The Future of Flannel: What Crafters Need to Know Now That Joann Fabrics Is Gone

As of May 30, 2025, a major shift has rocked the crafting and sewing community: Joann Fabrics has officially closed its doors nationwide. Whether you’re a lifelong quilter, a seasonal crafter, or someone who just loves cozy flannel pajamas, this news has likely left you wondering—where can I find flannel fabric now?

Let’s take a deep dive into what this closure really means for flannel lovers, how it affects the market, and what your best options are going forward.

Joann Fabrics: The End of an Era

Joann Fabrics has been a cornerstone of the sewing and crafting world for decades. For many, it was the go-to place not just for fabric, but for inspiration. The aisles of flannel, holiday prints, baby patterns, and classic plaids were a staple of their seasonal projects and sentimental traditions.

But as of May 30, 2025, Joann Fabrics has officially ceased operations nationwide. Despite confusion or claims from some remaining physical stores, the Joann brand is completely shut down. Any open locations after this date are no longer owned by the original company and are currently being managed by liquidation firms. These temporary store extensions are no longer supplied with Joann-exclusive brands or inventory, and many are supplementing shelves with non-craft-related clearance items that were never part of the original offerings.

In other words: if you’re still seeing a “Joann” sign lit up somewhere, it’s not the Joann you remember.

What Happens to Flannel Fabric Now?

Flannel lovers are feeling the squeeze.

Joann carried an enormous variety of flannel, particularly seasonal and baby flannel prints that weren’t widely available elsewhere. From in-house brands like “Snuggle Flannel” and “Nursery Flannel” to exclusive collaborations and trend-driven seasonal prints, Joann controlled a sizable portion of the retail flannel fabric market.

With Joann out of the picture:

• Unique prints are vanishing. Many of the most beloved patterns—think trucks and trees for Christmas, dinosaurs for toddlers, or classic checkered flannels—are no longer being produced or stocked.
• Supply is not being replenished. The remaining inventory in liquidation stores is all that’s left. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
• Prices are rising. Resellers, small shops, and online fabric boutiques that stocked up early are now seeing increased demand. Scarcity always drives up value.

Are There Still Reliable Places to Buy Flannel?

Thankfully, yes—but with some caveats.

1. Independent Fabric Sellers (Online Marketplaces)
Small business owners on Etsy and other platforms have been buying Joann inventory for months, anticipating the closure. These shops often specialize in hard-to-find flannel prints and may still have coveted designs in stock.

🧵 Tip: Look for sellers who offer actual fabric yardage, not just scraps or remnants (unless that is what you want). Also check reviews and processing times carefully—some sellers are overwhelmed with demand.

2. Local Quilt Shops
While more expensive than big-box retailers, quilt shops often carry high-quality flannel brands like Robert Kaufman, Moda, and Riley Blake. These fabrics are thicker, softer, and more durable than much of the mass-market flannel Joann offered—but expect to pay a premium.

3. Online Fabric Retailers
Stores like Missouri Star Quilt Company and Fat Quarter Shop offer flannel selections, but they tend to focus on premium quilting flannel, not novelty or baby prints.

4. Big Box Stores (Limited Options)
Walmart and Hobby Lobby still carry some flannel, but the selection is significantly narrower. Walmart’s fabric aisle varies by location and often includes limited choices in both pattern and quality. Hobby Lobby offers some seasonal flannels, but their overall inventory is not geared toward year-round sewing in the same way Joann was.

What’s Filling the Shelves at the Liquidation Joann Stores?

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: the Joann stores still open under the guise of liquidation are not craft stores anymore.

Many shoppers have reported:

• Home goods and miscellaneous closeout items in place of craft supplies
• A chaotic, disorganized layout
• Very few true fabric restocks
• Low-quality off-brand merchandise not previously associated with Joann

If you’re hunting for flannel, don’t expect these stores to be a reliable source. What’s left is likely picked over, mismatched, or unrelated to your needs. You might find one or two usable remnants, but this is not a viable long-term solution.

What Should You Do Now If You Love Flannel?

✅ Stock up where you can. If you find flannel you love—especially baby flannel, holiday themes, or any Joann-branded lines—grab it now. Once it’s gone, there will be no new production from Joann.

✅ Support small businesses. Many independent sellers are stepping in to fill the gap. Buying from them not only helps your fellow crafters stay afloat but also helps keep a diverse selection of fabric options alive.

✅ Get creative with sources. Consider estate sales, Facebook Marketplace, destash groups, or online auctions. Many longtime quilters are downsizing, and you might find some treasures in unexpected places.

✅ Be flexible. This is a good time to experiment with higher-end flannel or explore new patterns and blends. Some polyester-cotton blends, for example, have improved greatly in quality and are sometimes more durable for household projects.

Final Thoughts: A Changing Crafting Landscape

Joann’s closure marks a major turning point for the crafting and sewing world. While it’s a loss felt deeply by longtime customers and small business resellers alike, it’s also a call to adapt.

The flannel world is not ending—it’s evolving.

With rising demand and shrinking supply, flannel fabric is becoming a niche treasure rather than a bulk commodity. This could inspire a shift toward more intentional crafting, support for independent shops, and a deeper appreciation for the fabric we often took for granted.

If flannel has a place in your heart (and your stash), now is the time to act—before the shelves, digital or physical, go bare.