rebeljane

I have bought from chain stores, Ebay, online and not very often from quilt shops as in Australia quilt shops can cost up to $32.00 per metre. In other words I buy what I like & what I can afford. I am not a fabric snob LOL

rebeljane

I bought 2 charm packs from Moda and they were not the right size or even square

carolaug

I agree with the Queen...I wait for sales at the LQS's I have a lot around me...so I can always find a good bargin. I find that the fabric is thicker and softer to the touch.

JanieH

I like shopping at my JoAnn's - no close LQS. And I am fortunate that the staff there are knowledgeable, polite, and fun to work with! I do support LQS whenever possible but I have no problem with JoAnn's fabric!

catmcclure

The Museum of Modern Art in New York featured the Gees Bend Quilts and pronounced them masterpieces. I guarantee that the ladies creating those quilts had never entered a LQS, much less bought fabric there.

Making quilts out of "bought" fabric prior to the 50's (and even then sometimes) was unheard of except for the very rich. Feedsacks were just that, they had flour, meal, and chicken feed in them at the store. Anything that was still usable was used to make the quilts. Even the "crazy" quilt kits of satin and lace were bought as a large bundle of scraps from sewing factories.

katydidkg

I shop Joann's and my LQS's..... I too have to drive 35 mi to Joann's, I go with my coupon and most usually find what I'm looking for. I'm very careful and if Joann's fabric doesn't feel nice, it stays on the shelf. They do have some good fabric and have bought many yards from them. I also buy quilt books there since coupons can be used and is a nice discount.

judylg

I know Joannes gets a bad rap, with fabric and service. Some lqs have the same thing, too.

kydeb

I feel the fabric and go by that. I buy from Joann's because they're convenient but their prices for fabric are getting as high at the quilt shops - $12.99 a yard and up. I love Hancock's of Paducah and watch their web sale fabrics. You can get fabric for a great price sometimes. I've worked at the local Joann's several times but the management has totally changed and I only go in if 1 certain person is there. I don't want to deal with anyone else. You have to use what is available and affordable to you. And, yes, I've bought fabric from Walmart too. Again, feel it. If it feels thin, I pass!

coopah

I buy what I like where I like. Period. That's it. I could give a rip if something is "current" or high end or low end. I shop anywhere and rarely pay designer prices for anything. I can do more with money saved without someone else's name stitched/printed on it. Grew up wearing dresses made by my Gram or from the basement of G.C. Murphy's. Thought I'd won big time when I had a "store bought" dress. I know how to look for quality and value and to resist the come ons. I buy greeting cards...NOT from Hallmark (made in China), but from the Dollar Tree (made in USA).
Some folks need to get off their high horses and let newbies enjoy the process of learning. How do you tell a good fabric? Hold it up to the light. If you see lots of light, it's not good for a quilt, but might work fine for a one use item (like a costume). Feel it...smooth and silky...that's great for a quilt. Buy what you can...many quilts from my early days were made from broadcloth or leftovers from my kids' clothes. Whatever you do, as a newbie, enjoy the process and ignore the "know-it-alls." Because they don't ...know it all...only you know what's good for you.

JuneBillie

Me Too!! When I started sewing/quilting, and had fun, I didn't ask anyone's permission if it was ok.