Rosie’s Calico Cupboard Quilt Shop

I have to reiterate… I went to Colorado a couple of weeks ago and went to so many wonderful quilt shops! The staff was so nice in all of them– friendly, sweet! Helpful! Why was I so surprised? At the friendly staff? Cause I usually go into Rosie’s where they are not nice.
Really need to get another quilt shop open down here in San Diego so there are options…

I have now visited this fabric store twice in the last two weeks for the first times. The fabric selection is amazing and well-​organized to facilitate the shoppers. The inventory stretches throughout several rooms which helps to spread out the patrons. Everything should have been a stellar 5-​star slam-​dunk review EXCEPT that the staff is incredibly curt and unfriendly. I encountered totally different clerks on each of my two visits so I know I didn’t just get the bad seed of the bunch my first time. Each time I visited they were very happily conversational amongst themselves as they waited for the next customers to need material cutting but once I got to the counter the happy chatter ended. None offered so much as a slight pleasantry to me such as, «How are you? Did you find what you were looking for?», etc. Furthermore, because I was navigating 3 different patterns for each of two granddaughters, I asked that the cut fabric piles be placed in separate bags so that I could keep the fabric cuts per pattern contained. The clerk nastily exhaled and replied, «Well, it’s good we recycle bags here» (the plastic bags they use are from markets, drug stores, etc.) REALLY??? I needed 3 plastic bags but NOT the rude rejoinder. The store and inventory is excellent but the staff clearly needs to learn a few manners because they get an epic fail in my book.

A friend of mine was visiting from out of state and he recently took up quilting, so when I asked him if there was anything he wanted to do or see in San Diego, he asked if there was a quilting shop since they don’t have any in his area.
A quick Unilocal search pulled up this result, which is less than a mile from my home. We went today and, although I know absolutely nothing about quilting myself, I was thoroughly impressed by the number of supplies, accessories, patterns… not to mention room after room of fabrics!
I did read previous reviews before going in and, although they didn’t exactly seem overly inviting (nobody greeted us or asked if we needed assistance, etc.), when my friend asked for help, the employees he spoke to didn’t seem rude or unwilling. My assumption is that they think most people coming in know what they’re looking for; and most people who know what they’re looking for don’t want the typical retail salesperson breathing down their neck and whatnot. I did pass by a number of employees who didn’t acknowledge me with a smile or even look at me, so I think that could be improved upon in a retail environment; however I never observed any outright rudeness to myself or other customers while there.
The only real negative was the signs placed EVERYWHERE about shoplifting being a crime punishable by law. I did notice that many items were small and, coupled with the numerous rooms/​areas, might be easily slipped into a purse/​backpack/​etc. But regardless, the signs everywhere seemed a little overkill for such a store… they gave the impression of «you’re guilty until proven innocent,» which isn’t the best retail practice. That said, as my friend browsed, I kinda meandered aimlessly and looked at random stuff. That could have been construed as someone who was just there to pilfer something, but I never felt I was being watched or anything.
Overall, I think it’s a great store if you’re into quilting. The sheer number & quality of fabrics alone puts places like Jo Ann’s to shame (although I don’t quilt, I’ve been to Jo Ann’s for fabrics for a couple of projects & was sorely disappointed).

I’m a regular customer at Rosies and just love this shop. It’s huge and prices are good. You can always spot a new customer. Wide-​eyed and gasping at the selection. Staff is friendly and welcoming. They may not stop and ask if you need help but are more than willing to help if you ask. The shop is usually very busy and they’re doing their best to help, check people out and return fabric to the shelves. Rosie is great and does an incredible amount of charitable work. Check out her shop. It’s amazing.
Before you go, go to their website and check out the monthly coupons and specials. There are also coupons to fill out, depending on the amount of your purchase, to be entered in a drawing.
The shop also carries notions, supplies, patterns, books, etc. and Janome machines. Their website has a list of available classes.

Beautiful selection of fabrics but the attitudes of many who work there is incredibly off-​putting. It is difficult to hand over money after this type of
«customer service.»

This shop is heaven to someone like me who loves sewing beautiful quilts. I give a solid five stars to Rosie’s for their friendly & helpful sales staff and for the quality and huge variety of quilt fabrics they carry. I don’t live near this store, but’s it’s worth the drive.

I was not as pleased as I usually am when I visit here from Idaho. They don’t have as many gift items and they gave me my purchases in a recycled Vons bag. A brown paper bag of their own would have been nicer!

Super friendly staff, fantastic fabric selection, and a huge bin of buttons to dig through to boot. I don’t quilt, but my best friend does, and we visit often. I am impressed with the selection, quality and store cleanliness. Everything is very organized too which is a plus.

For starters let me say I’m a fabric snob lol
And Rosie’s really quinches that thirst to find rare fabrics. They sell Robert Kauffman which is rare in San Diego. They have a button bin my girls love to dig threw and multiple rooms to browse fabric. Admirably they have a huge selection honestly the biggest I’ve seen. Wish they offered a better coupon program or loyalty program to the shoppers like myself who buys a lot

Best fabric store in San Diego, incredible variety in all materials and supplies. The staff is knowledgable and helpful!

The ladies here are SO helpful and definitely know their stuff. There is also more fabric than I’ve ever imagined, in every pattern/​color imaginable.
The woman who helped me showed me exactly where to find everything I needed and explained the differences in product and how to work with my budget.

