Michaels Retailer Expands Fabric Selection to 90% of Stores After Joann Closure

The retail landscape for craft supplies shifted dramatically when Joann Fabric filed for bankruptcy and subsequently closed its locations. Now, another major retailer is stepping in to fill that void. Michaels, the leading craft and hobby store chain in North America, has significantly expanded its fabric and sewing offerings across nearly 90% of its store locations nationwide. This expansion represents a strategic move to capture the market share left behind and serve the millions of shoppers who relied on Joann for their needlecraft needs.

What Changed in the Retailer’s Strategy

Michaels acquired Joann’s intellectual property and private label brands following the bankruptcy filing earlier in 2025. Rather than simply adding these products to existing shelves, the retailer launched a dedicated concept called the Knit and Sew Shop, which carries co-branding from both Michaels and Joann. This in-store shop-within-a-shop experience debuted in fall 2025 and has already rolled out to over 1,200 Michaels locations.

The expansion includes more than 1,600 new products across fabric, yarn, sewing, and needlecraft categories. Among the new fabric offerings are over 400 products specifically designed for quilting, cosplay, and special occasion applications. The retailer also introduced new branded shop-in-shop experiences featuring established names like Big Twist yarn and DMC Embroidery Threads, giving shoppers trusted names alongside Michaels’ existing selection.

What This Means for Shoppers

For consumers who lost convenient access to Joann stores, Michaels now offers a viable alternative with significantly expanded options. The breadth of fabric selection across nearly all Michaels locations means that sewing enthusiasts, costume makers, and quilters no longer need to search for specialty items online or travel to distant retailers. Many shoppers already visit Michaels for craft supplies, so the addition of serious fabric inventory makes the retailer a genuine one-stop destination.

Beyond product selection, Michaels is making needlecraft more accessible through educational and community-focused initiatives. Throughout National Sewing Month, the retailer hosted special in-store events, community meetups, product demonstrations, and free sewing experiences. Online classes and workshops help both beginners and experienced crafters learn new techniques. This investment in customer education addresses a key concern when a major retailer disappears: consumers worry about losing access to expertise and guidance.

According to Michaels leadership, the retailer recognized that significant market disruption created both a challenge and an opportunity. CEO David Boone stated at an industry conference that the exit of both Joann and Party City created an opening for Michaels to capture share from these markets. By aggressively building out the Knit and Sew Shop, Michaels positioned itself to become the default destination for sewing and needlecraft supplies.

Evolving Retail Store Formats

This fabric expansion is part of a larger transformation across Michaels stores. The retailer recently unveiled new store formats at select locations featuring revamped department layouts, new personalization services, and a self-checkout option exclusively for rewards members. These innovations suggest that Michaels is not simply acquiring product categories from competitors but fundamentally reimagining the shopping experience.

Chief Merchandising Officer Stacey Shively emphasized this customer-focused approach, noting that the retailer’s goal is to give shoppers more of what they love while making crafts more approachable for newcomers. This philosophy extends across every deal category we track, where successful retailers invest in both selection and experience. Michaels plans to open additional concept stores throughout 2026, suggesting that this transformation will continue expanding.

The Broader Retail Takeaway

The Michaels expansion demonstrates how savvy retailers respond to competitor failures. Rather than simply absorbing products, Michaels created a dedicated experience within its existing footprint, integrated acquired brands, and invested in community education. This approach mirrors strategies used by other retailer upgrades focused on customer experience, where innovation extends beyond inventory.

For shoppers, the takeaway is clear: your local Michaels store now offers substantially more options for fabric, yarn, and sewing supplies than ever before. Whether you are an experienced quilter looking for specialty fabrics, a parent searching for cosplay materials, or someone interested in learning needlecraft, checking your nearest Michaels should be your first step. The retailer has made a serious commitment to serving this market, with dedicated in-store expertise, educational resources, and an ever-expanding product range designed specifically for sewers and fiber artists.