doris.meek13088

I regularly buy fabric online for my stash but have learned to only buy name brand. I do buy from my local quilting stores (because everything is just so beautiful) but I can not afford to use this as my only purchse place. My favorites are fabric.com (free shipping after $35 and great sales) fatquartershop.com and ebay (but you must be more careful reading the description and I usually only buy (now that I have learned) from either somebody I had a good experience previously or am looking for a specific fabric.

QKO

Speaking as an online seller, here's a couple of things you can do to make everything come out right since almost everyone's computer monitor is different, and pictures can vary a lot in terms of how they represent the colors.

First, if at all possible, buy your coordinating fabrics from the same line as your focus fabrics. Buying your blenders from the same manufacturer's lines will often help make sure you get good color coordination as well. This will help assure you that you are getting good color matches, if that's what you're after.

Second, call the store owner and ask! If you see something you like, or have something that's on their website, and want to coordinate with it, there's nothing wrong with calling and asking. This may not work with larger online mega-stores, but most online shops are small operations that are happy to help you coordinate.

Third, if you're in doubt, ask for a small sample of fabrics you're considering. Obviously you need to be a little conservative about how many you ask for, but there's nothing like having a small strip or sample in hand to make sure that's what you need before you order.

If you're trying to coordinate with something you already have, why not send a little swatch to the store to have them try to coordinate it for you? Most small online shops are very happy to help you with your project.

Make sure that the online shop you're buying from has a fair return policy, just in case you totally don't get what you expected. However, be fair to the shop and try to do your share to make sure a return isn't necessary very often.

More people are going to be shopping online as fuel prices skyrocket making trips to the LQS more expensive. It pays to do a little due diligence when you're shopping online as well.

Pat75

I buy on line from Hancocks Of Paducah and have for more than 10years
They are most generous in their cuts always an extra few in.I shop them frugally and stay with their web specials.THe quality of the fabrics is top of the line.They are all top quilting manufactures.THe price range is awesome and the cheapest cost is still the expensive stuff. I have been very happy with color . My monitor gives me what I have been pleased with.When they have a big sale I often call to get a choice of what is still available.They are most helpful.

jlwheart

I try to support the local shops in my town, but if they don't have what I want, I go to the net. QB gave me a tip on a site and I was very pleased. They had what I needed for less incl cost to ship. I second it that it is bad form to pre-shop LQS then buy that fabric online. What can happen, happened here, a LQS went out of business. I think about losing my favorite shop and all that she provided; classes, a place to lay out a quilt sandwich, meeting place, and experienced info when I had a problem. Yes there are other places to get info, but... it's a loss. The net is changing how we do business and makes so much more avail. But that connection, info. & hands on help is still sought after, at least by me.

Gabrielle's Mimi

I agree with previous posts about not "pre-shopping" and then buying online. I have nothing against online businesses, but be aware that if we don't support our LQS, then one day they will not be there! I personally have used websites when I am trying to match a discontinued fabric line to finish a quilt, etc. but for all general shopping I support my LQS. Once they are driven out of business, where will you go to check colors and the hand of fabrics??? Besides, don't you think it's a little rude to use the services of your local shop owners in order to go order elsewhere? Let's keep jobs in our towns and let's keep local shops open for our own shopping fun! (full disclosure: I teach at a LQS, but they sell machines almost exclusively, very little fabric.)

lovelyl

I agree we should support our LQS! Keep in mind, however, that some people live an hour or more away from a LQS and find it necessary to purchase online.

VernaL

I try to always shop at my LQS and they have a good selection. But I also shop online alot. I've had very good luck buying fabric to go with something that I already have. I must have a good monitor, because I've never had a color problem. I usually shop at eQuilter.com because they carry well known brands. I've never been disappointed. I've probably used them for 10 or more years. But, I have bought at eBay and Keepsake Quilting and never been disappointed either.

seamstome

I buy alot of my fabric online and at shows. I definitely pre-shop shows for later online purchases. I will pre-shop a LQS, in that they may not carry the whole line but I do get a concept of the colors. But if they have it I buy it there--only fair. Colors, you pretty much cannot match.

lfstamper

I love shopping online. Usually color is very close to what you see. Great prices.

callen

I have never shopped for fabric online until this past Christmas when Connecting Threads had a sale & I thought "why not". I was not looking for specific fabrics so I purchased some to add to my inventory & the colours were good & the quality was super. Delivery was super fast considering it was just prior to Christmas. I have since ordered more from C. Threads & have not been disappointed thus far.