Sunday Stash #218 – Hobby Lobby Dilemma
Okay, don’t judge me, but I went to Hobby Lobby, and I’m sorry. I grew up in Oklahoma where Hobby Lobby was one of two craft stores in my town, so I’ve always been familiar with its big box aisles. While visiting Grandma Sparkles in Alabama, I saw its bright orange font from a mile away, and I was like moth to a flame. Even upon walking in the front doors I had to put my political convictions in a polka dot bag and tie it with a sparkly bow, because corporations are not people. That’s as political as I’ll get, but I’ll just once again say I’m sorry. To make up for it, let’s look at some pretty fabric!
I meandered through the many bolts of fabric, and while there was plenty of pretty, I maintained my composure. I finally broke down in front of the wall of Kona! My solids collection has been running pretty thin as I’ve been working on my #JustListenQuilt, so I thought this would be an apt time to restock. This particular Hobby Lobby had about fifty shades of colour, so I grabbed those that screamed, “I wanna be a star!”
I’ll have to get out my colour chart to figure out what they all are, but by buying half yard cuts, I figure I’ll have enough to play around with different ideas. Kona fabrics are about $15 AUD per metre in Australia, (about $11 USD per yard) and I bought these for about $6 USD per yard. All you Yanks, never complain about the price of fabric!
I also found a couple of random choice selections in the discount bin! This yellow brick is from the Wizard of Oz collection for less than $5 per yard. But these cameras! This fabric shows a whole range of vintage cameras sketched on a white broadcloth. This wouldn’t be great for typical piecing, but could win some kind of fussy cutting championship!
But wait, there’s more! Since when does Hobby Lobby sell Alexander Henry fabrics? I’ve been loving AH more and more lately, and I’m itching to use some of their pin-ups in something modernly original. While I didn’t find those in the racks, I did find these moustaches, AKA “where’s my ‘stache” buried in the low volume section. I never would have expected to find such a surprise. If I ever go back, (dilemma!) I’ll definitely be on the look out for sneaky AH fabrics!
In the meantime, I’ll keep my eyes out for vintage pin-ups, and anxiously await all the new AH fabrics hitting later this year. So to sum it up, I probably could have avoided Hobby Lobby, and saved some political skin. However, I wouldn’t have vintage cameras and moustaches, and this definitely wouldn’t have happened:
[inlinkz_linkup id=707144 mode=1]
That is just the most appropriate picture – “Princess” . Loved it on this grey Sunday morning.
When we visit Granny Sparkles home town we usually stay in one of the hotels opposite Hobby Lobby and as much as I dislike their politics I love the prices and the choice, less than half the cost of buying in the UK. I confess to weighing my luggage the night before leaving, then dashing into the store to buy as much fabric as I could to get me just under the weight limit, and with 4 cases between the 2 of us that’s a lot of fabric!
You had a great fabric day!
That price just can’t be beat, politics be damned! I’d be buying bolts off the shelf and shipping them back to myself, oy.
I totally understand your H L dilemma….but I more than make up for it here in the states….I will do without before crossing that line…….
I am always thankful that there is no H L nearby me! but I can understand the call of cheap fabric. I do wrap up my politics and go to the small family owned grocery with the fabulous butcher and made to order take out. 😜
loved the black and white fabric with the moustaches. Also love this link up every week
my second comment – like yourself I often ponder the buying from people as opposed to corporations, buying local as opposed to online type of thing. Buy also like yourself, fabric in the UK is really expensive compared to the US and local quilting shops or even hobby shops are thin on the ground here
You’re forgiven because it’s you! I’m glad that they aren’t here for me to make that choice! Lovely fabrics.
Why should you be sorry? I don’t stay away from liberal businesses (or friends) just because they don’t share my same views. Isn’t tolerance all about appreciating each other’s differences and loving them anyway?? Sparkle on!!
The reason why Molli and others, including myself, object to shopping there is because of cases like this in which Hobby Lobby is denying an employee her basic human right: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5575696 I don’t feel I can simply appreciate Hobby Lobby’s leadership’s differences and love them anyway until they make significant changes in the way they treat their fellow human beings.
I’ll never shop,there. I was proud of my brother and niece when they did their own picketing of the local store.
Totally AGREE Christa!
I totally agree with you Christa.
I guess the challenge I would counter with is that Hobby Lobby doesn’t seem to show tolerance to their own employees.
I am all for people having different views and belief systems. They’re no more or less important than my own. So yes, tolerance for all! (I would even argue that we should do more than tolerate and encourage these differences). However, Hobby Lobby seems to be showing actual retribution to employees that are different, which is quite contrary to the concept of tolerance.
Thats the point Christa. Hobby Lobby doesn’t show tolerence or appreciate the differences of their employees and insist on forcing their views on them. So perhaps your opinion should be directed at Hobby Lobby and you should support your opinion by supporting those being discriminated against.
