Michaels Vs Joann Vs Hobby Lobby: Which Craft Store Wins for 2026?

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You stand in the parking lot between three craft stores, coupon apps open on your phone, wondering which door holds the best deal on fabric or framing. The Michaels vs Joann vs Hobby Lobby debate isn’t just about finding yarn—it’s about matching your creative projects to the right mix of selection, pricing strategy, and services.

With over 3,000 combined locations and vastly different approaches to everything from everyday pricing to workshop offerings, these retail giants compete for your crafting budget in surprisingly distinct ways. Understanding how each store places itself in the market gives you the power to stretch your dollars further and find exactly what your next project demands.

Store Locations and Accessibility

Before you can decide which craft store wins your loyalty, you need to know if they’re actually within reach. Store locations, online options, and pickup services can make or break your shopping experience.

Here’s how Michaels, Joann, and Hobby Lobby stack up regarding getting you what you need, where you need it.

Nationwide Store Presence

Across the craft store landscape, nationwide coverage separates the contenders. You’ll find over 1,000 Michaels locations spanning all 50 states, while Joanns maintains 1,100+ stores. Hobby Lobby generally runs 850–950 locations.

The auditing process for store summaries relies on methodological rigor to guarantee accuracy.

Online Shopping Options

Beyond brick-and-mortar stores, your online shopping options matter. Michaels, Joanns, and Hobby Lobby all offer ecommerce platforms with mobile apps that serve up digital coupons and online reviews. You’ll navigate checkout processes, compare shipping costs, and track orders from your couch.

Each retailer’s website lets you filter by category, read customer feedback, and score deals that sometimes beat in-store pricing—especially during weekly promotions.

Curbside Pickup and Delivery

Once you’ve placed your order, all three retailers offer curbside pickup at most locations—though availability varies. Michaels, Joanns, and Hobby Lobby provide order tracking through their apps, so you’ll know when to swing by. Pickup times usually run 15 to 45 minutes.

Delivery fees depend on order size and shipping options, while return policies mirror standard in-store rules for your craft store comparison.

Product Selection and Variety

Each store has carved out its own niche in terms of what they stock on their shelves. Your crafting needs will dictate which retailer deserves your business.

Let’s break down how Michaels, Joann, and Hobby Lobby stack up across three key product categories. Each store brings something different to the table, especially if you’re exploring advanced techniques like whether you can use a serger for regular sewing to take your projects to the next level.

Fabric and Sewing Supplies

If you’re chasing fabric variety, Joanns is your champion—it stocks more fabric types, thread colors, and quilting tools than Michaels or Hobby Lobby combined. Here’s what matters when you compare sewing supplies: A well-rounded sewing supplies store also carries essential notions like zippers, elastic, and specialty needles that complete your projects.

• Joanns offers dedicated sewing notions aisles with everything from patterns to specialized needles
• Michaels carries basic fabric but focuses more on simple craft projects than serious sewing machines
• Hobby Lobby splits the difference with decent fabric selection and competitive everyday pricing

Fine Art and Crafting Materials

When you’re hunting for quality paint types and art surfaces, Michaels dominates with artist-grade canvases and premium color palettes that Joanns and Hobby Lobby can’t match. Here’s how these craft stores stack up on material quality and crafting tools: For larger quilting projects, investing in sturdy quilting machine tables ensures your workspace can handle heavy fabrics without wobbling during detailed stitching.

Category	Michaels	Joanns	Hobby Lobby
Professional Paints	Extensive artist-grade lines	Basic craft acrylics	Mid-range selection
Canvas Quality	Premium stretched canvases	Limited art surfaces	Good everyday options
Specialty Papers	Archival mixed-media stock	Scrapbooking focus	Decent variety
Brushes & Tools	High-end illustrator supplies	Moderate crafting tools	Budget-friendly basics
Private Labels	Artist’s Loft brand	Creatology line	Affordable in-house options

Michaels leads in art supplies, while Hobby Lobby wins on everyday pricing for craft supplies. For those looking to turn their crafting passion into income, exploring sewing business tutorials can help you develop marketable skills and connect with potential customers.

Home Decor and Seasonal Items

If seasonal decor is your playground, you’ll find all three stores refresh their inventory quarterly with holiday decor and home accents tied to major events.

Michaels leans into decorative themes with curated displays and trend-forward seasonal colors, while Hobby Lobby offers budget-friendly home decor options. Joanns focuses more on fabric-based seasonal trends, perfect for DIY enthusiasts tackling custom projects.

Pricing Strategies and Value

Your craft budget matters just as much as your creativity. Each store takes a different approach to pricing, from daily discounts to weekly sales events and price-matching guarantees.

Here’s how Michaels, Joann, and Hobby Lobby stack up regarding stretching your dollar.

Everyday Low Prices Vs. Targeted Sales

You’ll find two competing pricing models when comparing these retailers. Hobby Lobby banks on everyday low prices with consistent savings across hundreds of items, while Michaels leans into targeted sales with weekly 40% discounts on rotating categories. This creates different discount depth and price volatility between stores. Joann’s blends both strategies.

