Hancock Fabrics

Hancock Fabrics is a craft store that offers a variety of fabrics, textiles, and sewing accessories. I've been to this location a couple of times, and the selection is quite limited, and the fabrics never seemed to be organized, haphazardly-folded, and never in their right section. I purchased some suede-like material, some supple leather, as well as cute printed fabric for making bags and headbands. The prices aren't competitive, and you can technically purchase them online at wholesale outlets at a cheaper price, but the convenience of actually seeing the fabric (if available) in-person is always a plus. Staff were minimal and usually steps in only to do the cutting, but usually unhelpful. Recently, Hancock announced that they will be closing all of their stores and ceasing the business - currently, all of their items are marked 40-60% off, and the sewing machines are also discounted. Most of the printed fabrics are gone, but there are still solid-colored fleece left, as well as sewing accessories (buttons, clasps, scissors, machines, etc.). July is the targeted closing date, but if inventory is almost cleared, then the store will close sooner.

+store-closing sale
+fabrics are disorganized
+slightly unhelpful staff T____T
+located behind Panera

Because of a sewing project for school, I made, what seemed like, a bajillion trips to this store last month. And, I have to admit, every single time that I encountered staff, they were nothing but kind and professional. Even the ones with limited sewing knowledge (like myself) were able to point me to an employee who could better serve my needs. On one occasion, a staff member sat with me at the pattern catalog table and patiently explained how to conduct a search. Later that day, that same employee took time to clarify the basics of fabric weave when I was having trouble choosing textiles.

Speaking of textiles, don't come here if you expect anything like the fantasy fabric fields that made the now-shuttered G Street Fabrics of Seven Corners the stuff of legend. Nope. This little shop only carries the basics. But since that was all I needed at the time, I was cool with it. However, in the future, when a project calls for something more unique, I know that I will either have to go online or search out another store for supplies.

This store is constantly disorganized, dirty, and short-staffed. The selection is small and cheap. It's the only nearby fabric store for Alexandria, and it okay for some very basic notions and other things that won't compromise one's overall project.

I'll also never forget how I went to the store with my 2-year-old and my 4-year old hoping to make a quick trip. We waited at the fabric counter for 10 minutes (no bell or anything to ring for service). Then as soon as I approached the register counter, the lady who had just been serving another customer before me, turned and walked away. I sat at the counter and called out "hello?" several times (and it's not like we were invisible -- as I say I had two noisy children with me!), as there seemed to be no one else in the store. I was contemplating calling the store's phone number just to get someone on the phone to ask for service at the register, when someone FINALLY came and we could get out of there. Although I wasn't able to use my Hancock's card or any coupons because the system was down.

This store is a HOT MESS! It's really the only fabric store in Alexandria, so I only shop here when I absolutely don't have time to drive to JoAnns.

The store is incredibly disorganized and dirty. All the fabrics and notions are a mess, literally falling off their shelves (and it looks like a toddler shoved them on the shelves)! Also, the store is littered with cheap gift merchandise that would fit better in a tourist gift shop. Seriously, you can't walk anywhere without being surrounded by cheap notebooks or back scratchers shaped like bear paws. Really?!

The staff is also so unfriendly, unhelpful and unavailable. You'd think that the store only had one employee because there is only ever one person walking between the cutting table and the registers, even though you see other employees in the store. There have been several times where I've had to wait at the cutting table or the registers for 10 minutes while the one working employee was either no where to be found, or helping a long line at the cutting table before they moved to the registers, or vice versa.

Today the manager was training a new employee and was being very short and rude to the employee. It was awkward to see. Instead of asking her kindly to put all the items a customer bought in one bag, after the new employee had put them in two bags, she told her, "Don't waste bags! Put everything in one!" Or, instead of, "Will you put away this fabric?" it was, "What are you going to do with that fabric, because I'm not putting it away!"

And, I can't stand how they always push you to buy their deal-of-the-week while you're at the registers. It's always some cheap 3 pack of scissors, or a new spray starch that is sitting on the register counter. They must get some reward as an employee if they can't get customers to buy this cheap merchandise. No thank you!

Please, save yourself the time and hassle, don't go here!

Really sad to see so many stores closed!

So Many memories, my wife and I going to Hancock store located on Richmond Hwy. We were so torn about them closing not only for the employees but also for the factor keeping my wife happy with GOOD QUALITY FABRIC! You know what they say HAPPY WIFE EASY LIFE!!!

LUCKILY we FOUND another SHOP NEARBY!!! Hollin Hall Variety Store. https://www.facebook.com/HollinHallVarietyStore/?ref=hl

Classic OLD MOM and POP SHOP (5 and Dime Store) One LAST ONES LEFT!!! Located
7902 Fort Hunt Rd Alexandria, VA 22308

One of the most useful stores for the things I make: fleece items, children's clothing, crafts, window treatments, and decorations for Halloween and Christmas. Although I go to specialty stores for heirloom-quality fabric, all of my heirloom projects benefit from Hancock's notions, tools, and often threads, beads, and buttons.

The place always has a sale on something, so it's best to pay attention if you keep a fabric stash. The staff is helpful, especially if the store is not crowded when you arrive. If I need to have fabric or trim cut, I try to go at less crowded times: weekday mornings, or in the hour before the store closes.

While there is not a lot of fabric store options in NOVA, I give Hancock 4 stars. They have a wide variety of fabrics that appeal to me and I love their staff. I am a new to sewing, so when I ask questions at Joannes, the staff look at me like I am wasting their time. At Hancock, they ask questions back, try to understand and help.

Their prices are ok, but if you are a VIP card holder (or whatever), you get coupons that take even MORE off.

So not the best, but it works.

I tried Beacon Mall store again. I don't know why.
I found buttons I needed. Found material. Stood at table. No one, no one, no one, then a clerk comes over to my side of the table and pushes my bolts over and says she is cutting for someone else. I am standing right there waiting patiently. Could she have gone just to the other side of the table where no one was? Could the manager left the clerk at the register to help at the cutting table? Did she really need to stand there and count the items for the clerk? Gee, thanks for telling me the buttonis are 30% off. And I saved money.
And they lost me again. And the manager could care less why I was not happy.
By that time, I was done.

I've worked in a fabric store. I know what its suppose to be like and this is not it. This is Ms. Hannigan and the hard fabric life. Buy online, at Walmart, and anywhere else and go if there is a sure sale and you have to go.

This is the 3rd poor experience. I do hope they get it right sometime. Google ratings aren't that great either.

Staff is always friendly but I find the selection to be seriously lacking. I can't justify a special trip to this store but if I'm in the area I'll sometimes stop in.

Sorry to say that Hancocks is closing as if 1st of July. The good news is everything is on sale now, even the fittings.