Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts

I love you and I hate you. I want to love Jo-Ann’s with their abundant crafting supplies, frequent coupons, and tons of «Made in China» goodness, but I find myself getting livid at each visit. It starts out great: I hop in there and find exactly what I need. I start browsing and dreaming of all of the projects I am going to get to «eventually.» I decide it is time I stock up now just in case I get a burst of creativity and time so that I will have all supplies for any number of projects on hand. I can hardly boil water, but I am going to take up cake decorating! I have a 900 sq. foot house but I am definitely going to be making a wood shop and painting little projects! My cart is bulging and my motivation is sky high as I round the corner and see it. It’s the one thing that RUINS every freaking Jo-Ann’s trip. It’s the thing that makes me want to stab out my eyeballs with knitting needles! It’s…THE LINE. People love Jo-Ann’s and they are going to shop, so having ONE clerk (who is very nice but quite slow) is not going to cut it. Sometimes they will call up a second cashier, but that is rare. I waited in line 25 minutes (I kid you not, I had my phone out for the coupon and the clock kept taunting me). I wanted to bail on my cart and the whole experience, but where else was I going to find 3,000 pipe cleaners and cake pop molds? Turns out, when I got home, one of the items didn’t work for me and I needed to return it. I bought it three days prior; it was unopened; I had the original receipt, I was ready to go! I zoomed in there and realized that returns have to wait in the same line as purchases. I waited a lifetime and eventually returned my item (quickly, and with no hassle — thanks!) and left. I have been here a dozen times and it always the same story. Please let me love you! Why won’t you let me love you?

I haven’t even left the parking lot because I wanted to make sure I got this review in before I got busy with something else. I packed up my kiddos and we headed to Joanne’s to get some coloring books and the time was 5:57 pm. I for some reason thought it was 4 instead of close to 6. So we walk in and I hear someone yell from far off «ugh oh my God! Who forgot to lock the doors?!» Which sent my literally running out the door to check their times on the window. I knew it was my bad for not correctly checking the time, but I was absolutely dumbfounded that someone who is paid to provide customer service to paying customers would act like that and completely humiliate me in front of my children. I will never, ever step foot in this store and I’ll make sure everyone I know is aware that there is someone here that ruins it for the rest of them and to just go to Michaels instead.

I had previously had an unfortunate experience with a return but after speaking to management I was well taken care of. Thank you Beth!

This is my neighborhood Jo-Ann’s and as such, it’s handy. I agree with some of the reviewers regarding not enough help, etc.
But my experience this week was completely different. I needed 9 of a certain item. This store had 5. I spoke with the Manager, Cindy, and told her I was headed to the Lynnwood store to see if I could round up the last 4. She said that if I was unsuccessful, let her know and she’d stop at the Federal Way store on her way home as she lived near there. If that didn’t work, she’d hunt one down for me someplace else. Lynnwood only had 3. I needed just 1 more! Sure enough, Federal Way had one. She did stop and get it, bring it to work with her the next day, called me twice (a) to let me know she was successful in getting 1 and (b) to let me know it was waiting for me at checkout. Fabulous customer service.

I just don’t think the clerks are very friendly or helpful at this store. Today I went in to buy some yarn and a wreath form to make a Halloween wreath with my daughter. They had a flyer that came out about a week and a half ago with a coupon for 50% off one regular price item — the only problem is that I went to Joann’s directly after work, and my flyer was at home.
Why don’t they have extra flyers at the store so that you can use them there? Other stores do this — Fred Meyer, etc. I explained to the clerk that I left my flyer at home (and it’s not some special coupon — it’s a flyer that you get in the Sunday newspaper) and tough luck. Sorry. Too bad. I just hope they know that the next time I need a craft item, Joann’s is not the first place that I will go to find it.

I wish I can put zero start. Worst customer service, no enough crew to assist customers. They gave me fabric in BAD wrapping condition (because I was in rush) and they lied saying I have used it. Liars liars !!! Fabric is totally clean and good condition… Never come back, managers are unreasonable and not going to meet you expectations, please go somewhere else.

I can’t completely hate a store that has fabric. But this Joann’s is pretty rough. They never have enough people on the floor, so you have a choice of getting your fabric cut fast or being rang up fast. You can’t have both! The selection isn’t great either, and it’s quite messy. The staff can be friendly or just friendly enough while looking like they are dying on the inside.
The store is also just kinda depressed looking in a way I can’t quite describe. I go here when there are coupons and I just don’t feel like going all the way into Lynnwood or don’t have the coins for Pacific Fabric prices. Basically, it’s the fast food of craft stores.

The power was out not even an hour today and the store was close for business with 3.5 hrs still left in your day. So much for making the cake for my event tomorrow. Thanks Joanns!

Customer service is lacking. I called in search of an item and after being put on hold twice, I was hung up on! After calling back, they finally looked for the item, did not find it, and when I asked if they could determine if other stores had it, she said she could not because she was at the register. What is going on at this store?

I came here looking for foam cut-​outs to use in a holiday display at work as I cleaned out another craft store’s stock. This Jo-Ann’s was remodeled? I can’t tell. At all.
This store is stuck in 1972 in the set-​up, décor and product. The aisles are small, the carts are smaller, and the product is really cheap and/​or terrible. The floors were dirty. The shelves were in disarray. The selection was really small, including the holiday section.
I’m into scrapbooking and I thought I’d look at what they have to offer. It’s basically nothing. Zero scrapbook paper pads, zero stickers, zero embellishments, zero Sizzix supplies.
I overheard the cashier give a teacher a discount which was cool. Too bad it’s just for teachers.
I was offered help by someone and the cashier was friendly.
The parking is big. And empty.

I like Joann. I like to go and spend a lot of time watching everything. When I need some help, I will ask for that. Never see rude people working there. They just look not so happy… Maybe too many years working there.
So, I took a knitting class with Joan, was just me and her. Was so nice! Thank you so much for teaching me!

I’ve been going to this Jo-Ann’s for about 2 or 3 years now and am familiar with the other local locations. I would give this location 4 stars if reviewing it alone.
Before the remodel this used to be my favorite place to go for crêpe back satin, post remodel the fabric section is a little confusing but still the best selection around and the bead and button sections have been expanded, which is awesome.
I come back because the customer service is USUALLY pretty great and the sales and coupons are pretty snazzy too. There’s a few ladies that really stand out to me there too. One woman that’s usually at the cash register during the morning/​afternoon and loves joking with me while we struggle to get the coupons off my phone, and one younger woman with spunky colorful hair and an attitude to match who is always down to help even when I roll up with a ridiculous number of bolts and a want for ¼ yards lol (so sorry I can’t remember your names, I do adore you)
***This one star review is for BRITTANY AT THE CUTTING COUNTER:
Tonight I came in for just a few things and a very helpful Vicki was there to cut for me. Vicki and I were talking about my current project and why I loved a particular fabric I was so lucky she helped me remember I was out of (THANK YOU!).
Brittany noticed the handbag I was carrying and made it clear she liked it. I was excited! I happily showed it to her, and informed her that there was a woman that made them at Pike Place Market. She quickly made comment that she should make one. I said she probably shouldn’t, it’s a woman’s original design and her lively hood (A woman who spends thousands a year with Jo-Ann’s buying upholstery, interfacing, cording, and other odds and ends. She’s also the reason I buy at least a yard of fabric a week). Brittany then said «It’s what I do»… I couldn’t have been more offended. Vicki was quick to diffuse it and finish with my fabric so I could leave the tactless & disrespectful Brittany (Again Thank you Vicki)
I’ve always enjoyed being asked about my projects and conversing with the ladies but I wasn’t aware that stealing other people’s design’s was «what they do» I strongly recommend avoiding sharing your ideas around this woman.
I will be walking out and purchasing my fabric at another location and/​or Pacific Fabrics if she’s on shift at the counter***

This is by far the worst craft store, possibly ever. It always has been, and I kept going back because there isn’t another craft store option in Seattle. It’s pretty much Joann’s– in a couple of locations.
Anyway, yes, a significant remodel, but still very limited selection and horrific customer service. A cutting counter which measures, then wanders away, comes back, asks me what she said the measurement was, then when I tell her, ignores me and remeasures? What a waste of time. And two people talking and i come up and ask where candle holders are located and they both stare at me as if a ship has landed on aisle 4 and I have disembarked in a cloud of steam, looking like E. T? It took like 5 full minutes for them to register that I had spoken– both of them. Augh.
I have decided that it’s too tragic to even go into ever again, and I will spend the gas money to drive out to Michael’s, because it’s so much better in every way. Maybe Joann’s has remodeled, but now it’s just a bigger P.O.S.

Jo-​Ann is currently undergoing a remodel. The temporary location is right next to the old one where the liquor store used to be.
In a previous life, I was crafty is as crafty does. I used to make my own paper, press flowers to make coasters, use leaves to stamp, etc. Now, I’m just okay. Busy lives sometimes take us away from other creative uses of time.
This store has everything I need. However, I can see how more experienced crafters may disagree. It’s a good neighborhood store where I’ve experienced excellent customer service. I will say that lines can get long sometimes and after all these years, I’ve yet to identify the hangup.
One of my favorite reasons to go to this store is for seasonal items, particularly the day after a holiday when it’s on sale! Also, Jo-​Ann keeps a steady stream of coupons in the store and coming through the mail to save you a few bucks.
Since Jo-​Ann is also a fabric store, it’s a one-​stop shop in that regard. Now, I can’t sew. I’m not sure why — I’m a reasonably intelligent person that can’t seem to remember how to thread a bobbin or read a pattern. Anyhow, what I do use fabric for is wrapping gifts. It’s something I got into a few years ago during the holidays as I was picking up bags, and bags, of paper around the house. The fabric selection is great with festive designs that make my gifts pop.
This is a small store that has everything I need and service with a smile. There are long lines but plentiful parking and hopefully, a soon to be remodeled store.

Your typical JoAnns – only a little slummier., Always a hundred people waiting in line for the cutting table, can’t cut straight lines to save their lives.
I’ve found that the selection at this JoAnn’s is not as good as many – probably picked over.

This store is old and small. They don’t have a lot of stuff. It’s not close enough to me to make it worth it to not go to other craft stores in Seattle or just drive to Lynnwood for the super store.
When they didn’t have the items I wanted, I asked if they could call Lynnwood and get it on hold for me there and they said they could pass me their phone. I seriously told her, «why wouldn’t I just call from my own phone if you can’t check it for me by item number or something?» Her response, «yeah use your own phone.»
Really? Go to the Lynnwood store. I always have much better service there!
This place gets 2 stars only because it’s a teeny bit better than the Michael’s in Kirkland.

The lines are too long. The employees seem like they hate their jobs. The place is kind of dirty.
Some music would help a lot.
No reason to shop here.

This is my least favorite Joann Fabrics store that I’ve visited. It’s much smaller than the one in Lynnwood which also means much less to choose from. The dim lighting makes the whole place feel old and a little creepy.
I tried to look for yarn for some of my knitting projects but I almost walked out giving up on the selection. The only thing that made me buy something was the coupon I had that was still good to use for that day.
I was lucky to not experience the infamous bad service that everyone complains about, but I wouldn’t be looking forward to that the next time I come here… or will I? The lines are always long and there always seem to be just 1 or 2 people at the register. Why???

I went here last night to get a paint pen for something for my halloween costume. Paint pen was easy enough to find, but the line was SO FREAKING LONG!!! Seriously, there was one guy working the check out and at least 10 people in line. They have some staffing issues.

I don’t think this Jo-​Ann Fabrics is so bad. I do strongly prefer Michael’s, but Jo-Ann’s works in a pinch.
They have a fairly decent selection of fabrics and plenty of crafty items to get your creative juices flowing. Lots of fake plants (if that’s your thing), as well as sewing equipment and tools, scrap-​booking materials, yarn, decorations, and various seasonal stuff.
I have come to this location many a times with a friend of mine to kill time by wandering around and looking at random stuff. It can be pretty fun!
A couple of downsides are that the store is a bit messy and the exterior of the building really could use some work. I mean, the outside looks pretty darn bad.