Great prices and friendly staff wonderful selection of material if I need it I know I can find it at rosies

I am new to quilting. Walked in looked around, and was asked if I had questions. I was helped for a good 15 minutes by the friendliest lady. She was told she had a phone call, and introduced me to another staff person. The staff member helped me pick out what I needed to start my first quilt. She gave me a free tutorial and told me about classes they offer. I loved all the help and support I got. The shop has so much to choose from, and I will be going back with my starter quilt for more tips!

First time I went to this place. Good selection but not once was help offered or greeted. Staff just kept to their own self.

I am an avid quilter. Rosie’s has a generous amount of fabric to select from, but a lot of it is very old and needs to be cleared out more regularly. They are great if you are looking for themed fabric (fruit, vegetables, superheroes, etc) and they also have a great selection of quilting books and magazines.
The reason for my two stars is that the staff at Rosie’s is not welcoming. I would actually shop there more often if the staff was friendly. I have been going to this shop for over 5 years and I have never been asked if I need help or greeted upon my arrival. Typically, the only time that you are addressed as a customer is when you check out. Frankly, the staff there do not seem happy nor interested in engaging with the customers.
People would buy more if they felt more welcome or if there was a friendlier atmosphere. Frankly, I only come to Rosie’s after I have exhausted all of my other options.

I recently moved to San Diego and have been looking for a good quilt shop. I read through many of the reviews of Rosie’s Calico Cupboard Quilt Shop before I ventured there today. I was wary of the «surly» that I read in many of the unfavorable reviews. To my wonderful surprise, this was not the truth. I was asked on several occasions, by different staff members if I needed help. Initially I was beyond help. There is soooo much fabric. Wonderful fabric! And it is organized beautifully. Either by color or theme or in some cases, by manufacturer. I would have to fib to say there was anything that I didn’t like about this store. I was especially delighted that another customer came up and was helping me find the perfect fabric for a quilt that I was making. I know that most of the negative comments were from mom’s with kids. I did not see any in the store today. Perhaps past experience has jaded the attitudes of the staff, by I can tell you that I did not find anyone to be anything but helpful.
Love Rosie’s Calico Cupboard! I have found my «go to» shop!

This place is INSANE!!!
I have never seen sooooooo much fabrics in one place!!! They didn’t have any wool some flannel but certainly the largest amount of beautiful fabrics ever. This is number one for my top 5 best quilt shops in San Diego!!! This is based solely on quantity of fabrics. Of course there are several quilt shops that carry amazing fabrics, wools and flannels as well as better ambiance but this wins on quantity!
Customer service was excellent. The cashier walked with me to get an extra item and was very patient on a very busy day!

Why was my last review filtered out? Because it was not positive? Here it is again… from May 2013…
Yes – A great fabric selection at decent prices… but in an economy whre I can spend my money anywhere I choose not to go to Rosie’s anymore. Laughable customer service. Everyone in the place treats you like they are doing you a favor by letting you shop there. Watch the coupons – there are restrictions not printed on the coupons and they won’t honor exactly what it says. Additionally, they all but toss you out of the store if it is closing time… pitiful customer service is the issue here…

I was prompted to post after reading the reviews here that negatively rate the customer service at Rosie’s.
I have been to Rosie’s numerous times over the years – My mother quilts and I am a novice at pattern sewing.
Rosie’s is amazing – It’s geared toward a person that’s serious about their craft, I don’t think that’s a bad thing: You won’t find a better selection of fabric in southern California and the workers are experts if you have any kind of question you’re guaranteed an experienced answer based in a passion for fabric and sewing.
Should you really expect a ‘tour’ of a store that is basically 4 organized and extremely well-​stocked large rooms with various nooks?
Should you really expect to shop anywhere after closing? You’re being the lowest kind of person by imposing on people (clerks are people). This is true in every aspect of anywhere, at any time – Even Nordstrom where they will never, ever suggest that you leave, you STILL need to leave at closing, by virtue of the fact that hours of operation are posted – If you want a shopping experience that is never-​ending, I suggest 7 – 11.
Should you, or anyone expect your stroller to be accommodated or welcomed? Your triple-​wide tractor-​trailer-​tired stroller is super amazing, as are your highly respectful and super intelligent children, why not park it by the door so you don’t block others?
Yes, you’ll need to print your coupons prior.
Please support this establishment and other locally owned businesses.

Called on a Friday to see if they had a specific fabric, the woman on the phone was SUPER nice and helpful and said they absolutely have it, just come on in.
They close at 5pm so I put it on my agenda to head out there on Saturday — I arrive and it’s evident that this is the fabric hotspot. Old women from everywhere are swarming over fabrics, which they have a ton of.
I ask where I can find the fabric I was looking for and the woman looked at me like I was dense and said that they didn’t carry it at all. I tell her I spoke with someone specifically who said they had it, but it was to no avail. I still decide to look around since I made the trek out there (the middle of nowhere on El Cajon) and if you need any lightweight fabric (you know, to make that present for someone who is going to have to avoid cringing while saying Thank You for the potentially useless item you made for them) with anything ever on there, there is a large chance they will have it.
From stripes to some modern patterns to a whole cat lady section and food inspired one — think s’mores and hostess cupcakes. I’m not making that up, these all exist there.
Still not thrilled that I was completely misled which stole part of my Saturday in the desert that is El Cajon when I could have been downtown by the water. WHATEVER.