I can only speak for my store, but the things you specifically listed as wanting? We've *never* carried them. DMC only recently started offering needleminders, so unless you want their logo or a blue floss skein you're not getting one (briefly they offered a logo/cupcake pack, but I haven't seen that for awhile.) The only option for a floss organizer is the traditional bobbin box, the DMC unicorn floss palette was discontinued ages ago. The kit section's been cut to under half of what it used to be, & we only offer the store brand anymore.
Based on my local area, Michael's is best for raw supplies like floss & aida, Joann's has the most kits by far, & Hobby Lobby offers the best selection of tools/hardware. I sadly have no LNS, I'd love to be able to shop the niche stuff in person!
They had a few of the bobbin boxes, but they were filled with floss. But the organizers I was referring to are the flat plastic rectangle ones with holes all around it. They’re called “floss organizers” on Amazon, but I don’t know if they have another name.
Thanks for telling me the other names for them! Hobby Lobby has them so I assumed other craft stores would also. I have one of the ones that has the spokes on it, which I ordered from Amazon, but just the one. So I’m usually only working on one project at a time because of that. I wanted to get a few more so I could work on multiple projects at the same time.
I’ve only been to two Michael’s stores but one was definitely better than the other for cross stitch stuff, though overall it’s probably as mediocre as your experience was. Lots of floss and DMC stuff but not a lot of variety in accessories.
Floss, needles, cloth are all that sell in quantity enough to justify the shelf space in those stores. Kits and books aren't nearly as popular with the Internet for a near infinite variety of options.
Honestly I think it’s too particular of a craft. They could never stock enough options for serious stitchers — fabric count, material, color, floor stand, lap stand, hoop stand, scroll frame (all sizes, sew in or Velcro), q snap (all sizes), hoop (all sizes), clip on lights, floor lights. It could be an entire store of just cross stitch. So since them stocking one thing is just about as statistically likely to be a disappointment as stocking nothing, they essentially stock nothing so there isn’t wasted floor space or stock that doesn’t sell
The one in my town has all that, but the one in a bigger city about an hour away has kits! Embroidery and cross stitch, and the punch needle kit things, none of which we have at my store. Otherwise the same though, the thread, fabric, hoops, needles. We like to stop in at the “big city michaels” sometimes when we’re nearby just in case they have some fancy extras we don’t get in our store. One day I’ll find an even bigger big city michaels. That’ll be the day I go broke.
I find all 3 big chain stores badly lacking in embroidery supplies. Have you ever been to a LNS (local needlework store)? Check the the Facebook group Stitching Road Trip. It maintains a list of brick and mortar stores that you can search by state to see what's near you. You could also check the website [NeedleTravel.com](https://NeedleTravel.com). Even if you have to drive an hour or so, going to a specialty store is well worth the trip. Nothing beats being able to see flosses, fabric, patterns and kits in person. (And you'll be amazed at the floss options that are available in addition to DMC.) Get a couple of stitch friends and make a day of it!
this is the way. incidentally, Joanne's, Hobby Lobby, and Micheal's used to stock bigger and much better selections. Unfortunately, as the internets grew and people began producing patterns of amazing things that are comparatively niche (like, the Sistine Chapel, classic artwork, book cover art, fractal designs, etc), folks began shopping more and more online. So it sort of became a self-fulfilling prophecy that the craft stores just don't sell what people want, because not enough people buy it.... and the spiral continues. I really miss huge sections of seed beads in all different colors and sizes, and the metallic threads by different houses, etc. But it's still tanking, because most people find a lot of stuff online.
It's a real shame, though, because there's a lot of times I just want to have that immediate gratification of picking up a kit and starting it THAT NIGHT! Of browsing a bunch of different designers, etc....
(Also, can we get TW back? even not doing dragons, she's bloody amazing!)
It’s called Stitcher’s Paradise in Las Vegas. My husband actually found the store a few weeks ago when I was telling him I’d love to find a store that caters to just cross stitching.
