Joann Fabrics' closure forces fashion students to find new resources
By Cameran Crutcher
Sep. 24, 2025
The closure of Joann Fabrics in Memphis earlier this year has left University of Memphis fashion students scrambling to find alternative sources for supplies and pushing them to seek solutions outside the city.
Joann Fabrics was one of the main local suppliers for those projects, offering affordable fabric and tools that students rely on. Without it, they are facing higher costs, shipping delays, and fewer in-person operations.
“I mostly get my fabric from Amazon now,” said Ryliss Amar, a junior fashion design major. “It’s hard to find somewhere else for a reasonable price, but this has pushed us to be more resourceful. Using platforms like Etsy helps connect us to out-of-state suppliers, but it’s still hard to gauge quality online.”
The University of Memphis Fashion Design program, part of the Department of Art and Design, launched in 2019, now has about 65 students. The program is housed in Mannin Hall on the fourth floor and trains students in draping, sewing, and patternmaking. Coursework culminates in a capstone class, where seniors create a four-look collection for their final portfolio.. Each spring, students showcase their designs at the annual Brooks Museum Fashion Show, a highlight of the Memphis fashion calendar.
Students say materials are essential for their work, everything from muslin, fabric, and thread to measuring tools and sewing notions. Depending on the semester, supplies can cost $100 or more, and specialty fabrics online can range anywhere from $9 to $30 per yard.
Other students echo frustration, especially when last-minute projects demand in-person options.
“It's significantly less convenient now, because, like, seeing the fabric in person is so much more comfortable,” said Blaze Pointdexter, another fashion design student. I would rather spend money on stuff that I can confirm the quality of, rather than buying and being disappointed in it .”
The faculty says students can still make do if they plan.
“If students are prepared, they’ll still get the supplies they need,” said Professor Jayla Slater. “Though Joann's shutdown is a loss, we still have a Hobby Lobby that sells a majority of items. Though you might not have all the options available like you're used to in person, everybody still has access to, you know, what they need.”
Hobby Lobby operates three locations in Memphis, including one in Bartlett, Olive Branch, and Collierville. Of the few options for in-person purchases, students say it doesn’t provide the same variety. Many now rely on online platforms despite shipping delays.
Joann Fabrics, which had multiple locations, closed all its stores nationwide by May 31, 2025, after filing for bankruptcy. Its absence has left a noticeable gap for the city's creative community.
For now, students are adapting to online suppliers, upcycling old material, and finding creative ways to keep their projects moving forward. The closure may have reduced options, but it has also highlighted the resilience of Memphis’ fashion community.
Contact Cameran Crutcher at cbcrtchr@memphis.edu