Whether you're brand new or just want to get sewing faster, this is your pattern vault.

Design Secrets, on the other hand, is a focused learning experience. It’s for the sewist who wants to elevate—to refine their skills, master fine sewing techniques, and understand how iconic fashion design works from the inside out. It delivers 26 couture-aligned patterns 86+ lessons, one drip at a time, each connected to a high-fashion pattern in women’s sizes 6–24X. Lessons include: style lines, fitting adjustments, and details that take your garments from ā€œhomemadeā€ to ā€œhandmade with excellence.ā€ If you're ready to think like a designer and sew like one, this is your track.

Choose the one that fits where you are now—or where you want to grow next.

— Molly

Below are some of the 155+ patterns included in the database….

Men’s Staples

Essentials with Creative Ideas on Redesigns

Staple Dresses and Skirts

Halloween and Parties

Kid’s Projects and Gifts

Everyday Wear

Maternity

Ready to dive in?

If you're already a member, head straight to the database and grab these patterns now. Access Link

Not a member yet?
Join today for lifetime access to 155+ curated patterns—and discover why thousands of sewists say this is their favorite sewing library on the internet.

šŸŽ Plus: Over 77 of these patterns can be sewn this weekend. No waiting. No overwhelm.

Sew something wonderful,
šŸ’› Margie
Founder, Sewing Pattern Secrets

If you're the kind of sewist who craves precision fit, couture finishes, and elegant results—especially for women’s garments in sizes 6 to 24X—then you’ll want to take a hard look at Design Secrets.

It’s the perfect companion to Sewing Pattern Secrets, built for women ready to level up their skills and create garments that look like they walked off a runway (not a craft table).

Inside Design Secrets, you’ll unlock:
šŸ”¹ 26 exclusive women’s patterns—each one couture-inspired
šŸ”¹ 86+ video lessons on fine sewing, fit adjustments, and finishing techniques
šŸ”¹ Advanced ebooks, tools, and fitting guides
šŸ”¹ A private community of sewists who are serious about elevating their craft
šŸ”¹ Structured delivery over a year—so you never feel overwhelmed

This is where the real transformation happens—from pattern follower to pattern designer.

Already an SPS member?
Reply to this email or tag us in your photos—your work might even get featured! šŸ’• 

GAMES ARE BACK!

Made by Molly McGuire with the crossword maker from Amuse Labs

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More from Sewing Pattern Secrets

We offer a database of over 155+ sewing patterns, instructions, 50+ supporting sewing tutorials, and 5 ebooks. Learn more.

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