If your craft room still has a JOANN tote bag hanging from a doorknob like a tiny fabric-store memorial, you are not alone. For generations of sewists, quilters, crocheters, teachers, parents, costume-makers, and “I swear I only came in for one spool of thread” shoppers, JOANN was more than a store. It was a weekend plan, a coupon strategy, a fabric treasure hunt, and sometimes the reason your dining table disappeared under fleece, ribbon, and mysterious glitter.
So when JOANN closed its stores after a difficult bankruptcy process, the crafting world felt the loss immediately. The biggest question was simple: where would people go for affordable yarn, fabric by the yard, sewing notions, thread, quilting supplies, seasonal crafts, and those beloved private-label products that had become staples in project bins across America?
Now Michaels has stepped directly into that open space with big news for crafters: the company has acquired JOANN’s intellectual property and private-label brands, including the fan-favorite Big Twist yarn line, and has launched expanded in-store experiences designed to welcome former JOANN shoppers. The headline version? JOANN may no longer exist as the store many people knew, but pieces of its crafting DNA are getting a second life inside Michaels.
What Michaels Announced for JOANN Fans
Michaels announced that it completed the acquisition of JOANN’s intellectual property and private-label brands in June 2025. That deal did not mean Michaels bought JOANN’s physical stores. Instead, Michaels gained access to the JOANN name, brand assets, and private-label product lines that shoppers recognized, including Big Twist, one of JOANN’s most beloved yarn brands.
For crafters, this matters because it turns a total goodbye into something more like a creative handoff. The familiar JOANN aisles are gone, but some of the products and categories people relied on are being rebuilt under the Michaels umbrella. That includes more fabric, more yarn, more sewing tools, more quilting supplies, more needlework products, and an online landing page designed specifically for former JOANN customers.
Michaels has also introduced The Knit & Sew Shop, a dual-branded in-store concept featuring both Michaels and JOANN logos. It brings together yarn, fabric, thread, sewing notions, sewing machines, beginner needle-crafting kits, trims, ribbons, and other fiber-friendly supplies in one dedicated area. In short, Michaels is trying to become the new “I need fabric, yarn, thread, and probably a snack afterward” destination.
Why JOANN’s Closure Hit Crafters So Hard
JOANN was founded in 1943 and grew into one of the most recognizable fabric and craft retailers in the United States. It was especially important for shoppers who needed fabric by the yard, quilting cotton, fleece, flannel, apparel fabric, sewing patterns, interfacing, thread, zippers, yarn, embroidery supplies, and seasonal DIY materials all in one trip.
Unlike general craft stores that focused heavily on décor, painting, scrapbooking, or kids’ crafts, JOANN had a deep identity in sewing and fabric. If you were making Halloween costumes, hemming curtains, sewing dance-recital outfits, quilting a baby blanket, or building a school-play wardrobe on a budget, JOANN was often the first stop.
The closure left a practical gap. Online shopping can be convenient, but fabric is famously difficult to judge through a screen. Crafters like to feel the weight, stretch, texture, drape, and softness before buying. A photo can tell you a fabric is “blue,” but it cannot warn you that it feels like a shower curtain with ambitions. That is why in-person fabric access still matters.
The Knit & Sew Shop: A New Home for Fabric and Yarn Lovers
The centerpiece of Michaels’ announcement is The Knit & Sew Shop. This new shop-within-a-store format is designed to bring together the categories JOANN fans miss most: fabric, yarn, sewing supplies, thread, needlework, and project essentials.
Michaels says fabric is now available in more than 840 stores, with plans to expand fabric offerings to more than 250 additional locations. The company has also increased the space dedicated to fabric in stores by nearly 25% and expanded online fabric options significantly, including licensed prints and project-friendly basics.
That is a meaningful move because fabric selection is not just about quantity. Crafters need variety: quilting cotton for precise patchwork, fleece for cozy blankets, flannel for pajama pants, tulle for costumes, denim for sturdy repairs, and novelty prints for projects that begin with “Wouldn’t it be funny if…” and end with a shopping cart full of frogs wearing sunglasses.
Big Twist Yarn Is Back in the Conversation
For yarn lovers, the return of Big Twist may be the most emotional part of the announcement. Big Twist built a loyal following because it was accessible, colorful, soft enough for everyday projects, and often priced for real people who make real-size blankets. Anyone who has crocheted a throw knows one skein is never enough. Yarn math is basically regular math wearing a tiny knitted hat and lying to you.
Michaels has said Big Twist will become part of its portfolio, with popular varieties returning to stores and online. The broader yarn expansion includes hundreds of new skeins, new and familiar brands, and a larger in-store yarn footprint. Michaels is also increasing its yarn selection by about 25% to respond to customer demand.
