live2teach

Sometimes when quilt shops go out of business, they reduce their prices to what they have in it. Probaly at this price, they wouldn't have been able to pay all of their utilities and workers, etc. BUT, I dislike shoppiing anywhere like that. I really dislike gossipers who constantly are talking awful things behind someones back. What goes around comes around and maybe theirs is coming back around!

Boo

As I work at a very friendly quilt shop, I can tell you first hand that no quality fabric is sold to a quilt shop for $2.50. It would be my guess that they are trying to pay off creditors and not make money. We have often heard these kind of stories of gossiping etc in another shop. Between Pam's shop and this board, I find quilters to be the most sharing bunch. Please don't assume that a bad shop is a good representation of quilt shops in general.

live2teach

Yes, Boo is absolutely right! I have been to a few different quilt shops and so far found all of them to be welcoming and friendly. Not a bad word was said while I was there. The owner's of these shops had introduced me to everyone in the shop and could have talked my ear off. I have yet to shop at a "bad" quilt shop. Now, any other store is a different story. LOL. Also, fabric, good quality fabric is expensive and in order for the quilt shops to stay open they have to raise the price to pay for utilities. When, shops go out of business, obviously they lose ALOT of money and just want to get out from underneath their debts as soon as possible. My aunt had a quilt shop and closed it to be able to stay home with her kids. She was left with all sorts of merchandise, she sold alot of it for what she had in it, just to try to get some of her money back. Owning a business, especially a small business is hard. In a small town, it is even harder. A quilt shop is just about to open here in our small town and I am hoping and praying it stays open and the lady who owns it will profit for years to come.

laparshall

We have a very nice quilt shop in our town, it is a little more expensive than I can afford, but the fabric is beautiful. And they don't seem to mind too much when I just come in and browse. Since I can't afford to buy everything that I want for a particular project from there, I buy maybe one cut of the beautiful fabric, and then maybe purchase the rest from Joanns (I don't shop at Wallmart because of the labor issues). The shop has deals that they toss in every once in a while too. Our shop even has small pieces of fabric they call tidbits. They are just a bit smaller than a fat quarter. They sell them for 50 cents each. So I collect some of them whenever I go in.

Last weekend I travelled up north (Traverse City, Michigan) with my husband for a big Union Conference that he had to attend. I was left on my own for most of the day Saturday. I found a quilt shop in the phone book, and from there, was directed to every shop within a 50 mile radius. One place had a wonderful room set up in their store where they offered cookies and tea or coffee. So you could sit down at a lovely table and take a break before you continued you search for the perfect piece of fabric. They had one room devoted to sale items. I bought quite a lot from that room. My point is that they were so friendly, kind and helpful at each of the shops. I will definately go back when I am in that area. Exploring the quilt shops is also very relaxing to me. I think I may have found a new attraction and a great way to spend time while my guy attends his meetings.
Linda

live2teach

Linda,
I can imagine your excitement when you found the quilt shop. Everytime I hear there is a quilt shop near me that I didn't know about or one that is about to open I get all giddy and excited. LOL. I guess that's a quilter for ya!

laparshall

I was thrilled. My only regret was that I didn't have the time to visit each of them on the list. But it was probably best that I didn't because I picked up so many different projects for Christmas presents. My favorite find was a wall hanging, the Quilt Diva by Amy Bradley. (www.justitdist.com/amybradley.htm) I found her in a shop called the Quilt-N-Bee. She is an appliqué project. I have decided to turn her into a quilt for my mom, who is my best sewing buddy and The Quilt Diva of my family. It sure has been fun digging through all of my stash and scraps to find just the right fabric for each piece. Happy to say, I have only had to purchase a couple of pieces of fabric for it (well at least that is the story I have told my husband). And he is putting the finishing touches on a light box he is making for me. This is my first serious appliqué project. I hope to present it to my mom as her Christmas gift. It will be a challenge to keep it hidden from her when she visits.

live2teach

That will be gorgeous when you get it done! I love this pattern. I like how it calls for button and sequins, that will be neat and fun. Be sure to post pictures when you get it accomplished. You're mother is sure to love it! :D

burnsk

Linda - if you go back up North you need to visit the quilt shop in Indian River (just 2 blocks south of main light) and the Ice House in Grayling (west of the freeway). And if you get the chance, go to the Mercantile in South Lyon. And there's another great shop in Pinckney. She has fat quarters cut for every bolt of fabric in her shop. If you want to shop-hop on your own sometime, LMK. I'm in Ann Arbor. My sister and I started out in Lansing on a Thursday and worked our way north hitting every quilt shop we could find East and West of 127. Then we went back to her cottage and sewed for 2 days. It was a fantastic get-away and great therapy. We stopped in a Ben Franklin in Gaylord on the way home and they had lots of fabric and great clerks.

k_jupiter

qm101,

that's not the one downtown that is in two adjoining buildings is it?

tim in san jose

quiltmaker101

Yes, Quilt Corner is gone, Tim. You could buy their building and start your own shop here! It is only about $170,000.

The closest quilt shop is in Chumuckla (NW of Pensacola) in the boonies.
I think there is another in Destin, but who could afford that?

There are also a few in Mobile, AL that I heard of, but that is over an hour away.

That is why I will be sticking with A and E Pharmacy's fabric dept, Joanns when I have to, and online shopping for now.

Wendy