I found a Quilt Shop
 

Well I was driven there. I have made no bones in the past that I cannot afford the prices in most Canadian quilt shops and for that reason have shopped almost exclusively from the states on line.
But today some friends made the necessary appointment and we drove, only a half hour from my house to a small in house ( literally) shop in the country. OMG prices I can afford. :D

http://carolinequilts.blogspot.ca/

This is the entry to her shop. I bought and I will return.
So if you live in southern Ontario it might be worth a gander.
(Hope the board allows this to stay???)

Lucky you! From what I can see, there is no online store yet? I'm just north of Montreal, Quebec. I'd love to buy from a Canadian source at reasonable prices.

I'm so glad for you. A good quilt shop is few and far between even in the states. A new shop opened not far from me and I was so disappointed in it. Small bright and lots of quilt samples hung but fabric started at $11.99 a yard. Sale fabric was $10.50 a yard and all of the notions and thread were marked up way over retail. I know retail prices of all things quilting. I bought a pattern to show support but I knew the pattern was marked $2 over retail. I won't be back until there is a going out of business sale.

How wonderful that you have a LQS now! And so close to home... Now you get to save those nasty shipping charges, LOL! It's a great feeling to be supporting a local business, too. Hope she does well.

I've sent an email about booking an appointment!

Wish her well in her business.

I'd love to know where this store is. I thought that I had visited every quilt shop in Southern Ontario and I've never heard of it and her blog posts aren't telling me.

Good for you Mary Katherine!

I try really hard to support small quilt shops. I can only imagine how difficult it is for them to compete with the big online stores.

Enjoy!

Postal address would be Kitchener. She's tucked up near #8 close to Chincopee

I have had quilting friends visit Canada and so disappointed in the prices of fabric that you guys have to pay for. Glad that you found a small shop that can have affordable prices. Enjoy!

Hope it works out for you for a long time to come...

Hope it works out for you for a long time to come....

Wow that is great.....I know I am always looking for better prices here in Canada for sure

I just sent you a private message

Caroline's fantastic isn't it? I was there a couple of weeks ago when my guild was on retreat in Cambridge. i'm just amazed that she knows where every bolt of fabric is just by looking at it.

thanks for the post, I will try to visit this summer. it is great to find a place affordable I live northwest of London so it will be a nice day trip

Southern Ontario
 

I live in Michigan but was travelling last weekend and visited 2 lovely shops, 1 in Port Elgin "Shoreline Quilts" and 1 in Tillsonburg "Cherished Pieces". Owners and staff made us very welcome and they had wonderful fabrics.

I found this old thread and thought I would revive it for other newbie quilters in Canada looking for affordable fabric. I love to support local business, but can't afford to continue this hobby at Canadian prices. Even with our exchange and shippings, it's usually a better value for me to order online from the U.S.

I don't see anything on the blog regarding store hours? Does she run the business from home? Do I need to make an appointment? I live in Oakville, so it's just over an hours drive for me, would love to visit the store.

Edited to add: Found her hours of operations and it's by appointment. I'll be sending her an email today.

Yes, new stock fabrics tend to be high priced and make us hesitate.

However, there are still LOTS of bargains in the Ontario LQS' ... you just have to look around a bit.
Getting to know the stores, helps.
Some have specific areas to look for the discounted or ends-of-lines.
Some have special sales.
Some offer % off, if you buy over so many metres, or finish a bolt, etc.

Then there is always Lens to check out ....... and what is at one, may not be at the other.
Although, they will check the other store and transfer it for you.

Plus there are getting to be more and more in-home and online shops like the one in this thread.
Some will allow you to come and shop. Some only allow pick-ups for online orders.
And some keep to the true online experience and will only mail to the buyer.
Again, you just need to get familiar with them.

Caroline's was at the local quilt show this past weekend (Norwich) and she had an awesome booth. I picked up her card to book an appointment to visit her shop at a later date.

I agree! I love supporting my local people. If I have to pay an extra dollar, I figure I can afford it because I won't have to pay shipping. Sometimes I can buy cheaper at the big box stores, but I'd rather spend the extra and have the nice little independent stores there when I need them.