kittiebug

shop on line , where I live there are 3 shops two of them I don't go in( the ladies ??) are nasty . they talk about
everyone .. so on line I shop there lose .

sewnclog

Many of the quilt stores that were close to me are gone. One is 45 miles - one way - IF it is still in business; the other one I have been going to for almost 20 years and go often but it is 55 miles - again, one way but I enjoy taking classes there and have some good friends I've developed over the years. IF they don't have what I want, then it is online for me; MSQC and Fabric.com.

sewnclog

SusieQOH, Be sure to visit Pine Tree and there is another one; can't remember the name off hand; Miller's I think. I've not been there but my sister has gone there; a great place too. She goes up there for their 'shop hops'. Have fun. I'm jealous! Shop for me too. Terrie

Gerbie

You are all lucky to have shops fairly close by. The nearest place I have is 85 miles one way, there is a JoAnns and a Hobby Lobby and the Wal Mart there still sells some fabric one quilt shop, next town with fabric is 100 miles one way. Glad I have a fairly good stash, but if I am not going to be in the town where these are and I need something I have to order on line and I have started choosing Missouri Sar, quick and have been satisfied so far. It isn't easy trying to find a needed color to match unless you can see the fabric in person.

Garden Gnome

Since Hancocks Fabrics (not the Paducah one) closed up, we only have Hobby Lobby and Walmart to get lower cost supplies and fabric. We have one quilt shop, which sells machines too, but they don't carry a lot of non-quilting supplies. On line, I buy from Missouri Star, and have always appreciated their service and selection. I think I am going to sign up with JoAnn's, to be able to buy non-quilting stuff. My grand daughters are wanting more doll clothes for their "My Life" dolls, which are similar in size to American Girl dolls. But at least I have found a place on line to find small separating zippers for a doll clothes! Yay!

SuziSew

As DogLady mentioned, a good place to find new or different shops is the monthly FabShop Hop: https://www.fabshophop.com/mbr_signin.asp I've ordered from several different places and have never had a problem...so far (fingers crossed!)

As to where I buy, as much as I can I try to support the independent quilt shops to make sure they stay in business, but it often depends on what I'm looking for, so I get some things at Jo Ann's but frankly, I haven't been happy with the fabric quality so I stick mainly with tools, needles, thread etc...

Since you aren't looking for large quantities, you might consider watching the remnant bins or some on-line shops have short cuts. I've bought from Thousands of bolts and gotten some really good deals and they also sell fat quarters, not all online places do. https://www.thousandsofbolts.com/ind...category_ID=24

As for going to your "local" shops, I guess I don't consider 40-50 mile round trips that bad but that's just me. But, in your case I would probably just keep a list until it made it worth the trip.

As for the specialty techniques, your best be may be YouTube if the independent shops don't know what you are wanting to learn. You may want to see if there are local quilt guilds/clubs that you can join.

I'm sure others have and will give you good advice, the Quilt Board is a great resource of information and help!

Welcome!

Sunny580

I don’t make large quilts anymore so one of my favorites on line is https://www.quiltedtwins.com. Love their fat quarter bundles. Flat rate shipping is $5.00.

quilt9226

There are 2 JoAnns and 2 Hobby Lobbys within 8 miles from my home. No LQS close although there are 3 in my hometown, although I only shop at one of them (my reasons for not shopping at the other 2 are negative and I won't publicize my reasons since they are personal preference) I have had good experiences with Marshall Dry Goods for batting and 108" backing. I do buy interfacing and non-quilting things and did buy backing fabric for a full size quilt at JoAnn and bought gold fabric at Hobby Lobby because it was the exact color I needed but I do not need fabric. Fabric Depot in Portland has sales quite often and from Memorial Day to Labor Day they have their outdoor sale where you can find all sorts of great deals. Since one of my sisters lives in the Portland area, I try to stop at Fabric Depot when I am on my way to visit.

carolynjo

I really miss Hancock's Fabric store now that it is gone. I shopped there a lot!!!

PamelaOry

I try to buy local to support brick and mortar stores, I also have taken classes with several of the stores in my area. I have 4 quilt shops within 1/2 drive. One is retiring after 35 years and even though it’s not my favorite one, I will miss it.

I also shop shop online mostly at MSQC and fat quarter shop, and I just put in my first order to Jordan’s fabrics.

i found myself at fabric depot in Portland one day while in the area on an errand. I just stood there stunned for a full five minutes. All those beautiful, quality fabrics! I don’t really buy fabric from Joanns anymore, it feels so thin and whisky to me now. I guess I’ve become a fabric snob.