Old South Fabrics in Chattanooga: A Quilting and Home Sewing Supply Anchor on Eastgate Drive
Old South Fabrics is a single-location, independent fabric retail store specializing in cotton prints, batting, and notions for quilting and home sewing projects, positioned as the primary dedicated fabric supplier for sewers across Chattanooga's North Shore and surrounding areas.
What Old South Fabrics Actually Is
Old South Fabrics operates as a traditional fabric store rather than a chain or big-box craft retailer. The inventory leans heavily toward quilting cottons, a narrower focus than Joann Fabric & Craft Stores (the regional alternative with locations in Hixson and on Gunbarrel Road) but deeper in that category. The store carries bolt fabric, pre-cut squares and strips, batting in various weights, thread, and basic notions. The stock reflects what local quilters and home sewers actually buy, not a broad consumer-craft assortment.
Stock, Pricing, and Practical Guidance
Cotton fabric costs between $8 and $14 per yard, depending on brand and print complexity; novelty or designer lines run closer to $14 to $16. Batting ranges from $6 to $12 per yard depending on weight and fiber content (polyester, cotton, or blends). Pre-cut charm packs and layer cakes, sold in bundles of 40 to 42 smaller pieces, cost $10 to $15 per bundle. Thread is priced per spool at $1.50 to $3, with modest bulk discounts. A verification note: fabric wholesale prices shift seasonally; confirm current pricing before planning a large project.
The store does not carry novelty yardage in the volume that Joann does, and does not stock fashion or apparel fabric. For a quilter sourcing a specific coordinated collection or a sewist building a garment wardrobe, Old South's narrower selection requires advance planning or willingness to adapt to available stock. For quilters restocking basics (cotton prints, batting, backing fabric), the store's focused inventory often means faster browsing and staff who know the category intimately.
How It Compares to Other Chattanooga Options
Joann Fabric & Craft Stores in Hixson and on Gunbarrel Road offer broader selection across quilting, apparel, home decor, and craft categories, plus regular sales and coupons (usually 40 to 50 percent off one item). Joann attracts sewers across all skill levels and project types. Old South does not advertise the same discount model; pricing is steady and positioned slightly above everyday Joann pricing but often below Joann's regular (non-sale) tag. Choose Joann if you need fashion fabric, home decor yardage, or craft supplies alongside sewing materials. Choose Old South if you want selection curated specifically for quilters, familiarity with long-time customers' projects, and staff who can discuss batting weight or thread fiber content without the distraction of unrelated merchandise.
Neither store duplicates the niche role of online retailers (such as Etsy fabric shops or mail-order quilting specialists), where print selection is far larger but you cannot touch fabric or get same-day purchase.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
Old South serves Chattanooga's quilting community and home sewers who make blankets, tote bags, or simple garments. It suits repeat visitors who know what they need and prefer local ownership over chain pricing. It does not suit craft hobbyists looking for a one-stop shop, fashion sewists building tailoring skills, or shoppers hoping for deep discounts. It also does not serve anyone needing stretch knits, performance fabrics, or specialty apparel materials.
What the First Visit Involves
Walk-in customers browse bolts organized by color and print style. Staff are available to cut yardage to specification and advise on fabric weight and fiber content. No appointment or consultation fee applies. First-time visitors often spend 20 to 40 minutes selecting fabric and notions. The store does not require membership or registration.
Hours, Location, and Parking
Old South Fabrics operates on Eastgate Drive in North Chattanooga. Hours are typically Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with Monday closure; confirm hours before visiting, as they may adjust seasonally. Parking is available directly adjacent to the storefront. No online ordering or curbside service is currently offered, so in-person shopping is necessary.
Old South Fabrics remains one of the few independent fabric retailers in Chattanooga still operating in a market dominated by Joann and big-box craft chains, serving a specific customer base that values local expertise over promotional cycles.
