What JoAnn's Closure Means for Quilters.
When JoAnn Fabrics shut its doors, it didn't just close a store — it removed the only fabric source many quilters had ever known. For decades, JoAnn served as the default starting point for anyone interested in sewing or quilting. The Spokane Valley and Coeur d'Alene locations were gathering points for generations of crafters.
But here's what many quilters are discovering: the fabric at dedicated quilt shops is significantly better than what JoAnn carried. JoAnn's quilting cotton was typically 30-40 thread count per square inch. Local quilt shops carry 60-square-count fabric from brands like Robert Kaufman's Kona Cotton, Moda's Bella Solids, and Riley Blake — fabric that's denser, holds color better, and behaves predictably under a needle.
Local Quilt Shops in the Inland Northwest.
The Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, and North Idaho corridor has a surprisingly robust network of independent quilt shops. Each one offers something JoAnn never could: staff who actually quilt, curated fabric collections instead of mass-market assortments, and a community of fellow quilters who show up every week.
Spokane & Spokane Valley
The Quilting Bee in Spokane Valley has been the region's anchor quilt shop for over 40 years. They stock approximately 9,000 bolts, offer more than 100 classes monthly, and sell sewing machines. If JoAnn was your everything store, The Quilting Bee is the most direct replacement — they carry the full range from fabric to notions to machines.
Other Spokane-area shops include Quilt Patch Lane, Quilted Posies, The Cozy Quilt, and Regal Fabrics. Each has its own personality and specialty — it's worth visiting several to find the one that feels right.
North Idaho — Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls & Rathdrum
Shabby Fabrics in Post Falls is the largest quilting-specific retailer in the region with a massive showroom that opened in November 2023 and a substantial online business. They carry an extensive selection of themed collections and kits.
Pink Thread in Coeur d'Alene is a family-friendly fabric shop and sewing school with a Christian founding story. They offer classes for beginners and carry a well-curated selection.
Baskets of Blessings in Rathdrum is a faith-based fabric shop and quilting ministry where 100% of profits are donated to families in need. We carry hand-selected quilting cottons, faith-themed and heirloom prints, and notions — and every yard you buy becomes someone else's blessing. We also offer beginner quilting classes, pattern workshops, and our monthly Scripture & Stitches devotional quilting evening.
The loss of Auntie Linda's Quilt Shop in Athol in August 2025 left a gap in the Highway 95 corridor north of Coeur d'Alene. Quilters in that area now drive to Rathdrum, Post Falls, or Sandpoint.
Sandpoint & Beyond
Moose Country Quilts and A Little Comfort Quilting serve the Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry area. Selkirk Quilts in Ponderay offers longarm services alongside fabric. For quilters north of the lake, these shops are closer than the Coeur d'Alene corridor.
Why Local Shops Are Better.
The transition from JoAnn to local quilt shops isn't a downgrade — for quilters, it's a significant upgrade. Here's what changes:
| Dimension | JoAnn Fabrics | Local Quilt Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric quality | 30-40 thread count, mass-market | 60+ thread count, quilt-specific |
| Staff expertise | General retail employees | Active quilters who use what they sell |
| Selection | Broad but shallow | Deep, curated, refreshed with new collections |
| Classes | Limited, generic | Extensive, taught by experienced quilters |
| Community | None | Guilds, sew days, retreats, show-and-tell |
| Price per yard | $8-12 (with coupons) | $10-14 (higher quality, no waste) |
| Project guidance | Minimal | Personal help choosing fabric, fixing mistakes |
The price difference — typically $2-4 per yard — is offset by the quality difference. Higher thread-count fabric wastes less (fewer fraying edges, more consistent cuts), holds seams better, and produces a finished quilt that looks and feels professional. Many quilters report that their per-project cost is comparable or even lower when they factor in reduced waste and fewer mistakes.
Online Options for Hard-to-Find Fabric.
Not every fabric need can be met in person. For specialty prints, out-of-print collections, or bulk purchases, these online retailers serve Inland Northwest quilters reliably:
Fat Quarter Shop — one of the largest online quilt shops, known for precuts and curated bundles. Ships quickly and stocks virtually every major fabric line. Missouri Star Quilt Company — the quilting empire out of Hamilton, Missouri, with extensive tutorials and a reputation for aggressive pricing on precuts. Connecting Threads — budget-friendly quilting cotton that's a step above mass-market without premium pricing. Hawthorne Supply Co. — curated indie-designer fabric, strong on modern aesthetics. Shabby Fabrics — local to North Idaho with both a showroom and a full online presence.
The Community You Didn't Know You Were Missing.
The biggest thing JoAnn never offered was community. Quilting is inherently social — the quilting bee tradition goes back to the 1700s, when gathering around a frame was as much about fellowship as fabric. The Inland Northwest has a thriving quilting community that most JoAnn shoppers never knew existed.
Washington State Quilters–Spokane Chapter holds the region's largest annual quilt show every October at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, featuring 500+ quilts. North Idaho Quilters meets on the 4th Tuesday of odd months at the Calam Shrine Event Center in Hayden and runs a biennial show. Spokane Valley Quilters Guild meets on even months. The Palouse Patchers in Moscow have been active since 1981 with roughly 175 members.
At Baskets of Blessings, our Scripture & Stitches evening on the first Friday of every month is open to everyone — quilters and non-quilters alike. We open the Word, share what God is doing in our lives, and work on community quilts destined for families who need them. Come for the fellowship. Stay for the fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Where can I buy quilting fabric near Spokane after JoAnn closed?
Local quilt shops include The Quilting Bee in Spokane Valley, Shabby Fabrics in Post Falls, Pink Thread in Coeur d'Alene, and Baskets of Blessings in Rathdrum. Each carries higher-quality quilting cotton than JoAnn typically stocked.
Why are local quilt shops better than JoAnn for quilting fabric?
Local shops carry 60-square-count quilting cotton versus JoAnn's typical 30-40 count. Staff are active quilters. Classes are taught by experienced community members. And the fabric selection is curated specifically for quilting, not general crafting.
Is quilting fabric more expensive at local shops?
Quality quilting cotton runs $10-14 per yard at local shops compared to $8-12 at JoAnn. The higher quality means less waste, better results, and a finished quilt that looks and feels significantly better. Many quilters find the per-project cost comparable.
Where can I buy quilting fabric online?
Fat Quarter Shop, Missouri Star Quilt Company, Shabby Fabrics, Connecting Threads, and Hawthorne Supply Co. are all reputable online retailers. Many Inland Northwest shops also offer online ordering with local pickup.
What happened to JoAnn Fabrics?
JoAnn filed for bankruptcy and closed all remaining stores in 2025 after years of declining sales and debt. The closure affected quilters and crafters nationwide, particularly in regions without dedicated quilt shops.
Last Updated: May 2026