When Joann Fabrics announced its bankruptcy filing in February, it caught its customers off guard. How could this industry giant, who has lured quilters across the U.S. border for decades, possibly fail?

The company sought bankruptcy protection, saying that consumers had cut back on discretionary spending for their hobbies.

However, on June 6, Michaels bought up Joann’s intellectual property and its favourite brands. The deal adds more than 600 new products to the craft store giant — including quilting supplies and fabrics, specialty threads, yarns and more.

Contrary to Joann, Michaels says searches for ‘fabric’ on its website have shot up by 77% over the past year.

This acquisition allows Michaels to respond to this rising demand, says its CEO David Boone. The company is growing from more than 1,300 stores in 49 states and Canada by adding another 280 stores this year.

Based in Texas since 1973, Michaels has picked up cottons, flannel, muslin, felt, fleece and more from Joann’s former suppliers.

With roots dating back to a single Ohio storefront in 1943, Joann opened with a single Ohio storefront in 1943. Over 82 years, it grew to a network of more than 800 stores that became destinations for generations of quilters.

According to the Associated Press, it struggled recently with slower consumer demand, inventory shortages and rising competition.

For Canadian quilters, you can still shop from a U.S.-based giant – albeit one with a different name. This has been a popular choice for those who live close to the border or have friends or family to deliver their purchases without paying duties.

A few generations ago, you could easily buy cottons made in Canada. And with the latest surge in supporting suppliers and retailers here, you can still keep more of your dollars north of the border.

Before textile manufacturing became industrialized, Canada had a vibrant cloth-making industry. The earliest-known woolen mill was built in the 1820s. By the mid-1800s, 385 cotton mills operated across Upper and Lower Canada.

That number boomed to almost 2,000 by the early 1900s. Together, they fulfilled almost 60 percent of domestic market demands, including uniforms for both world wars.

But by the end of twentieth century, production moved to developing nations with lower labour costs. As a result, Canada now imports the majority of the fabric you wear and sew.

Even though those mills are gone, you can still support Canadian brands and retailers. In fact, we encourage you to do exactly that!

For example, TrendTex is the leading wholesale fabric distributor in Canada, based on Coquitlam, B.C. It is also one of our valued sponsors and partners in our magazine, website and shows.

Founded in Canada in 1935, Northcott Fabrics started out in fashion textiles then it shifted its focus in the 1980s. At the time, the cotton quilt fabric market expanded quickly as quilting became popular again.

It carries a wide range of Canadian-themed designs, such as the Quilts of Valour. The company has offices in Vaughan, Ontario and Lyndhurst, New Jersey.

Additionally, you can always shop close to home at one of our 37 member shops. We’ve made it easy for you to sort through the list by province.

Shopping Canadian keeps local quilt stores open when you need them. Please invest in making our economy stronger.