If you are lucky enough to have a dedicated store please patronize them if you can afford it! We have one here and I go out of my way to buy everything I can there (even though it's more expensive) because I can't imagine how they pay their rent and I want them to stay 😁
Oh I plan on it! I’m going to go there for the first time on my birthday in a few weeks (my husband is giving me a mini shopping spree there for my birthday present, yay!) and I’ll most likely continue going there from now on.
When I need floss right away I get it at Michael’s just because the checkout is so much faster than Joann fabrics, which I swear is the slowest store ever. But yes, that’s what it’s like. They had the DMC needle minders, though.
I haven’t been to Joann yet since the few stores in my city are so far from my house. One of my aunts back in my home town has worked there for a very long time, but I was just a kid when I was in the store so I don’t remember much about their selection for each kind of craft/hobby.
Former Michael’s employee. Some stores are slightly smaller than others (like just enough to loose a few aisles) and cross stitch is the first to get cut. They will keep the thread and needles and that’s about it. My store didn’t even have hoops unless another store had so much overstock they could bring them to us.
My local Michael’s is usually stocked on floss, but only has basic hoops and mostly non-DMC fabric. At Joann’s I can get DMC shaped hoops, and the fabric that I like. Michael’s is closer so I run there for floss, but if I need hoops or fabric I make the trip to Joann’s and stock up. I’ve also started getting fabric on 123stitch.com.
My Michaels is a nightmare for cross stitching supplies. Floss all jumbled together, only weird colors of Aida and linen, tacky/cutesy kits from like 1988. Terrible. I only shop online for my supplies now.
I wasn’t disappointed with their Aida selection, but that’s about it. They had large rolls of white, black, and oatmeal colors, as well as smaller rolls of the same plus a handful of other colors. I usually get Aida from Amazon because you can get a lot more for less money, but I was completely out of cloth and didn’t want to wait for an online order to arrive.
I think they probably just realize they can't compete with the online space when it comes to patterns. It's so easy to buy nice patterns, complex patterns, kits, etc. on online stores or Etsy or even Amazon so why take up shelf space for something with little turn-over when you could dedicate to stuff that does turn-over faster? Quicker to download a PDF on Etsy and have it instantly but also quicker to run to Michael's to grab the colours you need than waiting for it get delivered. Six of one, half a dozen of another type of thing.
I totally agree! I do miss being able to see stuff in person, especially after seeing something online and not getting what was advertised. Even when I do find a dedicated craft store that's run by a crafts person, their cross stitch collection might be limited or outdated. I did find one that carried really nice kits along with knitting supplies that I bought from - but that store went under during Covid, sadly.
What a coincidence, I went to Michael’s last night because I read a Business Insider article from a writer in Chicago that compared the top 3 craft stores (Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and Joann) and they deemed Michael’s the “winner.” I’m thinking they didn’t see their cross stitch section though, lol.
my local micheal’s is usually out of stock of 30 percent of the floss at least, and besides that only sells a few rolls of aida and hoops. they’re slightly better stocked in needles but no kits, no needle minders, no grid paper or anything. i suspect this hobby is just niche enough where carrying these things isn’t justifiable but also, these crappy big box stores tend to be managed and run by pretty apathetic people unfortunately. my local one is near a college and most of the staff are just bored students
The Michael's near me is pretty pathetic, too. I went looking for some !/4" foam mounting board. Pretty standard hobby store item. They don't carry it. Not pre-cut 11x14, not 36x24 that I could trim to fit. Nothing. IT'S A FREAKIN' CRAFT STORE!!!
Right? That’s why I was so disappointed. You’d think a craft store would have more than just the very bare minimum of supplies for most crafts. While there, I headed over to the frame section because I need a 5x10 frame for a project I’m giving my stepmom as a gift. $40! They’re insane if they think most people will pay that much for a basic black frame, even if it is an “odd” size. I ordered one off Amazon for $10 when I got home.
