I agree that online shopping has really 'exploded' the quilting world. I started quilting in 1992 and had three shops within two hours of me. Now I can shop from my home. I can go to the Pictures section and see some fabric I like and Google it and purchase as much as I need and I'm done shopping.
My favorite shop closed March 7th because of online shopping. She had been open eight years. She couldn't compete with all the fabric choices you can find online. I think that is why quilting has 'exploded' - online shopping and quilting forums like 'The Quilting Board'.