Bargain Fabric Disappearing Where You Are?

[many houseapes]

2 years ago, our Walmart had a huge table stacked high with $1 a yd fabric..then they raised the price to 1.50 a yrd..now I can hardly find any that price at all..its all 3.00 & up. Also the other fabric stores are rarely having clearance sales/spring cleaning sales on their fabric (hancock's/JoAnn's/ HobbyLobby).
When I heard last year that the price of cotton was ready to skyrocket, I started stocking my fabric stash as cheaply as I could by buying the bargain/discounted fabric at these places....now that those avenues have seem to have dried up, I am buying fabric whenever I find it at garage sales & thrift stores...also any adult clothing that is given to us & we can't wear, I salvage the best parts of the garment to downsize for clothing for the younger children.
Is it just in my area, or is anyone else experiencing the "disappearing bargain fabric blues"?

[Spirit Deer]

I noticed that years ago, along with the huge nosedive in quality.

I buy at secondhand stores or garage sales if I see something interesting, but I don't sew clothing that much anymore. It's far less expensive to buy it secondhand or even new at discount stores. Sorta makes me sad. When our kids were home, I sewed most of the clothes for all eight of them and I loved it.

[Contrary Housewife]

I don't shop at Walmart so I can't comment there, but I do watch the trends at Joann's. They started having smaller clearance sales a few years back, I think it must be a good 5 years ago. $1 clearance represents a loss for the store in most cases, so it's sensible business for them to adjust their buying to prevent it.

I do still find a lot of bargains at our local stores, like quilt cottons for $1.50. I have not been buying much because I have pretty much run out of room to put more fabric, though.

You're right about prices going up. I used to be able to get upholstery at a discount place here for $3 a yard, and it was pretty nice. Now, nothing under $6. Good quilt shop cottons are over $10 now. I remember not so long ago thinking $6-7 was ridiculous.

I'm glad I have my stash, but sad, too because for me it represents money tied up in goods I am mostly not using. I've had all this stuff piled up for years and sometimes I wish I had the cash and some space back instead.

[mauimagic]

Yup, bargain fabric is going down the drain....unfortunately.

[Anna43]

Walmart where I shop still has a decent fabric department. No more $1 or $1.50 fabric even on sale its $3 minimum. Quality varies greatly.

And what about the cost of thread!!! I've been taking my 40% off Hobby Lobby coupon and buying one spool of thread. No 40% coupon this week. Usually they have one every other week but not this time.

[IndigoMom]

Bargain Fabric has been gone from my area. Walmart has brought a small selection back, sold in precut lengths of 5 yards each I think, for $5 each. But it's gauzy, or loosely woven polyester types you can't really do much with. Or horribly gaudy.
I've been using a lot of discarded clothing for my sewing. Shopping thrift stores for fabric, or even sheets and table cloths to use for a number of things.

[craftypam]

We haven't had bargain Walmaart fabric in about 5 years. They don't even sell fabric anymore in my area

[chowder]

When Walmart in our closest town went superstore they took out the fabric,so we have to go to Fabricland or Lens Mills stores.
Fabricland's prices are high but they have sales buy one get 2 free.Even at that we still pay at least $5.00 a meter for anything half decent.

[bonnotsm9]

It's the same here. I find most of my bargains online or at thrift stores.

Fabric - Discount Fabric - Apparel Fabric - Home Decor Fabric - Quilting Fabric - Save up to 70% - Fabric.com has a $1.95/yd clearance section and Online fabric store, designer fabrics, fabric sample, joann fabric, fabric shop has markdowns in the $1-2/ yd range at times. Fabric Mart has had bundle sales which have been great deals. I buy a lot from both these sites.

[chickadee-7815]

Our local Walmart still has a fabric department, which I am very thankful for. It is the only place in town to buy sewing supplies, other than a very expensive quilt shop.

I am a quilter and over the years have built up a nice stash of fabric. So now, I am mainly just using up what I have and not buying anything new. I agree that the price of fabric has really gone up. I have also noticed that most fabric stores do not have as large a selection as they used to have.

[Pemberleyan]

Speaking of thread, Atlanta Thread & Supply Company - Threads, Sewing Supplies, and more has great prices on all sorts of thread. There is a 15% off of everything sale right now. (no affiliation)

[frugalwarrior2]

Our Hancocks closed 6 years ago. Joannes is so expensive even w/ DD's discount plus sale.

Our Walmart donates/sells clearanced fabric to the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army will have all linens and fabric 33% off plus sometimes 1/2off that color tag. So that when I buy it.
Also buy large clothes 1/2 off and repurpose.

[Nana2two]

All the walmarts around me has gotten out of selling fabric.