Originally Posted by PatriceJ
personally, i don't participate in swaps anymore. i got tired of reading the snide remarks posted by people who'd gotten trades they didn't deem good enough for their precious piles. i was also outraged to find out that at least one member was expelled from a swap because her fabrics and blocks weren't considered "good enough" by one or more of the others.
when someone insists they'll only swap for "shop quality" fabric, what they're really saying is: "i paid a ridiculous amount of money for mine, so don't send me anything that isn't equally outrageously expensive."
it's a country club mentality. it excludes and seperates those who are not fortunate enough to be able to afford to shop in "the shops". it hurts feelings and makes perfectly worthy people feel inferior.
i've said this before and will say it again and again and again: price and source are NOT proof of quality.
most of the fabric in the quilting section at hancock's looks and feels like the fabrics i've seen in shops at much higher prices. yet there are some who won't buy one square inch of it.
most of the fabric i've seen in joann's leaves me cold. yet there are some who absolutely love joann's fabrics.
a small percentage of the fabrics at our local walmart are just as nice as some i've seen in "the shops".
the only fabrics from my stash that have ever bled in the wash have come from shops - with prices starting at $9.99 per yard. some have shrunk, too. a friend of mine paid top dollar for a shop fabric that's so cheesy, i recommended she put a layer of muslin under it for stability.
i received two name brand fabrics that had starting prices of $9.99 per yard. if i hadn't gotten them for a rock-bottom closeout price, i'd have sent them straight back - that's how thin and flimsy they are. if i'd seen them first in person, i wouldn't have paid a dollar for either.
while i'll admit there are other "issues" with walmart fabrics, not one has ever bled on me, and only one has ever shrunk. (not counting the stuff that starts at a dollar a yard. you never know what's going to happen when that goes into the wash.)
no matter what you get, you'd find a line of people who love it ... and another who will turn up their noses in contempt.
buy what YOU like and what YOU can afford. don't worry about anybody else's opinion.
I support my friend Patrice's words with my deed of not swapping anymore either. I loved the fabrics I got from the first few swaps I was in, but I pulled out of a swap because of the HURT issue. I personally don't care where a fabric comes from, how much it cost, or how well it's cut, it's the FRIENDSHIPS and the people that I treasure. If a person doesn't feel their down here on a level of quilting with everyone, experienced or new quilter, then they shouldn't begin a swap! I would suggest rather than hurting ANYONE's feelings or causing rifts and problems, you make your own quilts and that way you are never disappointed or disapproving.
I know of some folks that have left our group for the 'snob factor,' I know of some folks that have left our group for the hurt and painful things said. I will bite my tongue out before I ever let my fingers do the painful things that others seem to feel is their right. To bad the judgin' folk have never had a person put them in their place, IF they could take it. They feel it's their right to be the judge and jury of everyone else's weaknesses rather than searching their own work. Some of the self named experts have posted some pretty questionable work in pictures, but I would never ever discourage anyone's attempt at a very exacting craft.
Last week, as a matter of fact, my favorite LQS received two boxes of quilt tops and backing fabric from a young lady's grandmother's estate. They were made in the fashion of cool blocks, triangle squares, etc, but they were made with fabrics that had been used, worn, or from other torn quilts. We could have tossed them just from the smell factor, the musty smell was horrific. But I brought them all home and hung them on the line for several days. They are all neatly folded and waiting to have batting cut and be machine quilted now. That lady made them for the military and by gum, that's where they'll go!
How badly do you think that granddaughter would have felt if we'd given her the 'snob shop' attitude? How would the three brand new quilters that were in the shop have felt? Do you think they would have shopped there again? Asked questions? Tried anything to do with quilting? I don't think so either.
Just never wonder if you're going to get negative feedback from me, it "ain't" gonna happen. Self discipline is my middle name because my mother taught me manners and never approved me as a judge. She'd have tanned my backside if she thought I even tried that!
Sharon D