AKA shopping tips by CraftApple.
If you sew a lot and live in the US, chances are you’re like me and make plenty of trips to JoAnn’s. I purchase most of my fabric at my local quilt shop or online, but for all other supplies, I go mainly to JoAnn’s (armed with coupons) or my local WalMart which (thankfully) still has a sewing and crafting section with rock-bottom prices on things like interfacing and thread.
I’ve learned a few things on my recent trips that I’m going to share with you. My hope is that it will make your shopping experience better and that you’ll share your shopping tips with me!!
If I’m going to purchase anything that needs to be cut at the cutting counter (batting, fabric, interfacing, ribbon, boning, etc), my first stop in the store is the little number dispenser at the cutting counter. If the numbers are 15 to 20 numbers from who they are serving at that moment, I take a number before I shop. Sneaky, eh? I’m a pretty fast shopper, so I’ll head over and get all my supplies and usually only have to stand in line for a few minutes. 1 sneaky point for me.
If I plan on purchasing something only because I can get it cheaply using my coupon, then I have to do 2 things. First, I make sure that the item isn’t labeled as on sale. Secondly, I mentally prepare myself to part with the item in case I can’t get the discount. Why? Because sometimes an item will be “on sale” like it was for me today, but not clearly marked anywhere. I wanted to purchase Artful Blogging magazine for $15 (usining my 50% off coupon, that would have been $7.50). When I was checking out, it turned out that the item was marked down to $14 making it ineligible for a coupon discount. Sneaky, huh? 1 sneaky point for JoAnn’s. When I realized what had happened, I turned right back around and returned it. Bummed, I was. But I’ll try again next time and I dare say I shall be victorious!
If you are purchasing bag-making supplies, like magnetic snaps, consider checking the bag-making section of the store rather than the notions section. At my JoAnn’s Etc store the notions are on the more sophisticated-looking side of the store, near the frames and upholstery fabric. In the notions section, you’ll find nice brand names on items like magnetic snaps, packaged nicely and priced at $4. If you don’t mind going to the other side of the store (where they sell feathers, clay and cool-for-teens learn-to-knit kits) you’ll find nestled among the pre-made, ready-for-embellishment denim totes things like magnetic snaps and swivel hooks packaged in little baggies for much cheaper. These magnetic snaps aren’t my favorites (they’re very thick), but will do in a bind when I’ve run out of my supply from my regular magnetic snap shop.
These are my new favorite swivel clasps from Joann’s ($2.50 for 2), in the latest bag that I made for myself.

Yum, yum. I’ve waited a while for the perfect project for this linen by Megumi Sakakibara. Josh calls it my Jesus bag because of the crosses.

If you are a Target shopper and want to purchase things like shower curtains just for the fabric, consider this: when the item is on clearance (you know, with the red stickers), if the final digit is a 4, then the price is the lowest its going to be which usually means a good deal. If you want it, buy it! This shopping tip came from Beth and after testing it out using my ultra-fine-tuned shopping radar, I believe it!
So do you have any shopping tips you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them.
Okay, just one more picture of the bag. I love these doodles!
