Does your LQS have a public sewing room?
 

Our Guild doesn't have anything to do with Quilting Bees, and there seems to be a need for new quilters and sewers to start meeting with a smaller group. Scrapbook stores do this for scrappers. I was thinking of approaching our LQS to find out if they would let others "sew" in their classroom for a fee. Does your LQS let you come in and sew? Just wondering.

No. They just downsized to a smaller shop and they don't even have enough room for the fabric. I am not sure they will be having classes anymore because of this.

our local has a free sew day (Tuesdays) when you can go in, sit around & work on anything you want free of charge. some weeks it is fairly busy, other's only an employee or two - you can hand stitch, bring your machine, and work on what ever. also, any time they do not have a scheduled class going on you are welcome to go in & work on a project- (great for holiday sewing when you don't want those at home to see what you are working on) :) you just need to call ahead & ask if there is table space available-

Yes, during set times. I don't think it's on a walk-in basis.

Yes, it is used not only for their own classes, but frequent Girls' Nights out, and can be rented out to groups.

I think ours does and certain days and it is free. I will have to recheck into it. sometimes it is fun to sew with others.

Local sewing machine store has a large building in the back that has open sew Monday's. Cost is 6$ paid to the person running it. She is a great quilter and helps solve problems people have. Usually order out and eat supper there. Next door is the LQS. They don't have room as their classroom is very small.

One of the shops I go to does have open sews on the weekend and I think 1 night a week. I forget how much it costs, they like to have people sewing so when customers come in they can see what people are working on.

A group of ladies I sew with, meet the first Sat. of every month at our Library, the room is free, has a micro wave, coffee maker. We meet from 9 am to 4 PM. We have always asked for it ahead of time ( for a year) a couple of times a year something will come up Library related and we won't be able to have the room, but they let us know ahead of time and we usually make other plans. (Each others homes). You might try something like this.

The quilt shop closest to me has some free times and others where there is a charge, but with the charge you get help with your project.

Mine does have it , but its at specific times. Another by me has assisted sewing day , you can use the space and have instruction as you may need it, they charge a small fee.

Ours had a Friday evening available for $4.00 and they provide pizza.

One of my LQS only has the one class room and it is small, used only for classes another larger shop has UFO night, sit and sew night. classes, and close to Christmas at least 1 free sew night per week. Sometimes that is the only time you can work on gift projects.

Yes ours does, it's free and available during open hours UNLESS she has a class going on of course. Plus she is available to help you any way she can. It's a great place!

Thanks y'all. I knew it made sense to have one. I'll approach them next time I go in to see if they will do it.

The largest dealer/quilt shop in our area has Friday open sew day, unless there is a program or seminar schedueled .
We call ahead to make sure there is space available and to reaserve a machine, if needed. I always take my quilts over there to use the tables to sandwich them. They even let us use spray basting.

Our guild has several "breakout" groups (one that specializes in applique) - those groups meet at different area quilt shops one day a week. It is a great way for quilt shops to sell more fabric and piques customer's interests. We have a group that works on American Doll items -- we meet in a quilt shop also. Just pay $1.00 each for coffee.

The one closest to me does not except for charity sewing (quilts for kids). There is one less local (about 40 min drive) that does at various times during the week/month. However, there is a smaller group that meets locally in our library each week that welcomes anyone. Maybe that's an option for you????

Try your local Library.

We do the same, but last fri. of month......libraries are a great place for "bees"

Mine has scheduled "free-sew" hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Any other time that the workroom is available you can use it at a $3 per hour rate. I've used it in the summer months when I had a deadline because they have A/C and I don't! Heaven!

Our LQS has open sewing for free M,T and W all day at the shop. My guess is they can accommodate about 15 people. They also recently acquired a large amount of space nearby to use for a retreat center which can hold about 80 people. I believe you can rent a smaller room there for group meetings, or pay a small fee for sew-ins there when they don't have classes or retreats scheduled.

I just discovered my local extension office has a sewing/quilting group that meets the first Saturday of each month. It's free and lasts all day. I can drop in and out as my schedule allows. You might check there too! There is no sewing clubs/groups meeting at my local library that I could find. :(

JOur group meets at the church, they have a large room and we meet twice a month. Fun time

Yes, has a sit a sew on certain days.

A couple near me do allow public sewing. I don't know what they charge.

Several of our area shops do have open sewing areas, where as long as there is no class scheduled you are free to use them. Some charge a fee, but a few don't. My quilting buddies and I tend to meet at one of our houses once a month (or more) for open sewing. It's great to sew with friends and get their input on what you're working on. I have the biggest dining room table and a wide open living room floor so I seem to be the "go-to" place, which I love. My husband has dubbed our dining room "the sewing annex" and he seems to love when "the girls" show up.

Yes, there are three in our area that let any quilters use their room during specific hours. They don't charge a fee either. I'm sure its worth it for the owners because we always end up buying something we need or something new in the store. Otherwise the room would just be sitting there not getting used. I LOVE it because it gives us optional days and it's always fun to sew with someone. Also, it doesn't need to be a guild...just a few friends! Good luck!😃

Check with local libraries. Our bee meets at a library every two weeks. We pay a cleaning fee but it is reasonable.

Mine does, I don't know if they charge since it brings in business.

no. no local quilt shop. Our one close one was distroyed in the tornado and the others are not that close... boo hoo

I've organized "A ladies Day Out" a gathering place for ladies to socialize and create at our local community center. As long as there are no fees or dues charged and anyone can join there is no rent. I only set two rules - no kids (for safety and sanity) and clean up your own mess. so far we have 18 women, quilters, fashion sewing, knitting and crocheting, a jewelry maker, embroidery and cross stitchers. I have heard a local church has a similar gathering.

One of my LQSs does have open sew time for a flat fee ($5, I think). They also have quit camps on Mondays (normally the shop is closed). For a minimum of 6 quilters, you can rent the space from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a dish to pass for lunch and dinner for $10 per quilter or owner will provide lunch and dinner for $20 a quilter. I've done both the open sew and the quilt camp and they've been most enjoyable.

A LQS I frequent does have open sew on Wednesdays from 1-3 where customers can come in and sew and even have free consultation with the shop owner. I've gone a couple of times…beneficial for me and a did spend some $$$ in return.

My LQS not only has a sewing room, they also allow our sewing club (not all quilters) to meet there once a month free of charge. She also offers our group discounts on classes. It is certainly a better set up than we had at the local library where we paid $20 per month for the use of their meeting room for 2 hours a month. Located in Lancaster County, PA....almost heaven for quilters.

My group used our church fellowship center once a week for a couple of years. They were very willing to allow us to
use it. We always left it just as we found it...no extra work for the janitor. :)

My LQS allows us to meet once a week for $20 per month each. The convenience of meeting in a shop makes it worth the cost.

Quilt shops in area here allow meetings for free and even give us a 15% discount on fabric when bought after meetings. I think they have found it works well for all.

My LQS has a classroom. She lets people use it. Our local Quilts of Valor people meet there. Recently we started a UFO club and we meet once a month. It is so nice to get to sew with other quilters and get feedback and help and just plain fellowship with each other.