Your savings depend on timing—Michaels offers bigger promotional discounts, but Hobby Lobby delivers predictable consumer perception of value without tracking sales frequency.

Price Matching Policies

Michaels leads in price matching policies with a killer combo—they’ll match competitor pricing and take an additional 10% off. You’ll need price verification from local or online competitors, but here’s what shapes match eligibility:

1. Exact item match required (SKU, size, color)
2. Competitor must have item in stock
3. Policy exclusions include clearance and auction sites
4. Valid advertisement needed at purchase time
5. Adjustment process requires proof of price

Joanns and Hobby Lobby offer more limited arts and crafts shopping flexibility.

Clearance and Discount Sections

You’ll spot color-coded clearance tags throughout each store, signaling discounts on seasonal decor, fabric remnants, and overstock supplies. Inventory rotates weekly or monthly to make room for new shipments.

Stack digital coupons from mobile apps with existing sale events for maximum savings. Loyalty members often get early access to clearance strategies through app notifications, turning smart shopping into serious discounts on your next crafting haul.

Quality of Materials and Brands

Price tags matter, but quality determines whether your project thrives or falls apart halfway through. Each store stocks different brands and material grades, which directly impacts how your finished work looks and lasts.

Let’s compare what you’re actually getting for your money at each retailer.

Fabric Quality Comparison

You’ll notice differences in fabric strength and material durability when you compare the three stores. Joanns generally stocks higher thread count cottons with tighter weave density, which translates to longer-lasting projects. Michaels carries fewer sewing fabrics overall, while Hobby Lobby offers mid-range options.

Colorfastness testing shows premium lines at Joanns hold up better through repeated washing than most budget alternatives.

Exclusive and Premium Brands

Beyond basic quality, you’ll want to explore exclusive lines that set each store apart. Michaels carries Recollections for scrapbooking and Studio G for Japanese-inspired crafts. Joanns promotes licensed designer partnerships with premium fabrics and sewing notions you won’t find elsewhere. Hobby Lobby offers private label home decor fabrics and seasonal collections.

These brand partnerships give each retailer unique advantages depending on your crafting style.

Craft Supply Durability

Material longevity matters when you’re investing in art supplies and crafting tools. Michaels stocks fabrics that hold their color after 50 washes, while Hobby Lobby’s adhesive strength tops 25 MPa on metal. Joanns offers stainless steel scissors that stay sharp through 100+ cuts.

Product endurance varies across stores, so check craft tool reliability ratings and storage solutions before you commit to bigger projects.

In-Store Services and Classes

Beyond the shelves of supplies, these stores offer hands-on services that can take your projects from good to gallery-worthy.

Whether you need professional framing for your artwork or want to learn a new skill, the in-store offerings make a real difference. Here’s how Michaels, Joann, and Hobby Lobby stack up in terms of services and classes.

Custom Framing Departments

You’ll find custom framing services at Michaels and Hobby Lobby in every location, while Joanns offers them selectively. All three provide custom designs with varied frame materials—wood, metal, and specialty finishes—plus matting options from standard to archival-grade.

Michaels leads in artwork preservation techniques, offering UV-protective glazing and conservation-grade backing. Expect one-to-two-week turnaround times, with pricing based on your framing techniques and material choices.

Crafting and Sewing Workshops

All three chains host seasonal workshops with schedules you’ll find posted online. Michaels runs papercrafting sessions, while Joanns emphasizes sewing basics and beginner quilting with certified instructors. Hobby Lobby offers monthly craft days open to all skill levels.

Class materials vary—some locations provide fabric and tools, others require you to bring your own sewing machine for hands-on practice.

Customer Service and Shopping Experience

The vibe you get when you walk into a craft store matters just as much as what’s on the shelves. From how staff treat you to whether you can actually find what you need, the shopping experience shapes where you’ll spend your money.

Let’s break down how these three stores stack up on service, layout, and their policies when things don’t go as planned.

Staff Expertise and Friendliness

You’ll notice differences in staff training and friendliness across all three stores. Michaels usually delivers helpful customer service with knowledgeable employees, while Hobby Lobby’s staff often impresses with solid product expertise.

Joanns can be hit-or-miss—some locations shine with expert fabric specialists, others fall short. Your experience really depends on which store you visit and when.

Store Layout and Atmosphere

Walking into each craft store reveals distinct personality through visual merchandising and sensory experience. Michaels offers bright ambient lighting with clean sightlines, making store navigation smooth. Joanns packs aisles tighter with fabrics dominating, creating a cozy but sometimes cluttered feel. Hobby Lobby uses warmer tones and wider pathways, with shelf organization that guides you naturally through their seasonal displays. Your shopping experience hinges on which atmosphere clicks.