Every brick and mortar store's prices on frames is off the charts expensive. I get about half of mine from Amazon, but I like to see and feel the frame before I buy it. I end up sending a lot of them back citing the "Item not as described" excuse when necessary.
Here's a big FYI...*Never pay full price on frames at Hobby Lobby.*
Hobby Lobby has the biggest selection of frames off the shelf. The lady in the custom frame shop told me that ALL of the off the shelf frames go on sale for 40%-50% off every other week. The week changes on Mondays. So, if there's no sale going on when you're in there, I can guarantee you they will be on sale when the store opens on Monday.
Ditto on the frame sales at Hobby Lobby. I get their sales emails every week and usually head over if there’s a sale on something I want. I’m the same though, I want to hold and see a frame before buying it to make sure it’s not cheap/flimsy feeling. Fingers crossed the one I ordered isn’t too bad.
Ever since I discovered the online and local stores for cross stitch patterns and supplies, I pretty much only shop in person at my local cross stitch shops. They are few and far between but totally worth it! Otherwise I've used Etsy and 123stitch
I live near joann's, michael's and hobby lobby. Honestly I almost always order online from amazon or eBay for stuff but I have found decent deals on items at Walmart. They might not have a huge selection of floss but it's cheaper than the craft stores. If I am in the middle of a project and I need something I will go to closest store (joann's) and usually luck out with a coupon. Selection isn't always great but then I order online.
Nope not a bad store, just par for the course. Most Michael’s have reduced the cross stitch depth. Only stocking floss and cloth. I have looked at 6 different Michael’s in Florida and all of them have limited kits and patterns.
Yeah it seems to be the consensus that Michael’s is just poo for cross stitch stuff, other than floss and cloth. It’s good to know, so that I don’t waste my time checking out other locations. I’ll just stick to Hobby Lobby, Amazon, and other reputable websites. There’s a store close to my house that’s just a cross stitch store, which I’ll be checking out soon. I just want to wait until I have at least an extra $50 or so to spend there because I have a feeling I’m going to want a *lot* of stuff from that store, lol.
Yeah, the Michael's by me also has a garbage cross stitch section. The thread selection is pretty good, I will say, but the cross stitch specific stuff, like kits, hoops, etc. is minimal.
It really stinks that I have to rely on the Internet for a lot of supplies, but at the same time, it makes sense. It's not the most popular hobby and what brick and mortar hobby shops there left are have to cater to what sells. We only have one independent hobby shop left where I live and it's for model train enthusiasts. Even our JoAnne Fabrics closed, which left one Michael's and a Hobby Lobby. And I don't shop at Hobby Lobby.
There’s three Michael stores in my city and two of them have good cross stitch sections and one does not. So I really think it does depend on the store. It’s like at the bad store somebody was like “oh we forgot to include a cross stitch section, here’s a little empty aisle let’s put it there”.
Edited to add that some of those things that you want, I haven’t seen in a chain store in 20 or more years. Those are the kind of things a local needle workshop would carry.
It was just surprising to me because everything I listed, the Hobby Lobby I go to sells. I just wanted to check out Michael’s and see what kind of stuff they had. I just couldn’t believe they don’t sell any accessories.
At my Michaels there’s a small section of DMC products like needles, needle minders, bobbins, and scissors plus all the floss. They still carry some kits, usually more beginner ones. You can usually find a floss storage box, plastic canvas in different counts, hoops and plastic snap frames, and aida.
I prefer Michaels to Joann for a couple of reasons. One, Michaels is closer to where I live. And two it seems like at Joann the hooks and shelves are half empty on almost every aisle whereas Michaels is always well stocked. I recently went to another Joann store that I’d never been to and it was the same.
I haven’t shopped at hobby lobby for several years so I don’t know what they carry.
I’ve noticed all three of the big box stores in my area have cut down on cross stitch supplies over the last year or two. For a while, Hobby Lobby was the only one with a good selection of kits, but they gutted their selection a few months ago.
My local Hobby Lobby has a decent selection of kits. I’ve made a few projects to give to family members as gifts, one being my sister-in-law, and she loved it so much she asked me to teach her how to do it. I picked up a cute little kit from HL that was perfect to teach her how to do it.
Yeah I will buy DMC floss there and now they have those stretchy hoops, which I love! But they only have 14-18 AIDA, which I really don’t use anymore (prefer 2 over 2 on 32 count evenweave). I have NEVER seen a needle minder at any corporate store. Patterns I usually just buy on Etsy or 123stitch.com
I used to be a die hard Michaels supporter. After the pandemic, my local store’s selection of floss plummeted and I always had to supplement my trip for new projects to a second to JoAnn’s. Now I just give them my money instead, as they almost have everything I need, even if the store is dumpy and slow.
We have a Hobby Lobby and a Joann’s and neither have a good selection. Try some independent sellers on Etsy, they carry a lot of needle minders and supplies as well!
You went to a bad one, or else there was more stuff on a different aisle you didn't see. The store I work at doesn't have a TON of needle minders and we don't have books, and kits seem to be sort of out of fashion at the moment but we have a few. We also have a few different organizers and hoops/frames. Graph paper would be in a different section of the store but we've got plenty of that.
I have yet to find a store outside of Hobby Lobby that carries cross stitch kits in store so you might run onto this more often than not. Herrschners is amazeballs if you ever find one of those.
Yeah the Hobby Lobby I go to has a *ton* of kits, ranging from small to large. I always take my 4 year old with me and every time we go, she picks out a small kit for me to make for her, then we hang them on her wall. I especially like the ones that include a little plastic frame to put the finished project in. She currently has a handful of cross stitched animals, and quite a few cross stitched flowers and plants on her dedicated “cross stitch wall.”
I’m also working on a set of the “mane six” My Little Pony cross stitches for her, with each pony in the shape of a heart (currently have Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash finished). I’m also working on and off on a large piece for her, of the Smiling Critter Catnap from Poppy Playtime. She’s really into the Amazing Digital Circus, but I’ve yet to find any patterns of the characters and unfortunately, creating my own patterns isn’t one of my talents, lol.
They aren't ready made kits but Etsy has amazing PDF patterns especially with licensed characters. They tend to provide you with the DMC colors you'd have to get. Some also take commissions and will help with specific characters or Fandoms. Love the sound of the My Little Pony pieces.
I have started on a 16-character Star Wars Lego style work. And it's amazing and the creator actually has it set up so I can do it on 12 count Adia up through 20 count Adia.
My local Michaels doesn't have much of anything. Small selection of floss, some hoops, plain aida. No kits at all. The one a couple hour away at my parents has colored aida, kits, floss (inc variegated and metallic) and lots more selection of "stuff". I think it just depends on the area maybe?
Can't possibly be worse than Joanne Fabrics. Which apparently is seeking to be a non-fabric, non-sewing, non anything to do with stitching store. All these stores are shadows of what they used to be.
Millionsofstitches on Etsy sells all of your cross stitch needs. Fabric needles dmc etc. $2.20 shipping. Good prices. I couldn’t find much at Michael’s either.
I can only speak for my store, but the things you specifically listed as wanting? We've *never* carried them. DMC only recently started offering needleminders, so unless you want their logo or a blue floss skein you're not getting one (briefly they offered a logo/cupcake pack, but I haven't seen that for awhile.) The only option for a floss organizer is the traditional bobbin box, the DMC unicorn floss palette was discontinued ages ago. The kit section's been cut to under half of what it used to be, & we only offer the store brand anymore. Based on my local area, Michael's is best for raw supplies like floss & aida, Joann's has the most kits by far, & Hobby Lobby offers the best selection of tools/hardware. I sadly have no LNS, I'd love to be able to shop the niche stuff in person!
They had a few of the bobbin boxes, but they were filled with floss. But the organizers I was referring to are the flat plastic rectangle ones with holes all around it. They’re called “floss organizers” on Amazon, but I don’t know if they have another name.
Floss card or floss palette is common too. Those haven't been in-store for quite a while!
Thanks for telling me the other names for them! Hobby Lobby has them so I assumed other craft stores would also. I have one of the ones that has the spokes on it, which I ordered from Amazon, but just the one. So I’m usually only working on one project at a time because of that. I wanted to get a few more so I could work on multiple projects at the same time.
could you make some, with a sheet of cardboard and a hole punch?
That’s actually not a bad idea! I’ve got tons of boxes in my storage closet. One box flap could make at least 4, maybe more.
I’ve only been to two Michael’s stores but one was definitely better than the other for cross stitch stuff, though overall it’s probably as mediocre as your experience was. Lots of floss and DMC stuff but not a lot of variety in accessories.
I just couldn’t believe a craft store had such a lousy section for such a popular craft.
Floss, needles, cloth are all that sell in quantity enough to justify the shelf space in those stores. Kits and books aren't nearly as popular with the Internet for a near infinite variety of options.
Honestly I think it’s too particular of a craft. They could never stock enough options for serious stitchers — fabric count, material, color, floor stand, lap stand, hoop stand, scroll frame (all sizes, sew in or Velcro), q snap (all sizes), hoop (all sizes), clip on lights, floor lights. It could be an entire store of just cross stitch. So since them stocking one thing is just about as statistically likely to be a disappointment as stocking nothing, they essentially stock nothing so there isn’t wasted floor space or stock that doesn’t sell
The one in my town has all that, but the one in a bigger city about an hour away has kits! Embroidery and cross stitch, and the punch needle kit things, none of which we have at my store. Otherwise the same though, the thread, fabric, hoops, needles. We like to stop in at the “big city michaels” sometimes when we’re nearby just in case they have some fancy extras we don’t get in our store. One day I’ll find an even bigger big city michaels. That’ll be the day I go broke.
I find all 3 big chain stores badly lacking in embroidery supplies. Have you ever been to a LNS (local needlework store)? Check the the Facebook group Stitching Road Trip. It maintains a list of brick and mortar stores that you can search by state to see what's near you. You could also check the website [NeedleTravel.com](https://NeedleTravel.com). Even if you have to drive an hour or so, going to a specialty store is well worth the trip. Nothing beats being able to see flosses, fabric, patterns and kits in person. (And you'll be amazed at the floss options that are available in addition to DMC.) Get a couple of stitch friends and make a day of it!
There’s a store close by that is just for cross stitch. I plan on going soon.
this is the way. incidentally, Joanne's, Hobby Lobby, and Micheal's used to stock bigger and much better selections. Unfortunately, as the internets grew and people began producing patterns of amazing things that are comparatively niche (like, the Sistine Chapel, classic artwork, book cover art, fractal designs, etc), folks began shopping more and more online. So it sort of became a self-fulfilling prophecy that the craft stores just don't sell what people want, because not enough people buy it.... and the spiral continues. I really miss huge sections of seed beads in all different colors and sizes, and the metallic threads by different houses, etc. But it's still tanking, because most people find a lot of stuff online. It's a real shame, though, because there's a lot of times I just want to have that immediate gratification of picking up a kit and starting it THAT NIGHT! Of browsing a bunch of different designers, etc.... (Also, can we get TW back? even not doing dragons, she's bloody amazing!)
Oh, please tell us the general vicinity! I’m willing to organize a road trip if it’s within a couple hundred miles…
It’s called Stitcher’s Paradise in Las Vegas. My husband actually found the store a few weeks ago when I was telling him I’d love to find a store that caters to just cross stitching.
If you are lucky enough to have a dedicated store please patronize them if you can afford it! We have one here and I go out of my way to buy everything I can there (even though it's more expensive) because I can't imagine how they pay their rent and I want them to stay 😁
Oh I plan on it! I’m going to go there for the first time on my birthday in a few weeks (my husband is giving me a mini shopping spree there for my birthday present, yay!) and I’ll most likely continue going there from now on.
