You can go online to the magazine's website and print the quilt patterns off that you like. Most of them offer that service just to try to get you to suscribe.Kinda silly really,when the only reason I bought the magazines in the first place was the quilt patterns. A lot of the quilt catalogs offer free quilt patterns too. I really don't remember when I bought a quilt magazine. I get all of my patterns online and from the library and used quilt books I find at yard sales.

The older ones did have a lot of helpful tips and advice on quilting.I learned a lot from those magazines.The ones I pick up now to look at only have 85% product advertising and 15% quilt patterns. I know that advertising is a neccessery part that every magazine has to have to stay in business.but all they seem to do now is push the products, not have a great magazine about quilts and the quilting techniques.

As I said earlier in this interresting thread, I've let all my subscriptions lapse. Have been revisiting my stash of 20years worth of mags, due to the hot weather and realised, that A I really don't need anymore and B I found so many patterns I wasn't interrested in, but my taste seems to have changed and I do like a lot of them now. At least 10 years worth of patterns to choose from. If not more. started 2 today

I agree. I used to spend a lot of time browsing my quilt magazines, new and old issues. I don't know if it is me, but I am getting bored with it too. But my problem is that there is project possibility overload. I want to do all of them and don't seem to get started on any...

So true! Whenever I need inspiration - or a jump start to get busy (!) I browse the old mags, or the patterns I've cut out & stored in binders. Seeing all the patterns gets me going again. And you're also right about tastes changing. Many patterns I did not like at the time, I do now. Guess there's always hope for growth & stretching one's interests. :thumbup:

[quote=rob529]thats a scam...be careful...I get them on just about every magazine that is due to expire...two payments of $25.95..yeah sure :thumbdown:

I stopped my subscriptions and when I am in BooksAMillion, Borders, Walmart, Krogers I flip through them. While flipping, if I dont see one thing that catches my eye, I put it back down. Just seems to be the bright/in your face colors now, and that doesnt appeal to my taste. Also, if you have been quilting for say 20-years or so, I believe you have just about seen the core of quilting patterns. I still enjoy my books though.

I only subscribed to two quilt magazines, but have let both lapse. I still subscribe to two magazines, but they are online subscriptions now (Quilters World and F&P's Love of Quilting). I love these because they are a bit less expensive than getting hard copies, and with both mags I not only get the year I paid for, but two years of back issues as well, so that's really getting three years worth of magazines for the price of one. :-D

it seams we are all in agrement. I only get one magazine and that is because it comes with the subscription to QCA
Another problem is sitting at the computer for hours. I love what it gives me but my eyes glaze over.

patchpoket

I prefer reading quilting blog websites or this quilting forum. I have learned so much right here.

Yep!, it's a tough balance between the computer & the sewing machine. One gives me ideas & conversation,the other I get things done!!

When I look at the "new" patterns real close,I notice that they are the old patterns with 1 or 2 variations. That's one of the reasons I don't buy quilt magazines other than the price.

I tore up two renewal notices today - Quilters Newsletter and Quilter mags. It's not that they are bad it's just that there is so much redundency and nothing much inspiring anymore in them. I've saved the patterns that appealed to me and put them in a binder for years. I won't live long enought to do them all or finish the kits I have on hand or use up all the fabric. I've got to stop looking and start doing. I have so many UFO it's just terrible. I made a 2011 pledge to finish each one - one at a time. Previously I would work a little here and a little there and never get anything done. Not now. It's a new year. (wooooo - pumped myself up - think I will take a little nap).

I've let my subscriptions go dead too. The only one I still get is Quiltmaker. Not excited about that lately. My new precious husband got me two subscriptions for Christmas, wish he had asked me first.....not interested in either one.....wanted Quilting Arts, think that is the name, it is loaded with new techniques. Am leaning toward the more arty pieces and trying to think outside the box so to speak.

I looked at the covers of two mag yesterday (to put away) and one is a variation on sq/in/sq and flying geese and the other is a variation of 9patch on point with strips between. It seems like same-o-same-0...

I'm hoping publishers are reading this thread, at least they should, they're losing alot of sales. In the meantime we've made it to 20 pages of comments, is this a record?

That's what I'm hoping!! With hard copy mags & books having a hard time keeping up w/internet, Kindle, etc they need to DO something to keep their subscribers happy. They need to jazz things up a bit (a lot?) or they will find themselves amongst the dinosaurs.

Perhaps we should write to them and explain why we haven't renewed our subscriptions? Actually, that's what I am going to do, can't wait for the replies, if any.

My guess is that you will get a -

'thank you for taking the time to write. We appreciate hearing from our readers. We are pleased to inform you that our team is in the process of making some major changes in our magazine. We are very excited about the new look and helpful information coming your way. We hope that you will stay with us and enjoy these new changes. Sincerely,...'

Think??

Yep, standard reply!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How about...to show our appreciation, please accept 1 free year of great quilting....when you buy one!

I do that too. being on a pension I cannot afford to waste money on books that are not worth buying. I get them from my quilt group or buy it if as you said more that 3 things of interest in them.

I did the exact same thing. When I first started quilting quite a number of years ago, I subscribed to every one there was. I was so enchanted by the whole process of quiltmaking. Now little by little I've let them lapse. I think I got rid of Quilters Newsletter first, then American Patchwork & Quilting, then Fons & Porter's. This year I've dropped McCall's Quilting and Quilter's World. I'm down to just a couple now, but I'll be letting them expire too. I have saved almost all of the old issues. They're all in black magazine holders, in order by year and month. I can find one I'm looking for instantly. So, for the rest of my quilting life I'll use the patterns from the magazines I already have. There are more than enough. Of course I also download free patterns whenever I find one I love. Think of the money I can save and spend on more fabric!! But that's a whole other story.

8-)

TOO funny!! :lol: :lol:

I, too miss Simply Quilts. I used to watch it religiously. I don't like their on-line show either. As far as I'm concerned there is no other show that can compare with Simply Quilts.

8-)

Went to the grocery store last week- picked-up a quilt magazine called Quilt almanac 2011 wasn't any thicker then regular quilt magazine, got to the check-out and it was $9.95. Today went to same store looked at magazine's and there was a different magazine and it was $9.95. nothing in it, same old stuff. I looked at the price this time, didn't buy it.elise

My mom and I both feel that way, there is nothing in magazines that I have a desire to make. Nothing like they us to be.

Not only quilt magazines but books and patterns. Twice lately I've seen a pattern in a new book only to find that when I look inside the pattern isn't in the book and later to find it advertised as a block of the month and I don't want a quilt the same colors as 100 others. Most of the patterns I look at only give the yardage for a wall hanging or small quilt and if I have to stop and figure it out why buy the pattern?

Many seem to be showing a line of fabric and a lot of the fabric lately is not to my liking. I did get a digital subscription to both Fons and Porter and to Quilters World. I really like that you can download what you want and don't have to have magazines stacking up.