Since I always have about 10 sewing projects in the works, I hit up Jo-Ann Fabric about once a week…where I usually wind up finding another project to start. With a little careful planning, I rarely pay full price for adding to my stash of sewing materials.

Along with sewing supplies, Jo-Ann’s also has a basic selection of yarn, jewelry and scrapbooking supplies, custom framing, home and seasonal decor, and kids art supplies.

Here are 9 ways to save money at Jo-Ann Fabric.

1. Head to the back.

When shopping for fabric, head to the red tag section (usually near the back of the store) for marked down fabric by the yard. Though red tag prices are hit-or-miss, several times a year (usually over a holiday weekend) they will offer 50% off all red tag fabrics. If you ask an employee or manager, they may be able to tell you when the 50% off sales will be coming up.

2. Shop the remnants bin.

If you just need a small amount (usually one yard or less) for scrap, testing, quilting, or small projects, look for the remnants display near the fabric cutting counter, where the end of each bolt is rolled up and marked with the yardage, composition (cotton, polyester, etc), and retail price. All remnants are marked down 50% from regular retail price at the register.

3. Sign up for the mailing list.

Jo-Ann’s frequently offers high value coupons. Sign up for the snail mail list at checkout or sign up at Joann.com for their emails. You can also elect to receive text offers (up to 3x/mo, opt out at any time). I’m on their email list, and I receive about five emails per week detailing the sale items and with printable coupons. Their most popular and frequent coupon is 40% off one full-priced item; also common is 10-20% off your total sale. Email coupons often give you free shipping with a minimum order.

4. Ask individual clerks about coupon stacking.

Though the coupons state you can only use one per transaction, about 80% of the time at my two local stores I’ve been allowed to use 20% off my total purchase along with 40% off one regular-priced item.

5. Join a discount program

• Jo-Ann’s Teacher Rewards program (also available to home school educators) offers 15% off all purchases (excluding remnants, patterns, and gift cards).
• Students 14 and up are eligible for the Student Discount program, which takes 10% off the regular and sale price of most items.
• Non-profit organizations can enroll in the Non-Profit Discount program, also saving 10%.
• Resellers and members of professional sewing/interior design organizations can become a Jo-Ann VIP for 10% off.
• Proof of eligibility is required for all programs (see details at Joann.com).

6. Get the app.

If you have a smartphone, download the Jo-Ann fabric app (free) for iOS or Android. I was always forgetting to bring the mailer or print email coupons, but with the app, they’re always with you. The “coupons” tab displays the current coupons to be scanned at checkout, easy peasy. Note: a number of users in the iOS operating system report the app frequently crashes and has difficulty displaying the weekly flyer; I use the app for coupons only and have never had a problem with this.

7. Check the website.

Review the weekly circular online for sale items before you go. If the circular doesn’t offer any sales on items you want/need, and you don’t need it immediately for a project, wait a week and you’re likely to find something on your list. You can also print the weekly coupons (for in-store use) or get the code for online use by clicking the “get coupons” link from the home page, if you’d prefer not to join a mailing list.

8. Price match

Jo-Ann’s will price match on identical, in-stock merchandise if you bring a printed copy of the lower advertised price dated within the past 7 days (excludes special buys, doorbusters, seasonal items, and liquidations).

9. Stock up on sale items

It always seems Jo-Ann’s has at least 25% of the store on sale at any one time. If I make a trip for a particular purpose, I may browse the aisles to find sale categories and stock up on buttons, zippers, elastic, yarn, needles, and thread that I know I will need and use over the next few months.

Like stocking up on soy milk to keep from going to the grocery store, if having a zipper in my supply box saves me a trip to Jo-Ann’s where I’m likely to spend on a new project instead of wrapping up the old one, then it’s worth it.

How do you save money at Jo-Ann Fabric?