Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • About fabric ... >
  • About fabric ...

  • About fabric ...

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 09-11-2013, 10:48 AM
      #41  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jul 2013
    Location: Houston, TX
    Posts: 9,799
    Default

    Originally Posted by ghostrider
    Well, there are plenty of boutiques, independent businesses, small shops, mom and pop operations, and other wonderful non-chain stores of all types up here in the central reaches of New Hampshire that do not cater to "the obliged" (noblesse oblige?) at all. Indeed, they cater to any and all of us 'just plain regular folk' who cross their threshholds to explore the wonders held within, be it fabric, clothes, prescriptions, or bread, offered at very reasonable prices.

    I agree, choose where and what you buy based on your personal circumstances and preferences, but for me, I will always choose the little local guy over the mega-giant. Always. But then, I'm lucky enough to live in a Hallmark movie kind of place.
    We have tons of independently owned quilt stores here in Texas also. I don't think I've looked at fabric in a big box store in 20 years. We own our own business and I've developed an affinity for small businesses whether they are quilt shops, restaurants, dentists or any other supplier. I support the small businesses that, GASP, listen to what I want and will even special order for me.
    cashs_mom is offline  
    Old 09-11-2013, 11:30 AM
      #42  
    Power Poster
     
    BellaBoo's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2009
    Location: Front row
    Posts: 14,646
    Default

    I rarely shop in a mom and pop store. Don't care for them at all. I grew up with only a mom and pop store and the customers only had a choice of what they wanted to stock. Ask for newer updated items and mom and pop had a choking fit. I'll take a big box store, the bigger the better.
    BellaBoo is offline  
    Old 09-11-2013, 11:30 AM
      #43  
    Banned
     
    Join Date: Jul 2013
    Posts: 102
    Default

    A few years back, when JoAnn's stopped letting you use their 40% off coupon on sale items, a clerk told me that the original JoAnn had passed away and her sons took over and were all about the money, money, money. They had tried for years to get their mom to stop throwing money away, but she was all about taking care of the home sewer. Men just ruin everything!
    Inez Ruth is offline  
    Old 09-11-2013, 11:53 AM
      #44  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Mar 2012
    Location: Texas, USA
    Posts: 5,896
    Default

    Originally Posted by BellaBoo
    I rarely shop in a mom and pop store. Don't care for them at all. I grew up with only a mom and pop store and the customers only had a choice of what they wanted to stock. Ask for newer updated items and mom and pop had a choking fit. I'll take a big box store, the bigger the better.
    I don't mind supporting M & P stores, IF they make it worth my while. By that, I mean treat me with friendly respect. The last several times I went to a particular LQS, I don't think the lady even smiled at me. Maybe she wasn't feeling well or was just tired (both times) but the experience simply didn't make me feel happy to be there (even though I did buy 2 yards of fabric). I probably won't go back, unless I get desperate for a particular fabric.
    Neesie is offline  
    Old 09-11-2013, 12:37 PM
      #45  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: Delmarva Peninsula
    Posts: 1,151
    Default

    I used to live and work in Bedford NH, wish I could get to BF's sale. They always had a great selection! But, connecting threads and hancocks of paducah carry nice fabric, and have great sales. I shop alot on line - closest fabric store doesn't carry a big variety, and then the others are 20-30 miles away. At 2-3 gals a trip, it gets to be expensive, especially as I overshop when I am near a bunch of stores. I hoard more than just fabric. (HE HE)
    nhweaver is offline  
    Old 09-11-2013, 12:43 PM
      #46  
    Junior Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2010
    Location: St.Louis Mo
    Posts: 142
    Default

    I am looking for fabric (1997) linda brannock for moda ...it is muted steel blue with small crescent moon and stars ? Does anyone know where I can find this.I figured that the Quilting board would be the best place to get the help I need in finding this material.Thanks!!!!!
    quilting nurse is offline  
    Old 09-11-2013, 02:22 PM
      #47  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Mar 2012
    Location: Texas, USA
    Posts: 5,896
    Default

