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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.

Exactly my way of thinking too. I know if I go to the physical stores I will spend more money buying things I didn't know I needed. LOL

If you are interested in finding a large list of online shopping opportunities, check out the FabShopHop. They have a really large group of stores and it is fun to check them out just for their differences in merchandise and "personality".

Isn't that the truth!

I also recommend Hancock's of Paducah (Ky). They offer a large selection of fabric and excellent customer service.

I like many on-line shops like Fabric.com but find that they and others do sell through Amazon at the same price, so I can get many fabrics with a one-stop-shop one one order.

Since I have so many, many yards of fabrics I only remnants of kid prints for my donation quilts. I always find something in my 'magic' closet to go with them. Wal Mart and Hobby Lobby is good enough for me. Although my Daughter and I made a trip to Hancocks in Paducah and I stock up while there.

Cost me $13.50 to have fabric shipped from Marshall’s so I usually buy a lot there. I have purchased the bundles flat $40 fed ex fee 108” wide backings are so so reasonable there. Same $40 fed ex fee if I buy a bundle. The fabric is very nice too

I am fortunate to have three LQSs within 15 minutes of my home...they are all unique in their own way but offer classes, space for group Sit & Sews and all are friendly. I like to support the brick & mortar businesses as much as possible so buy very little online.

That was going to be my suggestion, too.

Also Whittles. They have a nice selection and good prices.

Amazon owns fabric.com

shop on line , where I live there are 3 shops two of them I don't go in( the ladies ??) are nasty . they talk about
everyone .. so on line I shop there lose .

Many of the quilt stores that were close to me are gone. One is 45 miles - one way - IF it is still in business; the other one I have been going to for almost 20 years and go often but it is 55 miles - again, one way but I enjoy taking classes there and have some good friends I've developed over the years. IF they don't have what I want, then it is online for me; MSQC and Fabric.com.

SusieQOH, Be sure to visit Pine Tree and there is another one; can't remember the name off hand; Miller's I think. I've not been there but my sister has gone there; a great place too. She goes up there for their 'shop hops'. Have fun. I'm jealous! Shop for me too. Terrie

You are all lucky to have shops fairly close by. The nearest place I have is 85 miles one way, there is a JoAnns and a Hobby Lobby and the Wal Mart there still sells some fabric one quilt shop, next town with fabric is 100 miles one way. Glad I have a fairly good stash, but if I am not going to be in the town where these are and I need something I have to order on line and I have started choosing Missouri Sar, quick and have been satisfied so far. It isn't easy trying to find a needed color to match unless you can see the fabric in person.

Since Hancocks Fabrics (not the Paducah one) closed up, we only have Hobby Lobby and Walmart to get lower cost supplies and fabric. We have one quilt shop, which sells machines too, but they don't carry a lot of non-quilting supplies. On line, I buy from Missouri Star, and have always appreciated their service and selection. I think I am going to sign up with JoAnn's, to be able to buy non-quilting stuff. My grand daughters are wanting more doll clothes for their "My Life" dolls, which are similar in size to American Girl dolls. But at least I have found a place on line to find small separating zippers for a doll clothes! Yay!

As DogLady mentioned, a good place to find new or different shops is the monthly FabShop Hop: https://www.fabshophop.com/mbr_signin.asp I've ordered from several different places and have never had a problem...so far (fingers crossed!)

As to where I buy, as much as I can I try to support the independent quilt shops to make sure they stay in business, but it often depends on what I'm looking for, so I get some things at Jo Ann's but frankly, I haven't been happy with the fabric quality so I stick mainly with tools, needles, thread etc...

Since you aren't looking for large quantities, you might consider watching the remnant bins or some on-line shops have short cuts. I've bought from Thousands of bolts and gotten some really good deals and they also sell fat quarters, not all online places do. https://www.thousandsofbolts.com/ind...category_ID=24

As for going to your "local" shops, I guess I don't consider 40-50 mile round trips that bad but that's just me. But, in your case I would probably just keep a list until it made it worth the trip.

As for the specialty techniques, your best be may be YouTube if the independent shops don't know what you are wanting to learn. You may want to see if there are local quilt guilds/clubs that you can join.

I'm sure others have and will give you good advice, the Quilt Board is a great resource of information and help!

Welcome!

I don’t make large quilts anymore so one of my favorites on line is https://www.quiltedtwins.com. Love their fat quarter bundles. Flat rate shipping is $5.00.

There are 2 JoAnns and 2 Hobby Lobbys within 8 miles from my home. No LQS close although there are 3 in my hometown, although I only shop at one of them (my reasons for not shopping at the other 2 are negative and I won't publicize my reasons since they are personal preference) I have had good experiences with Marshall Dry Goods for batting and 108" backing. I do buy interfacing and non-quilting things and did buy backing fabric for a full size quilt at JoAnn and bought gold fabric at Hobby Lobby because it was the exact color I needed but I do not need fabric. Fabric Depot in Portland has sales quite often and from Memorial Day to Labor Day they have their outdoor sale where you can find all sorts of great deals. Since one of my sisters lives in the Portland area, I try to stop at Fabric Depot when I am on my way to visit.

I really miss Hancock's Fabric store now that it is gone. I shopped there a lot!!!

I try to buy local to support brick and mortar stores, I also have taken classes with several of the stores in my area. I have 4 quilt shops within 1/2 drive. One is retiring after 35 years and even though it’s not my favorite one, I will miss it.

I also shop shop online mostly at MSQC and fat quarter shop, and I just put in my first order to Jordan’s fabrics.

i found myself at fabric depot in Portland one day while in the area on an errand. I just stood there stunned for a full five minutes. All those beautiful, quality fabrics! I don’t really buy fabric from Joanns anymore, it feels so thin and whisky to me now. I guess I’ve become a fabric snob.