Return and Exchange Policies

Return windows at your craft store can make or break your shopping confidence. Michaels and Joanns usually offer 60 to 90 day return windows with receipts, while Hobby Lobby holds firm at 90 days. All three skip exchange fees and provide refund options to your original payment or store credits.

Return shipping for online orders? Michaels and Joanns usually cover it, giving you flexibility when customer service matters most.

Saving Money: Coupons and Rewards

You don’t have to pay full price for your crafting supplies if you know where to look. Each store offers different ways to save, from loyalty programs to app-only deals.

Here’s how Michaels, Joann, and Hobby Lobby stack up regarding keeping more money in your wallet.

Loyalty Programs and Rewards Cards

You’ll rack up serious savings when you join these loyalty programs. Michaels Rewards earns you points per dollar with bonus events, while JOANN Members unlocks exclusive offers and early sale access. Hobby Lobby’s program delivers member promotions tied to your purchase history.

All three provide digital coupons through mobile apps, making point redemption and cashback a breeze. For extra shopping discounts, pair these programs with RebateKey for maximum member benefits.

Mobile Apps and Digital Coupons

Download the Michaels, Joann, or Hobby Lobby app to access instant digital savings at your fingertips. Each platform delivers mobile shopping perks you won’t find in-store flyers.

• Michaels app pushes loyalty-linked coupon codes and app rewards straight to your account
• Joann’s digital coupons include app-exclusive promotions and scannable barcodes at checkout
• Hobby Lobby offers push-notification deals tied to your purchase history
• All three support one-tap redemption for smooth online discounts and shopping discounts

Weekly Ad Promotions

Check each store’s weekly ad promotions to stack digital coupons with clearance deals and boost savings. Michaels runs Sunday-to-Sunday sales targeting specific departments, while Joann stores emphasize fabric doorbusters that pair with promo codes. Hobby Lobby rotates monthly seasonal promotions through their app.

All three offer ad matching opportunities, so compare weekly sales before you shop.

E-Commerce and Omni-Channel Shopping

Shopping for craft supplies has moved way beyond the traditional store visit. Today, you need a smooth experience that lets you browse online, check what’s in stock, and grab your haul however it works best for you.

Let’s break down how Michaels, Joann, and Hobby Lobby handle their digital storefronts and omni-channel options.

Website Usability and Features

Each retailer brings distinct strengths to the digital table. Michaels leads with mobile optimization and user-friendly product filtering that makes finding supplies easy. JoAnn Stores excels at user interface design, while Hobby Lobby’s checkout process prioritizes payment security.

All three support keyword search and high-resolution product images. Your browsing experience depends on whether you value speed, visual clarity, or transaction protection most.

Online Inventory and Shipping

Your online inventory game changes when you understand each retailer’s digital stock system. Michaels and Hobby Lobby publish live online catalogs with real-time inventory alerts, while JoAnn offers similar digital stock visibility for crafting supplies.

Shipping speed runs three to seven business days standard, though expedited fulfillment options cost extra.

The retail industry’s shift toward e-commerce means better online tracking and more reliable availability indicators across all three stores.

Buy Online, Pick Up in Store

You can skip shipping entirely with Buy Online Pick Up in Store at all three retailers. Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and Joann offer same-day to 24-hour pickup times on most crafting supplies, with real-time inventory accuracy displayed online.

Curbside service adds convenience when you’re short on time. Order tracking keeps you updated, and return policies mirror standard in-store terms—your government-issued ID and order number get you in and out fast.

Which Store is Best for Your Needs?

Here’s the truth: no single store wins every category. Each retailer shines in different areas, so your “best” choice depends on what you’re making.

Let’s break down which store takes the lead for specific crafting needs.

Best for Sewing and Fabric

In the realm of sewing and fabric, Joann takes the lead with the deepest inventory—roughly 850 stores stocked with quilting supplies, embroidery kits, and a yarn selection that rivals specialty shops. Michaels offers solid fabric quality and sewing machines for hobbyists, while Hobby Lobby provides curated textiles alongside home decor options.

For serious sewers, Joann’s your best bet.

Best for Arts and Crafts

Michaels dominates the arts and crafts arena with premium art supply inventory, bulk crafting materials, and specialized tools for artistic expression. You’ll find everything from professional-grade paints to DIY projects starter kits.

Hobby Lobby offers competitive pricing on craft ideas and hobby supplies, while Joann covers basics alongside its fabric focus.

For serious crafters pursuing creative hobbies, Michaels delivers the depth and variety you need.

Best for Home Decor and DIY

Hobby Lobby leads in Home Decor and DIY with its curated wall art, Seasonal Decorating essentials, and budget-friendly Decor Inspiration across every aisle. You’ll discover Home Decor Trends that transform Craft Rooms and living spaces alike.

Michaels counters with seasonal DIY Projects and creative accents, while Joann supplies fabrics for custom Home Decor.

For dedicated decorators chasing the latest in Home Decor and DIY, Hobby Lobby delivers unparalleled variety and value.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)