I like to support my LQS when I can - however often it displays a particular pattern/fabric and don't have it in stock. Then I go online where it is usually less expensive - and of course I always find other things I "need".

I know how you feel. We lost our Mill End that was not too far away, but we have a shop on Grand Avenue that is called Treadle Yard Goods here in St. Paul. Marvelous little shop with fantastic fabric - not all cotton if you sew clothing. I like their batiks and they have a section for marked down fabrics and they have a little section for fat quarters. So c'mon in to St. Paul. Also there is a marvelous Mill End in East St. Paul. I got some fabulous stuff there.l I think it is on White Bear Avenue. And another one bites the dust. So sad. Edie

When I go to SR Harris it is a full day and a lot of work. It averages about $6. a yard and you pull the bolts, cut your own, and put back the bolts. It's impossible to go for something specific but generals. The last time I was looking for good I-spy fabrics and found quite a few. They also have flannel, knits, upholstry, thread, zippers, etc. Sad to hear of shops closing.

Saw The Good Wives at the Shop Hop at Wright Patterson AFB last month and planned on going there after the first of the year to buy some fabric. Might need to go sooner than had planned.

yikes!!!!!!!

I am sure I am not alone in not being able to afford to pay $11-14 a yard for fabric, despite my love of the craft! Even the online stores are getting up there. Thankfully, I am on a fabric diet and have a huge stash, so I have pretty much given up buying anything, unless the price is VERY good and what I need cant be found in my "store". I have often thought how grateful I am that I do have a large stash to choose from and much of it was before the double digit prices arrived. Perhaps the manufacturers will take notice and realize they are killing their golden goose with the prices.

One of my favorite shops also closing, even though it was 1 1/2 hrs away. The Cottage Quilt Shop in Taylorsville NC. I will also very much miss the owners, Bill and Cynthia. The desire an enjoyable retirement now. Thanks for everything!!!!!!!!!!

i always come back to the same point: americans have been paying so much less for fabric than the rest of the world for so long, it's hard to feel too bad for you that your prices are rising. lqs fabrics here in canada are up to $20 a meter for some of the premium mills, and average around $14.

textiles are not sustainably priced, even at $20 a meter. once you start to think about the true cost of production - from environmental impact of mass agricultural cotton fields to peak oil shipping - you have to start to think about the ways it all has to change. all of it.

aileen

aileen

I sure hate to hear about all the closings. I miss the days when almost every town had bolt fabric and it was easy to find stores like Cloth World. Fabric was plentiful. When I first started sewing in 1962, I could get some fabric for 4 yards for a dollar. I thought I had really splurged when I paid 50 cents a yard and 25 cents for a dress pattern. Of course we didn't earn much either. Just remembering. :)

I have travel many miles to quilt shops to find what I want for a project, but I have found my favorite shop within forty-five minutes away. Thread Bears, in Cumming, Georgia, is my place to go. They have wonderful sales, so go on line to check them. They are very friendly and most helpful.