This is especially useful for crocheters and knitters who prefer to buy multiple skeins from the same dye lot, compare textures in person, or quickly grab supplies for a last-minute baby shower gift. Online yarn shopping is helpful, but there is still nothing like standing in front of a wall of yarn and whispering, “I don’t need more,” while absolutely needing more.
Sewing Machines, Thread, and Notions Get More Shelf Space
Michaels is also expanding sewing-related categories beyond fabric and yarn. The new assortment includes sewing machines from major brands such as Singer and Brother, sought-after threads such as Gütermann, beginner needle-crafting kits, quilting supplies, specialty threads, sewing notions, and other project basics.
This is important because sewing is an ecosystem. A shopper rarely needs only fabric. They may also need thread, pins, needles, elastic, interfacing, bias tape, buttons, rotary blades, measuring tools, stabilizer, fabric scissors, and the emotional support of a seam ripper. A larger sewing section can make Michaels more useful for complete projects rather than quick add-on purchases.
For beginners, the expansion may also lower the intimidation factor. Instead of visiting several specialty shops or guessing online, new makers can find starter kits, machines, thread, and simple materials in one place. That convenience could help bring more people into sewing, quilting, crochet, knitting, embroidery, and mending at a time when handmade skills are having a very real comeback.
Fabric Cutting Tables Are a Big Deal
One of the most practical updates is the rollout of fabric cutting tables in more than 650 Michaels stores. That may not sound dramatic unless you have ever tried to cut three yards of fleece on your living room floor while your pet treats it like a luxury nap island.
Fabric cutting services matter because they make in-store fabric shopping work. Crafters want to choose a bolt, request the exact yardage, and leave with cleanly measured fabric. For quilters, costume-makers, teachers, and home décor DIYers, accurate cutting can save time and reduce waste. It also makes Michaels feel more like a true fabric destination instead of a craft store that happens to sell folded fabric squares.
If Michaels can staff these areas well and keep fabric organized, the service could win over many former JOANN shoppers who miss the cutting counter experience. The cutting table was never just a table. It was where project ideas got measured, adjusted, debated, and occasionally rescued by an employee who knew exactly why you should buy a little extra.
The Party Shop Expands Michaels Beyond Crafts
Michaels’ announcement is not only about JOANN fans. The company also launched The Party Shop, expanding its celebration and balloon offerings at a time when Party City’s closures left another retail gap.
The Party Shop adds hundreds of new in-store products, including DIY balloon arch kits, tableware, themed paper goods, accessories, and party décor. Michaels also introduced dedicated Balloon Bar areas where customers can build balloon bundles, choose latex and foil balloons, and prepare for birthdays, graduations, baby showers, weddings, school events, and seasonal celebrations.
This matters for crafters because parties and DIY projects overlap more than people think. A handmade birthday banner needs cardstock and ribbon. A baby shower centerpiece may need florals, balloons, paint, wood rounds, and fabric scraps. A Halloween party might require foam, felt, hot glue, and the kind of confidence only a deadline can create.
What This Means for Former JOANN Shoppers
For former JOANN shoppers, Michaels’ move creates a new default option, but it also changes the shopping experience. The new Michaels setup may not perfectly recreate the old JOANN stores, especially for shoppers who loved very deep fabric aisles or highly specific notions. However, it does offer a stronger national alternative than crafters had immediately after JOANN’s closure.
The best approach is to treat Michaels as a new resource rather than a carbon copy. Check whether your local store has expanded fabric, whether it offers fabric cutting, and how large the yarn and sewing sections are. Store layouts may vary, and some locations may feel more complete than others as the rollout continues.
Online shopping will also play a bigger role. Michaels has expanded fabric and craft selections online, which is helpful for licensed prints, color options, bulk purchases, and items that may not fit into every local store. The smartest shoppers will likely combine in-store browsing with online ordering, especially for larger projects.
Why Michaels Is Making This Move Now
Michaels is responding to a rare opening in the craft retail market. JOANN’s closure left fabric and sewing shoppers looking for a new national home. At the same time, Party City’s struggles created space in the celebration category. Michaels is using both moments to broaden its identity from “craft store” to “creative and celebration destination.”
That strategy makes sense. Crafting has become more than a hobby for many people. It is a side business, a stress reliever, a sustainability practice, a way to personalize homes, and a social activity. Sewing and mending are also gaining new relevance as shoppers look for ways to repair clothing, customize thrift finds, and make gifts that feel personal.
By adding JOANN brands and expanding fabric, yarn, sewing, and party supplies, Michaels is aiming to capture shoppers who want one place for creativity. Whether that means crocheting a scarf, sewing a costume, quilting a memory blanket, building a balloon arch, or panic-buying ribbon at 8 p.m., Michaels wants to be the store people think of first.
