This place is as essential to my life as gas in my car…read more The joy of getting from point A to point B, finding something, building something, creating something is priceless. The coffee shop is a bonus. I had never been in Bonney Lake before meeting my now husband of 5 plus years, and I have developed the habit of coming here whenever anything happens in my life. Everything is expensive these days, but I come to Ben Franklin to walk the aisles and feel my feelings. I come here when I am sad, scared, happy, excited. Through celebrations and losses, milestones and ordinary days, it has been a constant place of comfort, creativity, and possibility. I do not usually let staff at any store affect my day one way or another. They have their own lives and stories that I know nothing about... every employee I have encountered here has been kind, helpful, and genuinely pleasant. My child is growing up with paintbrushes instead of iPads, with crochet hooks and yarn, fabric, puzzles, sewing machines, and handmade keepsakes that become symbols of memory. She is learning how to create, imagine, and build with her own hands. A big part of that is because this place exists. We truly love Ben Franklin Crafts. Please do not go anywhere.

Very disappointing customer service experience…read more I stopped by Ben Franklin Crafts in Bonney Lake today looking for some stretch or jersey-type fabric that I could use for a backdrop. Unfortunately, my experience with the customer service in the textile department was very disappointing. I asked the sales associate if they carried any stretch fabric. Before I could even finish explaining what I was looking for, she cut me off and told me that they didn't have any stretch fabric. As I continued looking through the fabrics, I found several materials that clearly had some stretch, including crushed velvet and other fabrics in different textures. I pointed out the few fabrics that I found to her and said that there were a bunch of stretch fabrics, and her response was, "You call that a bunch?" I then explained that I was looking to use the fabric for a backdrop, rather than clothing. She responded, "Oh, I thought you needed it to make clothes or something." The interaction continued in a way that left me feeling like I was more of an inconvenience than a customer who was simply asking for assistance. At that point, I walked toward the exit but decided to speak with a manager because I felt uncomfortable leaving without addressing what had happened. I asked for a manager but was directed to a supervisor. I explained the situation, and her immediate response was essentially that they didn't have any stretch fabric. I told her that I had actually found several examples myself. She then said, "I guess they're new." Unfortunately, I didn't feel like my concern was really being heard or that anyone was interested in helping me find what I was looking for. I ultimately gave up and left without purchasing anything. It's not the fact that they may not have had the exact fabric I wanted--that's understandable. It's the way the situation was handled. A simple, "I'm not sure what we have, but let's take a look," would have made a huge difference. I wanted to support a local business, but based on today's experience, I left feeling very disappointed and uncomfortable. Hopefully management takes this feedback seriously, because customer service matters just as much as the products you carry.

If you have time to sort through a insane amount of fabrics and notions then this is the place for…read moreyou! Cheapest I've found anywhere.

This store is amazing! Truly a treasure hunt. They have organized sections of their most popular…read morefabrics like brocade, chiffon, polyester, cotton, and specialty fabrics. The fabrics and notions are priced very competitively. Also, someone was always ready to help with cutting a fabric. They held my cuttings for me at the front so I could continue shopping with free hands. Plenty of deadstock fabrics. So many trims, laces, threads, tassels, ribbons. I would give yourself a couple hours to completely explore the store.

Small store nestled in the quaint town of Buckley. The owner is very nice and has a lot of…read moreknowledge. Her primary focus is long arm quilting. (No custom) She has a small selection of fabrics at great prices! There is parking in the back.

Friendly, cute shop!! As a new sewist I am grateful for this shop and the tips I have gotten from…read morethe woman in the shop. I am dropping off my very first quilt top to have long arm quilted.