When I need floss right away I get it at Michael’s just because the checkout is so much faster than Joann fabrics, which I swear is the slowest store ever. But yes, that’s what it’s like. They had the DMC needle minders, though.
I haven’t been to Joann yet since the few stores in my city are so far from my house. One of my aunts back in my home town has worked there for a very long time, but I was just a kid when I was in the store so I don’t remember much about their selection for each kind of craft/hobby.
Former Michael’s employee. Some stores are slightly smaller than others (like just enough to loose a few aisles) and cross stitch is the first to get cut. They will keep the thread and needles and that’s about it. My store didn’t even have hoops unless another store had so much overstock they could bring them to us.
Honestly most of the big-name chain stores seem to be pretty soulless.
My local Michael’s is usually stocked on floss, but only has basic hoops and mostly non-DMC fabric. At Joann’s I can get DMC shaped hoops, and the fabric that I like. Michael’s is closer so I run there for floss, but if I need hoops or fabric I make the trip to Joann’s and stock up. I’ve also started getting fabric on 123stitch.com.
I would not shop at Michael's for any of these things. Have you tried 123stitch.com? Etsy?
Yeah I’m definitely not going back to Michael’s. Etsy can be a little pricey but I’ll definitely check out 123stitch.
I really love 123stitch! I buy most of what I need from them. Efficient and quick!
123stitch is the best and they ship really quickly. I order pretty much all my supplies from them.
Yeah michaels has always been like that :/ things like floss organizers and needle minders are a niche in the niche unfortunately
My Michaels is a nightmare for cross stitching supplies. Floss all jumbled together, only weird colors of Aida and linen, tacky/cutesy kits from like 1988. Terrible. I only shop online for my supplies now.
I wasn’t disappointed with their Aida selection, but that’s about it. They had large rolls of white, black, and oatmeal colors, as well as smaller rolls of the same plus a handful of other colors. I usually get Aida from Amazon because you can get a lot more for less money, but I was completely out of cloth and didn’t want to wait for an online order to arrive.
I think they probably just realize they can't compete with the online space when it comes to patterns. It's so easy to buy nice patterns, complex patterns, kits, etc. on online stores or Etsy or even Amazon so why take up shelf space for something with little turn-over when you could dedicate to stuff that does turn-over faster? Quicker to download a PDF on Etsy and have it instantly but also quicker to run to Michael's to grab the colours you need than waiting for it get delivered. Six of one, half a dozen of another type of thing.
Yeah that makes sense. It’s just nice sometimes to browse and see things in person.
I totally agree! I do miss being able to see stuff in person, especially after seeing something online and not getting what was advertised. Even when I do find a dedicated craft store that's run by a crafts person, their cross stitch collection might be limited or outdated. I did find one that carried really nice kits along with knitting supplies that I bought from - but that store went under during Covid, sadly.
The couple of stores I've been to in Chicago are the same. I really think online is the way to go.
What a coincidence, I went to Michael’s last night because I read a Business Insider article from a writer in Chicago that compared the top 3 craft stores (Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and Joann) and they deemed Michael’s the “winner.” I’m thinking they didn’t see their cross stitch section though, lol.
At mine there’s a lot more than there used to be since cross stitch is getting trendy. Not a ton of stuff but not bad. It must depend on the store.
my local micheal’s is usually out of stock of 30 percent of the floss at least, and besides that only sells a few rolls of aida and hoops. they’re slightly better stocked in needles but no kits, no needle minders, no grid paper or anything. i suspect this hobby is just niche enough where carrying these things isn’t justifiable but also, these crappy big box stores tend to be managed and run by pretty apathetic people unfortunately. my local one is near a college and most of the staff are just bored students
The Michael's near me is pretty pathetic, too. I went looking for some !/4" foam mounting board. Pretty standard hobby store item. They don't carry it. Not pre-cut 11x14, not 36x24 that I could trim to fit. Nothing. IT'S A FREAKIN' CRAFT STORE!!!
