Save-A-Thon Stores

Narrow, two level store. Stairs to the basement. It’s in this part that you find fabrics, thread, buttons, notions and yarn. Fabrics from $ 1/​yard up. You never know what you will find. On the first floor level, ribbons, trim, scrapbook and stamping items, sewing machines.

I appreciate the deals as they are a bit pricier that Michael’s on the Columbus Ave. Convenient location if you are on the East Side and the young women who work there are VERY helpful. A great local place for crafts and cake decorator materials. Plan ahead — they host cake decorator classes and are not always fully stocked — I think the student buy quite a bit.

I lived in the area for years and this was one of my haunts for fabric & sewing supplies. However, I’m a big crafter so I find that selection to be anemic. The staff is very friendly (at least I’ve never had an issue.) The store is small so don’t bring strollers or large carts, and it has a lower level only accessible by stairs. You can find really good deals depending on what you happen to be looking for at the time. Sometimes the prices aren’t as competitive but its a good place to check out. They tend to be generous with their cuttings and SOME of the people who work downstairs really know their fabric. Its worth a go-​see if you’re going to be in the area.

Saw there was a low rating. What a bummer! The other reviewer has no clue what they are talking about, first off, when it comes to fabric. I just bought TONS of cotton here: it is not all polyester fabric unless things have changed. I went back twice this past week and spent about $ 80 easy on all sorts of beautiful fabrics plus notions. Some of their stuff seems to be overstock from other places but that’s okay because they pass on the savings. I got beautiful fabric for $ 2 and when I saw one fabric I wanted 6 yards of had a defect, the guy gave it to me for $ 1.50 a yard. I also got things like awesome star buttons for 50 cents a pack, a scrap of fleece that has cats in Santa hats, 22″ zippers that were on sale 2 for $ 1, small rick-​rack 5 yards for $ 1etc etc. I also got this really beautiful print of a cat for $ 2!
There are also many more trims and fabric I’d like to buy here. I was told they get new shipments on Friday.
Now, I feel their other craft supplies are lacking but I prefer to sew. I will say that the staff is not the friendliest (although not mean, just more aloof) and it was awkward when, the second time I went, I caused a line because of all the fabrics I wanted cut and there was one guy. I also had an issue that the first time I went, I told the guy, «I want two yards of this, «then cut 3 and charged me for three BUT he was very generous with his yardage on all the fabrics so I let it slip but just made sure to be on him the second time. I do not speak Spanish so it helped to have my Husband with me.
I think that, like the reviewer said, it’s not necessarily cheaper than some other fabric stores, but every fabric store (unless you go to a chain like JoAnn) has a different selection and I really just love the affordable variety of fabrics they offer and the great patterns and design. Curtain lace for $ 1 a yard? Uh yes, I will be making a skirt out of that.

I feel this store was okay despite its small size. I bought great fabric for my living room pillows. Staff is small but helpful when you need it. This is not a store with a large selection due to the size but it has helped me find certain things too.

I have taken up sewing in the past couple of weeks. I went there because it is right around the corner from the fabric store I use. Searching the web it was to have singer machine parts namely a quilting foot — not that one but ever other foot was there. Thread is scarce– a box with one type and some colors… I’m going to continue to use Amazon!
Oh, and when i asked for serger lessons, the lady told me no then asked me how much i wanted to pay. I would have paid if she was more confident. No thank you, i can figure it out on my own. Matter of fact, my quilted reversible table runner and matching placemats turned out great.

save a thon. i work near this place and i teach kids, so i usually need some craft supplies and i usually go here for them. BUT. when i need REAL craft supplies (read: for MYSELF) i wouldn’t consider it a great option.
You can get boye knitting needles and needles and thread and polyester batting and stuff, all at normal prices. but the yarn is all acrylic and the fabric is all polyester. well, sometimes they do have good dollar a yard sales on weird fabric that comes from who-​knows-​where. for example, i’ve seen stretch jersey in several colors and some muslin that someone told me was leftover from an old funeral parlor, but i’m not sure if that’s really true.
they might have decent prices for floor model sewing machines of the singer/​brother persuasion, but i’m not really in the market so i don’t know for sure. i saw a crotchety old lady complaining that the machine she’d recently bought didn’t come with a needle. she was really FREAKING out. the line was backed way up to the end of the fake flower aisle and i don’t think anyone thought to tell her that for just 3 dollars she could get a whole pack of sewing machine needles and it’s really no big deal.
this place is really no cheaper than fabric/​craft stores in manhattan, so if it’s not right next door to where you teach art to first graders i would skip it.