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I find the people you hunt doen only know how to cut one yard or half yard. If you say 2/3 rds or 3/4ths they look at you funny. One actually gave me a full yard but only charged me for 3/4ths. I even showed her on the yardstick how much I needed but she still cut the yard!

my local store only has prepackaged fabric, which is poor quality, when i inquired, the clerk said they are phasing out even this small amount of fabric and are cutting back on sewing notions.

It is crazy that there is so much variation in the fabric department at Wal-Marts! I live in a big metropolitan area, so I can go 10 to 15 minutes in different directions and hit a Wal-Mart. I have already pegged the Wal-Mart that I like best (largest fabric selection, neatly organized). Some of the fabric is rough, weave not so great, but there is a lot of it that is of enough weight, tight enough weave, feels good to the touch, and pretty too! I find their fat quarters in my particular stores are rough feeling. Some of their fabric is upwards in price as well. But I gotta say I am thrilled to have choices!!

I was also surprised that different WalMarts carry different items - and don't always have the same things on sale. Or do closeouts at the same time.

Or even do the same closeout prices for items from the same line! That seemed odd to me. But - it's their store!

I

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnative (Post 5398531)

Yes I am! You obviously know about how lucky I am!

I wish I was back in Billings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

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Originally Posted by rush88888 (Post 5397799)

walmart, joann and hobby lobby carries fabric that is inferior to that of lqs. i would rather pay for quality so that my quilts might last 50 years or more. you get what you pay for. i only purchase from my 2 lqs. we can always say that it is too bad that a lqs closed; but, quilters help to keep them in business, and if those quilters prefer to purchase lower quality fabrics from the big box stores, lqs might close.

What you say about the quality of LQS fabrics may be true, however, I cannot afford $12.00 a yard for fabric. I never could. I am happy for you that you can afford it.

I bought several pieces from one of my local Wal-Marts recently (I have 2 close to me) and to my surprise, according to the printing on the bolt, two of them said "Made in the USA" I wasn't aware any fabric was still made in this country.

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Originally Posted by His_Grace (Post 5398485)

Many of the really old quilts that are now so treasured were made with what we would now consider rags - discarded, used clothing that wasn't from the best fabrics anyway. I know that many, many quilts that my mother had were made that way! :) Surely even the cheapest fabric now is as good as rags were then!

That is so true. I can remember my grandmothers and mother using feed sacks and old clothing such as wool suits, old velvet dresses, old pants, etc. to make scrappy quilts. There are quilts out there that are georgous made from cheap material and georgous ones made of very high quality fabric, all are great for cuddling etc. Our family has several old quilts that are getting frayed and worn, but they still serve their purpose. My loved ones grab these first. I know that they are made with love and used with love.

The 2 Wal Marts in my area have fabric depts. but you have to run around the stores looking for a clerk. I questioned why they don't have a bell & they said they keep disappearing. ANYBODY NEED A BELL??? How crappy is that. The last time I was there I had to go half way across the store just to ask if they could call somebody for me. I was told she was covering 7 areas today & it's hard to tell where she was. I really needed what I picked or I wouldn't have bothered.
Then there is those sm. cutting tables...................Doesn't look like the company is very serious in the fabric depts. .......Ok, enough of my whining.

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Originally Posted by Neesie (Post 5395758)

I've seen customers load bolts of fabric into a cart, walk around and find something they like better, so just stick the first bolts wherever (often onto the Sales! shelf). Then the employees must locate the missing bolts and return everything to the proper spots. Plus those same employees are almost always expected to cover at least two departments, at a time. I've gotten to know a few Fabric Dept. employees and they're constantly having to shuffle between tasks . . . usually while some huffy woman is "Ding! Ding! DING!!!"-ing the fabric counter bell. I can imagine it must be hard to keep smiling, some days.

(This is referring to WalMart.)

I have a WalMart just a couple of blocks from me with Hancocks and Hobby Lobby across the street from them. Joan's has 2 stores a few miles away in opposite directions. I also have lots of quilt shops around & you can get fabric on sale and clearance if you can find it there at about the same price. I like to sew with name brand fabrics. I almost have lots of fabric in my house. Can't resist a good bargain.