GrandmaLiz

I don't believe it's greed at the LQS level. The prices they are being charged to buy the fabric wholesale is much more than it was. Too many of the LQS shopkeepers have gone out of business because they couldn't make ends meet. As with lots of other things, we have a choice of whether or not to spend the money. And we DO want them to have enough helpers so we don't have to wait in long lines to have our fabrics cut or to pay for them. We DO want to buy our fabrics in light and bright places. All those things take money too. (BTW, I'm NOT a shopkeeper, nor am I related to any, but I'm missing those shops that have gone out of business so owners could take more lucrative jobs to help feed their families! Meanwhile, I'm working a lot from my stash because the nearest shops aren't convenient for a quick "run.")
p.s. Do you remember when you could buy a gallon of gas for 19 cents? $3.27 per gallon was the CHEAP price this weekend between Atlanta and St. Petersburg, FL.

bpkpenguin

EVERYTHING costs too much!! My husband says it's because industry doesn't want to see people revert to the "old ways" and doing for ourselves instead of buying pre-made. I think that alot of it is greed. When quilting made a big resurgence in popularity recently, I think prices really started to climb. Our local quilt shoppes want us to shop with them, and not on-line, but the average price per yard at my nearest Quilt Shop is $12.00 a yard!! I can shop on-line and get the same thing for $8.00. Yes, you have real people in a local store that can help you make your choices, but we have an awesome group of quilters that meet once a week for a Sit-n-Sew and we all help each other there. I won't shop at Wal-Mart for fabric because the quality isn't the same, but the "big box" stores are starting to carry some better quality names/designers at a more reasonable price. And yes, there are always those 40%, 50% and bonus discounts to help us out!! If Quilt Shops aren't more considerate to our pockets, they are going to price themselves right out of business!

Charleen DiSante

LOL, yes, and we could all probably stop buying for a while and still make enough quilts for at least America and maybe even for another country.

jaciqltznok

sadly the eco damage from making bamboo into batting is not worth the effort to keep it on the market...I hope it goes away soon!

patdesign

OK ready for the laugh of the day? Social Security says we get a 3% cost of living increase. I will tell you now that wont even cover the increase in oj much less gas, and other food. SO we social security based quilters just have to suck it up until we can get a new administration that can put some controls on spending and create more jobs. Done with my soap box now.

valsma

At least you get SS, I figure by time i'm old enough they will have raised the age or there just won't be any. Sucks when you pay into something your entire working life and will probably never reap the rewards, if it can be called a reward. Oh well, that is life. Kinda like paying a fortune into workers comp and never using it. I demand a refund. LOL

gramma nancy

I have been reading the debate between cotton prices and greed and decided to check it out. I am a researcher by nature and need the facts rather than contribute my uninformed speculation.

Take a look at:

http://www.indexmundi.com/commoditie...ton&months=120.

The chart shows cotton prices for the last 10 years (the prices are in cents, so 120 is $1.20.)

As recently as early 2009, cotton prices were below 60 cents per pound. From mid-2010 through early 2011, they soared, reaching more than $2.26 per pound. As of Friday, the price was 88.6 cents per pound. Great news for cotton producers, not so good for buyers of cotton products.

I don't know how long it takes for the farm price to be reflected in the market price of cotton products, but if this trend continues, prices we see in the shops should be declining.

Hope this helps shed some light on the situation.

misseva

I haven't read all comments but I pay the fuel bills where I work and I KNOW that fuel prices are the biggest cause of increased prices at all stores. Plus utiities are going to just get higher because of EPA rules. I agree with another poster, we need to pray for our coutnry like never before.

Treasureit

You have a very good memory!

GlitzyMe

It seems everyone can increase their prices and have a good reason why but the consumer is the final one to pay the high price. The COL for SS was a joke this year. Doesn't even cover the increase in a tank of gas.