drdolly

I love our LQS. We are fortunate to have several close and friendly shops here in Ia. I just got back from a gf's daughters wedding in AZ. Boy what a wonderful place to visit. Found some shops in Phoenix area. They were not only friendly but I didn't want to leave. My suitcase was over flowing with fabric that was not seen in Ia. DH asked if I had a good time, what a silly question

jolo

My dream shop is my next door nieghbor. She and her staff all quilt,so needless to say she has everything a quilted needs.Fabric to die for at LLLLLLLLLoooow prices,we live in a rural setting. Books,patterns threads,notions of all kinds. The only thing she did not have was silk thread which I use for my neele turn applique,and silk ribbon for my ribbon embroidery. Not even has that. They all call me Miss Jo and hugs everytime I go in. Thay do this for all their clientele if needed. If someone doesnt like this they dont. It is wonderful.

lindy

It irks me to walk into a smaller type store of any kind and be ignored. I worked in retail and I wanted my customers to know I knew they were in there. If they know you are aware of them, a would-be thief is less likely to steal.

DJ

I've always wondered why they don't put a quilt shop or craft store next door to a good hardware store (so DH doesn't have to bring a book)!

steelecg

I have the perfect place - Happiness is Quilting in McKinney Tx -Staff is terrific - well stocked with material and all sorts of tools - very willing to help and order if necessary - Great place to also get work done if classes aren't using the classroom space

Lostn51

That is the same thing I was thinking. And if they would treat you like a worthy customer and not like a stupid guy that should not even be there.

Billy

karendenice

Great customer service, great advise, great fabrics, quilting supplies, and GREAT SALES and COUPONS. Oh, and within walking distance. I don't have a car. :cry:

AtHomeSewing

My ultimate fantasy quilt shop would have an espresso machine or coffee bar where quilters are encouraged to have a cup of coffee and socialize with each other, or the staff, discussing the great quilts that are on display throughout the store or about the great upcoming classes! :-D

My dream shop would have several spots throughout the store that have a stool and small table where a customer could sit down for a couple minutes and look at bolts next to each other. :thumbup:

It would be not too far from home, would have ample parking, and be roomy, well lit, of course lots of fabric. The staff would ALL be friendly. It would have a great classroom with ample space for each student. It would offer interesting classes, some of which are inexpensive perhaps given by the staff or owner, and some with national-caliber teachers. Of course my fantasy shop would specialize in batiks, having thousands of bolts with new ones arriving weekly! :-D

sam_98

I would like the employees to be quilters, or at least be really knowledgeable. There is one LQS that I frequent (in Florida) where the employees seem to not know much about quilting.

I did lots of quilting eons ago, and am in the process of making my first quilt in years.

My first experience in this store I was picking out fabric. I like to get the fabric that might work, and when I get home I then take my time and decide which fabrics to use. If I need more and see the way the quilt is going to evolve, I must make another trip to LQS, and likely to another LQS too.

I was picking out fabric with my pregnant daughter in law for a baby quilt. We had one fabric we had decided on, and had another fabric we liked. The clerk didn't think the fabrics would look very good together. So we decided not to buy the second fabric. Doesn't she know quilters ALWAYS BUY EXTRA FABRIC..if not used on this project...GREAT for STASH.

As the quilt evolved, the first fabric wasn't used, but the one we DIDN'T buy would work great. So back to LQS to buy the fabric. As the quilt top was nearing completion, and what I had picked for back wasn't wide enough. So back to couple LQS to find a fabric wide enough. The same fabric I had passed on the first time was wide enough. I was going to buy twice what I needed, as I would be going back north and thought I should buy more in case I needed it. I wouldn't be able to come buy more. The clerk acted shocked that I wanted so much. "Why would I buy the extra, when you only need so much." Doesn't she know quilters ALWAYS BUY EXTRA FABRIC..if not used on this project...GREAT for STASH.

Another time, I had questions about thread, but she couldn't answer it. I like to go into a quilt shop, and ask questions, and have them at least know as much as I might know.

Now I expect in this shop they won't know much. I have no idea if it has even been the same person, or different people. Now I am sure the owner is very knowledgable, and when she is there it would be a much different experience.

This shop has BEAUTIFUL, unique fabrics, and has a GREAT feel with all the beautiful fabrics.

As I still need to pick the binding fabric for the current quilt, I hope it isn't the above fabric that would work best. Because I listened to the clerk, and didn't buy the extra.

I would imagine the owner would be horrified that the clerk(s) would discourage buying extra fabric.

Woodster

The quilt shop I love is about 1/2 hour away, and they'll always get my business. They give a FREE 45 minute-l hour lesson on different quilting methods/projects the first Saturday of each month. How great is that?!?! All of the employees, and the owner, are very friendly and personable and always willing to answer questions or point you in the right direction. Quilt Expressions gets my thumbs-up for the way a quilt shop should be run!