It's been a few days since mom and I attended the Expo, quite possibly for the last time (or at…read moreleast the last time until they improve things). Every year I try to leave constructive feedback in their suggestion box and via social media. I share the good and the not-so-good. And I share ideas for how to make things better. And nothing ever changes. Not that I think anyone there really cares about my specific thoughts and ideas. But when these feelings and helpful suggestions from dozens if not hundreds of attendees are pretty much ignored it makes me wonder if the organizers of this once-great event even want it to improve. The crowd shrinks every year, and with it the variety of vendors. This year, vendors were outwardly proclaiming what a bust it was for them. And this was on Saturday, which should have been their busiest day of the weekend. Especially with so many younger folks getting into sewing, cross-stitch, and embroidery it seems like this expo should be growing and thriving. I just don't understand what's going on. But first, the good: - This was my daughter's first year attending and she really loved it, especially the hands-on demos and projects at vendors such as The Remakery from Tacoma. - It was great to see some of our old favorite vendors, such as Bo-Dee-Oh, Fireweed Stitches, More Me Know and Sassafras Lane, along with Mood Fabrics and Renton's Wyldewood Creative doing their very first expo. - Always love visiting the Kai Scissors booth and picking up a new "must have" for my sewing exploits, as well as checking out the beautiful new machines from Quality Sewing and Bernina. - I always leave the expo with some fun new fabric and supplies, and that feeling like I want to go home and lock myself in my sewing room for a few days. - Finally, there were several new stitchery vendors - especially embroidery! I spotted some cross stitch here and there, too. Yay! And then, the things that just need to be fixed. - The lack of actual fabric vendors is absolutely crazy to me. Yes, there were a few and yes, they were selling a lot of kits and pre-cuts. But where were the folks selling fabric by the yard? Where was Pacific Fabrics? They exited the expo years ago and we need them back. If I were in charge of the expo, luring Pacific Fabrics (and other much-loved, long-departed vendors - like Vogue Fabrics) would be my #1 priority for next year. It's inexplicable to me that you'd plan a sewing expo and not have an over-the-top number of fabric vendors to choose from. - This probably relates to my previous point. But for heaven's sake there has GOT to be a way to lower the cost for vendors to attend. Several vendors from last year posted A YEAR AGO that they would no longer be able to attend because of the cost to attend (not just booth fees, but getting their product there, bringing enough staff to run the booth, etc). One example is More Me Know, who set up a giant booth in 2024 and 2025, hauling an amazing amount of bag making supplies (and tons of staff) all the way from Indiana. This year, her booth was tiny, with barely any selection and a sign to order online with free shipping. It was a nice gesture but I also heard several customers complaining. I guess they don't follow her on social media, where she basically went through last year's expo expenses and said they simply could not afford to have a big booth there (even with brisk sales). - Some of the really cool stuff (like the free stage, Project Linus, fabric de-stash table, and social media lounge) are hidden in the back like they don't even WANT to be found. For goodness sake, move them to the FRONT of the expo (or put them in the middle). They are almost like an afterthought, and yet these are the areas that give life to the social aspects of the expo. Imagine walking in the front doors, or eating your lunch, and getting to watch the kids' fashion show or see your favorite influencers hanging out with the crowd in the social media lounge. Imagine an area buzzing with happy sewists and crafters, making projects at the demo tables, getting inspired to visit all the vendors or taking a break between walking the rows. - Speaking of influencers: INVITE THEM! Where was the meet 'n greet photo sesh with my favorites? I would have loved to get a pic with Lauren Mormino in front of the official Sew Expo backdrop and post it all over social media. Where was Karen Brown from Just Get it Done Quilts? Sara Lawson from Sew Sweetness? Jenny Doan (or one of her family) from Missouri Star Quilts? Vanessa Vargas Wilson aka the Crafty Gemini? Evelyn Wood? Alicia from Thoughtful Creativity? Bernadette Banner? Do they know about the expo? Are they invited? Imagine giving them a heavily discounted booth fee or covering some of their travel expenses in exchange for spreading the word about the expo among their followers? This is very common nowadays and yet...crickets. This review is too long. If anyone from the Expo reads this: what's your end game?!

I have gone for several years now, driving from California, and enjoy all the classes, and the…read morevendor hall. I never attended when it was a bigger show, so I have nothing to be disappointed about. It is worth the fun every year.

