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From reading many of the board posts I know I am not the only one living in an area that does not have the quilting materials that I am used to having readily available. So here is my question where do you shop? My closest quilt shops are between 40 and 100 mile round trips and selection is limited at best. I have most of the “toys” but want to do some shadow and white work and trapunto. When I say that at a shop I get these blank stares along with what’s that?

I am am not a bed size quilter so the quantities of fabric and batting I want are relatively small.

Thanks for all suggestions

Sadly, many LQS' stay in their own world and look at as us as though we are green,
when we go outside their own world and comfort zone.

I learned very quickly .... I don't say, I saw it on the internet.
Rather, I now will say .... a friend told me about this ...
... and will be as specific and knowledgeable as I can be along with product/brand names etc.


As for distance ... I guess it is all in perspective ...
... a 40 mile round trip is pretty much what I am used to for most things.
Unless of course, I can't do errands while en route.

For example, there is one quilt store I really like but seldom get to.
It's no further than others I do go to.
However, it is in the opposite direction of my normal travel patterns
for groceries, medical, banking, etc.
For sure, it is a real treat, when I do get to go there!

I have a ton of quilt shops within driving distance but because of time limitations, not wanting to drive the traffic or whatever, I often just order online. I saw a woman at a bee with one of the most awesome hand embroider hoops. I didn't want to schelp around to LQS, Hobby Lobby, Joann and wherever else to find one so I ordered it from Amazon. Came to my door in a few days.

I occasionally order fabric online if I find a collection I really want or a good sale, but that's a bit limited. To match things, I have to be F2F with the colors.

I buy my batting in queen rolls from Amazon or Walmart, my needles bulk on Amazon, my thread on Red Rock Threads and my fabric comes from either Joanns (although less and less cause mine are super crowded and not convenient to me or anywhere near my normal living patterns either), Stitch Stash Diva, Green Fairy Quilts, Fabric.com (they take forever to ship but my last order I got three generous end of bolts thrown in free), Sew Crazy (LFS), Honey Bee Quilting (LFS, huge backing selection here).

that does not sound too bad, but I live rural and the nearest gas station is a 30 mile round trip.

I keep track of ideas, and then when I am out, I look for deals to get the supplies I'd be interested in. And if I get an idea and don't have the supplies on hand, it gets put on the back burner until the next time I'm out and about. Seems DH and I get into the "big city" of Sioux Falls about once a month, and they have two quilt stores plus a JoAnnes and Hobby Lobby. And if we are willing to travel farther, there are two more quilt shops not that much farther away.

If I want something particular and I don't need to match color, then I will order online. It took me two years to collect the 12 fabrics I needed for my sister's quilt, and most of them I got on a trip to MSQC. I buy for my stash when I find deals and am traveling.

A trip for us to get to a quilt store or a Joanns is 45 min. We get there about every couple of weeks so I understand about distance, selection. I shop there of course and fill in with online. I like Missouri Star Quilt Co. They have daily deals - some are crazy amazing and a flat $5 shipping. I like fabric.com but like to purchase $50 to receive free shipping. I just heard of Marshall Dry Goods from this board and although I have not shopped there - yet - they really seem to have a great selection and good prices and a very fair shipping charge - $6.56 up to 10 yards! It's just fun to shop no matter how I get it in!

Ooops, $6.45 for shipping from Marshall Dry Goods. Sorry about that!

There are many fabric shops on line:

Hobby Lobby
JoAnn's
Marshall's Dry Goods
Thousands of Bolts
Fabric.com

These are just a few that carry fabric. The last three shops listed have better quality fabric than Hobby Lobby and especially JoAnns.

If you need sewing supplies there is:

Walmart
Amazon
Craftsy
Connecting Threads (also has fabric)

Although you cannot touch the merchandise before you buy, you can shop in the privacy of your own home, save gas and find what you want. Often times you can find a better deal on supplies than you can find in the stores.

I order almost exclusively online. My favorite place is Missouri Star. They have daily deals and 5.00 shipping. I happen to love Moda fabrics so I always know what I'm getting. There are other lines that I like too. Their customer service is wonderful. Shipping was problematic for awhile but I think they figured it out because my orders get here quickly.
I really don't like quilt shops that much. The only time I go is when my husband and I are out of town. It's fun to see what they have and I will buy but not locally. We used to have a fantastic quilt shop in Columbus but they sold it. I'm not crazy about the ones we have left. I'm not speaking for all quilt shops but in my experience they aren't very friendly or helpful and prices are ridiculous.
I also like Craftsy for supplies. They have great customer service.
We're going to Amish country on Tuesday so I expect I'm going to go wild in their shops :)

I seldom shop online for fabric, unless its precuts. I do shop online for tools or else use Joann's coupons. I'm lucky I live in the city and even though we've lost several quilt shops, Trains and Fabrics has a super selection. Probably 7000 bolts of fabric in the store. And I have yet to see any over $12.00 a yard and most is $8 to $10.