A Resource Lost, a Challenge Gained: The Closing of Joann Fabrics and What It Means for Marist Fashion Students

A shelving unit filled with colorful lace and fabric trims, neatly arranged in various hues, textures, and patterns. Photo by Travis Wise via Flickr

For generations of fashion students, DIY enthusiasts and crafters, Joann Fabrics has been a creative lifeline. The recent announcement that the company will close all its stores in 2025 marks the end of an era, sending ripples through the fashion and textile industries. For Marist University fashion design students, the closure of local Joann stores isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a moment highlighting the rapid shift in fabric sourcing.

“I was definitely surprised because I don’t know that many other fabric retailers are located outside of New York City,” said Lena Alibrio ‘26. “Joann has been in business for what feels like forever, and I feel as if they have accumulated loyal consumers over the years. Joann offers more than just fabrics and trims; they offer machines, equipment, tools and other crafts and decorations.”

Wyatt Walloga ‘26 was also caught off guard by the news. “I was surprised to hear that they were closing, just because I thought they were doing good business. I didn’t know they were struggling at all,” he said.

For Marist students, the immediate impact is clear: sourcing materials will become more complicated, particularly for those who don’t have easy access to New York City’s Garment District, dominated by high-end retailers like Mood Fabrics and B&J Fabrics. While these stores offer an unparalleled selection, the pricing can be prohibitive for students working on tight budgets.

Professor Jamie Perillo, a distinguished fashion design lecturer in Marist’s fashion program, sees the shift as part of a larger industry trend. “Joann wasn’t always the most affordable resource,” she noted. “With its closure, students will have to seek out new suppliers, some of which might actually be better suited for their needs. There are a lot of online sources that offer more variety and sometimes even better pricing.”

One site she highly recommended is WAWAK.com, a professional sewing supply retailer. “They have a great catalog of materials,” she explained. “Students sometimes complain that when they order from Amazon, they don’t know what quality they’re going to get. But WAWAK has a huge selection of thread colors and thread qualities—everything from home sewing to professional-level supplies.”

Despite these options, students like Alibrio remain skeptical about relying entirely on online shopping. “Ordering swatches online can take days to ship, and then having to choose and order fabrics based on that really draws out the creative process.”

Walloga, who has already begun exploring alternative options, has turned to unconventional sources. “We recently visited a recycling donation center about 30 minutes from here. They had a small selection of fabrics, but we took some and are saving them for future projects. It’s not ideal, but it’s what we have to do.”

While the loss of Joann Fabrics presents logistical challenges, some students see it as an opportunity for creative exploration. With traditional retail options shrinking, there’s a push toward sustainable and unconventional material sourcing, like deadstock fabrics, thrifted textiles and repurposed garments.

"I think most students will still turn to fabric stores in New York City for their projects," said Alibrio. "Joann gave us the flexibility to experiment with different textiles, but for larger projects, we need specific yardage that only a store can provide.” 

The closure also raises concerns about misinformation and scams. Perillo warns students to be cautious when shopping online, especially with scam websites mimicking legitimate retailers. “My mom, who’s a quilter, almost got scammed by a fake Joann closeout sale site,” Perillo said. “People could think that it’s a sale that’s happening at the end of their closing. Students need to be careful.”

The closure of Joann signals a shift in the industry. Perillo points out that brick-and-mortar fabric stores have been struggling for years. “We’ve seen this trend before. Michael’s has had to pivot, and Hobby Lobby is surviving because they’ve diversified its product range. The reality is that the number of home sewers and crafters is shrinking, and that impacts businesses like Joann.”

The past decade has seen the rise of fast fashion, which has drastically altered the way fabrics are produced, sourced and consumed. Supply chains have become more globalized, with fabric manufacturing concentrated in countries with lower labor costs, leading to a decline in local fabric stores and mills. At the same time, sustainability concerns have led to the rise of alternative materials, from bioengineered textiles to recycled fabrics.

This moment underscores an essential reality for fashion students: adaptability is key. Whether it’s learning to source sustainable materials, leveraging digital platforms or mastering supply chain logistics, the future of fashion belongs to those who can navigate an ever-changing industry.

“Students who embrace this change will be better prepared for the industry they’re about to enter,” Perillo added. “Fashion is always evolving, and so must designers.”

The end of Joann Fabrics signals a wake-up call for fashion students and industry professionals alike. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, so too must the approach to material sourcing. Whether through online suppliers, secondhand materials or innovative alternatives, the next generation of designers must adapt.

For Marist fashion students, this moment is both a challenge and an opportunity. “It’s tough,” Alibrio admitted. “But at the same time, it forces us to think differently about how we create.” And in an industry that thrives on reinvention, perhaps that’s exactly what’s needed.