    Originally Posted by quilting nurse
    I am looking for fabric (1997) linda brannock for moda ...it is muted steel blue with small crescent moon and stars ? Does anyone know where I can find this.I figured that the Quilting board would be the best place to get the help I need in finding this material.Thanks!!!!!
    Sorry I can't help you but someone else may have seen it. You'd have better luck getting responses, by starting a new thread with your request.
    Neesie is offline  
    Old 09-11-2013, 03:03 PM
      #48  
    Member
     
    Join Date: May 2012
    Location: Coastal Georgia
    Posts: 41
    Default

    I am all for shopping local and do as much of it as I can...that said, when I shop local I expect to be greeted and waited on in a timely manner...you want to wait on your friends first, then I will go away and won't come back. Also if you expect me to pay substantially more money, it needs to be better quality than I can get at the mega chains. It really irks when a small business wants me to pay double for junk...just because they are a small business.

    I think I'm still irked from several years ago when a local business, notorious for lousy service and poor quality, managed to get on a local news station and whined about how the "big box stores were putting them out of business".
    katclock is offline  
    Old 09-12-2013, 04:34 AM
      #49  
    Senior Member
     
    Bneighbor's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2012
    Location: NE Ohio
    Posts: 464
    Default

    My husband owns his own business (almost 40 years, wow went by fast), he owns a truck/semi-tractor trailer shop. If I need a particular service, I check with him as to which of his customers I should call. He works on many "trade" customers. I have called his plumbers, window repair, electricians, etc. My thought has always been that these business support us and we should support them. Almost all of them have been wonderful, prices reasonable, service techs polite, work done timely. After the job was done, I would tell them that we repair their equipment, and most were surprised why I called them to do our work, happy to be used for that reason. One thought I was looking for the job for nothing (absolutely not) or that I was tricking them. I shop local and support local....but the big box stores are also "local". We do repair their equipment, so I do shop their too. If you get to know the employees personally, on a friendly level, you will get the service you are looking for. By the way, those employees at those big box stores are you neighbors. Their children go to school with your children. Pay property taxes, buy groceries, enjoy living in YOUR neighborhood.
    Bneighbor is offline  
    Old 09-12-2013, 04:57 AM
      #50  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2012
    Posts: 1,165
    Default

    We lost Ben Franklin years ago, Joanne used to be Cloth World, and our Hancock's was Northwest Fabric. We also had So-Fro and Woolco sold fabric, so did Michaels when it first opened.

    I won't shop at Wally World. They weren't too good on animal care when they first opened and the fish suffered. So I've boycotted ever since.

    I guess a lot of complaining brought the fabric back to Wally World. About 10 years ago they started shutting down fabric departments. This hurt a lot of people that were miles from another store. Looks like they have brought it back.

    At one time, couldn't shop at any of the fabric and craft stores. Strong smells from the candles and pot-pourri used to make the kid miserable and give me a headache.

    The one thing I really hate about all the stores, including independents is lack of choice. They all follow the same color schemes if not the actual fabric. And all the chain stores are fleece, fleece, fleece. I hate the stuff unless I'm making outerwear. It's hard to find good sweatshirt fleece and ribbing anymore. It's also bad enough with dye lots. Kids gave me a Gutermann case of sewing thread. The thread was all good the year it came out, but now there is enough difference in dye lots that the color is off. This year's burgundy might have more red or blue in it. You have some fabric you really liked and bought extra, and the next couple of years there is no color that really goes with it. I waited about 10 years for a certain shade of aqua and brown mix. I know they need to carry what sells, but if people want something else, don't complain if another section of the country has what you want and you shop online.

    This site has listed a lot of good stores, and if I can get what I have in mind - whether it's a closeout or local preference, I'll start buying online. I "see" an item in certain colors and having to "settle" drives me crazy.
    Weezy Rider is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Julie in NM
    Main
    73
    08-08-2011 02:59 PM
    craftybear
    Links and Resources
    4
    07-27-2011 07:29 PM
    foxxigrani
    Main
    0
    05-17-2009 06:37 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter