Thread: Hard to find items across the pond?

I lived in Italy for three years and that is where I learned to quilt. The lady who taught me was Croatian who moved there from Cyprus. She had a decent stash but I wanted to buy my own. Being Canadian and used to LQS I was looking for one in Italy. I found one, an hour away and it was more of an expensive boutique for us quilting foreigners. Everything was very expensive. So my friend and I hit small shops that sell fabrics to locals and when we found cotton or a blen we bought it. We also went to big outdoor markets where you can haggle for the price. We made due with fabric just fine but all other things were problematic - rotary cutters, mats, and freezer paper. Freezer paper for appliqué was worth it's weight in gold.

Originally Posted by Panchita

As a general rule I would say that everything quilt-related over here (England) is more expensive than in the States.

You also seem to have a lot more brick-and-mortar LQSs than we do.

As someone mentioned, if we do have sales here it is rare for notions to be marked down - so if you are looking for presents for someone in Europe that would be a good starting point!!

There's a guy travelling across the U.S. with a ton (okay, a lot) of bacon, using it to barter for lodging, etc. on his trip. I'd love to try the same thing in Europe with quilting notions and fabric.

If you decide to do this you can certainly barter with me for board and lodgings!

Originally Posted by catmcclure

There's a guy travelling across the U.S. with a ton (okay, a lot) of bacon, using it to barter for lodging, etc. on his trip. I'd love to try the same thing in Europe with quilting notions and fabric.

Originally Posted by catmcclure

There's a guy travelling across the U.S. with a ton (okay, a lot) of bacon, using it to barter for lodging, etc. on his trip. I'd love to try the same thing in Europe with quilting notions and fabric.

Wow, i wonder how far id get with my scraps...i do need sand or a small rock the size of a nickle or quarter from:
stonehenge,the parthenon, great wall of china and the pyramids/sphinx.

Here in Poland, heat n bond, rotary cutters and blades, magazines and books about quilting, cotton batting (never seen it here--we have poly in many different weights).

One thing I'm learning the longer I'm here is that there is a lot more available--like thread on large spools--if you know where to look. The problem is getting someone to help you know where to look! Our choices of cottons is severely limited.