I grew up in Oklahoma too (shout out to Edmond!) so I know the allure of Hobby Lobby. Fortunately, there’s a great independent fabric shop between my house and the closest Hobby Lobby here, although, not fortunately for my wallet. 😀 😀 😀
These are great fabric acquisitions. I never talk politics and never let anyone’s personal opinions, including my own, get in the way of the fabric love. Fabric loves all. I am sharing my fabric love by linking up today. Thank you for hosting and sparkling … 🙂 Pat
Molli,
I love the photo – who but Mr. Glitter himself would have a photo holding a princess sign. It was worth the trip to Hobby Lobby just for that alone.
No shame in Hobby Lobby! I bought the camera and mustache fabric there too! Just recently turned a bit of each into coffee cup wraps for my son-in-law. He wears the best ‘stache and is an awesome photographer, so . . .
So you are okay with supporting a company that would actively fights against women and LGBT rights? The cost of cheap fabric isn’t my moral compass. Do we really need fabric that badly that we are willing to support others who do not even think we have the right to exist?
To be perfectly honest, it wasn’t until I got home, and I was writing this post on Sunday that I remembered/realised hearing something about Hobby Lobby and a Supreme Court case from years ago. So I googled that information to find out exactly what went down so I could educate myself. Since I’ve been living in Australia for 12 years, US news is not always at the forefront of my life. This was my first trip to an area with a Hobby Lobby since about 2011. Additionally, any political reasoning you feel I should have made did not occur to me at 7:30 pm on my first night in Alabama to see my grandmother in three years directly after finishing a 23 hour journey from Sydney to see her. So I think with this blog post I made a pretty clear mea culpa, and provided a link for those who like me, maybe aren’t as familiar with the situation.
If you think I would purposefully, and actively support a company that has a political stance such as Hobby Lobby, you clearly don’t know me at all. But thank you for judging me, it’s really helped me.
I’m really surprised by this post. My first, flippant response would be “did you go to Chik-Fil-A for lunch after?”. Clearly, you feel some guilt about it so your conscience is fighting with you. I can’t see actively supporting companies which want to decide which parts of their employees bodies they are going to cover with health insurance (which is not a generous gift, it’s a tax right-off). You’re not living in Siberia anymore, Molli – you have choices and IMHO you made a wrong one this time. You have choices. Unlike the employees of Hobby Lobby.
To be perfectly honest, it wasn’t until I got home, and I was writing this post on Sunday that I remembered/realised hearing something about Hobby Lobby and a Supreme Court case from years ago. So I googled that information to find out exactly what went down so I could educate myself. Since I’ve been living in Australia for 12 years, US news is not always at the forefront of my life. This was my first trip to an area with a Hobby Lobby since about 2011. Additionally, any political reasoning you feel I should have made did not occur to me at 7:30 pm on my first night in Alabama to see my grandmother in three years directly after finishing a 23 hour journey from Sydney to see her. So I think with this blog post I made a pretty clear mea culpa, and provided a link for those who like me, maybe aren’t as familiar with the situation.
If you think I would purposefully, and actively support a company that has a political stance such as Hobby Lobby, you clearly don’t know me at all. But thank you for judging me, it’s really helped me. (Btw, I do actively not eat at Chik-Fil-A).
Btw if you want cheap Kona in the USA it’s $5.49 a yard, all the time, at a family owned store in Ohio: http://www.fabricshack.com/. No need to step over the bodies of women denied healthcare to get there.
It never fails to amaze me how all you political conservatives who are so desperate to stop sending jobs to China, are the same people who fall over yourselves to buy the cheapest goods possible. Damn where it was made when it’s coming out of your own wallet, eh?
To be perfectly honest, it wasn’t until I got home, and I was writing this post on Sunday that I remembered/realised hearing something about Hobby Lobby and a Supreme Court case from years ago. So I googled that information to find out exactly what went down so I could educate myself. Since I’ve been living in Australia for 12 years, US news is not always at the forefront of my life. This was my first trip to an area with a Hobby Lobby since about 2011. Additionally, any political reasoning you feel I should have made did not occur to me at 7:30 pm on my first night in Alabama to see my grandmother in three years directly after finishing a 23 hour journey from Sydney to see her. So I think with this blog post I made a pretty clear mea culpa, and provided a link for those who like me, maybe aren’t as familiar with the situation.
Excuse me, but what part of this makes you think I’m a political conservative? Are you just trying to insult me? This ain’t Facebook, so don’t come to my house and hurl ugly shoes because I’m armed with a closet full of Jimmy Choos. But thank you for judging me, it’s really helped me get through my day. (Oh, and thanks for the Fabric Shack link!)
Molli, thanks for the personal response (I have replied privately). I apologize, I was not referring to you when I said (adopts harpy voice) “you politic conservatives”, I was referencing some of the previous comments on this post, about being conservative, damning politics, and how price matters above all else. But perhaps even in saying that, I was conflating my Erins and Christas and Peggy Sues. I am quite relieved to know that you are not ready to be knocked down from the high esteem that I have held you in. I appreciate the clarification and that you have taken the time to add some backstory for others.
Personally, I take it very seriously where I spend my cash, and I am happy to pay more for quality and good provenance.
I can understand you not knowing but now that you do know, why are you shamelessly promoting them? They have spent their profits on trying to deny both the LGBT community and women their rights. All this does is scream… I am for sale…. I will bend if I get cheap fabric or can make a blog post.
There is no fabric worth supporting companies likes this especially if you are a member of the community they are marginalizing.
I don’t think any part of my blog post was shamelessly supporting Hobby Lobby. Supporting the fabric, and the fabric manufacturers, yes. I think I actually called out that there was a consideration to be made in shopping with them, I also apologised, and provided information to other people (who may not know the backstory like me) so that they can make an informed decision. However, the fact remains, I shopped there, and I objectively told the world about it. However, please don’t insult me by implying “I am for sale” and that sort of rhetoric. You have no idea the political and social efforts I take for various communities (e.g. quilting / women / LGBT). To act so presumptuous about my morals–in my house no less–especially after I have so clearly stated my self-reflection about the events, is basically, just rude.
You know Molli – I appreciate the honesty in your posts. I have done things that I later regretted. I just don’t have a blog to immortalize it. So people, stop bashing Molli – he has written a thoughtful blog that explained what happened. Now let it go.
I love you deeply, as you are a dear friend to my dear friend Julie Dueck, but I am sad to see you shopping here. At the same time, once I asked Julie how she could be so close to you, since she is Christian and you are gay. She replied, hate the sin but not the sinner. I still love you, but this independent shopowner hates the choice to shop big box, especially with such a strong anti-woman, anti-LGBT owner. Not hating on you, just feeling sadness.
Um, you asked Julie how she could be friends with Mollie? For real? And then write such a statement on his very blog? Eeeegads the world needs less of this kind of love.
Like you, I also have a problem shopping at HL and supposedly supporting their agenda…I did boycott them for a long time following the insurance debacle….I had even applied for a position there. During the interview, there was a Bible on the manager’s desk….and I was thinking….will I be forced to participate in something at lunchtime/breaktime….I don’t push my religion/politics on anyone and I didn’t want it pushed on me…I never returned for a second interview. But I do shop there occasionally now…and always with a coupon. Did you know about their 40% coupon? Thanks for sharing your experience.
Wow, a retail store has a second interview process? That’s crazy.
I’m so sorry that politics invade every aspect of your life. Of course your convictions aren’t that strong. If you really cared, you would boycott. instead you think that by stating how sad you are it makes it all ok. Typical hyporite.
Hi Leah –
I’m kind of confused at your comment. Was this directed at me? If so, I’ve got a lot to say about your hateful comment. But I will assume positive intent that maybe it was mis-directed or you hadn’t had your coffee yet. (I get that way too!)
I loved this post! I haven’t been in a hobby lobby for years for the same reasons as many of you but I would be lying if I didn’t say how much I miss it. And….the moustache fabric is incredible!
Oh, Hobby Lobby- it certainly is fun to look at all their stuff. It is the largest crafting store in my area with the most variety of products. Even beyond their corporate religious based policies forced on employees, they screw over all their customers with the practice of marking up their products, having them on “perpetual sale” (has their decor or other non branded items ever not been “marked down”?) to fool the customer that they are getting a deal when you are really paying a full retail price? Kohls does this, too, and I find it dishonest.
Ooh, this is an interesting post and comment feed, Molli. I avoided CFA and HL vehemently while living in the south, but find where I am now, there are certain things you can only get at HL (thankfully not fabric! I can get Kona at $6/yard shipped to my door because I’m one of those lucky Yanks ; ) I’m coming up on two years in the midwest and I have shopped there once… and I feel guilty about it, but having grown up with Christmas Tree Shops in New England, there’s a pull to someplace like HL. I couldn’t give them regular business, and I doubt I’ll go back in my last year here, but I can agree with you about the appeal of the store, especially for those who support the politics, as well.
All these women saying Hobby Lobby chooses not to pay for some things pertaining to women….maybe I should post the phone number to my insurance company. They claimed they will pay 100% of my yearly exam. I hear you cheering. But, wait! They lied! They did NOT pay for it. Not one penny of it.
I’m
What I find odd about any employer that espouses a particular “lifestyle/religious” belief is…do they really believe all their employees believe the way the management does….are none of HL’s employees on birth control…..do you have to take a lie detector to actually be hired…sorry, but it just seems ridiculous that my personal life is any of my employer’s business. Just my own personal opinion.