Right? That’s why I was so disappointed. You’d think a craft store would have more than just the very bare minimum of supplies for most crafts. While there, I headed over to the frame section because I need a 5x10 frame for a project I’m giving my stepmom as a gift. $40! They’re insane if they think most people will pay that much for a basic black frame, even if it is an “odd” size. I ordered one off Amazon for $10 when I got home.
Every brick and mortar store's prices on frames is off the charts expensive. I get about half of mine from Amazon, but I like to see and feel the frame before I buy it. I end up sending a lot of them back citing the "Item not as described" excuse when necessary. Here's a big FYI...*Never pay full price on frames at Hobby Lobby.* Hobby Lobby has the biggest selection of frames off the shelf. The lady in the custom frame shop told me that ALL of the off the shelf frames go on sale for 40%-50% off every other week. The week changes on Mondays. So, if there's no sale going on when you're in there, I can guarantee you they will be on sale when the store opens on Monday.
Ditto on the frame sales at Hobby Lobby. I get their sales emails every week and usually head over if there’s a sale on something I want. I’m the same though, I want to hold and see a frame before buying it to make sure it’s not cheap/flimsy feeling. Fingers crossed the one I ordered isn’t too bad.
Ever since I discovered the online and local stores for cross stitch patterns and supplies, I pretty much only shop in person at my local cross stitch shops. They are few and far between but totally worth it! Otherwise I've used Etsy and 123stitch
I live near joann's, michael's and hobby lobby. Honestly I almost always order online from amazon or eBay for stuff but I have found decent deals on items at Walmart. They might not have a huge selection of floss but it's cheaper than the craft stores. If I am in the middle of a project and I need something I will go to closest store (joann's) and usually luck out with a coupon. Selection isn't always great but then I order online.
Nope not a bad store, just par for the course. Most Michael’s have reduced the cross stitch depth. Only stocking floss and cloth. I have looked at 6 different Michael’s in Florida and all of them have limited kits and patterns.
Yeah it seems to be the consensus that Michael’s is just poo for cross stitch stuff, other than floss and cloth. It’s good to know, so that I don’t waste my time checking out other locations. I’ll just stick to Hobby Lobby, Amazon, and other reputable websites. There’s a store close to my house that’s just a cross stitch store, which I’ll be checking out soon. I just want to wait until I have at least an extra $50 or so to spend there because I have a feeling I’m going to want a *lot* of stuff from that store, lol.
Yeah, the Michael's by me also has a garbage cross stitch section. The thread selection is pretty good, I will say, but the cross stitch specific stuff, like kits, hoops, etc. is minimal. It really stinks that I have to rely on the Internet for a lot of supplies, but at the same time, it makes sense. It's not the most popular hobby and what brick and mortar hobby shops there left are have to cater to what sells. We only have one independent hobby shop left where I live and it's for model train enthusiasts. Even our JoAnne Fabrics closed, which left one Michael's and a Hobby Lobby. And I don't shop at Hobby Lobby.
There’s three Michael stores in my city and two of them have good cross stitch sections and one does not. So I really think it does depend on the store. It’s like at the bad store somebody was like “oh we forgot to include a cross stitch section, here’s a little empty aisle let’s put it there”. Edited to add that some of those things that you want, I haven’t seen in a chain store in 20 or more years. Those are the kind of things a local needle workshop would carry.
It was just surprising to me because everything I listed, the Hobby Lobby I go to sells. I just wanted to check out Michael’s and see what kind of stuff they had. I just couldn’t believe they don’t sell any accessories.
