when people on the board say they purchased the fabric at their LQS - does this include Hobby Lobby or Hancock Fabrics? I've seen some fabric listed as LQS when I know I've seen the same fabrics at these two chain stores.. or maybe they carry the same fabrics as the LQS??

just wondering??

Often Hobby Lobby and Joann's has the same fabric as the LQS. There is just so much fabric made and all shops carry it. Even the local "$1.99 Fabric Store" has LQS fabric. Marden's in Maine has it. The line is getting thinner and thinner between LQS and other fabric.

I guess I have to disagree with Holice. You really can't make generalizations as to what a LQS carries for stock. LQS are owned by individuals. These individuals decide which fabric lines to purchase. My 4 or 5 local, LQS carry fabric and manufacturers that I've not seen at any Big Box type store. You aren't going to see Moda, for example, at Joannes. Not yet anyway.

I have visted many a fabric shop only to see the same items carried at the high dollar quilt shops for about double the price. I have travelled to Marshall's and purchased the same fabric for $2.99 that I found at 3 local quilt shops for $10+. They all buy from the same wholesalers. Yes, the major fabric companies have company refs that visit the stores with all kinds of sample booklets but they work on commission, too. I noticed one of our higher priced LQS had some of the cheaper printed batiks that normally are $4 on ebay and a little higher elsewhere were marked $10.90.
Whether it comes from a LQS isn't relevant but it being 100% cotton certainly is. Just because the fabric comes from a LQS doesn't mean it is the best quality.

LQS to me , is the locally owned quilt shop..
Joanns, michaels sell other things..so not a quilt shop. to me anyways.

nearly all LQS (local quilt shop) are small businesses. the owners can't spread their overhead expenses across several outlets.

because location is a critical element to LQS success, they are often found in high-rent areas.

an LQS can't afford to gamble on buying in volume, either, so they are not as likely to get the deeeeeeeep discounts a chain store can negotiate.

a smart LQS owner will "compensate" her customers for the higer prices by offering other services not normally found at chain stores. they include, but are definitely not limited to:

1. personal assistance in selecting fabrics
2. special orders of fabs not in stock
3. classes
4. personal advice or quick tips/instructions regarding techniques
5. either in-house machine sales and/or repair or referrals to reputable dealers/repair shops in the area

the list goes on, of course, and will vary from shop to shop.

it's a shlep for me to shop for fabs any places except walmart or online. the nearest LQS to me keeps her prices fairly competive with one of the major chains. sooooo ... guess where i stop first if i'm in search of something so special i'm willing to pay full price. :lol: