Ridiculous prices at most LQS with limited choices. That's why I shop online most of the time. I surf until I find the best price on the fabric I want. I do also check out my LQS (there are a few in the area) for any sales or coupons they may be offering as well as their back rooms for the sales and closeouts. I have found that if you are a good shopper you can even find very nice fabric at Walmart (please don't start that "my WM doesn't carry fabric anymore" conversation), Jo-Ann Fabrics, Hancock Fabrics and Hobby Lobby. I love high quality fabric and I won't buy garbage but I can't afford to pay $11-12/yd. and, on principle alone, even if I could I wouldn't, not when I can find it for so much less with very little effort. I am in the process of making a small quilt for my granddaughter and am following a pattern using a certain collection by RJR. I can pay full price ($10.50/yd)at a certain LQS and pay about $160 for the fabric (including backing). Shopping online I found the exact same fabric for just under $100 including shipping (still quite a bit for a baby quilt but this one is special). I can't blame the LQS owners for wanting to make ends meet but in this economy and in this day and age it just makes sense for them to have an online presence to increase sales volume and to keep prices within reason. They shouldn't complain about fewer customers if they overcharge because they don't want to get with the times. My favorite LQS actually started out as an online business and just recently opened a shop. They carry gorgeous fabric lines from all of the major manufacturers and charge much less per yard than other LQS in the area. They also have a much larger inventory so there are more choices for the customers. They have very good sales too and wonderful customer service...the whole package. I shop there both online and at the store, whichever is more convenient for me. They're already in the process of doubling their store size because they have been so successful in just a year's time. Smart people :)

I would like to address the sale and clearance prices on our fabrics. When you see these fabrics on the clearance table and are marked down considerably just remember this.....they are probably selling those fabrics at BELOW their own cost. And when you see the 20% or so discounts they are probably selling their fabrics AT COST. That means NO PROFIT. They are counting on you coming in for those discounted items and being impulsive and buying other regularly priced items. They used to call these "loss leaders". Not sure if that term is still used but I know this practice is quite common.

My brother worked at Kmart and he told me they would have a huge sale on a camera that was well below Kmart's cost just to get you in the door. Of course if it is like most kmarts you would have to get a rain check on it! :lol: :lol:

LOSS leaders are still being used. Often manufacturers like MODA, will have a certain LOSER line they know will bring buyers into the shops, and then of course you can't find all of that line, so the shop has to steer you to OTHER lines to fill your gaps...amazing how those OTHER lines blends so well....hehehe

You are going to see the return of FLAT folds, RK goods, etc at places like Hancock fabrics and Joanns...I remember when Joanns bought out fabric world...those flat folds were our staples....but Joanns did away with them...I still have some of that GOOD cotton fabric..ehhehe

now a days you can buy them from Troy, and other "mercantile" named fabric warehouses...they are just the OLD lines that used to end up at Walmart, Alco, TG&Y, etc...not necessarily lesser quality, just ones that did not sell from the distributors warehouses, so they sold them out to the buyers for these stores.

I have long shopped online for fabric when it comes to making clothing for my girls, but as a newbie quilter I LOVE going into my LQS since they are so full of advice and can guide me so well when it comes to making decisions regarding fabrics.

Right now it is worth it for me to pay the higher price because of the wealth of knowledge that exists behind their doors!

F.Y.I. Someone metioned Hancock fabrics clearance sale- I was just there and they do have tables of fabric on clearance- some nice ones.$1,$2,$3,$5 and so on
Also discovered they beat Joanns on Schmetz needles.
We work with vintage sewing machines and go through needlesat a high rate so saving .50 a pack when not on a 50% off sale at Joanns is nice

I have been buying only what I need to finish projects. For pretty much a year now. I simply cannot afford to add to my stash any longer. And things I know I am not going to ever use I am selling to help cover other expenses.

No local quilt shops in my area..no fabric at Walmart either so I shop online. Fabric.com is having a sale right now...the Quilted B has wonderful customer service and something nice is always on sale. I also like The Old Country Store. Prices there run under $8.00 a yard.

Wow, I will stop buying this very minute! LOL

TThank you! Very helpful information.

Ouch ... for all of us...retailers and customers!