My first visit to this store, There are many choices of…read morefabric and notions. The clerks who helped me were knowledgeable and helpful. However one person who might have been management was very short and demeaning to the clerks who worked there, I saw her react angrily/ demeaning and ugly at least 3 different times while I was there within less than an hour. Maybe she was having a bad day but the people who run the store are the lifeline to the customers supporting the business and customers see your behavior. Be kind.

The staff was AMAZING helped me walked around with me helped me make measurements for a blanket…read morejust the best

Billie's Designer Fabrics was recommended to me for Viking sewing machine repair. Since I live 1…read more3/4 hours away ( one way) I called to explain my issue to see if I needed to make the trip. Erica, their machine technician, helped me resolve my problem over the phone. Soooo happy! I highly recommend! Will definitely be making that trip in the future when needed. Jean Christensen, Snoqualmie, WA

found this shop by accident, but i'm glad a did! The lady who was working was really kind and…read morehelpful! The shop had a little bit of everything an apparel sewist would need! I got some nice cotton fabric and notions!

I order fabric a few times a year from Pacific fabrics and they are wonderful. It's always cut…read moreproperly. It's always what they tell me it is and their website clearly depicts how things are going to look no surprises just good service. Thank you so much and watch out for me cause I gotta get ordering soon

Large shop with tons of fabric, patterns and notions. Staff were super nice and helpful in…read moreassisting me at the cutting table and at the register. Prices were as expected to a bit high, but the selection and service are worth the trip.

Big Foot Quilt shop is an amazing place to shop, to sew, to take classes, to make friends. There…read moreis always help available, whether for color choices or ideas for patterns. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff, and so me many fabulous fabric collections! Any time at Big Foot is time well spent.

If you are looking for drab, old fashioned fabric, don't come to Bigfoot quilts. The fabric is as…read morebold and bright as the owner. There is always something new to discover. The only problem is narrowing down what I am going to purchase. The staff is always friendly and helpful. They are always willing to help me find just the right fabric. I have learned so much from the classes. Last year I branched out from quilting and took a bag class. I discovered a passion I didn't know I had. No matter how many bags I have made I always learn something new in class.

My friend and I traveled to the area for other reasons, and decided to fit in a little yarn…read moreshopping. Unfortunately, the hours posted on Google were not correct, and when we arrived, the store was officially closed, although a class was going on. Win, whom I am assuming was not just sales but perhaps the manager, was extremely apologetic. Rather than turn us away, she let us browse , saying that she was teaching the class but wouldn't have time to help us in real time. She let us know that we could flag her down if we had questions. We really enjoyed ourselves. The store is much larger than any local yarn store I have been to previously, and there are many unique and different yarns. Win came to help us after her class, and could not have been more wonderful. What started out as a browse, turned into some nice purchases. It's a gem of a store, and I look forward to going back on my next trip up north.

Great yarn store. They cater to all kinds of fiber arts. The selection is fantastic - you've got…read moreyour staples (Noro, Malabrigo, Manos del Uruguay etc) as well as the fanciful and rare, in all weights, fibers and types, and neatly organized too. It's located in an old industrial space. Light industrial brickwork. The sign is a little small and hard to spot. You enter through a small door and go up a few stairs, and voilà - Alibaba's cave. The staff is helpful, friendly, and very knowledgeable. They'll help you as much as you want them to, without being pushy. In my case, there were some yarns that I liked, and they found the right projects for my taste and skill level, made sure I was kitted out, and taught me the techniques I'd need. In case you need patterns, they've got them. There's a full room dedicated to books. Don't miss the clearance section! They also do knitting workshops during week days by reservation, for a very modest fee. They also have classes, though they do fill out fast!

I've only ordered from Rochelle online but I'm blown away by the service. I've had a few requests…read morethat have come up that Rochelle has filled promptly. If I ever need any sports fabric I will always go to Rochelle first. Thank you for everything you do Rochelle!

I used to think this place was for old ladies. My bff and I came in one day and immediately started…read morechatting with you do employee. She was so nice and helpful for us. They also have a back room where your group can sew. My only issue is some of their notions are dated. Great fabric selection though