Smart Shopping Tips for JOANN Fans Heading to Michaels
1. Check your local store before making a big project trip
Not every Michaels location will have the same fabric depth, cutting service, or yarn selection. Before planning a major quilt, costume, or upholstery project, check store availability online or call ahead.
2. Compare online and in-store options
Some fabrics, yarn colors, or specialty tools may be easier to find online. If you need a specific print or enough yardage for a large project, browsing online first can save time.
3. Watch for coupons, rewards, and seasonal promotions
Former JOANN shoppers know the thrill of a good coupon. Michaels has its own rewards program, promotions, and rotating deals, so it is worth checking before checkout.
4. Buy extra when dye lots or fabric batches matter
For yarn, always check dye lots when possible. For fabric, consider buying a little extra for pattern matching, mistakes, shrinkage, or the classic “I changed my mind halfway through” plot twist.
5. Explore local craft stores too
Michaels may be the largest national replacement for many shoppers, but local quilt shops, yarn stores, independent fabric stores, and online specialty retailers can still offer unique materials, expert advice, and community classes.
Real-World Experiences: What This Change Feels Like for Crafters
For many crafters, the Michaels announcement feels like relief mixed with nostalgia. It is good news, yes, but not the same as walking into the JOANN store where you knew the exact aisle for interfacing, the corner where clearance fleece lived, and the cutting counter employee who somehow remembered your dog’s Halloween costume from three years ago.
A former JOANN shopper might walk into Michaels looking for one thing: perhaps soft acrylic yarn for a baby blanket. In the past, that shopper knew which Big Twist colors worked together, how the yarn washed, and how many skeins made a decent throw. Seeing Big Twist return at Michaels can feel surprisingly personal. It is not just yarn; it is the continuation of familiar projects, patterns, and routines.
Another crafter may be a parent making a school costume the night before the event, because apparently children announce these things only when bedtime begins. For that person, expanded fabric and cutting tables are not a luxury. They are survival equipment. Being able to buy felt, thread, elastic, fabric glue, ribbon, and maybe a pack of googly eyes in one store can save the whole evening.
Quilters may have a more cautious experience. They will likely inspect fabric quality, selection depth, cutting accuracy, and color variety before declaring Michaels their new go-to. Quilters are patient people, but they are not easily fooled. They can spot a poorly cut yard from across a parking lot. If Michaels wants long-term loyalty from this group, consistency will matter just as much as selection.
Crocheters and knitters may be quicker to celebrate, especially if yarn shelves continue expanding. Yarn shopping is emotional in a way that non-crafters do not always understand. A skein can represent a winter cardigan, a baby gift, a charity blanket, a stress project, or a “just because it was pretty” purchase. Bringing back familiar JOANN yarn brands gives these makers a bridge from what they lost to what comes next.
There is also a community angle. JOANN stores were places where people asked strangers for color opinions, swapped pattern tips, and bonded over the universal truth that no one owns enough storage bins. If Michaels can create staffed, welcoming, well-organized knit and sew areas, it may become more than a replacement store. It could become a new gathering point for makers who still want the human side of crafting.
The Party Shop adds another layer to that experience. A crafter planning a birthday party can now combine handmade décor with ready-made supplies. Imagine buying fabric for a table runner, cardstock for cupcake toppers, balloons for the entryway, and yarn for a handmade gift in one trip. That is exactly the kind of cross-category shopping Michaels seems to be encouraging.
Of course, the transition will not be perfect for everyone. Some shoppers will miss JOANN’s old fabric depth. Some will prefer independent shops. Some will grumble about layout changes, because crafters are artists and artists have strong opinions about aisles. But overall, Michaels’ move gives former JOANN fans something they badly needed: a national craft retailer that is taking fabric, yarn, and sewing seriously.
The best way to approach the change is with an open mind and a project list. Visit your local Michaels, walk through The Knit & Sew Shop, compare the yarn, test the fabric selection, look for cutting services, and see whether the new setup fits your crafting style. You may not find the exact JOANN experience you remember, but you may find enough familiar materials to start your next project with confidence.
Conclusion
Michaels’ announcement is big news because it gives JOANN fans a new place to find familiar brands, expanded fabric, more yarn, sewing supplies, cutting services, and project inspiration. The acquisition of JOANN’s intellectual property and private-label brands, especially Big Twist, signals that Michaels understands the emotional and practical gap left behind by JOANN’s closure.
The Knit & Sew Shop will not erase the sadness many crafters felt when JOANN disappeared from their neighborhoods. But it does offer a fresh start. For sewists, crocheters, knitters, quilters, teachers, party planners, and weekend DIYers, Michaels is making a serious play to become the new home base for creativity. And if that means more fabric, more yarn, and more reasons to say “I’ll just take a quick look,” crafters already know how this ends: with a cart full of supplies and absolutely no regrets.