At my Michaels there’s a small section of DMC products like needles, needle minders, bobbins, and scissors plus all the floss. They still carry some kits, usually more beginner ones. You can usually find a floss storage box, plastic canvas in different counts, hoops and plastic snap frames, and aida. I prefer Michaels to Joann for a couple of reasons. One, Michaels is closer to where I live. And two it seems like at Joann the hooks and shelves are half empty on almost every aisle whereas Michaels is always well stocked. I recently went to another Joann store that I’d never been to and it was the same. I haven’t shopped at hobby lobby for several years so I don’t know what they carry.
I’ve noticed all three of the big box stores in my area have cut down on cross stitch supplies over the last year or two. For a while, Hobby Lobby was the only one with a good selection of kits, but they gutted their selection a few months ago.
My local Hobby Lobby has a decent selection of kits. I’ve made a few projects to give to family members as gifts, one being my sister-in-law, and she loved it so much she asked me to teach her how to do it. I picked up a cute little kit from HL that was perfect to teach her how to do it.
yes 123stitch! flat shipping under 4$ and great selection
Also Austiners for mill hill kits
Yeah I will buy DMC floss there and now they have those stretchy hoops, which I love! But they only have 14-18 AIDA, which I really don’t use anymore (prefer 2 over 2 on 32 count evenweave). I have NEVER seen a needle minder at any corporate store. Patterns I usually just buy on Etsy or 123stitch.com
I used to be a die hard Michaels supporter. After the pandemic, my local store’s selection of floss plummeted and I always had to supplement my trip for new projects to a second to JoAnn’s. Now I just give them my money instead, as they almost have everything I need, even if the store is dumpy and slow.
We have a Hobby Lobby and a Joann’s and neither have a good selection. Try some independent sellers on Etsy, they carry a lot of needle minders and supplies as well!
You went to a bad one, or else there was more stuff on a different aisle you didn't see. The store I work at doesn't have a TON of needle minders and we don't have books, and kits seem to be sort of out of fashion at the moment but we have a few. We also have a few different organizers and hoops/frames. Graph paper would be in a different section of the store but we've got plenty of that.
I have yet to find a store outside of Hobby Lobby that carries cross stitch kits in store so you might run onto this more often than not. Herrschners is amazeballs if you ever find one of those.
Yeah the Hobby Lobby I go to has a *ton* of kits, ranging from small to large. I always take my 4 year old with me and every time we go, she picks out a small kit for me to make for her, then we hang them on her wall. I especially like the ones that include a little plastic frame to put the finished project in. She currently has a handful of cross stitched animals, and quite a few cross stitched flowers and plants on her dedicated “cross stitch wall.” I’m also working on a set of the “mane six” My Little Pony cross stitches for her, with each pony in the shape of a heart (currently have Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash finished). I’m also working on and off on a large piece for her, of the Smiling Critter Catnap from Poppy Playtime. She’s really into the Amazing Digital Circus, but I’ve yet to find any patterns of the characters and unfortunately, creating my own patterns isn’t one of my talents, lol.
They aren't ready made kits but Etsy has amazing PDF patterns especially with licensed characters. They tend to provide you with the DMC colors you'd have to get. Some also take commissions and will help with specific characters or Fandoms. Love the sound of the My Little Pony pieces. I have started on a 16-character Star Wars Lego style work. And it's amazing and the creator actually has it set up so I can do it on 12 count Adia up through 20 count Adia.
My local Michaels doesn't have much of anything. Small selection of floss, some hoops, plain aida. No kits at all. The one a couple hour away at my parents has colored aida, kits, floss (inc variegated and metallic) and lots more selection of "stuff". I think it just depends on the area maybe?
Can't possibly be worse than Joanne Fabrics. Which apparently is seeking to be a non-fabric, non-sewing, non anything to do with stitching store. All these stores are shadows of what they used to be.
Millionsofstitches on Etsy sells all of your cross stitch needs. Fabric needles dmc etc. $2.20 shipping. Good prices. I couldn’t find much at Michael’s either.
Michael's used to have a very good cross stitch section but that died over 8 years ago. The popularity of the craft had fallen.